Tanya moaned, the sound almost making Gabriel change his mind. Firmly, he pressed his hands between them and pushed them apart. Nathan gave him an annoyed glance as he kept a firm grip on Tanya's hips.
"Hey, I'm willing to share."
"Tanya?" Gabriel arched a brow at her.
Her cheeks were flushed, lips swollen. She looked slightly disoriented, but groaned and shook her head. "Gabe is right. We have to talk. We need to bring down Cole. I don't think we should get humans involved yet, but Grace told us what happened… after you've been restored as alpha, we can get him arrested for it. Get him out of here for good. But if we try while we're also trying to get you to be alpha…"
"They'll think it's a lie," Gabriel finished for her. "So, we need to figure this out, Nathan."
The other wolf tensed. He attempted to throw a charming smile at Tanya, but it was strained. "Don't worry about that. I've got it taken care of. But come on, I'm ready to go. I want you every possible way, Miss Sexy. And you seemed to enjoy having Gabriel around last time, so he's welcome to join in."
There was a note to his voice that belayed his casual manner. Gabriel frowned. "What are you planning?"
"To make love with the woman who you said was my mate."
Tanya pulled back. "Nathan?"
The other wolf gripped her tighter. "I'm going to do what is necessary. Please. I just want to be with you for the rest of tonight. I thought I'd be okay just walking away, but I'm not. I need you one more time. And then everything will be fine."
Gabriel gripped his shoulder, having to repress a growl in his throat. It wasn't an angry growl, though, nor a frustrated one. Rather, the emotion was just so strong he needed to release it, and the growl was the best way to do that. He swallowed hard.
"You're not alone in this, Nathan. You and I never really got along before, but that's changed. Maybe Cole is too strong for either of us to take down, but when we work together? He won't have a chance. Tanya recognized our strengths from the beginning. We'll take down Cole, and then the three of us can be alphas together. It'll take some work to make sure everything goes right, but let's be honest. The three of us are stronger than any one of us alone."
The other wolf turned his face away. "You know, I was just joking when I said you were madly in love with me. You don't have to get all mushy."
"Nathan, please," Tanya whispered. "You have to feel it, too. The way the three of us are together."
"It's great sex, I'll give you that. But long term? Do you really think that would work?"
Gabriel nodded. "I'm sure of it."
"Well… it's a nice thought, anyway." Nathan started to pull away from Tanya, mouth pressed thin.
Was he really going to just ignore the possibilities that the three of them had? Gabriel thought that he would be the last one to be arguing for this situation, but here he was. Frustration rose in him. This wasn't because Nathan was jealous. He had already said he was fine with another three-way. So, what was the problem?
"If we work together, we can bring Cole down. Unless you think you're too tough to need help? Or you've decided to just roll over and let him win?"
Nathan laughed. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"
Gabriel shook his head.
"Fine. No. I wasn't going to roll over and let him win, but I wasn't going to challenge him, either. The plan was to kill him outright."
Tanya gasped, her face going pale.
Nathan winced at the look on her face. "I had to make sure he couldn’t hurt you or Grace or anybody else. But if Gabriel is really serious about standing with me, challenging him together… well, then I suppose we just might have a chance at it after all."
"I didn't want you to fight over me," she whispered, tears coming to her eyes. "And now… you're going to fight because of me anyway. Isn't there—"
"No," Gabriel whispered, moving behind her. "This is the best way. We'll challenge him in the morning."
Tanya's grip on Nathan tightened as she moved her ass back, grinding into him. "Then we had better make tonight last."
Chapter Fifteen
Nathan
Tanya molded perfectly into his arms. Nathan breathed in her sweet scent, wanting to remember this moment. Last time it had been the three of them like this, Gabriel was the one to slip away. He'd been caught, but Nathan had more practice in leaving sleeping lovers. It was something that he was ashamed of now, but at least he knew how to do it.
