by Alicia White
Mahkah forced everything from his mind and pushed himself harder. He ran until his lungs burned and his thoughts became a blur.
* * * *
Emma ate quickly without tasting her food. Her thoughts were on Chayton and his comfort. The sound of the front door closing caught her attention. She wiped her mouth on the white, starched napkin and pushed her chair back. Takoda glanced up at her but didn’t say anything. He picked up his fork and resumed eating. Emma strode to the window and lifted the curtain back.
Her mouth fell open, and she dropped the material quickly, but not before the sight of Mahkah’s naked body burned in her brain forever. Her heart pounded. She inched the curtain back once more. He was beautiful. She stared openmouthed at the smooth, muscular, tanned man striding toward the trees. He was sin personified. Absolute perfection.
Emma licked her lips and leaned in close. She knew it was wrong to watch him, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of him shifting. The bear emerged slowly as he walked toward the tree line. Emma wondered at herself. She should feel fear, not desire. She took a deep breath, surprised at her body’s reaction. Her arousal was almost instant. Emma jumped back, feeling guilty for lusting after another man other than Chayton. There was no denying what washed over her. She wanted the forbidden. Mahkah. Takoda.
“I can smell your desire from here.” Takoda’s voice cut through her thoughts, and Emma felt heat race up her neck. She’d been caught ogling his brother. Too embarrassed to make eye contact with him, she went back to check on Chayton.
She climbed on the big bed quickly, feeling how damp her panties were when she scooted in. More heat traveled up her face. Damn him for noticing. It was unsettling that they could smell her when she was turned-on. Emma rolled in to Chayton and buried her face against his shoulder. She kept her eyes closed when she heard Takoda move to look out the window. He made a scoffing noise before turning and heading toward the door.
Maybe Chayton was wrong about the bond with his brothers. Mahkah was strong and distant. She had sensed that he cared for her, but Takoda was a different story. He was difficult to read on many levels. It felt as if he went out of his way to make her uncomfortable. What an enigma he was. He looked so much like Chayton yet completely different in other ways.
The bedroom door closed softly, signaling Takoda’s exit. Emma opened her eyes and ran her hands through the bear’s soft fur. “Wake up, baby. I need you. Oh, Chayton, I love you, please open your beautiful eyes.” His breathing was strong and steady, leaving no clue as to why he still slept. Emma reached up and ran her fingers across the bandage on his massive chest. Glancing up at his face for evidence of pain, she slowly peeled it back. The last thing she wanted was to cause him more discomfort. The wound was completely healed. Emma’s brow furrowed in confusion. Why are you still unconscious? Were there internal injuries that hadn’t healed?
Emma’s eyes ran over his body, looking for what? She sighed and lay back against him. A sob lodged in her throat, but she held it in. It wouldn’t do anyone any good for her to break down. She’d cried enough to last a lifetime. What to do about Mahkah and Takoda? Her mates. As strange as it sounded, she knew Chayton had been honest with her about that. She had to admit that it had a certain appeal to it, but she wasn’t quite ready. Or was she? She closed her eyes and dropped her arm across Chayton, letting the rise and fall of his chest lull her to sleep.
Chapter 14
One Week Later
Mahkah had run out of patience. He’d allowed Emma to stay by Chayton’s bed for days. She was losing weight because she wasn’t eating. The exhaustion and purple circles under her eyes were evident to a blind man. Not to mention she needed to shower. Her hair was lifeless, and her clothes wrinkled. With his mind made up, he took the stairs two as a time en route to Chayton’s room. He would drag her kicking and screaming if need be. She was his mate, and it was damn time she understood that.
He knew she was attracted to him. He could feel it every time he was in the room with her. He was also aware she watched him strip before shifting every evening before his run. He could feel her eyes on him. He smelled her desire for hours after leaving her room. It was killing him, and it was time he did something about it.
After the report from the clan doctor, everyone was made aware of Chayton’s progress. He was in a healing sleep and would wake in his own time, when he was ready. There was no explanation given as to why some took longer to heal than others, only that he would be fine. With that thought in mind, Mahkah was resolved to take care of Emma. Enough was enough. He threw open the door and spotted her sitting in a chair by Chayton’s bed. With determined strides, he marched over to her and threw her over his shoulder.
“Damn it, Mahkah, what are you doing? Put me down this instant!” She sputtered. Her little hands made short work of his back, but he just smiled and kept moving. He could almost taste her outrage. The little hellcat.
