by Kris Norris
“Only a second.”
“Promise.”
She nodded, unsure why the thought of him leaving unnerved her, when Ethan eased free, rolling onto his side before pulling her against his chest. His heartbeat strummed against her ear, the steady sound calming her.
He dropped a few kisses across her forehead then smiled against her skin. “Stop tryin’ to figure it out. We’ll talk after you’ve had a chance to rest. Just trust me that everything’s going to be okay.”
Thunder clapped in the distance, the sound of rain on the windows lulling her to sleep. She burrowed closer, feeling safe for the first time since the Wilson brothers had taken her family. Her life. A growl resonated inside her head, an echoing voice reminding her she had even more to lose now.
Mine.
She wouldn’t fail them, no matter the cost. And if it meant she’d taste Bret and Frank’s blood on her tongue, so be it.
Chapter Eight
Ethan felt McKenna give herself over to sleep, her body finally relaxing against his. He brushed her hair back from her face, admiring the fine line of her jaw. God, she was beautiful and not just on the outside. The way she’d accepted both of them without prejudice… His chest constricted until simply breathing became difficult. Hell, they’d shown up to arrest her, and she’d saved their lives—and not just physically. Now here she was, wedged between them, her body curled against his.
Ethan forced himself to swallow around the huge ball of emotion stuck in his throat. After all she’d been through—what those bastard Wilson brothers had done to her—she could have shoved them aside. Refused to acknowledge the bond between them. Instead, she’d embraced it. Given them so much more than just her love.
Jude nudged his arm. “She’s safe. And we’ll keep her that way. So you can stop growlin’ and let the girl sleep.”
He frowned. “I wasn’t growlin’. I was thinking.”
“Don’t care what you thought you were doin’, partner. You growled. Several times.”
“She didn’t have to come to us. Even after mating with her…she could have denied the connection. Wouldn’t have blamed her if she had.”
“Trust me. I know how damn lucky we are. And we’ll spend the next eighty years showing her how much we love her. That is after we help her figure out that she’s a shifter.”
Ethan tensed, dropping his gaze to McKenna before glancing at Jude. “We don’t know that for sure.”
“I know you saw her eyes flash red—the way her skin undulated. And those growls…” He chuckled. “Damn near came again when she said ‘mine’.”
“That can all be explained by her being some kind of hybrid. We have no idea how much of her animal form can manifest.”
Jude’s expression sobered. “Her skin rippled! I saw a lingering image of fur. Not to mention we’re both sporting matching bite marks.”
“Humans can bite, too.”
“Two perfect puncture wounds? Sorry, buddy, but there’s far more to our girl than just increased reflexes and some advanced healing abilities. Though it’s obvious she has no idea what’s hiding inside her. Must be why we couldn’t sense it. The animal obviously hasn’t manifested physically until now.”
Ethan sighed. It wasn’t the prospect that McKenna might be a full-fledged shifter that bothered him. It was knowing how hard those first few shifts were…the mental battle of becoming one with the animal. And after all she’s suffered…
Jude slapped his shoulder. “She has us. We’ll help her along. She’s going to be fine.”
He sighed. Apparently the bond they shared with McKenna had transferred over to each other, and Jude wasn’t wasting any time interpreting his emotions—not that the man hadn’t seemingly read them before. “This is only going to make her more stubborn, you know that. She was willin’ to sacrifice her life to save us before. Not sure I want to see how determined her wolf will be now that we’re mates.”
“She’s free to take that up with our other halves. Pretty damn sure we can be just as hardheaded.”
Ethan trailed his fingers along her arm, marveling at how soft her skin was. “It was white.”
“What was white?”
“Her fur. Perfectly white.” He stroked down her side to her hip. “I can only imagine how soft it’ll be. How thick.”
“Bastard. I knew you’d noticed it.” His hand joined Ethan’s. “She’s going to fight us. Deny it.”
“She has good reason. Her animal should have made itself known years ago—the other night at the very least. It was going to let her die.” He shook his head. “Maybe the trauma she suffered trapped it.”
