Shelly's Forbidden Mates [Beckett's Wolf Pack, Triad Mates 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More)

by Lynette Bernard

  “You’re both very smart men,” Joel told them, laughing as Max and Eli agreed.

  Shelly was relieved to feel the guilt easing from Joel and Craig. They were such good men and loving fathers. Claudia and Heather were so kind and gentle. Shelly already loved all of them fiercely. They had welcomed her with open arms. The women had confided in her that they believed that Shelly had given their sons the reason to live and love. They were so sweet. It was apparent that the women had imparted their sweetness on their sons.

  Shelly thinks we’re sweet, Eli, Max said, his teasing voice entering her mind.

  Shelly looked at him and couldn’t help but blush as she realized that she had projected her thoughts to both men. Eli was looking back at her with a very smug expression on his face.

  We are sweet, Max said, winking at Shelly and laughing at the immediate look of annoyance that crossed her face. Standing close to his father, he reached out and gripped his father’s shoulder.

  “Our mate thinks we’re sweet, Dad,” Eli told his father, laughing softly as Joel turned to look at Shelly before turning back to face him.

  “Eli, you need to be careful,” Joel told him quietly, his deep voice firm.

  “About what, Pop?”

  “If you use what you hear through your mating link to embarrass your mate, she won’t be able to trust you to keep her secrets. You’ll push her away. A woman needs to know that her mates will protect her secrets and her feelings.”

  “Max, I think you and Eli need to apologize to your woman,” Craig added. “You’ve probably hurt her with your teasing.”

  “Dad?” Max asked, stumbling, not knowing what to do or say.

  Eli and Max looked at Shelly in horror. They walked away from their fathers and made their way to their woman quickly. Both men stood beside her and took her hands within their own, pulling them up toward their chests and pressing them against the heavy sweaters that they were wearing.

  “Sorry, baby,” Max apologized without hesitation.

  “I’m sorry, too, Shelly,” Eli added. “I was just happy that you thought that we’re sweet.”

  “You are sweet,” Shelly whispered. “You’re also in big trouble.”

  Both men nodded.

  Martha looked at the mated triad and worried that Shelly might leave again. She didn’t want her to go. Shelly needed to stay and tough things out. A triad mating wasn’t an easy thing. All the members of the mating had to work together to figure things out and work through the kinks. No relationship was perfect. The trick was that you had to fight for every moment of understanding and happiness, and ensure that the love and caring of your mates was the top priority for all involved. She hoped that Shelly was willing to hang in there and fight for the men that she obviously loved.

  “I think you need to cook me a nice meal with a spectacular dessert to make up for it,” Shelly told them seriously, her blue eyes sparkling with humor.

  “We can do that,” Max agreed, sighing with relief that they hadn’t done irreparable damage to their relationship. “We didn’t mean to compromise your trust, baby.”

  Shelly pulled her hands free and carded them through her men’s hair, tugging on the soft strands as she pulled them closer so their ears were pressed against her lips. She kissed each man’s cheek gently, growling softly as they wrapped their arms around her waist and held her tightly.

  “I love you both so much,” she told them, her voice low so that only they could hear her. “I understand that you enjoy teasing me, and I’m okay with it. Just understand that I can get behind that and tease you, too.”

  “How are you going to tease us, sweetheart?” Eli asked, his breathing speeding up as their woman slipped her hand behind his neck and dragged her nails across it slowly.

  Shelly laughed softly as she looked into her men’s eyes, very pleased to see that they were golden and were filled with desire for her. She loved it when their wolves came out to play.

  “I’ll tell you when we get home,” she told them, easing forward and kissing Eli’s lips gently before turning and doing the same to Max’s. “Or maybe I’ll just show you.”

  “Showing is good,” Max whispered, his wolf sitting up and growling softly at the thought of their woman showing them how much she wanted and loved them.

  “Very good,” Eli agreed. He nuzzled against her temple and kissed it lightly. “Love you so much, sweetheart.”

