“Are you happy? I mean, Nikki seems to be a lovely young woman, but I never stop worrying about you pups.”
“Couldn’t be happier.” Except, Mason thought, if they were all back in bed instead of sitting around talking.
“And Luke?”
“Well, Luke…You know how he is. I think he’s happier than he realizes.”
“I’ve wondered if he would come to want her rather than just accepting her like some sort of appendage. I was truly ashamed of the way he treated her before the joining.”
“Yeah, I heard about that.” What could he say? Luke could make an ass of himself sometimes.
“So I thought I should tell you that your father plans to send Luke back to Lycan territory this week to decide where he will live after the hydan.” Carolyn tossed her long, white-blonde hair over her shoulder and rubbed her face with both hands, something she frequently did when she felt annoyed or exasperated.
“What? The hydan isn’t over yet. He can’t order that.”
“He can, and he will. He still wants to punish Luke for embarrassing both families on the night you arrived, and cutting the hydan short seems the perfect way to do it. It’s ridiculous, especially after the way Luke jumped to Zion’s defense, though between you and me, I sometimes think he’s angrier about that. In public, he says he is proud of you and Luke for it, but in private he acts as if you’ve both been disloyal. He rants on about Luke the most, but that’s nothing new.”
“Well…fuck. That also punishes Nikki. Has Father thought about that? If he leaves now, she doesn’t get her full hydan, either.” The hydan was something every wolf looked forward to. It was supposed to be a carefree time for indulging each other. Their hydan hadn’t exactly been carefree, but they definitely had the indulging part covered. He didn’t even bother mentioning Grey’s rants about Luke. He’d always known his father expected Luke to be alpha one day. It had bothered him as a pup, not to even be considered, but now all he felt was relief. He’d seen what that job could get you.
Carolyn shrugged and shook her head. “I tried talking some sense into your father. I really did, but he won’t budge. Anyway, I wanted to give you the heads-up before he summons Luke. Maybe, hearing it from you will soften the blow for both of them.” She glanced over at Nikki and Luke and smiled, then looked back at Mason. “They sure do seem to be enjoying each other. Perhaps he should just tell your father that he does want her after all.”
“He should, but I don’t think he will. Not yet, anyway. I’m not sure he’s ready to admit it to himself.”
Carolyn sighed and got to her feet. “I hope when he finally figures it out, it’s not already too late.”
“Too late?”
“Luke has always been the more stubborn of you pups, and I managed to be patient with him because I love you both so much. But from what I understand, Luke hasn’t given Nikki the opportunity to really get to know him. She might not be open to loving him by the time he wakes up and decides he’s ready. A woman’s heart can be difficult to change once she’s hardened it.”
Mason stood up and kissed his mother on the cheek. “You worry too much. Look at them over there, smiling and laughing. They can’t keep their hands off each other.”
Carolyn smiled warmly up at Mason. “And you’ve always been an optimist, but I’m right on this one. If he doesn’t take what she’s offering, she may decide she no longer wants to give it.”
* * * *
Luke and Grey sat glaring at each other, a position that had become all too familiar since Luke had come of age.
“You’ll leave tomorrow evening.” Grey leaned back in his new black-leather desk chair and laced his fingers together over his chest. You’ve been given a direct order. Whether you like it isn’t my concern.”
Luke leaned forward in his chair, looking Grey squarely in the eyes. He wanted no misunderstandings. “I’m well aware that it’s a direct order. I’m just here to give you the opportunity to change your mind.”
“The opportunity? Why would I change my mind? Are you telling me you love her?”
The way Grey sneered the word “love” made Luke cringe inside. It was no wonder he had so much trouble with the L-word. Look who had raised him.
“I’m telling you I won’t allow you to control my life with my mate. No matter what you want, or Zion wants, she’s mine, and I’m not leaving in the middle of the hydan just because you want to prove a point or punish me.”
“Mason is with Nikki now. There’s no reason for you to stay, and the early departure—that’s for the best. There’s no need for you to get overly close with the girl or her family when you have no intention of playing the happy family man.”