“Or maybe she just needed her mates to coax it out. She did say only her great-grandmother was a shifter. That it hadn’t appeared in her family since.”
“Whatever the reason, we’ll have to ease her into it. Keep her wolf calm while McKenna figures out how to let it take control without giving it up fully. Not sure what the creature might do if it realizes Bret and Frank aren’t that far away.”
“The animal seemed to settle when we satisfied its more primal needs.”
“She’s not the only one with those. First time since the saloon my damn wolf hasn’t been hammering at me to break loose.”
“You and me both.” Jude smiled at McKenna. “If making love to her is the key to helping her maintain control…”
Ethan laughed. “Thought you might volunteer for the job.” He released a weary breath. “We should get some sleep. I have a feelin’ our little wolf is going to keep us very busy.”
“God I hope so.” Jude eased back on the pillow, staring at the ceiling. “I know I said the man in me wants to bring those boys to justice, but…”
“My wolf wants vengeance, too. Might be best if we stick to our plan. Head to Ralston, get that warrant on McKenna cleared up. There’re other marshals that can go after Bret and his brother. Ones who won’t rip their throats out on sight. And quite frankly, I’d rather we invest our energy in getting our girl settled. Making a home for the three of us.” He glanced at his friend. “But should they ever come lookin’ for her…”
“That would be their last mistake.”
“Damn straight.”
McKenna groaned, drawing his attention as she twitched in her sleep, her mouth pursing into a slight grimace. Ethan gave her a squeeze as Jude clasped one of her hands in his, pressing his chest into her back. A visible shiver worked through her body before she relaxed, a contented sigh filling the room. Ethan smiled. At least their presence seemed to bring her some semblance of peace.
Jude whispered his love before dropping a kiss on her hair, the man’s eyes drifting shut. Ethan watched the couple sleep, McKenna’s head still resting on his chest. He focused on her silhouette, picturing her small body covered in fur, her form altered into that of a wolf. The image spiked his heart rate, the thought of her facing the world with only her instincts as protection making his inner wolf howl. There were a thousand ways men like Bret could capitalize on her inexperience, and knowing her body would shift back into human form if she ever got injured as a wolf only increased his fear.
Unsettling images flickered through his head and he found himself staring at the ceiling, fighting the urge to wake her up and love her again. Satisfy the animal side of him. Instead, he focused on the steady rise and fall of her chest against his. The soft whisper of air across his skin. Jude was right. She was safe, and they’d go to hell and back to keep her that way.
He closed his eyes, fading in and out of sleep as the storm raged outside, the wind rattling the glass in the windows. A hint of gray peeked through the windows when McKenna stirred, the flutter of her eyelashes across his flesh making his muscles contract. He chuckled, staring down at her as she blinked herself awake, those brilliant blue eyes gazing up at him.
A warm smile spread across her face as she stared at him, her brow furrowing slightly. “You okay?”
“I’ve got you in my arms, Jude curled up behind you. I’m damn fine.”
“You look tired. Did you get any rest?”
“I had a few things on my mind.”
She smiled and his cock hardened against his stomach. Her words from earlier played in his head, and he couldn’t stop from picturing those pretty lips wrapped around his shaft as Jude claimed her from behind. McKenna’s face scrunched up and he knew she’d sensed his thoughts without fully understanding why.
She shook her head, pouting as she raised a brow. “Not sure that speaks much about my prowess as a lover if our lovemaking doesn’t afford you some sleep.”
A low growl rumbled through his chest. “Trust me, sweetheart. All my thoughts are of you. And knowin’ there’s still a warrant out for your arrest, not to mention the fact Bret and Frank will most likely be huntin’ you down is what’s keepin’ me awake. We’ll take of the first issue once we’re sure you’re well enough to make it Ralston. As for those Wilson boys—”
“I can handle those boys…and anyone else who happens along. Mate or not, I’m every inch the gunslinger I was when you two found me.”