  Shelly breathed in slowly, taking in her men’s scents and sighing softly. She loved that they surrounded her within their embrace and held her gently. She hugged them tightly, resting her head on Eli’s shoulder and looking up so she could see both of them.

  “You know you make me really happy, right?” she asked them, pleased to see the smiles on their faces and feeling the wave of love and contentment that they radiated.

  Neither man could speak. They wanted to get down on their knees beside their woman and profess their love for her, but they were surrounded by so many people.

  Max looked around and noted that the triads in the room were not really looking at them. They were all wrapped up in their own little bubble of love. Looking at Eli, he nodded as he grinned.

  Don’t care, Max said through their link.

  About what? Eli asked, confused.

  About what everyone else thinks.

  Max slipped his arms around Shelly’s waist and drew her toward him. “Love you so damned much, baby,” he whispered before he eased forward and took her lips in a slow, gentle kiss.

  Before Shelly could react, she felt Eli’s lips on her neck, nibbling and sending her into need. His warm breath against her skin made her shiver.

  Martha sighed with relief. She was glad to see that Shelly was committed to her men and their triad relationship. The way Shelly, Max, and Eli were with each other showed her that this was a love that was going to last.

  Thinking about Janine, she wished she had the same sense of hope for her daughter. Each time she spoke to Janine, the sadness and loneliness within her daughter broke her heart. She needed something that Martha didn’t have within her power to give her.

  “Alex, I think it’s a good idea to go and visit your sister this weekend,” Martha said softly, looking at her son and pleading with her gray eyes for his help and understanding.

  “Okay, Mom.”

  “No,” Shelly said gently but firmly, garnering everyone’s attention. “I’ll go. There’s a better chance that Janine will open up to me. She always has before.”

  “Oh, Shelly, that would be wonderful,” Martha said, very close to tears. “Janine will be so happy to see you. Maybe she will open up to you and tell you what’s wrong.”

  Shelly nodded. “It’ll be nice to see my little sister again,” she said, laughing softly as Martha embraced her and hugged her tightly.

  “Max and Eli will go with you,” Jace told them. “Alex and Butler should go along. I need all of you to check on Mia, Dean, and Mitchell, too.”

  “I want Lucian and Cole to go,” Laurie spoke up, surprising all of them.

  Lucian looked at Cole in surprise. The flare of hope that burst through his chest was immediate. He looked back at their queen and saw the smile on her face and the determination in her eyes.

  “You do, my queen?” Lucian asked, his voice low as he struggled to control his emotions.

  “Yes. I do,” Laurie insisted. She turned to face Jace and Jackson and saw the question in their eyes. “I think Lucian and Cole should be there to make sure that all of them are safe. Do you think you’ll be able to do without them on pack land until the kids graduate?”

  “You want them to live with the kids until they graduate?” Jace asked, shocked.

  “Yes. They need to be there to protect them,” Laurie insisted. “They also need to make sure that Mia knows that it’s okay to fall in love and seriously consider committing herself to her mates.”

  “You want them to commit themselves as mates?” Jackson asked, astonished by this turn of events.

&nb
sp; Laurie turned and faced Lucian and Cole, seeing that both men were just as surprised as Jace and Jackson were. Lucian slipped his fingers into his blond hair and tugged on it lightly. Cole scratched at the dark scruff of beard on his face. Both men were obviously confused and agitated. Laurie could see that Cole’s normally blue eyes, and Lucian’s normally brown eyes, were now glowing golden as their wolves realized that she was giving them permission to woo their mate.

  “You need to promise me that you’ll protect my children and Mitchell,” Laurie told them firmly. “You need to allow Mia the time she’ll need to realize that loving you is not something that she should be afraid of.”

  Both Lucian and Cole nodded without hesitation.

  “You also need to promise me that you’ll make sure that all three of them won’t give up. They have to finish college. Okay?”

  “You have our oath,” Cole answered for them both.

