The Alpha's Onyx & Fire

by Jess Buffett

  Leontis sat in front of her, large hands soothing their way up and down her thighs as he stared at her. “And with everything you have faced lately, we should have handled this better. Forgive us?”

  Tessa fought not to laugh. “If you had asked me a few days ago, what my greatest issue was, it wouldn’t have been dealing with a tiger and lion who wanted to claim me as theirs.”

  “Is that how you see this...us? As an issue?” Doubt clouded Leontis’s golden eyes.

  Reaching up, she cupped the side of his face. “No. That was a poor choice of words. I’m sorry.”

  “You and your word choice,” Sage grumbled, nipping at her ear. “We’re gonna have to work on that.”

  A knock had them pulling a part, startling Tessa.

  “Dammit,” Sage growled, getting up and stomping over, pulling the door open. “What?”

  Chase barely blinked at his brother’s gruffness. “Ummm…we have a little problem.”

  That snapped the Alpha out of his mood, Tessa could see his entire body tensing. “What happened? Is it Aidan?”

  “I actually wish it was,” Chase grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s, ah...Dominic.”

  Sage frowned. “Dominic?”

  “Yeah, and...ah...,” Chase’s eyes darted to her, and it was Tessa’s turn to tense. “And Oliver.”

  Panic swelled in her. “Is Oliver, okay? What happened?” she said, rushing forward.

  Chase avoided her gaze. “Um, more or less. We’re just, kind of, keeping the two apart.”

  “What? Why would you do that?” Sage asked.

  “Oh, God,” Leontis snickered. “Oh, this is priceless.”

  Tessa’s head swung from Sage, to Leontis, and then back to Chase. If someone didn’t tell her what was going on soon, and why it involved her brother, she was going to blow.

  “Oh shit,” Sage murmured, understanding dawned on his features. “They aren’t?”

  Chase shrugged. “They are.”

  “Are what?”

  Sage turned to her warily, which did nothing to calm her. “Oliver is Dominic’s mate, sweetheart.”

  Chapter Six

  “Oh hell no,” Tessa shouted.

  Leontis winced at the frantic tone in his mate’s voice. Dammit, they had just calmed her down. “Tessa. I thi—”

  “No.” She whirled on him. “Don’t tell me to calm down. Oliver is too damn young. I’m not letting Dominic claim him.”

  Leontis gathered her in his arms, thankful when Sage moved to cover her from behind. Tessa’s body melted into them, and he tried to hide his grin. At least they knew how to sooth her.

  “Sweetheart. Dominic won’t touch Oliver like that. We have rules. It is forbidden for one of us to claim someone under the age of consent. It’s okay,” Sage crooned.

  From the doorway, Chase cleared his throat. “Oh, I wouldn’t be worried about Dom, so much as Oliver. Damn kid has been giving off a serious scent of lust since we introduced ourselves. Moment Dom let slip the mate word, Oliver’s eyes lit up and he practically tried to jump Dom right there.”

  “What?” Tessa gaped. “Oliver? Are you sure?”

  “Oh yeah,” Chase chuckled. “It was pretty damn hard to miss. Poor Dom has been hiding, he has been locked up in your garage for the past fifteen minutes.”

  “Why the hell did you wait so long to come and get us?” Sage grumbled before holding up his hand. “Let me guess, you were finding it far too amusing.”

  “Something like that.” Chase’s grin said it was exactly like that, leaving Leontis wondering what kind of families he was mating into here.

  “I have to speak to him,” Tessa announced, slipping past him and heading for the door.

  Leontis shared a look with Sage. Oh, this could not end well. No young man wanted to have the talk in general, let alone with his big sister.

  “Um, maybe we could talk to him,” he offered as they all trailed behind her.

  She threw a look over her shoulder. “He hasn’t even met you yet, not really. And Sage he has only met once. I think I can handle this.”

  Not giving them a chance to respond, Tessa entered the granny flat, turning to give them a small smile...before slamming the door on them.

  “Well, that went...well.”

  Sage growled at his brother. “Not now, Chase.”

