by M. A. Church
“I know that, Tal, but it doesn’t change the fact that I was not completely with it at the time. It doesn’t change the fact that I’ve been infected. So, Dolf, while I mean no disrespect, back the fuck off the attitude you got going there before I find mine.”
Dolf rubbed his temples. “I… I didn’t mean it to sound so unfeeling, Kirk. Truly. I do know how we’ve turned your life upside down. I’m sorry. I am so sorry, too, that it happened this way. But Kirk, you don’t understand how horrifying it is if the process isn’t finished.”
“Okay, then, tell me what happens if it isn’t.”
“In the beginning, you’d feel sick, like you have a bad case of the flu. Eventually, you’d get to the point where you’d have this low-grade body ache all the time, but you’d be able to function. It wouldn’t be pleasant, but you’d survive.” Dolf’s voice dropped to a growl. “You’d always feel empty, though. Forget trying to have a relationship with anyone. It’d feel wrong. You wouldn’t even be able to get hard, because you wouldn’t feel desire.”
Kirk’s mouth fell open. “Fuck.”
“That’s what you won’t be doing, unless it’s with us. Once we find our mate, we’re done. No one will ever draw our attention.” Dolf reached across Kirk and grabbed Tal’s hand. “We’re faithful because of it.”
“We tend to be possessive too. Our mates are everything to us.” Tal tightened his grip on Dolf’s hand.
“Yes, we are.” Dolf stared at Tal. “So, while not finishing the mating process would be bad for you, for Tal…. Pain is the first sign. Horrible pain, like he was being broken into tiny pieces slowly. We really don’t know why there is such pain. Next, he’d stop sleeping and eating. After that, the hallucinations. Finally, he would spiral into madness and go feral. At that point, he’d shift and stay shifted. He’d look and behave like a rabid animal. Tal’s humanity would be gone. Then… the shifter is put down. Do you understand? Since I’m his mate, I’d have to be the one to do it. I’d try to kill anyone else who tried—we protect our mates above all else. I’d have to take the life of the man I love to end his suffering.”
“Oh… my God. My God, Dolf. That’s… that’s ghastly.”
Tal shrugged. “It’s a downside of the mating process.”
Kirk whistled. “That’s some downside.”
“With advantages come disadvantages. Call it yin and yang.” Dolf cleared his throat. “The point is, he’s my mate, Kirk. Please, I can’t stand the idea of that happening to him. Don’t make me have to…. Kirk, please, I know you didn’t ask for this but… help us. Help him. I… beg you, please.”
“But you two are mated, right?”
Dolf dipped his head in agreement. “Yes. We’ve been together for thirty years.”
Kirk threw his hands out, motioning at the both of them. “Then… how did I end up in the mix?”
“We….” Tal hesitated.
“We think…. We believe you will balance Tal and me. Tal likes to top on occasion, but I… don’t like bottoming. At all. Before you ask, yes, he takes time and prepares me. It hurts, no matter how much time he takes. I just don’t care for it. Tal has needs I can’t meet, and he certainly can’t go elsewhere.”
“So, what? I’m like a patch for your sexual problems? Fuck that.”
Dolf shook his head. “Not hardly. And that right there is a perfect example of why you aren’t just a ‘patch,’ as you called it. Kirk, have you noticed how you stand up to me? You’re not afraid to say what you think.”
Tal snorted but didn’t say anything.
Kirk huffed. “Maybe I just don’t know better.”
“That’s crap and you know it. I make you uncomfortable. I know I do. I can hear how your heartbeat increases, how your breath quickens around me. But you, you stand up to me. You might feel the need to submit, but it’s not in your nature. You fight—you don’t give in.”
“Like I do,” said Tal.
“Tal is an Omega. He’s sweet and kind. There isn’t a mean bone in his body. Tal smoothes out my rough edges. But at the same time, it’s nearly impossible for him to go against me. It’s not in his nature to tell me I’m wrong about something, or to argue with me, or tell me I’m being an ass. You won’t have that problem. I need you just as much as I need Tal.”