Last night had been magical. Nathan hadn't really ever understood what was so great about sex. He'd done it because he was bored or because it was expected. It was enjoyable for certain, but it wasn't until he was with Tanya (and Gabriel, a small part of his mind reminded him) that he really understood it. There was more than the physical act. It was the intense emotional connection between them, the feeling of their bodies coming together and their souls actually merging.
It had given him the strength to decide what he needed. True, they had discussed challenging Cole for his right to be alpha, but it was still dangerous. Cole didn't play fair, and even after they beat him, he wouldn't just accept defeat. No, it was too much of a risk to leave him alive.
And he wasn't going to risk Tanya or Grace… or even, as strange as it was, Gabriel. This was something he could solve on his own, and so he would.
Neither Gabriel nor Tanya stirred as he slipped out of bed and gathered his clothing. He went to the hallway to dress, then headed outside. In the garden shed just behind the mansion he had left the gun. He wouldn't win in a fair fight against Cole, but when it came to protecting the ones he loved, fairness had nothing to do with it. His stomach coiled, but he wasn't going to change his mind. This had to be done.
He retrieved the gun and tucked it into his waist band before heading back to the house to take one of Gabriel's cars. By the time the household woke up, Cole would be dead and Nathan would be well on his way to the Bahamas.
At least, that was the plan.
He hadn't been expecting Grace to be in the garage. She was sprawled out on a couch with a few bottles of beer scattered around her. The smell of stale alcohol was heavy around her, but she looked somewhat sober as she sat up. Nathan pulled his shirt over the hilt of his gun and went to sit by her. She rubbed her eyes, then narrowed them at him.
"You're planning on running away again."
"No. I'm going to take care of the problem. I'm not going to abandon you, Gracie."
His sister narrowed his eyes further, then jumped to her feet. "Take care of the problem? You mean you're going to kill Father. How is that not abandoning me? You'll go away and I'll be alone."
"That's not true. You have friends, you have Olivia and—"
"Olivia isn't my brother!" Grace balled her fists. "Don't do this. I know that Gabriel wants to help you reclaim your position as alpha."
Nathan was silent. He hadn't thought about how this would hurt Grace, or anybody else. It had seemed like the best idea. But hearing her say that, it made him realize that he wasn't thinking as a brother should. He was thinking of himself and what he wanted. It was revenge, not what was best for those around him. With a bitter laugh, he took the gun out. Grace's eyes widened, but she didn't speak.
"You're right. I'm just afraid that even if we win, it will never be over. Father is…"
"I know what he is." Grace threw her arms around him. "But you're stronger, Nathan. You're a better person."
Nathan set the gun down and embraced his sister, hoping that she was right.
***
The council was already convened at the house where Nathan and Grace grew up. As soon as he had the funds, Nathan had had another house built that he and Grace moved into, and left this place alone. It was falling apart from years of misuse, but seeing his father on the front step brought back all the memories that had his stomach churning.
"Are you here to challenge me, boy?" Cole snarled. "Is that why you have brought the council with you?"
Nathan glanced at his companions. Gabriel,
Tanya, Grace, and Olivia. If someone had told him a month ago it would be like this, he would have had them sent to the hospital for fear of their mental health. A small smile crossed his face as Gabriel nodded at him.
"I'm not alone," he said evenly. "You are not worthy of being alpha. You emotionally and mentally abused me and Grace our whole lives, you're a disgusting man with sexist ideas that will hurt the women in the pack, and you broke our laws by trying to sell your own daughter to be mated to a man twice her age. So yes, I challenge you. Or rather–we challenge you."
Gabriel stepped away from the women and stood at his shoulder. The council glanced at each other. A few of them curled their lips back, others looked confused. Zander looked furious.
Tanya cleared her throat. "As the alpha's mate, it was my right to choose. Well, I've chosen both Gabriel and Nathan."
"And now we fight together for the right to take the role of alpha away from you, Cole," Gabriel said. "Stand down or answer the challenge, but know that we aren't going to allow you to harm the pack more than you already have."
