Into the Heart 3: Into the Wild

by Caitlyn Willows

  Lupe slipped the papers free—a Social Security card and birth certificate. “Guadalupe Linard?”

  Forks clattered to their plates.

  “You can read.” Awe framed Jeremy's words.

  Lupe scowled at him. “Of course I can read. I watched Sesame Street with the children of my first family. I love watching TV.”

  “Can you…write?” Joaquin asked.

  She clicked her tongue. “It's a little difficult to hold a pen with a paw. Something I would think you'd already know.”

  Carmen smirked. “True. I'm sure you'll learn in no time.” She tapped the birth certificate. “We've made you my younger sister. I hope you don't mind.”

  “Not at all.” Lupe maneuvered salmon onto her fork. “I am deeply honored.”

  “As we all are to have you with us.”

  Tears welled up and spilled over her lashes. She flicked them away on a laugh. “Oh…these are what happy tears are?”

  “Indeed,” Carmen declared and bit the tip off an asparagus stalk. “Mmm…just like grass.”

  “I know.” Lupe chewed the salmon. “It's enough to make me want to purr.”

  Muffled groans rumbled from the men. Carmen winked at her and covered her smirk with another bite. Yes, definitely pride filling her heart this time. Want filled other parts of her, and a new hunger grew.

  Now this is power.

  She reminded herself not to abuse it, but she was definitely going to use it to her advantage…and their mutual pleasure.

  * * * *

  “She's innocent yet worldly at the same time.”

  Did Joaquin expect Cristían to respond to the obvious? The three of them sat on the back patio, enjoying the cool, clear night while Carmen and Lupe discussed “female” matters inside.

  “The innocence fades with each task she masters.” Jeremy scratched the stubble on his cheek and stared into the bushes. “It's like she was born to be this person.”

  “Carmen told me she bears the mark of Gemini on her ribs,” Joaquin said.

  “We saw it.” It was the first time Cristían had spoken since they'd come outside thirty minutes before. “Although I didn't recognize it as resembling the constellation until you mentioned it. Some of Jeremy's experiment splashed her in that area. At first I wondered if the marks were from that. But they're brown, not red like a chemical burn, very much like a pigmentation discoloration. Do you suppose it's always been there, or that it's a result of her change or the chemicals?”

  “Hard to say.” A careful response. “Maybe we'll find out more during tomorrow's examination.”

  A few more minutes ticked by.

  Jeremy pulled in a breath. “Do you think she's fertile?”

  That had been on Cristían's mind too, as well as a few other things.

  Joaquin picked up a stick that had fallen from one of the fruitless mulberry trees around them and started to strip the bark. “It sounds like she's spent some time in an animal shelter. They normally spay animals before releasing them to new homes.”

  “Wouldn't she bear the scar?” Cristían drummed his fingers on his thigh. “There's not a mark on her, other than on her ribs.” All his scars had disappeared too, so that really didn't explain anything. Unless she'd changed as he had, and they hadn't discovered that yet.

  “Hmm.” Joaquin had become the king of nonresponses tonight. “We could ask this Mrs. Wallace, the lady who took her from the shelter. Her house is nearby, isn't it?”

  “She passed away several months ago.” A blessing, really. The woman told too many people about how she'd seen men change into mountain lions and jaguars. The tale made its way back to her children. Convinced she was suffering from dementia, they tried to force the old woman into a care facility. Mrs. Wallace, ever determined to have her way, defied them all when she passed away in her sleep. She'd been a kindhearted soul, who never faulted him for Lupe's residence change and was continually trying to feed him. Cristían missed her. He hadn't been mothered in centuries.

  “Carmen and Trina feel Lupe's well-being would be best served if she stayed with us for the time being,” Joaquin said. Funny that it had taken all this time for him to say what was really on his mind.

  “No,” Cristían and Jeremy replied in unison.

  “That would upset her very much,” Jeremy added. “I won't allow that. I won't betray her love. I won't have her frightened and thinking we're deserting her.”

  Joaquin snapped the twig in two and lifted his ankle to his knee. “Even if it's in her best interests?”