  Laurie nodded, relief filling her at the promise. She knew she was making the right decision. Mia deserved happiness. So did Dean and Mitchell. Unfortunately, she didn’t have it within her powers to fix their situation. Only knowing who their mate was would allow her to take any action to help them.

  “You will go this weekend to speak to Mia,” Jace told them. “Be respectful. Be kind. Understand her hesitation and offer her your support.”

  “Yes, Alpha,” Lucian said, his deep voice nearly cracking with the emotions that were filling him.

  “You will come back to us and tell us of Mia’s acceptance,” Jace told them, his deep voice serious. “Only after she has accepted you will you be allowed to make the move to stay there for the duration of the cubs’ college years.” He looked at the two men who would be mated to their daughter and knew a moment of fear so deep, he had to reach out to Laurie and Jackson to stay grounded. “You will wait for Mia to be presented to our pack as an adult before you claim her.”

  Both Lucian and Cole nodded, never thinking that they would do anything other than wait for Mia’s coming of age to form their triad with her. They also knew that they first had to be successful in convincing Mia that they would not smother her or abuse her before they could even have a chance with her. Once she saw that they would respect and love her, she would understand that their triad mating would be a good thing. They hoped.

  “You will use your skills to fix up the pack home that they’re inhabiting,” Jace continued. “It will give you a purpose for being there. It will also keep you occupied while Mia is busy with her classes and studying.”

  Good idea, Jace, Jackson told him through their link. That place certainly needs updating.

  It does, Jace agreed. Renovating it will give Luc and Cole something to focus on beside Mia. They need to know that they are contributing to the pack by using their skills to improve the old house. I know they’ll do a good job.

  “Jace and I will give you a list of improvements we want you to make on the home,” Jackson offered, looking at Laurie and seeing the almost imperceptible nod of approval that she gave him.

  Thank you. Laurie’s gently whispered words washed over them.

  “I’ll arrange for you to have access to an account to buy the necessary supplies you’ll need in order to renovate the home,” Jackson continued. “You’ll also use the money for household needs as well as food. Can either of you cook?”

  Luc laughed softly, looking at Cole and smiling widely. “Yes, Beta, we can cook,” he said proudly.

  “Good. You’ll be responsible for making sure that Mia, Dean, and Mitchell eat healthy meals during their time away at college,” Jackson said with determination.

  “I expect you to be vigilant in your protection of them,” Jace said firmly. “There are still many dangers from other packs that threaten us who know that we can be weakened and destroyed by hurting those that we love.”

  “I think Janine should live there, too,” Laurie suggested. “She needs to be protected, as well.” She turned to look at Martha, Silas, and Grant, seeking out their thoughts. “Would it be all right with you if we ask Janine to move in with my children and Mitchell? We need to make sure that she’s safe. I want her to be able to finish her schooling in a protected and loving environment.”

  “I believe that would be acceptable,” Silas answered for them, laughing at the soft sniffle that escaped their mate. “Martha? Would that be acceptable to you, my love?”

  Martha could only nod. Relief filled her at the knowledge that her little girl would be within a loving group of family members. She had seen that her little girl was comfortable with Mia. She had also seen how she kept herself apart from Dean and Mitchell. That concerned her, but Martha was hopeful that her daughter would accept the friendship that the two young men would offer her.

  “I’ll ask Janine to consider moving into the pack house when I see her,” Shelly promised as she stepped closer to Martha and reached out to take her hand. “She needs to be with family.”

  “Thank you, Shelly,” Martha whispered. “Maybe it will help my baby to be with them. They’re such good people.”

  “I’m looking forward to visiting with all of them,” Shelly said sincerely.

  “My daughter will be stubborn, Shelly,” Grant offered. “But her heart is sad. She’s lonely. Please help her to understand how much we all care about her and love her.”

  Shelly nodded, smiling sadly. She didn’t know why Janine had isolated herself from the pack family, but Shelly was going to find out. The sadness of the young girl that had been so evident the last time she had seen Janine had obviously never been eased. Shelly was determined to get to the bottom of it and help her little sister be happy again. She hoped that Mia, Dean, and Mitchell would help her make that happen.