“Forcing me out now will only hurt Nikki unnecessarily.”
“It’s a necessary pain. You’re leaving anyway, so why prolong the inevitable, especially if your early departure will help me and eventually your clan?”
Luke exhaled heavily. “Do you care about anything besides this merger? Forget about that. What about me? What about your son’s happiness? And if I leave now, won’t that put the joining of our clans more at risk? You’ve said all along that uncertainty between Nikki and me caused unrest, and who knows, you could be the one challenged next time.”
“The merger’s a done deal, but I’m already thinking about our future—your future. This co-alpha thing can’t last forever, and I’m going to make sure we come out on top. We’ll have the meeting to make it official tomorrow morning, and I doubt anyone will be hot to challenge again, not after they witnessed Caleb’s death. Once the meeting is over, anyone who has questions about your commitment to that girl can go fuck himself.” He paused and looked out the window, frowning. “I was surprised to see you, and not only you, also Mason, jump into the fight like that. You both could have been killed. And for what? Zion isn’t really even your alpha yet.”
“He’s my mate’s father.”
“I’m aware, but I find it hard to believe you already have that much loyalty to him, mate bond or no mate bond. What are we talking about here, anyway? You wanted your freedom, and I’m giving it to you, early, to boot.”
The last thing he wanted to do was discuss his feelings with his father, but he had to give some explanation. “I’m not sure freedom is such a prize after all. Maybe I want something different now.”
“Meaning what, exactly?”
“Meaning, I want the rest of the hydan because I am no longer sure I want to leave. Meaning, I want these last days because I don’t want to hurt Nikki any sooner that I have to.” Luke paused, realizing for the first time what he’d tried to ignore all along—that leaving to live in former Lycan lands would be a blow for Nikki, even if she did have Mason, even if he did wait until the end of the hydan. And he didn’t just crave her body now. He actually cared about how she would take the news.
“And you want it all with the intensity of that word, maybe. Can’t say I’m impressed with your commitment, given the words you choose.”
“You wouldn’t be impressed no matter how I said it. I’d think you’d be pleased that I helped Zion. As alpha, Caleb would never have agreed to uniting our clans. You would have been forced to challenge him or face the war you said our clan couldn’t risk. Or have you forgotten what we’d stand to lose if our numbers were decimated and then it came to battle with Ulric or the vampires.”
“I haven’t forgotten, but as my son, it isn’t your place to help save some other alpha.”
Luke shrugged, wondering why he even bothered. His father had managed to find fault with almost everything he did over the years. He couldn’t understand why Grey even wanted him to be alpha. At least he seemed to find fewer reasons to criticize Mason. “Know what I want most? I want you and Zion to stay out of my relationship with Nikki. Either she’s my mate, and I’m free to work things out with her as I see fit, or I won’t have her as my mate at all, not even in name.”
Grey dropped his hands and leaned forward, fixing Luke with a stare that woul
d certainly cause a lesser man to cower. “There’s no divorce among our kind. You know that.”
“Well,” Luke said, working to sound nonchalant, “there’s a first time for everything.”
“If you won’t have her, even in name, you will have to leave the clan, and I’ll send word to our allies. No one we know will have you, and lone wolf shifters don’t fare well these days.”
“That’s a chance I’m willing to take. I’ll have Nikki on my own terms or not at all.” Luke met Grey’s speculative stare head on. He meant every word.
“She’s worth being cast out? Must be some hydan.”
“Look, I want the hydan without your interference. If, after that, I can’t be the mate Nikki deserves, I’ll leave of my own accord and go live in Lycan territory, pretending to be needed there, just as you planned. But it will be my decision, not yours and not Zion’s.”
Grey appeared thoughtful. “If you do decide to stay with your mate, you’ll have less of a fight to take my place once I’m ready to step down. You’ll already have the support of the Lycans, and you can work to ingratiate yourself with the Ravens.”
“I don’t want to be alpha. You know that.”