  “She wouldn't see it that way, and neither would I.” Cristían kept his voice calm; shouting would serve no purpose. “We three stay together.”

  “Three now one?”

  “Yes.” Again replied in unison.

  This time Cristían provided the addendum, “If being with us put Lupe in danger, then we would go wherever we had to in order to make her safe. Even if it meant leaving all we know behind.”

  Panic welled inside his chest with the images that flashed in his head. The danger was here and now, caused by him. He shoved to his feet and strode toward the farthest edge of the patio to hide his shaking. He didn't know whom he was trying to fool. It didn't take a genius to see he was upset. He half expected one of them to come up behind him and give him a back clap or hug or something. Frankly Cristían was glad they didn't. One touch and the fortress around his fears would tumble.

  “Then I'm sure you realize it would be prudent to take precautions against conception,” Joaquin said.

  Cristían snorted. “Considering our fertility rate is close to nonexistent, I'm not concerned.”

  Joaquin strolled his way. “I'd say that curse is broken. Carmen and I just had twins. Trina and Wyatt are about to have triplets. And don't forget, Rose was pregnant when she was killed.”

  As if he could ever forget. She'd carried clan children. One or both of them could have been his. Rose took pleasure in not being mated to one man. She had belonged to them all.

  “Carmen and I are taking every precaution.” Joaquin snickered. “We love our daughters and want more, but right now those little six-month-olds are kicking our asses.” He cupped Cristían's shoulder. “Lupe is so new to the world. We don't know what a pregnancy will do to her.”

  “If she can get pregnant at all,” Jeremy added.

  Joaquin turned a frown his way. “You both claim to care about her. Do you really want to risk it?”

  “No, of course not.” Cristían rubbed at the nagging ache in his head. Even with his eyes closed, he could see flashes of tiny white fireworks exploding. “I can't remember the last time I used protection. I hope to hell I remember how to use the damn things.”

  Joaquin dropped his hand. “You've been having unprotected sex with Frieda all this time?”

  He had no defense. The jaguars' fertility rate was close to nil, they didn't contract diseases, and frankly, it never occurred to him, since Frieda was of a shifter race. He'd been…stupid.

  Joaquin tsk-tsked.

  “We expect she'll be at the institute tomorrow to monitor these tests.” He opened his eyes to Joaquin's scowl. “We'll test her as well.”

  “Good luck with that.” Joaquin snorted. “They've refused medical assessment since we met them. Why would they agree now?”

  Cristían threw up his hands, frustrated with the conversation and his own stupidity. “We'll find a way. I've got a drugstore run to make.” He brushed between the two men.

  “Because you can't leave her alone for one night?”

  It sounded too close to a taunt for Cristían. He whirled around. “Could you? I saw your reaction when you scented the rush of pheromones. Hell, I could smell your reaction. It wouldn't surprise me to learn another Valera is on the way after tonight. Those scents scream at us to leave all precautions aside. Deny it.”

  Joaquin gave Cristían and Jeremy a halfhearted smile and lifted his palms. “I can't. It was all Carmen and I could do to fight the urge and not draw you all into a
full-fledged mating. It's our nature to run, explore the night, and all be together. Finding a new member makes it all the more tempting. Jeremy's and Lupe's calls are intoxicating. One sniff set our heads to buzzing and the blood boiling. So strong, it drowned you out completely.”

  Cristían's heart stuttered. “What do you mean?” He pressed his fist to his chest and ordered himself to breathe.

  “It overwhelmed everything else in the room. We could scent nothing but them. Not the food, not you, barely each other.” He gave a light laugh. “Hells, we couldn't even feel you. If we couldn't see you, we wouldn't have known you were there.”

  Jeremy's hand against his back kept Cristían from stumbling toward the nearest chair. His heart rate tripled. Fear overtook his mind. Skinwalker.

  “Yes, Lupe and I really need to learn how to control it,” Jeremy said. “I'm sure with everyone's guidance, we'll master that in no time.”

  Joaquin laughed. “Even at our age and with all our experience, I'm not sure any of us have mastered it. It's because you're new. Not only does it make your pheromones stronger, it's new to us and calls to our nature. That will eventually settle. In the meantime, the rest of us need to exercise appropriate restraint.”