“And we’ve already acknowledged the toll that’s taking on you.” He silenced her with a gentle finger across her lips. “I’m not going to argue this with you. You’re not alone anymore. Jude and I are directly invested in your wellbeing. And that means any two-bit outlaw who comes gunnin’ for you is going to have to go through us. Period. So you can either sit there, pouting about it, or have this conversation with our wolves. And I’m pretty damn sure they aren’t nearly as reasonable.”
She stared at him in utter silence for what felt like forever before chuckling. “Looks like I’m going to have to tie you boys to the bed after all.”
His wolf howled at the thought as a slow smile spread across his face. “You can sure as hell try.”
She levered up, sitting back, seemingly oblivious to the fact she was naked, her luscious body making his mouth water as pure, carnal need shot through his veins.
She scratched one finger across his abdomen, drawing patterns along his skin. “I’m fairly certain I could get you boys to hold still for me with the right motivation.”
“Wench.”
“You denying it?”
“Sweetheart, I have no doubt you could talk us into anything sittin’ there naked like that. God, you’re beautiful.”
Her smile was genuine. “Anything?”
Ethan glanced at Jude as the man stirred behind her, his obvious arousal written across his face. “I’m thinkin’ you’ve got something specific in mind…” He held up one hand, stopping her from leaning forward. “But before we indulge in your physical needs, we need to discuss what’s going on inside that pretty head of yours.”
“Not sure I understand what you’re hinting at. Nothing’s going on inside my head, other than me expectin’ you boys to hold true to your promise and allow me to touch and taste you to my heart’s content.”
Jude grunted, the muscle in his jaw flexing. “Damn, darlin’. You’re killing us here. And there’s nothing we’d like more than to have you wrap your lips around us, but Ethan’s right. We need to talk, first.”
“About what? I’m fine.”
Jude glanced at him, silently asking how much Ethan wanted him to say. Ethan sighed, nodding. McKenna needed to come to terms with her other half before it seized control and put the woman in jeopardy.
Jude sat up, scooting back until he was resting against the headboard beside Ethan. He reached for McKenna’s hand, cupping it in his. “We noticed a few things last night while we were making love. And I think you have a fairly good idea what those are.”
A hint of fear clouded her eyes as she shifted her focus between the two men. “I’m pretty sure any reaction I had was because you two were loving me.” She waved between them. “This whole mate thing.”
“So you didn’t feel as if your skin was too tight? Have an incessant scratching inside your head?”
Ethan reached for her other hand, holding it tight. “What about your teeth? Did they ache?” He brushed his other hand along the small scars she’d left after marking him. “Aren’t you the least bit curious how you were able to bite us but only leave two small puncture wounds?”
The color drained from her face as her gaze landed on the twin wounds. “Bite marks? That was real? I thought…”
“Easy, sweetheart. Everything’s okay.”
“You’re upset. You didn’t want me to bite you.”
“That’s not true. It just caught us by surprise. We didn’t think you’d be able to return our claim…not like that.”
She shook her head, pulling out of their hold as she stumbled to her feet, tripping her way across the room. She palmed the wall, bending over as her entire body trembled.
“Shit!” Jude vaulted off the bed, stalking over to her.
A loud growl echoed through the room as she glanced at them, her canines showing beneath her lip.
Jude held up his hands, murmuring soothing tones at her. “Ethan.”
He moved in beside Jude, nudging the other man’s arm. “Guess she’s closer to the edge than we thought. Talking might have to wait until we calm her wolf down. I think it’s feeling threatened. Rejected.”
“Fickle little minx, isn’t it?” He smiled at McKenna. “We’re right here, darlin’. Whatever you need, just try to breathe for us.”
She gave them a show of teeth, her head tipping back as a ripple cascaded down her body, another ghosted image of fur following in its wake. She hissed out her next breath, hitting her head against the wall before snapping her gaze toward them, the red in her eyes impossible to miss. “Mine.”
Jude nodded. “Yours. Both of us. Just come back to bed.”
She snarled, her focus dropping to their groins. She licked her lips, glancing at them then back to their cocks. “Mine.”