“He’s right. We’re not like wolf packs in the animal world. Omegas are not the weakest, not the ones picked on by everyone. We’re just the most peaceful, at least in our society.”
Kirk glanced at Tal. “So, what do I get in all this?”
“Us!” Tal winked.
A soft smile broke over Dolf’s face as he gazed at Tal. “Yes, you get us. Two mates who will love you, who will support you, who will stand with you through the good times and the bad… no matter how bad the bad times are. When you work long hours, we will be there to help you, including making you eat or rest when needed. We will celebrate your successes and help you through your failures. You get two partners, Kirk, who will love you no matter what.”
Kirk rubbed his neck, grimacing. Leaning his head back against the headboard, he closed his eyes. Long moments passed as the three sat silently. Tal opened his mouth, but Dolf shook his head. This was something Kirk had to come to on his own.
Finally, Kirk opened his eyes. “O-okay. This scares the hell out of me, but I’m attracted to the both of you. Fact is, I’ve never felt such feelings before, so that has to mean something, right? Tal has to finish the mating, or we both suffer. For some reason, that really bothers me. I don’t want him to hurt as you say he will. Nothing is going to change in twenty-four hours, so why wait?”
Dolf sighed. “Well, one reason would be you probably have a mild concussion, and you’re hurting.”
Tal made a small hissing noise, but stared closely at Kirk. “Are you hurting?”
Kirk carefully nodded.
Tal licked Kirk’s neck, then looked at Dolf. “What should we do, then?”
“Let Kirk rest tonight,” Dolf said. “We have tomorrow to finish the mating. He’d enjoy it more if he’s not in pain. Kirk, do you have a guest room?”
“Down the hall on the left.”
“Okay, then, here’s what we’re going to do. Tal and I will stay in the guest room. I want you to rest, and you won’t with two strange men in your bed. Not that this bed is big enough for three grown men to sleep comfortably, anyway. Either Tal or I will be coming in on the hour to check on you.”
“That’s not really necessary.”
“With a concussion, it most certainly is.” Dolf left the door cracked as he and Tal left the room.
It didn’t take long to get the fire roaring again. Dolf had just finished cleaning off the hearth when Tal found the remote to the TV. Kirk only had basic cable, but after a quick look, they found the local weather channel.
Tal pointed to the radar. “Oh, thank the goddess, the bad weather’s gone. Even though it’s January, it says we’re going to hit the lower forties tomorrow.”
Dolf sat on the couch. “The snow will start melting.”
Tal plopped down next to him. “Good.”
Tal flipped through the channels until he found a program. Suddenly, his stomach growled. “Hungry, sweetheart?”
“Starving.”
“Well, come on. Let’s see what there is to eat.”
Tal followed Dolf to the kitchen. While Dolf checked the pantry, Tal picked the water bowls Kirk had set out for the cats off the floor and washed them. He left them to dry on the counter along with other plates and glasses.
“There isn’t much, I’m afraid. I see cans of vegetable soup and I think… yes, he has bread. Let me check to see….” Dolf shook his head at the harvest-gold refrigerator. “Good grief, where’d he find this old thing?” He opened the door and peered inside. “He has cheese and butter. I can fix some grilled cheese sandwiches to go with the soup.”
They ate, and Dolf fixed himself another tall glass of water. “Hopefully, all that water will help me wake up so I can check on
Kirk. Good night, sweetheart.”
“Night, Dolf.”
Chapter 8
Kirk
EITHER DOLF or Tal checked on me every hour. Frankly, I was tempted to hit whomever walked through that door next. God, I just wanted to sleep, and wouldn’t you know it, here I was, wide awake. But I did notice, as the sun rose, they weren’t coming in quite as often. Lying there, I listened to them. I couldn’t understand what they said even with the door open, but their voices comforted me. Dolf’s voice was deeper, somewhat growly. Tal’s voice was lighter. Dolfoon and Talise. Unique names. I wondered how that had come about and decided I’d have to ask them.
If I was to believe what they said, their goddess had matched us. A balance, Dolf had said. Soul mates. I didn’t know if I believed that, but then again, why not? After all, there were two shifters standing in my house. I knew that was true. So if that was possible, then maybe the mate thing was possible too.