  A subtle rebuke to remind Cristían he was older and wiser? Cristían didn't appreciate it, but at least his irritation chased the paralyzing fear away. “I'm going to the drugstore.” He turned to Jeremy. “Extra-large for you, right?”

  Heat pulsed off Jeremy. Cristían could smell the erection building. Judging from Joaquin's sharp intake of breath, he could too. Then he watched the men's gazes drift over his shoulder. Nostrils flared and noses lifted for a better sniff. Cristían scented Lupe then, moving nearer to the patio door. Carmen was with her, barely a dot on his radar. Every sense homed in on Lupe.

  He heard the doorknob twist and turned as the women stepped outside. Lupe's eyes glowed. No! She glowed. Crystalline waves of energy rolled their way, ensnaring everyone in their path.

  Carmen darted around her and pulled Joaquin free. “It's time we leave, love. Lupe's not the only one in heat right now.”

  “You'll never make it to the car,” Cristían muttered.

  “True.” Joaquin cupped Carmen's ass and anchored her against his body. “But you'll never make it to the drugstore.”

  No, he wouldn't, and he didn't bother to muster an excuse. Not that Joaquin would have heard. Carmen maneuvered him through and out of the house as fast as she could. Clearly a woman in charge, just like the one who mesmerized him and Jeremy right now.

  Once the front door shut behind Joaquin and Carmen, Lupe's sultry smile turned full force on Cristían and Jeremy. Their simultaneous growls rumbled in their chests. She crooked her finger and backed into the house, step-by-step. He imagined a tendril of light curling from her finger, wrapping a leash around his cock. Cristían hauled his shirt over his head and balled it in his fist. Jeremy was already two strides ahead of him. Lupe rewarded his speed by peeling off her sweater. Pert breasts dotted with upthrust nipples called them closer. She shook her mane of hair, and Cristían's jaw dropped at the sight of the riot of color falling down her back. The colors grew richer in the light, gleaming like the rest of her.

  Cristían took the lead, tossing his shirt into the air and not giving a damn where it landed. His other hand snapped around Lupe's waist, fingers crawling up into her thick hair. He lifted her off her toes, mouth claiming hers when she flicked her hot tongue over his chin. She curled her leg over his hip and rocked her crotch over his erection. Cristían's knees buckled. How could one touch have him so close to coming?

  He felt Jeremy's heat behind Lupe and pulled from the kiss. Jeremy braced her against Cristían, no clothing restricted him now.

  “He's way ahead of us.”

  Her voice purred over him. Cristían wondered how firm a hold Jeremy had. He was ready to fuck her where they stood.

  She slid her leg down and wiggled until her toes touched the floor. She wasn't there long. Jeremy sank onto the couch, taking her with him. He cupped her breasts while he nibbled the tendon along her neck. Lupe gasped and arched into him. Cristían shoved his clothing off, fighting the need to claw it to shreds just to be nude. Jeremy tugged Lupe's pants down her hips, and she writhed, trying to free herself of them. Cristían grabbed the legs and pulled them down and off. The smell of her pussy, the sight of it dampening her panties, made his head swim.

  Fangs elongated. He fell to his knees before her open thighs, growling when a brush of Jeremy's fingers urged them farther apart. She lifted one hand up and behind to clasp Jeremy's head. The other fought her panties. Jeremy growled, sprang a claw of his own, and sliced the silky material in two. Cristían caught the crotch between his teeth and pulled it away. A shake of his head sent the panties sailing across the room, and he dived in to taste her juices before the silk could whisper to a landing.

  He combed his fangs through her pubic hair, inhaling her scent while he tried to rein the jaguar in him to a manageable level. Lupe draped one leg over his shoulder, but it was Jeremy's hand that cupped his head and urged him to continue. Cristían's tail lengthened. He flicked the end over Lupe's nipples, then wrapped it around Jeremy's wrist in a firm but gentle hold.

  “I bet you'd like that around your cock, wouldn't you?” he rumbled against Lupe's pussy.

