by Fran Tullo
Braydon pulled back a little, lifting her chin to make her look at him. “My people have a belief. I’ve never had a reason to doubt it.” He looked at Jace with a soft smile before looking back at Lexi. “There is an old tale about a red string that ties souls together. I always believed that is what brought me all the way to Alaska when I was a child, after I lost my parents. Now… I believe it more than ever. You in my arms, like this? It feels just as right as when I hold Jace.” He leaned down and pressed their lips together in a soft kiss. “Now, more than ever, I feel fate entwining our lives… maybe our souls.” She opened her mouth, but he pressed a finger to her lips. “Jace feels the same way, little Red. You’re not getting rid of us anytime soon. So accept it.”
She shivered and nodded a little, tears slipping down her cheeks as she buried her face in his chest again. He held her tightly, but she still startled when Jace came up behind her and wrapped her up between them. “No tears, sweetheart… we’re here. We’ve got you.” He kissed her neck, then leaned over her a little and kissed Braydon. “Is she finally getting it?”
Braydon chuckled softly, kissing her forehead and taking Jace’s hand. “I think she is, but we might need to prove it. C’mon.” He walked them over to the tent and opened the flap, letting Jace gently push her inside. She went willingly, laying on the sleeping bags they’d laid out while Jace turned the heater on. She smirked a little as Braydon crouched in front of her. “Ya know, little Red… you’ve gotten to see us with all our clothes off. More than once. How about you return that favor?”
“Mmmm, I could do that.” She pulled the hem of her shirt up, teasing them with a bit of flesh. “But I might need a little incentive.”
Jace grinned, kneeling beside her and running his nails lightly over that exposed bit of skin. “Incentive, hmm? What might that be?”
Lexi grinned, pulling her shirt up a bit and arching into his touch. “I wanna see you. Both of you… together. You’re both fucking gorgeous separately, but those little kisses have been a bitch of a tease.”
Braydon growled playfully, kneeling down behind Jace and pulling him against his chest. “Is that all you want, love?” He tilted Jace’s head to the side and bit down on his throat, making the fox groan deeply and dig his nails a little harder into her stomach.
“Mmmhmmm… make it worth my while and I’ll make it worth yours.” As Braydon marked Jace’s throat, she pulled away a little to pull her shirt off completely. Her pants followed and Jace groaned again, eyes hot and hooded as he watched her. She made sure they were both watching before sliding her hand into her panties, peeling them to the side and running a finger over her clit.
“Fuck, you weren’t kidding, were you?” Braydon’s eyes were dark as he dragged Jace’s shirt up over his head. He tweaked the fox’s nipple, making him arch. She watched as he trailed his hand down Jace’s chest, flicking his pants open and and sliding his hand inside. Jace’s hips twitched as Braydon stroked him lightly, panting.
“Uh uh…” Lexi pulled her hand away, hooking her thumbs into the waist of her panties and sliding them off her legs with a little hip wiggle. “You don’t get to watch unless I do, kitty cat. Both of you.” She grinned wickedly, hovering her hand back over herself, arching an eyebrow.
“Tease… I guess that’s fair. Strip, little fox. Let’s give our Red a good show, hmm?” Jace grinned and wriggled a bit, shaking his pants off before turning to help Braydon remove his clothes.
“It’s only fair she gets to look at you this time, love… you didn’t exactly give her the greatest view last time, did ya?” Jace leaned in and nipped at Braydon’s tight nipples, giving Lexi a good shot of his ass before turning back around. Once Braydon’s pants were gone, he grabbed Jace again, pinning him against his chest with an arm. His hand moved slowly, giving Lexi time to see every twitch in the fox’s stomach before wrapping his hand around his length.
The slow, teasing strokes made Lexi moan softly, biting her lip as she teased a finger at her entrance. Jace was panting, half-lidded eyes staring at her as he rested his head back on Braydon’s shoulder. The wereleopard was obviously in control, revving them both up and making Lexi shiver with the intensity of his stare.
She was in a lot of trouble… but this kind of trouble, she really, really liked.
Sliding a finger inside herself, she let her head fall back, spreading her legs wider for their perusal. “I want you to make him cum, Braydon… I want to feel it on me before you let him stop.” As Jace moaned loudly, shivering at the thought, as she moved her finger faster, letting their sensitive ears hear the wet slick of her juices. Her hips moved restlessly, and Braydon sped his hand up, matching her movements along Jace’s length.
“Shit… that’s not… Bray, I’m not gonna be able to hold off… She sounds amazing…” Jace panted, his hips bucking into Braydon’s hand while the leopard’s other arm held him tight against his chest.
“Good, love… just remember… you’re not allowed to cum until she does. So keep watching… then I’ll let you fuck her, while I fuck you. Is that what you want?”
Lexi whimpered, arching against her own hand. Her other hand came up, fingers pinching and twisting at her taut nipple, making the breath catch in Braydon’s throat.
Chapter 28
Braydon
He couldn’t believe he was here again… willingly. He’d always thought Jace was more than enough for him, in all ways. But here, with Lexi writhing on the sleeping bags and Jace curling against his arm. He knew his little fox’s tells, knew how hard he was struggling not to lose his control, and if Braydon was honest, he was hoping he would… punishing him would be fun.