All I ever desired was someone to care for me. To be part of something. Someone who would let me be when I needed some alone time. Who would drag my ass inside when I worked all day without eating. Who would understand when I had to work late. Who wouldn’t get upset when I came in smelling awful and covered in grease. Who would care when I started growling and stomping around in the barn because a vehicle was being difficult. I wanted love, trust, understanding.
I wanted to be wanted.
I just never expected this.
Movement in the kitchen caught my attention. Sounded like they were fixing something to eat, and suddenly, I was starving. I sat up, found another pair of night pants, pulled on mismatched socks, then grabbed my robe. I stopped right before I got to the kitchen. They were talking about me.
“Tal, let’s see how Kirk feels before we start worrying about all the other stuff.”
“What other stuff?”
“Where we’re going to live, for starters.”
“What? But we have a home with our clowder.”
“He has a home and a business here.”
“Oh goddess, Dolf. But… but… I designed and built our home myself. And how could we not live in our clowder? Everyone we know—our Alpha, our families….”
“It can’t be all about just us now, Tal. Kirk has—”
“Kirk has no reason to stay here.” I stood there, a threadbare robe wrapped around me. “You know, if you’re going to talk about me, at least do it more quietly. Otherwise, I feel compelled to join the conversation.”
I would’ve laughed at the looks on their faces if the situation weren’t so serious. I’d heard the pain in Tal’s voice when he said he’d built his and Dolf’s home. This place was indeed mine, but it was nothing special. It certainly didn’t hold important memories. I could move, no problem. Maybe rent this place out. All I really needed was somewhere to work.
Maybe Tal could build me something, since apparently he had the skills. Would he mind? Was it even okay for me to ask? Thing was, I had to pull my share of the load. I had to. To do that, I had to work. Being a mechanic was all I knew. I guess I could work in someone else’s shop, but that would suck big time after owning my own.
“So… if we three are going to be in a relationship, then let me tell you right now, I get a vote on what’s decided. Just because I’m human doesn’t mean the two of you get to make all the decisions around here. First off, I’m okay with moving in with you guys.”
Dolf leaned back in his chair. “Glad to see you’re up. Hope we didn’t wake—”
Tal blushed as he spoke over Dolf. “We certainly want you to take part in—”
Dolf grinned. “—you. Are you hungry or would you—”
Tal slapped his hand on the table. “Wait! Wait just a minute! Did…. Did you say you’d—”
Dolf snorted. “—like to try talking about our future? Or, after experiencing us trying to have a three-way conversation, maybe you’d like to make a run for it now.”
“Dolf!” Tal huffed. “That’s not funny!”
I sat at the table. “Okay, so… I heard you talking, but I was already awake, Dolf. I know you weren’t trying to exclude me in the decision-making process, Tal, but I want to start off how I mean to go on. Yes, I’m hungry, Dolf. And yes, Tal, I said I had no problem moving in with you two. This place is just a place to stay. It was never home. Next question?”
Dolf pushed the sandwich he’d fixed over to me. “I’d say there’s nothing wrong with your brain if you can do all that. Here, take mine, and I’ll fix another.”
Startled, I glanced at the food. “Oh, I didn’t mean for you to give up your meal.”
Dolf stood, poured me my own glass of water, and brought it to me. Then he gathered what he needed to make another sandwich. “You need to take it easy, and I certainly don’t mind seeing you eat something I fixed. It pleases me, so eat.”
“Um, all right. Well, thanks.”
Tal reached over and took my hand. “Did you really mean it? You’re okay with living with us?”
“Want to live here?” I asked.
Tal blushed and shook his head.
“Are you going to let me stay here alone?”
“I can answer that, and the answer is no. Once we mate with you, none of us will want to be too far from one other because of the mate pull,” Dolf said. “That’s just the way it is.”
“I kind of figured my staying alone was not an option.” I sipped the water in front of me. “I’ll admit living with you makes me nervous. I mean, I don’t really know either of you.”
“What better way to get to know Tal and me than by living with us? Kirk, eat your dinner.”
