by Milly Taiden
Aiming again, their lasers incinerated the trees and roots above, in a fiery explosion. A wide swath of sunlight bathed the inner chamber in bright light. The Unduru screamed as their flesh blackened and split before erupting into flame. Worms fled from their split guts, popping and sizzling one by one. The Unduru were dead by nature’s hand with a little help from laser fusion.
The stench was almost unbearable, and Gunnar wiped his streaming eyes. “What if there are more still lurking in the dark below?” he asked.
Jag pulled his pack from under a pile of rubble, wincing at the charred smell that permeated the room. He unzipped the side and pulled out a small, egg shaped weapon.
“Is that what I think it is?” Gunnar asked.
Nodding, Jag tossed it to him. “Do the honors, dude, and let’s go home. I’ve been away from my mate for too long.”
Gunnar pulled the pin on the UV bomb and threw it deep into the heart of the cavern below. They turned on their heels, and hightailed it through the hollow, slipping through the crevice to take cover.
The explosion shook the Tempera, but there was no smoke. Only the dust from crumbling rock and a satisfying sizzle that told them the Unduru were no more.
20
“You sure there are no more of those gross creatures?” Ivy asked, shifting the baby to her other breast beneath her nursing blanket.
Damen nodded. “As far as we know, they’re toast courtesy of our dual suns and the latest laser technology.”
“What about those poor people,” Riley asked, struggling for their name. “The Hatun?”
Henley exhaled a snort. “Poor people? Honey, you forget they were the ones who went all primitive on their own people, sacrificing their women to those gross creatures. They were the ones who struck a deal with Maddox and Naz Voda to traffic in our gals. I can only imagine what was next in Maddox’s sick mind. Probably slave transports from Earth or some other planet.”
Damen picked up his glass of Sidaii wine and lifted it in salute. “We won’t have to worry about that or him much longer. I personally gave him a dose of his own medicine. Literally.”
Vander nodded with a satisfied smirk. “True dat, to quote my beautiful mate. The man is writhing as we speak, and we made sure he knew before we administered the poison. Of course, we’ll burn his body afterward just to be sure it’s purified. As to those ‘poor people’—” the king crooked his fingers, “I have to believe they thought they had no choice. Before Jag left the Tempera, I asked him to invite the Hatun and their shaman to speak with our council, though I think it would be a good idea to send a contingent back to the jungle with extra UV weapons just to do a second sweep.”
“Agreed,” Jag said, slipping into a chair in the direct sun. “I for one am not a fan of closed dark places anymore.”
Riley shuddered, sliding onto Jag’s lap with a glass of Sidaii wine. “Me too! We are sleeping with a UV light on from now on. The stories Henley told us gave me the permanent heebie-jeebies.”
He took the wine glass from her hand and drained the cup before planting a kiss on her cheek. “You’re not the only one, babe, but the Hatun are bringing the antidote for the worm poison along with the ingredients so our labs can research their chemical makeup.”
Henley nodded, leaning her head on Damen’s shoulder as she sat between him and Gunnar. “It’s funny how poisons and their medicinal antidotes come from the jungle here as well as on Earth. Must be the climate or the teeming vegetation.”
“Ugh, not to mention the bugs,” Riley shuddered again. “No thanks. I think I’ll leave the adventuring to you, Hen. My kids are enough of an undertaking.”
Gunnar smiled. “You all have nothing to worry about. As far as the Hatun and their monsters are concerned, Maddox isn’t the only thing being purified, and his black market route is closed. When we get back to the Summit, the first rule of business will be shutting down any and all black market trade for good.”
“We?” Ivy asked, raising an eyebrow.
He nodded, but spared a glance for Damen to explain.
“I already spoke to Vander, but you all should know as well. I’m returning to the Summit with Gunnar. It’s time.”
“But this is your home,” she protested. “You’re our security chief and an important member of this family. You’re Uncle Damen to our kids.”
He smiled at the queen. “Don’t think of it as me deserting, Ivy. My leaving is fulfilling my destiny. Besides, it’ll give you an excuse to escape the desert heat and us an escape from the cold when we visit back and forth.”