He was a dark son of a bitch, and he knew it, but Jace had never complained and he didn’t think Lexi would either. He liked to be in charge sometimes, and Lexi was so willing… He bucked his hips, rubbing his cock against Jace’s ass. He was already throbbing with need, and the way his fox was trembling against his arms only made him hotter. “What’s wrong, Jace? Is seeing our girl so wet making you lose your mind?”
“Fuck… yeah… Braydon, please… I’m gonna…”
He turned his attention back to Lexi, tightening his fingers around the base of Jace’s length and relishing in his breathless grumble of protest. Lexi’s eyes fluttered, and her hips moved erratically against her hand… perfection in a sweaty, panting form. “Are you gonna cum for us, little Red?”
She whimpered, arching harshly as she fell backwards. He watched her legs spasm, muscles in her stomach tightening rhythmically. As Jace’s breath caught harshly, he released him, letting his mate find his own release, splattering the mess across the sleeping bags and Lexi’s still moving form. As the two of them caught their breath, Braydon pushed Jace forward, letting him catch himself on top of Lexi. He reached into his own bag, grabbing a small bottle with a little grin.
“Now that you two have had your fun… it’s my turn.” Popping the lid open, he slicked his fingers up before teasing them at Jace’s entrance. “Lexi, love, can you hear me?”
She hummed an agreement, tilting her head to kiss Jace. The fox pressed back against Bray’s fingers and he smirked, leaning over to kiss his shoulder blade just because he could. “Good… I’m gonna get him nice and ready for ya, little Red. He’s very sensitive…”
Lexi smirked back at him, running fingers through Jace’s hair. “Mmm, so I can tell. I don’t wanna wait, Braydon… I wanna play…” She writhed a little, and Braydon could feel exactly when Jace brushed against her swollen lips, because they both whimpered. “Go ahead, Jace… let her feel you inside her.”
The fox sank into Lexi’s inviting body as Braydon sank a finger into his hole, making him shudder. Braydon worked slowly, almost teasingly, stretching him out languidly. Jace followed his speed even as he groaned in complaint, rocking his hips slowly into Lexi. Braydon could hear her soft moans and pants as he used their fox to work her back up again. It was only a few minutes before Jace bucked back against his fingers, impatien
t and needy.
Of course, he wasn’t about to turn his mate away, so he quickly rubbed the lube along his cock and pressed it against his entrance. As he sank slowly into Jace’s warmth, Jace sank deeper into Lexi. It didn’t take long before Braydon was pounding into his little mate, fucking Lexi through Jace. The little fox loved being used, tightening around Braydon’s length and arching into him. They were all close, riding an edge of erotic electricity that finally whipped through them. Lexi came first, fingers balled into the sleeping bags as she cried out. Jace was close to follow and Braydon lasted only long enough to ride him through his release before arching his back and digging his fingers into his hips with a low, desperate groan.
He shuddered hard, collapsing next to them as his vision blacked out.
When he could see again, a young man in white robes sat cross-legged on the ground. He motioned for Braydon to join him, giving him a gentle smile. “You have finally found her. I’m impressed… she is stronger than she ever has been before.”
“Who… where…?” Braydon shook his head to clear it, trying again. “Who are you, and where am I?” He looked around for Jace or Lexi, but only saw miles of snowy plains.
The young man spoke again. “I am Patience, Braydon. And you are the chosen mate to Pride.” His smile didn’t change, but Braydon could practically feel the concern coming off of him. Or… maybe he could feel it. He wasn’t completely sure but he was pretty sure he was dreaming, or… or something.
“That… I can’t. Jace…”
The young man, Patience, shook his head, motioning again when Braydon frowned. “Sit, please, and I will explain as best I can.”
With a soft huff, Braydon settled to the snowy ground, mimicking Patience’s position. “All right… I’m listening.”
“You’re not, but you will. I know you have another mate. But remember, both foxes and snow leopards share a common trait.”
“Sometimes they take multiple mates, but that’s not… that’s for procreation, not…”
“It is also for love. It is also a twining of souls, much as you have with your fox. And you will not be losing him because of me. He is as much entwined in this as you.” Patience leaned his head back, closing his eyes. “I can still feel him… there will be time for you to understand, but there is much riding on both of you. She needs to follow the right path, or she will lose, as has every other Red before her.”
Braydon snarled, leaning forward. “Lose? Lose what? What fucking path?”
The young man looked back at him and tsked lightly. “You and I are one and the same, Braydon, and you will need my help if you are to help her. Her path is dark, and ugly. It will be scary… and that is just what is happening on the outside. That says nothing of what will be going on in her mind. And that will be what she needs your help with. And Jace’s. What… who is in him will help her as well, but you must work together.”
Braydon took a deep breath, trying to regain his equilibrium. “All right… okay. So, something bad is coming. Lexi already seems to know that. She’s been off since before we took out the witches.”