With one arm anchored across her knees, Mahkah reached up and smacked her on the ass. Emma let out a loud gasp and froze instantly. Mahkah almost apologized for swatting her too hard but decided against it. He wasn’t about to show weakness now. Her silence didn’t last long. No sooner had they cleared the door than she was squirming once again. She cussed and begged, but he didn’t care. He was on a mission, and he would follow through. He smacked her again when she tried to sink her teeth into him. That gained him another round of choice words.
Mahkah kicked the bathroom door open with his booted foot and marched a rebellious Emma to the shower. He reached in and twisted the knobs before setting her on her feet. He tested the water to make sure it wasn’t too hot and lifted her under the spray. She spit and sputtered and tried to dart away, but he held her in place and began divesting her of her clothes.
“Mahkah, what are you doing? Mahkah!” She was yelling in his face, but he ignored her.
He focused on bathing her, instead of that sweet pouty mouth so close to his face. He didn’t dare look at her. He would be too tempted to taste those lips that had tormented his dreams for the past week.
“Damn it, talk to me,” she pleaded, and he exhaled loudly.
“I need to bathe you, feed you, and put you in bed. Chayton will heal. He’s getting stronger by the day, while you’re getting weaker.” He was angry with himself for not stepping up sooner. He’d been afraid of spooking her. He growled low in his throat. He was the Alpha here.
Mahkah chanced a look up. She seemed to be considering his words. He raised his eyebrow in question. She barely nodded, but it was enough for him. He let go of her to grab the soap. She began helping him remove the rest of her clothing. He hid a satisfied expression and busied himself with soaping up the washcloth. Satisfied with the amount of suds he’d made, he turned back to her and froze. She was naked. Gloriously naked. She was so beautiful she stole his breath.
He swallowed hard, trying to decide where to begin. Probably at the bottom. Yeah, he would start there. His mind made up, he knelt and picked up one of her beautiful feet. He slowly worked his way up her calves, skimming her curves. She tormented his mind with thought of her heat. He wanted to bury his face in her pussy and taste her. He could feel his rigid control slipping fast. His cock pushed against the zipper of his jeans hard enough that it was uncomfortable. He needed release. He heard her moan and realized it came from him.
* * * *
Emma stood frozen under the warm spray. She stared down at Mahkah, and watched his hands move over her body completely mesmerized. Images of him naked floated through her mind. Longing curled in her stomach. She would give anything for him to lose his clothes now.
Her eyes skated down his chest, and she watched his muscles bunch through the wet T-shirt plastered to his skin. Her gaze traveled further down, over his abs, to his muscular thighs encased in tight denim. She chanced a peek up, and her eyes grew round. His huge cock was perfectly outlined through the bulge in his jeans. It was obvious he had an erection. Her fingers itched
to touch him, to rip that shirt off him and run her tongue all over his chest.
Emma was more than a little nervous, but it didn’t take her long to find a spark of boldness and latch on to it. Opening her legs, she bit her lip and waited. Mahkah inhaled deeply and jerked his head up, pinning her with his lust-filled gaze. He moved with lightning speed, pushing her against the wall of the shower. Cold tiles touched her back, and she sucked in a breath. She didn’t realize how much she needed him until he pushed his nose against her pussy and growled.
“Oh, God, what are you doing?” She moaned as he nuzzled her thigh with his cheek, his stubble rasping her tender skin. She could feel his warm breath on her mound.
“Oh…My…God.” She gasped when he licked at her clit with his strong tongue.
He spread her flesh between two fingers, licking her pussy. “I want you to play with your breasts,” he demanded.
“Why…” She moaned, suddenly afraid to let go of her hold on the shower wall. She didn’t trust her knees in that moment.
“Do it, or I’ll stop.” That confused Emma, but she obeyed. She’d die right here in this stall if he stopped.
The sound of a zipper caught her attention. Emma could barely breathe as she envisioned what he was going to do next. Would he masturbate while he licked her to orgasm? She adjusted her body so she could watch. Emma could feel her own pupils dilate at the sight of him stroking his engorged cock. Pre-cum coated the tip, and Emma licked her lips. She wanted to taste him so bad. She felt herself moving toward him.
“Your nipples.” He sounded like he was in pain. “Pinch them.”
She did as he ordered, pulling on her nipples. She took her eyes off his cock and found him staring at her, watching her closely, all the while licking and eating her pussy. Lifting her hips, she moved, needing more. Her heart was beating frantically, and she could feel her orgasm building within her.
“Are you ready to come?”