Henley got up and switched seats to sit beside Gerri. “You’re very quiet. That’s not like you. Aren’t you happy with the way your plan worked out? Win-win, right?”
A slow smile spread on the matchmaker’s lips and she shrugged. “I love a happy ending, dear, but there’s still part of this story yet to be told.” She took Henley’s cheeks in both her hands and inhaled. The older woman’s slow smile spread to a full grin. “I knew it!”
Henley’s mouth dropped open. “You couldn’t. I just…I mean…”
“What are you two mumbling about?” Damen asked, raising an eyebrow. “That knowing look on Gerri’s face always means trouble.”
The matchmaker let go of Henley’s cheeks, sticking her tongue out in reply. “I never bring trouble. I may shake things up and push people out of their comfort zones, but it always works out for the best. My track record is one hundred percent.”
“So,” Gunnar looked between the two women. “Are you going to answer the question or should we just guess?”
Henley looked between Gunnar and Damen, sparing a glance for Gerri before a slow smile took her face as well. “After we got back from the Tempera, you two insisted I have my wounds looked at by the doctor. He ran all kinds of test to make sure I hadn’t been infected by the Unduru while Naz Voda held me hostage.”
“Yes, and he told us you were fine,” Damen replied. “And for the record, I never want to speak that asshole’s name again, okay?”
Henley shot him a smirk, but lifted a hand to continue. “Anyway, the doctor did find something. Turns out I have a condition that absolutely requires we visit back and forth.”
Worry and fear immediately creased both Damen and Gunnar’s faces. “What?” Damen asked. “Whatever you need, you got it. We’ll import doctors to the Summit if necessary.”
“Nope, not necessary, Uncle Damen, but the transport back and forth will be, that is if we want our baby to know their cousins.”
Ivy handed the baby to Vander and wiggled her boobs back into her bra. “Wait. Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
Henley nodded. “Yes! I’m going to have a baby!”
Riley and Ivy were practically airborne to the couch, jumping up and down, squealing. Ivy exhaled, and looked over her shoulder at Vander. “From now on there’s to be a Summit shuttle just for us to use whenever we want, okay?”
He chuckled, nodding. “Whatever you say, babe.”
Henley peeled her friends from her neck, her eyes searching Gunnar and Damen’s faces. “Are you guys okay with this?” she asked, getting up from her spot next to Gerri. “You’re both a little too calm for comfort.”
“Is the doctor sure, Hen?” Damen asked. “It’s only been a couple weeks.”
Gunnar nudged his omega’s arm. “What this bonehead is trying to say is we’re over the moon about it, that is if it’s really real.”
Gerri chuckled. “For two intelligent shifters, you two are pretty dense. Either that or frying those gross creatures has damaged your sense of smell. Take a whiff. Henley is most definitely preggers, but even the doctors can’t know what I do.”
“What?” Henley asked, both curious and concerned.
The matchmaker grinned. “I know for certain your triad is going to be increased by two, not one.”
Henley whirled on her feet. “Twins?”
“Yup.” She nodded in reply. “Twins. A boy and a girl. Each fathered by one of y
our mates.”
Henley shook her head, floored. “How can you possibly know that?”
“Haven’t you all learned anything yet?” Gerri tapped the side of her head. “I know, because I know.” She got up and gave Henley a tight hug before taking her by the hand and walking her back to her mates. “Dual suns. Dual-natures. Dual mates. It’s almost as if it were written.”
Damen pulled Henley down between him and Gunnar and they each kissed her cheeks. “Well,” he said, letting his fingers trail her bare arm. “There’s only one thing left to do.”
Gunnar nodded. “But we need to get home, first.”
21
“Hey, you two realize I’m pregnant with twins, right?” Henley huffed as they headed up the slope toward a cabin carved into the highest point on the summit.
Damen scooped her into his arms, settling her in all her furs against his chest. “Well, you were the one who didn’t want to take the alpacas.”
“Nooo, thanks. I’d rather be a sweat ball when we get to the cabin than risk a sore ass or a miscarriage from those walking carpets bouncing me around like a ragdoll.”