  “Be prepared to leave on Saturday morning,” Jace said, his deep voice commanding. He knew he didn’t have to be so forceful, but he couldn’t help it. It was an alpha thing. “You will return to us on Sunday night to tell us of the success of your visit.”

  “Yes, Alpha,” Cole answered for them.

  He looked at Luc and smiled when he saw the emotions that flashed at him from his triad partner’s eyes. He had to admit to himself that he was one huge mass of emotions himself right then. Just thinking about being with Mia and maybe holding her within his arms was almost too much to think about. He had to temper his thoughts. Mia would probably refuse them and tell them to go back to the Circle Three Ranch.

  Laurie walked toward Lucian and Cole and reached out to take their hands within her own. She squeezed them lightly, seeing the hope in their eyes, and smiled gently.

  “Everything will work out,” she told them with assurance. “Please take care of my children. Show Mia that it’s good to allow yourself to love and be loved.”

  Luc and Cole felt the gentle encouragement that their queen sent them and were empowered. They were cautious in their hope that their destined mate would allow them to love her.

  Chapter 35

  Eli shook the snow from his coat and knit cap as he stepped up into the enclosed front porch of their home. Max was right behind him, closing the screen door that now housed the thick panes of glass to ward off the chill of the cold weather.

  The small potbelly stove in the corner of the porch held no fire. The late-night cuddles on the sofa of the front porch as they looked at the beautiful lake before them were a distant memory. Neither man would allow Shelly to sit out there and catch a chill. It didn’t matter that they shared their body heat with her beneath the heavy blankets that were still on the couch. Both men were hyperaware that Shelly was ovulating and wouldn’t risk her getting ill—not with the possibility of her getting pregnant.

  “Do you think she’ll get pregnant tonight?” Max asked quietly, not wanting Shelly to overhear their conversation.

  He still remembered how she had asked them not to tell her when they scented her fertility. She didn’t want to get nervous about conceiving or not.

  “Don’t know, but it doesn’t matter,” Eli said, laughing softly.
“It’ll happen eventually. We saw our kids, Max.”

  “Yeah. We did.”

  He opened the front door and stepped inside, the emptiness of the house hitting him in the chest immediately. A sense of panic gripped him. All he could think about was the loss of their woman so many years before. The fear that it would happen again rode him hard.

  Shelly, baby, where are you? he called through their link.

  I’m at Abbey’s home, Shelly’s voice answered without hesitation. Synthia, Abbey, and I have some work to finish before I can leave.

  Are you feeling okay, sweetheart? Eli asked worriedly.

  Eli, you have to stop worrying so much, she told him, her soft laughter filling his mind. She sent him calming thoughts, brushing against his mind with love and gentleness to help him. I feel fine. Better than fine, actually. I had a really nice time with my mates last night.

  Did you, baby? Max asked her, smiling broadly as he walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door.

  I did. It was nice watching television and eating popcorn. I’m sorry I fell asleep. You two were just so warm and cuddly, I couldn’t help it.

  Eli laughed softly as he looked at Max. Cuddly was not a term he would use to characterize his triad partner. Menacing, scary, and strong, yeah, but cuddly? Nope.

  He suddenly got a face full of towel and couldn’t help but laugh. Max was growling at him. Even through the obvious threat in Max’s eyes, Eli knew that Max accepted that he had never been a soft and cuddly kind of guy—until Shelly.

  Are you picking on my Max again, Eli? Shelly’s stern voice came through loud and clear.

  Yes, he is, baby. Come and protect me, Max answered quickly, laughing as Eli whipped the towel at him and caught him in the chest. He’s beating me up, Mate.

  Eli Granger, don’t make me withhold my kisses, she warned him.

  Oh, sweetheart, you wound me.

  Shelly’s sweet laughter filled his mind and sent warmth through his chest. It was really unbelievable how ridiculously happy he was. Surely, someone couldn’t be this happy and not have something happen.