“Since she had to kill the rogue Red. Which, while not ideal, is actually good for us. All of us.” He smiled, leaning forward and grabbing Braydon’s wrist in a firm hold. “I… we are Patience, Braydon. We are the calm during the storm. It is our job, our privilege, to maintain our composure when the very gates of the underworld open beneath us. That is all you need to know for now. That, and that you cannot, and this is imperative, you can not let Lexi leave without you and Jace at her side. You are imperative to her survival now, Braydon.”
The snow leopard took a couple breaths before turning his wrist, gripping Patience the same way. An accord was reached and Patience nodded once firmly. Braydon’s vision faded and when he opened his eyes again, he found Jace and Lexi curled up against his side, fast asleep.
The next morning was a sticky mess, but they managed to make wet wipes and cold snow to clean up seem fun. When it devolved into a snowball fight, Lexi called a halt, but only after she had dumped a handful of snow down Braydon’s back, making him yelp and hiss at her. They were all joking and pushing each other around as they loaded up the snowmobiles. Once they were heading back to the compound, Lexi grabbed the sat phone and called in the Cleaners.
Jace whooped when she hung up, zipping past them both and spraying snow behind him. Lexi huffed and opened up her own throttle, zooming up behind Jace. Braydon watched them race through the snow, smiling a little at how the stress and anxiety melted off of them. It was nice, honestly, to see them carefree and a little wild. A definite change from the overwhelming stress that had covered them before. It was harder for him to relax, though… the conversation with… himself? Patience? He wasn’t even sure… but it had his mind racing with the possibilities, and the pitfalls that were probably ahead of them.
He needed to talk to Jace. First and foremost, he needed to check with his mate and make sure they would be okay. He understood a little of what Patience had been saying, but he and Jace had been together since before they understood what romance was. They had history, a history that Braydon wasn’t willing to risk. Not even for the beautiful, vibrant Red that had cannonballed into their lives. Jace was everything to him, and as much as he wanted Lexi to be a part of that, he would only be willing to see that through if his little fox was okay with it.
Chapter 29
Lexi
Lexi could feel the moment the Cleaners swept through the caves she’d called them to. The echoing pulse of magic removal thrummed across her nerves, making her shudder. She turned her snowmobile a little, stopping it and looking back to where they came from. She wanted to make sure the slain Red was left undisturbed; she hadn’t mentioned it to the hermetic elves, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t sense her presence under the snow and earth. Another pulse went out, followed by a low boom.
“The mines aren’t going to be safe anymore. Whatever was left in there, they decided just wiping it wasn’t good enough.” She looked at Braydon, who’d pulled up next to her. “We’ll have to tell the Elders… kids are curious, and those will need to be cordoned off.” When he nodded, she went back to staring at the horizon, straining to feel the hints of magic the Cleaners used.
Braydon rested a hand on her arm and squeezed gently. “They won’t bother a corpse, Lex… from the stories I’ve heard, they respect the balance of life and death.”
She glanced over at him and frowned, but turned her arm to catch his hand with hers. “You heard right, but… that girl was a mutation of magic and pain. They may well decide not to leave any evidence of the coven, and she could be considered evidence.”
A whispered whoosh of magic finally let her shoulders relax and she took a deep breath before squeezing Braydon’s hand. “Thank you. They’ve left, and they went nowhere near her. It’s time for us to get home, before Jace’s dad loses his mind with worry.” She smiled when he lifted their joined hands, kissing the back of hers before releasing her.
“As you wish, love. When we get back… can you stick around for a bit? Just a day or so, okay? I know you can’t stay long, but…”
Lexi let out a deep sigh, pulling her hand back and revving the snowmobile. “We’ll see. It’s probably better if we make a clean break. For everyone.” She couldn’t let him continue, didn’t want to hear why they should have one more tumble before she took off. She vowed as she heard him curse and took off across the frozen ground that she’d be leaving as soon as she could book a flight. She was already mad at herself for giving in to her emotions. Letting them linger, even a day longer, would only make it harder for her in the long run.
She caught up with Jace and blew past him, restarting their race and making him laugh and curse at her. Just a couple more hours, and then she could drown her emotions in whiskey and find something else to kill. It was better that way.
Their arrival at the compound was met with cheers. Families who had people taken met them at the entrance and their
thanks and whoops of joy made Lexi smile a little. Normally, she was met with silence, a quick word of gratitude or simply acknowledgment of completion and then she was gone. It was nice to be appreciated for the work she did.
The impromptu parade followed them back to the Elders’ meeting house, where Jace happily held open the door for her. Braydon followed after with a hand on her back. Once they were away from the public eye, she stepped away with a little frown. It was difficult to step out of the snow leopard’s warm aura, but she couldn’t deal with him being affectionate anymore. She had to leave, as soon as possible. She had research to do, and it was already going to be a bitch to walk away from them. If they kept being so… familiar… she would be far too tempted to keep them.
And they didn’t deserve that.
Walking up to the trio of Elders, she nodded with a tight-lipped smile. The warm feeling of the town’s appreciation had faded, soured by her mood. “It’s done. The Cleaners have already come through, and no one will be bothering you again.”