Damen laughed. “If it makes you feel better, I much prefer this mode of travel. Your scent was intoxicating before, but now? My dick is so hard, I can barely keep it in my pants.”
“Hey, you two, get a move on!” Gunnar called from fifty yards ahead. “I’m going to get the fire going. Hurry up!” They watched him sprint the rest of the way to the cabin.
Henley sighed. “I was hoping I could be a shifter, like Riley and Ivy, but I’ll be a walking balloon belly soon, so that’s out.”
“What makes you say that?” Damen asked, picking up the pace to double time it up the slope. “Anything’s possible now that you’re ours.” He hesitated for a moment. “You are ours, right? You’ve decided. This is your home, now. We are your home.”
She nodded, giving his lips a peck. “Yes, Damen. For the hundredth time.”
“Good.” He stepped up on the porch and let her slide down his full hard length.
Henley straightened her clothes, dusting the snow from her hair and shoulders as Damen opened the door. She walked through the doors and looked at the cozy surroundings. Bright polished wood and hewn beams made the cabin almost a miniature of the grand Summit lodge. It was homey, though. Perfect for a weekend getaway for three.
“The mountains can get a little nippy this time of year,” he said as she shivered near the door.
“Nippy? It’s fucking frigid! And speaking of nips, this weather is making mine pucker like they’re ready to rip through my shirt!” she grinned.
His eyes darkened. “And here I thought it was being against me making your tits ache.” Pulling her closer, he pressed his lips against her hair before turning her around to walk her backwards toward the couch and the fire Gunnar already had blazing.
Gunnar met them at the large, wide sofa, and took her hand, a gorgeous seductive grin on his mouth. “Maybe you need a little friction to warm you up. A soft place to spread yourself by the fire.”
“Soft place.” She laughed. “You two are as hard as calculus.”
Slipping in behind her, Gunnar peeled her fur coat from her shoulders, tossing it to the floor on the opposite side of the couch. He reached around and lifted her sweater, dragging it over her head as well.
“Braless,” Damen grinned, his eyes darkening. “Seems like anticipation was the reason your nipples were hard.”
Gunnar slid his hands from her waist to cup her breasts from behind. He grazed over her stiff peaks, rolling her nipples between his thumb and forefinger.
She inhaled, leaning back against Gunnar’s chest, her arch jutting her breasts higher into his hands.
Damen cupped her pussy through her leggings. “And you, my love, are dripping already, and I plan to pound your pretty pink cunt until you scream for release.”
Her eyes met his grin with a teasing smile of her own. “On my knees or straddled?”
“Woman, either way. It’s just us on this lonely mountaintop, so strip. This is a no clothes zone for the next three days,” Gunnar answered, slipping his hands from her breasts to hook the top of her waistband.
She stepped back from them, knowing they watched every move. Kicking off her fur-lined boots, she moved back barefooted, rolling her leggings down in a sexy swivel before kicking them off her ankles. She stood naked, except for a black lace thong.
“Oh, babe, you look good enough to eat.” Gunnar licked his lips.
Henley tapped her chin, lifting her head so her high ponytail brushed her back. “I was thinking the same thing about you two, and since this is a no clothes zone, you two are in clear violation.” She reached up and freed her hair, letting it tumble to her bare breasts.
Damen shed his clothes, tossing them to the side. Gunnar did the same, and the two moved to flank her on either side. It was her turn to lick her lips at the hard, corded lengths pressed against her soft flesh.
Gunnar moved her hair from her shoulder and kissed her neck while his fingers reached between her legs to stroke her pussy through her panties.
“These are so sexy,” he said, slipping his fingers beneath the top band. “I hope you brought more with you.”
“Why?” she asked, her breath catching as he grazed her clit through the lace.
The delicate fabric popped as he tore the thong from her hips and gently slipped it from her body. “That’s why,” he answered, spreading her exposed pussy lips.
“I would have taken them off, you know,” her voice hitched as he grazed her bare clit.
Damen’s hands slipped around to her breasts. “What’s the fun in that?” he said, working her nipples as his mouth teased her throat.