“Whether you want it or not, duty calls you, and I want to see one of my heirs take leadership. You’re my choice. If you fail…then Mason.”
“Zion has two sons who are more likely to be called. And Mason doesn’t want the job any more than I do.” Job? “Burden” was more accurate. His father had always been willing to sacrifice anything for the clan because he was the alpha. Luke wanted no part of it.
“It’s true that Adam or Levi could be called next, or maybe the clan will vote for a continued co-alpha leadership, allowing for two of the strongest to take over. But I’d rather see you as alpha, and if you do stay with Nikki, I will push for it when the time comes.”
“Like hell you will.” Carolyn’s voice startled them both. Luke had scented her from the hall, but she rarely interrupted Grey’s conversations.
“This is between my son and me,” Grey said sternly.
“He’s my son, too, Grey. I’ve loved him as my own since he was a pup, and I won’t let you railroad him into this.”
“Mom, it’s okay.” Luke stood up and hugged her. He didn’t want her running afoul of Grey because of him.
“No, Luke. It’s not. Go on back your mate. Grey and I need to talk.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Go on now.”
Luke knew Grey wouldn’t hurt her physically. Carolyn would never stand for that, but he would give her the sharp edge of his tongue. “I don’t want you arguing over me.”
“Oh, I can handle Grey…”
Grey laughed. “You can?”
“Yes, I can. I’ve put up with your ways for decades, Grey, because I love you. I didn’t argue when you said Luke must join with Nikki, because I agree he should be with his mate, but you won’t force him into leadership he doesn’t want.”
“It’s amusing that you think you can stop me.” Grey leaned back in his chair, looking thoroughly entertained.
“You won’t be so amused when you hear what I have to say. I should have put this out there long ago.” Carolyn turned to Luke again. “Go, Luke. Please. What I have to say is for your father’s ears only.”
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely. We’ll talk later.” She patted his arm the way she used to when he was a pup.
Luke stood outside the door for several minutes after she closed it, waiting. When he didn’t hear raised voices, he figured Carolyn must be holding her own and went off in search of his mate and Mason. Grey had summoned him right after breakfast, and Nikki and Mason decided to go to a dedication while they waited for him. He’d catch up with them and check on his mother later.
Chapter 7
“You don’t have to carry me, Luke. I can walk.” Nikki wouldn’t lie and say she didn’t feel at home in his arms, but he continued to surprise her. He’d been passionate in bed, but outside of it, he was proving to be just as attentive and affectionate. Could it be that he’d changed his mind? She still hoped against hope that his sense of responsibility would become something more.
“I like carrying you, and besides, I never got to carry you over the threshold the night of out joining. I’m just making up for lost time.”
He never got to carry me over the threshold? Luke must have a case of convenient amnesia, but Nikki couldn’t bring herself to debate the subject. She was too happy pressed up against him, inhaling his manly scent while Mason led the way back to their suite.
“Back to bed, Mrs. Andres?” Mason held the bedroom door open, watching their entry with one eyebrow raised.
Nikki nodded in agreement, but she never made it there. She smiled first at Mason, thinking he’d read her mind, and then kissed Luke’s neck softly. The next thing she knew, the door to their suite was closed and two hundred pounds of muscular wolf man were pressing her against the thick wood. Nikki wrapped her arms around Luke’s neck, giving herself over to his kiss, feeling her nipples harden as his tongue played with hers. He didn’t just kiss her, he made love to her mouth, and when he reached down to palm her ass with both hands, she raised one leg and wrapped it around him. By the time he released her mouth, she was already panting with desire.
Luke began to unbutton her shirt, slowly, taking his time with each button. He stared into her eyes the entire time, not looking away until he’d freed her breasts from her blouse and unfastened the front clasp of her bra. “I can’t get enough of you,” he told her, stroking her breasts with both hands. “You skin is so delicate, sometimes I worry I might hurt you.” He squeezed her breasts, and her pussy tightened and released as she let out a sigh of pleasure. “When I touch you, though, there’s a strength there that makes me want you even more.”