  The younger man wisely backed off, hands raised in the universal sign for please don’t tear my throat out. “And on that note…I’m out of here.”

  “Dammit.” Sage threw a punch at the side of the brick home, wincing when he unsurprisingly came off second best.

  Leontis sighed, realizing his mate was definitely a hothead. “Not the smartest move.”

  Sage grunted.

  “Everything will be fine. I think we all just need to take a moment and breathe,” he suggested, moving in close to the Alpha. He allowed an arm to wrap around the smaller man and pressed his lips to Sage’s cheek. “Just stop and take a minute to realize that you found both your mates, Sage. Aren’t you happy about that?”

  Sage blinked, eyes pinning him where he stood. In slow movements, Sage turned, bringing his arms up to engulf Leontis. They were so close Leontis could feel his mate’s breathe, hot and delicious against his skin. “I’m very happy. More than. And I am so damn sorry that I let you think for a minute I didn’t want you. I swear, I will never forgive myself.”

  Leontis’s breath caught in his throat. He doubted the Alpha apologized very often, yet for Sage to do it so freely for him, let Leontis know exactly how he felt. “You need to forgive yourself, because I already do,” he whispered, nuzzling into Sage’s neck.

  A nudge at his hip made him frown, until he realized the Alpha was attempting to drag him away from the front door. He allowed his mate to tug him along, chuckling when they reached the side of the granny flat which covered them with bushes and trees, giving them enough privacy that everything suddenly felt a lot more intimate.

  He swallowed loudly when Sage moved his hand that had remained on Leontis’s hip, down further. The lower it dipped, the quicker his pulse beat, their breaths mingling. Paralyzed, all he could do was accept his mate’s touch, groaning when the Alpha firmly cupped him behind his denim.

  Unable to hold back, Leontis twisted and dropped to his knees. Sage let out a startled gasp when Leontis went for his buckle but otherwise said nothing, his heated gaze searing into him.

  Leontis licked his lips, his gaze flicking down to Sage’s cock that he had just pulled out. Sage remained silent as Leontis lowered his head and took the head of his mate’s cock into his mouth. Suckling on the head, Leontis flattened his tongue pushing himself to slide his lips down further, taking more of Sage’s shaft. He could feel Sage watching him as his lips stretched around Sage’s dick. He continued to bob his head, taking a little more each time, swallowing around the thick cock. The groans and whimpers coming from Sage let him know his Alpha’s release was imminent. A sense of pride filled him that he could bring his mate so close to the edge with such little effort.

  He let out a startled noise when Sage suddenly pushed at Leontis’s shoulders. Pulling him off his cock.

  “What the hell?”

  Instead of explaining Sage tugged Leontis up, spinning him and pressing him into the side of the house. Leontis whimpered when Sage inserted his thigh between Leontis’s spread legs, to bring them closer, his hands clamping down on Leontis’s arse as he thrust forward, rutting against his mate. Sage slid a hand between them, undoing Leontis’s jeans and freeing his cock. Leontis was leaking heavily as their lengths collided. It was painful, yet so sweet.

  “Oh, fuck. Yeah, babe. So good,” he babbled. Leontis bucked harder when Sage bit down on his neck, forcing him to cry out. “Ahhh. Fuck.”

  “Yeah. Fuck. Christ, Leontis.”

  Leontis crushed his lips down onto Sage’s, and he was helpless to do anything besides hold on. Sage took control, showing a mastery that sent his lust surging higher.

  Leontis
felt his balls draw up tight and he knew he wasn’t going to last any longer. “Sage,” he whimpered as he came.

  In front of him, Sage strained, a guttural sound leaving his lips as he added to the release spilling between them.

  All Leontis could think at that moment was how gorgeous his mate looked right then. He gave a grunt when Sage collapsed into him, but he didn’t care. Leontis brought his arms up and around the smaller man, enjoying the bliss that encompassed him.

  “Damn, this was…”

  “Yeah, it was…”

  “Maybe we shouldn't have done that…”

  “Right outside Tessa’s home?”

  Sage grunted. “My home, and I was going to say where someone could have stumbled upon us. Besides, if I have it my way, Tessa will be moving in with us.”