The council glanced at each other and mumbled in low voices. Cole squinted at them before grinning at Nathan, like he thought this wasn't going to end up in a fight. Nathan kept his gaze on his father, though bile tasted in his mouth and his heart hammered.
"I will not step down," Cole said. "Do you really think it will work to have two alphas? If you think you're not good enough to be an alpha on your own, boys, then you're not worthy of being alphas at all. Just give me the girl and you can run off and lick each other's wounds."
Nathan took a deep breath. "You are the one who is afraid. Because you are a pathetic, sad little man who has to yell at children in order to feel powerful. It's no wonder Mom left you. It was the best thing she could have done for herself."
Cole's face twisted. Nathan hadn't expected his words to hit so hard, but the next thing he knew, his father was charging towards him. He leaped with a howl, shifting mid-air. Nathan threw himself out of the giant wolf's way, then twisted and came at him. He shifted as well. From the corner of his eye, he saw Gabriel go down as Cole struck him hard in the stomach with a huge paw.
Nathan leaped onto his father's back, sinking his fangs into Cole's shoulder. The other wolf twisted, yelping, and threw him off. Gabriel jumped from the ground and darted between Cole's front legs before shifting. The change in bulk lifted him up, and Nathan was able to secure a grip of the scruff of his neck and throw him backward. Cole twisted mid-air, coming to crash down on Nathan.
With a howl, Gabriel darted in. He tore at Cole's neck. The larger wolf twisted in a sharp circle, ramming Nathan in his side. He stumbled back, grinding his teeth as pain shot through his ribs. Cole snarled as he concentrated on Gabriel. His huge paws batted at Gabriel's stomach, then he threw himself forward and latched his jaws over Gabriel's shoulder. Blood spurted into the air and Gabriel let out a pained howl.
Nathan saw red. He threw himself onto his father without any thought as to what he was doing. He locked his jaws around Cole's throat and dragged him back. Cole twisted and scratched at him, but Gabriel stumbled back to his feet and grabbed at Cole's legs, pulling them out from under him. The big alpha fell hard. Nathan and Gabriel pinned him to the ground, jaws snapping, until they felt him shifting beneath them.
It was all Nathan could do not to put in the killing blow. Instead, he backed away, panting. Shifting during a fight like this was a surrender. They had won.
They had won.
"He's defeated!" Grace shouted. "They beat him!"
"No," Cole hissed from where he writhed on the ground. "No! I am alpha. I will always be alpha. This fight was unlawful. Only the male who means to be alpha can challenge the current alpha! Two males can't. It's unlawful, I am the alpha!"
Nathan glanced at the council. They all looked grim, a few of them annoyed, one or two outraged. Zander stepped forward, eyes blazing.
"It is not in our laws to allow two males to be alpha," he started, but another interrupted.
"Cole attacked first. This was not a matter of self-defense against the challengers. His actions were a response to the challenge." He looked down at Cole with a twisted expression. "It would have been unlawful if they had made the first move. But they didn't. You accepted their challenge by attacking. They are alphas of your pack. And if they have agreed to work together, then our combined packs now have two alphas."
Tanya made a noise of relief. She raced over to them and leaped into Nathan's arms while pulling Gabriel closer. Nathan sagged against the two of them, utterly exhausted. His eyes drifted closed for a moment before he straightened again. He turned towards the council.
"My father will be arrested for his crimes," he said. "And everybody found connected to him will face justice as well."
He let his gaze linger on those he knew had the most to lose. They glowered back at him, but he didn't need to face their challenges. He turned back to his mate and Gabriel. A relieved smile passed over his face as he pressed a gentle kiss to Tanya's mouth.
"And as for you," he whispered. "I think this will make a great story for your newspaper, won't it? Maybe will get you that grand prize you were after. Exclusive interviews with not one but two alphas and their stories on how they ended up with the most beautiful, sensuous woman alive."
Tanya laughed as she buried herself into his arms. "Oh, yes. It's quite a story."