Nikki watched as he bent to kiss the valley between her breasts and then circled her nipples with his tongue, one at a time. She reached for him, but found her hands pinned high above her head. Mason had joined the fray. Keeping her hands pinned above her, Mason claimed her mouth this time. His kiss was just as sensual, just as claiming as Luke’s, yet it was different. Once again, Nikki wondered how she’d ever thought she could be satisfied with just one man.
As Luke mouthed her breasts, tonguing the underside one after the other as if weighing her flesh with his tongue, Mason alternated between sucking her tongue and delivering little bites to her bottom lip. They were perfect for her. They overwhelmed her in the best of possible ways. When they touched her, it was impossible for her to think of anything other than how good they made her feel.
Luke’s mouth trailed down further, plying her belly and waist with hot kisses as he unzipped her skirt and slipped it over her hips. She wiggled her hips to help him as he hooked his fingers under the edge of her lace panties and pulled them down over her legs, stopping to kiss her thighs as she stepped out of them. Then he nuzzled her thighs and blew warm air on her pussy, teasing her sensitive flesh.
Mason kissed her neck softly and whispered in her ear, “I hope it’ll always be like this.”
He didn’t have to explain. She knew exactly what he meant. Their effect on her was electrifying. From the moment one or both of them looked her way or brushed her skin, she was on alert, every sense heightened in anticipation of what came next. She’d dressed purposefully with that in mind. She knew she wouldn’t stay clothed for long, so she’d chosen clothes that were as easy to take off as they were to put on. And when she felt the first touch of Luke’s tongue to her pussy, she was glad she had. Anything that created too much of a barrier between her and her men was a bad thing.
Slowly, she dissolved into pure sensation. Mason kissed and tongued his way along her neck, down to her breasts, where he took up where his brother had left off. He sucked slowly on one sensitive nipple and then the other, drawing groans from her as Luke licked up and down her pussy lips, wetting her cunt, but holding back from the next step. She wanted to touch them, but Mason held her wrists just ab
ove her head in one of his huge hands, preventing her from moving. All she could do was arch her back and thrust her hips forward to get closer to their touch, closer to the pleasure that only they could provide.
Luke rewarded her with a gentle nip of her pussy lips and then the pressure of his fingers as he parted them to expose her already-inflamed clit to the cool air of the room. There was no embarrassment in her, no shyness. Not with these two men who were her new life.
“Please, Luke. I need to feel your mouth.” Nikki thrust her hips forward again, but he took his time, blowing on her clit first and squeezing her thighs, biting the tender flesh there. Just when she started to struggle against the hold Mason had on her, desperate to release her hands and forcibly pull Luke’s mouth to her, he finally flicked her clit with his tongue. Her pussy convulsed as a wave of pleasure shot up her body. She cried out in pleasure as he flicked it again and again, then stopped and licked her entrance before focusing his attention on her clit once more. They knew exactly how to touch her, and soon she was gasping and bucking underneath their twin ministrations.
“Mason,” she panted. “I need to touch you, too.”
Mason lifted his mouth, temporarily freeing the breast he’d been so diligently loving and fixing her with a gaze so intense it sent another flush through her body. But all he said was, “Not yet,” before he resumed his oral assault on her flesh.
Whimpering, Nikki leaned her head against the door and resigned herself to temporary captivity. She was close, damned close to coming, and Luke pressed her toward a blistering climax with every flick of his tongue and every sensual graze of his teeth. But when he nudged her legs further apart and swiftly entered her arousal-slickened pussy with what felt like two, or maybe three, fingers, she cried out and bent her knees, doing her best to ride his hand even as she pumped her mound against his adoring tongue.
When the climax began, it shook her from head to toe, pulling screams of pleasure from her throat and making it impossible for her to stand on her own. But fortunately, she didn’t have to. As wave after wave of pleasure coursed through her body, Nikki had her men to keep her upright.
Nikki's Fated [Wolves of River's Bend 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 11