  “Us?” He quirked a brow. “I don’t remember being asked to move in.”

  The expression of vulnerability that flashed across Sage’s face made him regret his words. “I...ah, no, I didn’t. Sorry. I just assum—”

  Leontis leaned forward, cutting him off with a kiss. “I’d love nothing more.”

  Sage sighed in obvious relief. “Now we just have to convince our mate.

  Leontis grimaced. Yeah, nothing was ever easy, was it?

  *****

  “Tessa. Please, no more,” Oliver begged for the umpteenth time.

  “Trust me, having this talk is just as painful for me.”

  “I highly doubt that,” he muttered.

  “Seriously, Oliver. You need to think this through. You are way too young to be thinking about that sort of thing.” She knew she sounded like a hypocrite, but dammit, he was seventeen. Forever was a long time for anyone. “And...I mean, do you even like guys?”

  The brat rolled his eyes. “Yes, Tessa. I like guys. Always have.”

  “So...you’re gay?”

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

  Her brother shrugged. “I’ve never told anyone. Not something I could talk to mum and dad about. Knowing my luck it would have been the one thing they actually cared about. Next thing I know, I would have found myself out on my arse, and who would have taken care of the others?”

  Tessa’s heart broke. They had never really discussed what had happened to him and the others after she had gone away to school. “I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry. I didn’t know how bad things had gotten.”

  “God, Tessa,” Oliver suddenly shouted. “There you go again. Taking responsibility for their actions, placing everyone else's needs and feelings above your own. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s commendable and all that, but for the love of God…”

  She gaped at Oliver, not having heard him so vocal like that before. “I…”

  “You think of everyone first,” his tone was serious, grave. So much older than his years, so much like her. “Stop putting your life on hold for everyone else. Yeah, it wasn’t pretty when you left, things got a hell of a lot worse, but we will survive. Don’t run from them.”

  Tessa became very conscious of the fact they were having this conversation with Sage’s siblings in the kitchen, only meters away. “I’m not running away. I’m just focusing on you guys right now.”

  “And who says you need to choose? Why can’t you have both?” Oliver asked simply. “Deciding to be with them, doesn’t mean you stop taking care of us.”

  “Oliver’s right,” whispered a small voice from behind.

  Bailey, April, Jay and Ryder all stood there, Bailey with his arms around April and Jay, and little Ryder in front of them with a small smile on his face.

  April stepped forward slowly. “I’ve got to admit, you being with two guys seems weird to me, but Chase was telling us all about mates and, I don’t know...it kind of didn’t seem so strange after that.”

  Tessa choked. “Chase told you about what?”

  “Ummm, yeah, I may have let a few things slip. My bad,” Chase said, popping his head around the corner with a little wave, before ducking back into the kitchen.

  Oh, she was having words with him.

  “Right. Well…”

  A knock at the door cut her off, and Tessa already knew who it was. She had wondered how long Sage and Leontis would wait until they wanted in on the family meeting.

  Sighing, she stood, hugging her siblings one by one before walking to the door. Opening up to the two gorgeous men who wanted to claim her as theirs, Tessa melted a little. Damn.

  “Come on in. You may as well join the party.”

  “Better yet, how about you go,” Oliver said.

  She spun around and stared at her brother. “What?”

  “Go with your mates, Tessa,” Oliver insisted. “We will be fine.”

  Tessa was shaking her head before he had even finished. “No. I can’t leave you here alone, even if it is just to the main house.”

  “Then don’t.” Oliver shrugged. “I’m sure Chase and Rourke won’t mind staying.”

  One glance at the brothers showed they were nodding.

  “We can definitely stay,” Chase offered.

  “Even Dominic?” Oliver asked eagerly.

  “Oh hell no,” she muttered.

  “What? Why? Do you honestly think he’d do anything wrong?” her brother asked with a pout.

  “I’m not worried about Dominic doing something to you, I’m more worried about you doing something to poor Dominic.”