Ethan inched his way toward her. “Yes, yours. Whatever you need. Just pull it back. You can’t claim us if you’re not in control.”
She frowned, squeezing her eyes shut as she forced in a few raspy breaths. Ethan took the opportunity to close in on her, touching her back as he pressed against her. She jumped, looking up at him as Jude snugged against her other side, bracing her between them. Another shiver beaded her skin with goose bumps, and Ethan knew her wolf had relinquished control—at least partly.
He smoothed his fingers along her spine, smiling when she finally gazed up at him. “That’s our girl. Now just tell us what you need and it’s yours.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she glanced at Jude before palming each of their chests, slowing sinking to her knees. Ethan tensed as her nails scratched a path down his ribs, pausing at the base of his cock.
He reached for her chin, gaining her attention. “If we move this to the bed, you can taste Jude while I lick you.”
A strained huff breezed across the tip of his shaft, making it pulse as she seemed to war with some kind of internal battle. Then she shook her head, gripping his length with her small fingers. “Both. First.”
He chuckled, knowing he’d give her anything, wolf or not. “If it’s what you want…”
His voice rasped into a moan as she fisted his shaft, drawing her hand down his length then back again before doing the same to Jude’s. The other man’s breath hissed out, the sound seeming to soothe McKenna slightly. Her muscles eased—the stiff line of her back softening. She looked up at Ethan, confusion marring her brow.
Ethan threaded his fingers through her hair, holding the silky tresses back from her face. “Looks like your other half doesn’t want to follow our lead. But we can wait. So stop worrying and touch us the way you need to.”
She stared at Jude, almost as if seeing their positions for the first time. She glanced at the mattress then at them. “I thought I was on…”
“Shhh. It’ll all make sense soon enough. Now either touch your fill, or you’re going to find yourself back on the bed with my tongue against your cleft.”
A throaty hum sounded as her eyes darkened. Ethan smiled. Her
wolf wasn’t that far removed, and based on the carnal look in her eyes, it had every intention of finishing its claim. She lowered her gaze, leaning in to blow a heated breath across the tip of his cock. It jerked in response, flexing against her hold.
A smile teased the corners of her mouth. “So soft, but so hard. God, I can’t wait to taste the two of you.”
She twisted slightly to face Jude, copying her actions on the other man, moaning when a bead of fluid beaded from the thin slit. She flicked her gaze to Ethan, ensuring he was watching before bending forward and licking away the drop.
“God, you taste so good. I wonder if Ethan’s the same.”
She moved back to him, hovering her mouth above his shaft, inhaling an audible breath. Her eyelids fluttered closed before blinking open, the blue nearly completely hidden by the black. She grinned, and he knew it wasn’t just the woman gazing at him.
She moistened her lips, pumping both of their shafts. “Do you know how intoxicating you both smell? How incredible you taste? I could lick you for hours.”
Jude grunted out a few breaths as she worked their cocks with her hands. “You’re not the only one with a wolf that has needs. And you can only tease our beasts so long before they act.”
“Mine.”
“And you’re ours. Don’t underestimate our possessive qualities, either, darlin’.”
Ethan held back a chuckle as her grin openly challenged Jude’s claim. Damn he loved her spirit. How she trusted them not to abuse their strength. She stayed poised over Jude’s cock until the man growled. A hint of a smile lit her face before she dipped down, stretching her lips around Jude’s shaft as she slowly took him deep into her mouth.
Jude’s hand speared through the other side of her hair, his eyes drifting halfway closed. “Fuck. McKenna. I knew your mouth would be heaven.”
She hummed, and Jude cursed, his head lolling forward. Ethan watched her drive the other man to the brink before easing away, ignoring Jude’s irritated huff as she turned to him, nuzzling his shaft before snagging his gaze. Ethan massaged her scalp, his gaze pinned to hers as she licked his skin several times then took him to the back of her throat. The warm, wet slide of her tongue sent a rush of pleasure shooting down his spine, and he tightened his hold on her hair, needing her to finish what she’d started.