“I’m….” I shrugged as I ate another bite. “I’m not used to anyone waiting on me, I guess. Feels a little weird.”
Tal leaned a little closer and waggled his eyebrows. “It’s a dominance thing.”
“Ah, about that.” I took a bite and swallowed. “I’m not what you’d call submissive. I don’t take orders very well. Ah, let me amend that. I don’t take orders blindly. From what I remember reading about wolf packs, that’s kind of required.”
Tal shook his head as he ate. “First, we share some of the same principles as wolf packs, but we are feline, not wolves. There are differences.”
“Actually, the more important thing to remember is that our Alpha doesn’t expect blind obedience. If people have questions, they make an appointment with him and ask. The key is to be respectful.” Dolf brought his food to the table and sat. “We’re still testing the waters here too, so we all need to remember to ask questions of each other.”
I took another bite of my sandwich. “Sounds like you’re used to giving your fair share of orders too.”
Tal used his plastic cup to point at Dolf. “Oh, he is, and he’s good at it. Or he will be when he takes over from his dad.”
“So, you’re next in line to rule, or however you say it? How does that work?” I asked.
Dolf ate some of his sandwich, then answered. “Think of it like retirement. When Dad’s ready, he’ll step down, and I’ll take over. He’s not ready yet, and I’m still learning from him, so it’s all good.”
“So, no infighting, huh?”
Tal’s cackle bounced all over the kitchen. “Dolf’s mom would kick both their asses.”
“Got it.” I laughed. “What’s your dad’s name, Dolf?”
“Armonty Hoyer. Family calls Dad Monty. Mom’s name is June.”
“Interesting name.” Very telling, too, that I had no idea. “Shit, man, I don’t even know you guys’ last names, and here I’m talking about living with you? What the hell am I thinking?”
“No, no, don’t think that way,” Tal said. “My full name is Talise Martin. I own my own construction company. Most of the work I do is for our clowder, though. We number about thirty, and we live in and around West Falls. Um, I like all kinds of food, but I love hamburgers. My favorite color is black.”
“My name is Dolfoon Hoyer. I handle the business end of the company for Tal.
I like steak and potatoes, and my favorite color is red.”
My lips twitched. “Do I get a resume too?”
Tal snickered.
Dolf raised an eyebrow. “If it helps get you riding my cock faster, I’ll send one right on over.”
My mouth fell open.
The guffaws from Tal echoed around the kitchen. “Oh, this is going to be interesting. I may have to takes bets as to which one of you gets the last word.”
Dolf suddenly smiled at me. “The winner gets Tal’s ass.”
“Hey!”
I smirked at the look on Tal’s face, then winked at Dolf. “I can work with that.”
“Hey!”
Dolf’s laugh drowned out mine. As we sat there eating, I had the passing thought that this just might work.
THE REST of the day passed quickly, all of us sharing stories from our lives. Dolf told how he and Tal met. There had been a mating between a female from Dolf’s clowder and a beta from Tal’s clowder. Dolf told how he’d scented Tal almost immediately when he and several others arrived for the mating. Like the animal kingdom, the majority of paranormals didn’t have problems with same-sex matings.
We ate a very late lunch, and they helped me do what little cleanup there was in the kitchen. I’d barely set the last plate down to dry when Dolf had me backed against the counter, his hands on my hips. I clutched the counter as we stared at each other. From one heartbeat to the next, my body lit up. Tal was right there next to him, as close as he could get.
“I’m going to ask one last time. Are you sure you’re ready, Kirk?”
My heart pounded, and fire raced through my veins. Desire was a living thing in me. I needed their hands on me, both of them touching me.
Tal moaned softly next to me. “You smell like honeysuckle.”
So that was what my desire smelled like. Now I knew why I smelled cinnamon and apple pie around them at times.
I looked Dolf straight in the eye. “I’m sure.”
“Good,” Dolf said. “For now, leave your hands where they’re at.”
Holy shit, why did that make me so hard I throbbed with excitement? I didn’t have time to wonder because Dolf tilted my head back and exposed my throat. A moan popped out before I caught myself, and my eyes drifted shut.