“Spread your legs, love,” Gunnar asked, and when Henley did, he knelt dipping his face between her thighs. His tongue flicked her hard nub as high hands spread her pussy wider, drawing the nub between his lips.
Henley sucked in a breath as he pulled back to slip his fingers into her wet cleft. “Come, love,” he said, licking her clit again. “I want you so wet, your cunt sucks my cock so deep my balls tremble with the need shoot my load. Do you want that? My hard dick stuffing your cunt while Damen stuffs your ass?”
Her breath caught, and she was barely able to croak, let alone give a coherent answer. Not that she could with Damen claiming her mouth. He sucked her tongue and plundered her mouth, their breath mingling.
Gunnar pulled his hand from her, licking her juice from her fingers. “I want you so hot and wet, you beg for my cock, beg for my hot jets deep inside you—beg for Damen’s deep in your ass. Then you’ll be ready.”
This was it. They wanted her and she wanted them. There was no going back from this point. She gasped at the feel of their hands on her body. No going back. She couldn’t even if she tried. She was ready.
“Time to ride the wave, baby,” Damen whispered over her mouth. He dragged her bottom lip through his teeth and Henley hissed as he pinched her nipples.
Gunnar licked her engorged pussy, sucking and teasing as her juice ran over his chin from her waiting sex. “You like it hard and thick,” he teased. “The way we fill you front and back.”
Henley moaned against Damen’s mouth, but he broke their kiss. “My turn,” he whispered and switched places with Gunnar. He dropped to his knees and spread her slick entrance wide, curling three fingers deep to her spot.
“Taste yourself on my tongue, love. Savor your sweet juice on my lips.” Gunnar took her mouth and her scent was all over him as he kissed her. “You are so fucking sexy, Henley,” he whispered. “Delicious.”
Damen circled her spot, sucking her clit hard and fast, using his tongue to tease. Henley ripped her mouth from Gunnar’s, her head dropping back onto his shoulder.
As she almost crested, Damen pulled his hand and his mouth away. “I know you love the feel of my mouth on your clit. Hot and hungry. But you can’t love…not yet.”
“Damen, please!”
“
You want it bad, Henley?” Gunnar asked, nipping her ear. “How bad? Tell us how much you want our cocks.”
She groaned trying to fist Damen’s hair and push him back to her pussy, but he stood instead, his hands grazing her skin like static electricity. “No, baby.” His fingers feathered across her belly and her breasts.
“We need to hear you,” Gunnar said. “You have to say the words.”
“Fuck me! Both of you! In my pussy. In my ass!” Her body burned with unspent need and she lifted her hands, to her hair. “Take me. Claim me. I’m yours!”
Damen pulled her down with him to the soft fur rug, the fire cracking behind them. He lay back on a pillow helping her straddle his hips. He teased her soft folds with his swollen head, slapping her clit with his cock as Gunnar’s fingers spread her slick juice from her slit to her ass.
Gunnar pushed her cheeks wide. “Inch by inch, babe. I love watching your tight hole swallow my full length. Your face tense, wanting more.” He dug his fingers into her soft flesh as his engorged head stretched her wide.
She hissed, and Damen fisted his corded cock against his belly, his other hand teasing her clit as Gunnar filled her ass. The alpha thrust deep and Henley took his full length with a gasp, but as he pulled back for a second thrust, Damen pressed his head to her wet, swollen pussy.
“Do it. Please!”
His eyes flashed dark and streaked and he plunged his cock into her wet cleft as Gunnar did the same in her ass. Her hips rocked as he drove his dick deeper and harder, a guttural growl leaving his throat.
She threw her head back, and Gunnar’s hands fisted her hair as he thrust. Henley cried out at the feel of them inside her, her body tensed and ready. She rolled her hips, each roll grinding her ass back as both men thrust harder and faster until she screamed, her climax ripping through her body.
Claws pushed through Damen’s fingers and his eyes rolled over gold and red. With a guttural yell, his dick pumped his release deep into her body, her walls milking every last drop from him with every spasm. He gripped her thigh, his claws scoring four even marks into her soft flesh.