  Jeremy groaned and thrust. Lupe gasped and tried to wiggle higher. Cristían stilled her hips, spread her labia, and lowered his mouth over her ripe clit. He twirled his tongue over the swollen flesh, moaning when Jeremy wrapped his fingers around Cristían's tail and used the tip to play with her nipples. Cristían dug his fingers into her hips in a desperate effort to keep from stroking his cock, but still they rocked under the force of Jeremy's thrusts and Lupe's approaching orgasm.

  She came on a mewl that clenched his balls. He sucked her over the top, ready to do it all over, again and again. Then she took charge.

  Lupe wedged her heels against his shoulders and pushed him away. Before he or Jeremy could wage a full protest, she sank to the floor and turned her ass toward him. She ran her tongue up Jeremy's cock, then swallowed it down and wiggled her breasts against his balls.

  Cristían fisted his dick and knelt behind her. Lupe spread her thighs and raised her ass more. Pussy lips, red and glistening, screamed his name. He sank into her heat, then cried out when she clamped on. His cock wasn't going anywhere until she was fully satisfied. Cristían flicked his tail around and over her clit. Lupe's groan set Jeremy off. Jaw clenched, he cupped her head and stabbed into her mouth. Cristían closed his eyes against the image, trying not to come too quickly. The grunts and groans, Lupe writhing on his cock with every flick of his tail against her clit, undermined his efforts. He had to see and savor every moment.

  He slithered his tail higher, seeking her nipples. Lupe gasped and writhed for more. He smacked her clit again and pounded into her pussy. Lupe met every thrust, and he swore she pulled him deeper, gripped him harder. He started to come and tried to fight it.

  Lupe jerked her head up, releasing Jeremy's cock. “No! Come!” She reached between their legs and cupped Cristían's sac. He plunged deep and let go. She milked his testicles until he swore there wasn't an ounce of fluid left in his body. The minute his penis grew flaccid, she pulled free and mounted Jeremy. She grabbed Cristían's tail and flicked it over her clitoris. Dazed and exhausted, he heard them come and somehow managed to wrap his arms around them at that pivotal moment. He saw the indigo field, felt the shower of gold sparkles inside it, sank into the emotion that blanketed them as one.

  He opened his eyes to find Jeremy staring at him. Jeremy gave a single nod, acknowledging he'd been there too. “Star seeds,” he whispered. “I saw star seeds.”

  Another one of Lupe's wishes had just come true, or would be coming true soon. So hard to tell the difference between here-and-now events, those for the future, and whether any of it was really true.

  Cristían didn't want to dissect anything more. They dese
rved to bask in the moment, remember in the time to come how supreme this joining was for them. They'd piece the other puzzle together in the harsh light of day…somehow.

  Jeremy cupped Lupe's head against his chest, then wrapped his fingers around Cristían's forearm. Words weren't necessary. This said it all. Cristían shoved his worry, fear, and confusion to the edge of the indigo void and tried to savor the hope of new life now growing between them and not wonder if these babies were the monsters he'd been warned about, or what he would do if they were.

  Chapter Twelve

  “I smell Steven.” Lupe's head came up so fast, she barely missed Cristían's chin. She lifted her nose for another whiff. “Yes, I'd recognize his scent anywhere.”

  Still trapped beneath them, Jeremy said, “I think I'm jealous.”

  Cristían knew he was. He didn't want Lupe sniffing up anyone but them.

  “He has a good smell,” Lupe said. “A good light.”

  Cristían eased his weight from them to check it out. Now that the pheromones were at a manageable level and the dinner smells dissipated, Cristían scented Steven too. The man hadn't been here long, otherwise Cristían, Joaquin, or even Jeremy would have discovered him when they were on the patio. He grabbed his jeans and tossed Jeremy's to him.

  “What do you suppose he wants?” Jeremy hauled on his jeans and took a step toward the door as he zipped.

  “He's alone and near.” Lupe wandered to the front door, still beautifully nude.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Jeremy hooked her arm. “Clothes, sweetheart. I'm sure you smell way good to him too. If he sees you like this, you're going to have another horny guy to deal with, and I don't want his paws near you.”