Chapter Sixteen
Tanya
Eight Months Later…
Tanya groaned as she collapsed onto the bed. Even though she was filled with a sense of satisfaction and was glowing over her accomplishments, other things didn't feel so good. Sitting through the awards ceremony where she received an award for her in-depth articles featuring what life is like among the wolves had been hard on her back, and the celebration afterward left her feet aching.
"I have to give up high heels," she moaned, saddened by the loss of her favorite footwear. She rubbed the neat little package that was her rounded, baby-bump stomach. A smile crossed her face. "I guess it's worth it. Besides, it's only four more months."
Gabriel sank onto the bed beside her and undid the delicate fastenings on her strappy heels. "It was a long night, too. I'm proud of you, though, babe. You accomplished great things. I'm glad that you were able to get what you wanted from life."
Tanya nodded, sighing in happiness. She got the award she wanted, she was spreading truths about the wolves, she had her two handsome alphas, and a baby on the way. Best of all, Gabriel and Nathan fell into their roles as alphas together with ease. That wasn't to say there wasn't occasional friction, but they complemented each other so well that the transition from the various separate packs into one had gone smoothly. The last few months had been the best on record.
"Let me in there," Nathan said, swatting Gabriel playfully and stealing one of Tanya's feet. "The next time we go to one of these, we ought to leave a little earlier."
"I don't think we'll go to another one," Tanya replied, melting into the double massage she was getting. "I've wanted to be a mom for far longer than I've wanted to be an ace reporter. My career can go on hold for the baby."
"If that's what you want," Nathan said, moving his hands from her foot to ankle to calf. "You don't have to, though. With three parents and two aunts, we wouldn't even need to hire a stranger to help out."
Tanya pushed her foot a little harder into Gabriel's hands. "I know. But this is what I want. I mean, being a reporter is great and everything, but it was like a consolation prize in case I never had kids. I can still do a bit of work part-time, but you don't get awards for part-time writing. I don't really care. I'll still follow Cole's trial, but I don't imagine it will last much longer. The evidence is damning."
She glanced at Nathan to see how her words had affected him. She was concerned that it would change the relaxed mood in the room, but to her relief, he smiled back at her. He'd been doing that a lot lately, as had Grace. The young woman had certainly blossomed since Cole had
been jailed. She was even dating a handsome young man, and from what Tanya could tell, they were both seriously in love with one another.
"We have to talk about tomorrow," Gabriel said, voice no-nonsense. "We have to decide where to put the memorial statue for—"
Nathan slipped his hand up Tanya's thighs. His strong fingers pressed against her underwear, making her groan loudly. The pregnancy had made her extra sensitive, even if it did mean they had to adjust this sex life so it wasn't too wild. Gabriel stopped mid-sentence, eyes darkening as Tanya's back bowed, pushing her chest upwards. He groaned as well and shook his head.
"We have to discuss tomorrow."
"We can do that tomorrow." Nathan inched Tanya's dress up and pressed kisses to her inner thigh. "You've got to live a little."
Tanya released an extra loud moan. Nathan needed no encouragement, pulling her dress to her waist in one motion. His hands ran up over her hips before tugging her extra-large breast from the tight confines of the strapless dress she had chosen. As his mouth zeroed in on his target, Gabriel made a strangled noise and pulled her bra off. His head dropped to her breasts, sucking first one breast then the other into his mouth.
Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as her back arched, trying to press tighter against both men. She dug one hand into Nathan's hair, the other tangling in Gabriel's. The latter reached around her and undid her dress, urging the other alpha aside just long enough to remove the constricting garment. He pressed a passionate kiss to her mouth, followed by a tender brush of the lips to her rounded belly.
"How did I get so lucky?" she sighed, heat pooling in her core and warmth spreading from her heart. "I'm the luckiest person alive."
Two soft loving gazes smiled at her. Nathan rubbed her belly a moment before returning to his work between her thighs. Zings of pleasure shot through her, moving down her legs. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she gripped Gabriel tighter. She started to tear at his clothing, making mewling noises. If she didn't have something to do, she'd surely lose her mind!
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