  There was a chuckle from the doorway and Tessa turned to find Dominic standing there. The large man looked slightly uncomfortable as he shifted from foot to foot. “I’ll be fine, Tessa.” His gaze landed on Oliver briefly before returning to her. “I think I can handle him.”

  Tessa didn’t quite believe that. She knew just how convincing her brother could be when he wanted something. And by the look on his face, there was nothing he wanted more than to jump Dominic right there in front of them all.

  Jesus, when did the twerp grow up and turn into a little hornball?

  She bit down on her lip, looking at Sage and then Leontis. Tessa really did want to spend some time with them, and Oliver was right...it didn’t have to be a one or the other thing. That seemed to be the theme lately. Have your cake and eat it too. Could she really handle two men?

  Before Tessa overanalyzed anything, Sage stepped in. “I want you to all remain vigilant and keep an eye out for anything unusual. I don’t like how quiet Aidan has been. We’re gonna take Tessa over to the main house. Are you guys good?”

  Everyone except Tessa nodded, even little Ryder.

  Looks like I’m out numbered.

  Chapter Seven

  Tessa looked back and forth between the two men.

  Two of them. Wow.

  Leontis lounged in the armchair, looking every bit the lion she now knew he was as Sage brought over three hot chocolates. She shared a small smile with him, remembering the events last time they had shared the drink.

  “You know Oliver is safe, right? When it comes to Dom,” Sage reassured her.

  “I know. It’s just...he’s my brother. And I’m kind of in shock because I never knew he liked guys.” Tessa struggled to understand what she was feeling. She had no issue with men loving men. Hell, she was seriously considering a relationship with two men who clearly planned on being together as well. But there was something. Whatever it was ate away at her. An awkward, uncomfortable...doubtful, feeling. And then it hit her. “Shouldn’t I have known that? I mean, what kind of a sister am I if I don’t know something like my brother is attracted to men? A sister should know that right? A good sister would be aware of all these things. How he likes men, how-”

  “How bad things were at home?” Sage offered knowingly.

  And yeah, he was right. A part of her hated him a little for that.

  “Sweetheart, you couldn’t have known.” Sage moved to position himself in between her legs where she sat. “It isn’t your fault.”

  Leontis stood and moved to take the spot next to her, his large da
rk arm coming to wrap firmly around her. “Brothers...they are good at letting you see only what they want you to see. Whether it’s good or bad.”

  “You sound like you know?” Sage tilted his head considerately. “Do you have brothers?”

  Leontis let out a bitter laugh. “A few actually. I’m the baby of the family.”

  Sage narrowed his gaze on him.

  “They weren’t good to you.”

  Tessa could tell it wasn’t a question.

  “My brothers weren’t bad...most of them anyway. When they found out I was a Black Lion I garnered more respect from them at least. My father had been thrilled to have a Black Lion for a son. He just wasn’t so hung up on the bisexual part.” The way he attempted to shrug it away, as if it meant nothing, hurt to see. “When I said I was leaving, at least half of them were sad about it.”

  Leontis’s joke fell flat.

  Desperate to break the silence, she asked, “What’s so special about a black lion? You said your father had been thrilled when you shifted for the first time, but why?”

  “A black lion is unique, rare.” Leontis cleared his throat awkwardly. “Black lions are very...dominant. Strong, fierce, Alpha like.”

  “But you aren’t,” Sage added. Her other mate peered at Leontis for a moment. “That’s why, isn’t it? Your father had hoped you would take over the Pride. A black lion leading them, news would spread, your Pride would grow and so would his power. But you, your human side is passive.”

  A self-deprecating laugh bubbled out of him. “Yep. When I’m human I don’t have an Alpha bone in my body. So much so that even when I shift…”

  “You’re still able to submit,” Sage finished for him, a look of dawning spreading across his features. “Because you did. To me. You shouldn’t have been able to, not while shifted, but you didn’t even hesitate when I had you pinned.”

  Tessa couldn’t understand the look of awe that Sage wore as he stared at Leontis. Only human herself, these shifter rules, behaviors, were all so strange to her. However she knew enough to know what was being said now was significant.

  “Which is why I would have never belonged in my family's Pride.”