“Yes!”
“Me, too, baby,” he rasped, and then he sucked her clit between his lips.
She screamed as her orgasm ripped through her. He was licking, groaning, using his lips, tongue, and teeth to pull more pleasure from her. When he gave a harsh growl against her pussy, she knew he was ready to come. When she was completely spent, he continued to kiss her until he exploded, shouting her name.
Emma stared down at him in wonder. She watched his face change. It was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. Once he was spent, he laid his head on her thigh, catching his breath, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him. Emma leaned her head against the tiles, finally able to exhale.
“Well, it’s about damn time.” Emma’s eyes popped open, and she stared at Chayton. He was grinning at her, leaning against the bathroom door.
She felt weak all of the sudden, her legs shaking. He was awake, and she was in the shower with Mahkah. How long had he been standing there? Did he watch Mahkah lick her to orgasm? Oh, God, I should’ve been there when he woke up. Regret, embarrassment, and guilt consumed her, and Emma wished the floor would open up under her.
Damn it! She cursed herself. Emma buried her face in her hands and prayed for the clock to roll back an hour.
“Emma…Ciqala?” Swallowing hard, she dropped her hands and looked up into the concerned face of Chayton. He was kneeling by the shower door. “Come here.” He opened his arms, and she practically crawled over Mahkah to reach him.
Emma buried her face in his neck and sobbed. Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks, and she squeezed him harder, needing proof that he was alive and well. He held her tight against his chest and let her cry. A towel blanketed her back, and she glanced over her shoulder and watched Mahkah as he dried her off. The half-smile he gave couldn’t mask his disappointment.
“How long have you been awake?” Mahkah asked, and Emma stiffened, pulling back from Chayton’s embrace. No, it wasn’t possible. Chayton wouldn’t fake being unconscious. Would he? He shot his brother a look, but Emma was quick to notice it.
“A while. I was hoping me being out of commission would give you and Takoda some alone time with Emma. You needed to bond, and that wasn’t happening with me in the way.”
“Wait. What? I’ve been in bed with you for a week, begging you to wake up. You were faking it!” She paled, putting distance between them.
“Now that you’re better, the Alpha wants to talk to you about the attack.” Mahkah shook his head and left the bathroom. It was obvious that he wanted to say more but held his tongue. Emma wondered if it was for her sake.
Chayton’s shoulders slumped as he stared at her. “What were you thinking? I–I mean, what the hell did you think would happen while you pretended to be unconscious?” Emma propped her hands on her hips and shot him a glare.
Chayton’s eyes roamed up and down her body, and Emma shook her head. She wouldn’t allow him to affect her. She was still upset with him. “Hey, eyes up here, buddy,” she demanded, pointing at her face, and Chayton moved closer, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
“I love when you’re naked and wet. Yummy. You look good enough to eat, ciqala.” He growled, but Emma refused to give in that easily.
With every step he took, she moved, not wanting him to touch her. She had the impression of being stalked. She was too angry. How could he fake being unconscious while she lay there and wept?
“Ciqala, don’t be angry with me. I’ve had you all to myself for six weeks. I was hoping more time with my brothers would work in your favor. You needed to bond.”
“Bullshit! I’ve been devastated for the last week, consumed with worry that you would never wake up. You lied to me.” Some of her anger evaporated, replaced by disappointment. Chayton had always been so honest with her. It hurt that he would lie to her, especially about something so serious.
“Don’t be mad at me, please. I can’t stand to see you so upset.”
“You lied to me, Chayton. You’ve never done that before.” Shaking her head, she grabbed her towel and marched out of the bathroom. She needed some distance from him. After everything they had been through, she didn’t want to ruin their relationship by saying something she may regret later.
She quickly wrapped the towel around her, hiding her naked state. She had no idea where to go. This wasn’t her house. She was a guest in their home. Her mates. She marched to the bedroom she had been sharing with Chayton and quickly put some clean clothes on.
She felt ready to burst. Her emotions were strung tight, and she was on the verge of tears. Great, cry in front of them again, you big baby. She needed to get out of there before she broke down yet again. Pulling on her tennis shoes and a jacket, Emma stuck her head out of the bedroom door and looked down the hall. The house was quiet, and the landing was empty. Going slow, she moved down the hall, looking over her shoulder as she went.
Sneaking downstairs, she tiptoed her way toward the front door, not wanting any of the men to follow her, she needed a few minutes to think and be alone. A light caught her attention, highlighting a big oak desk in what appeared to be an office. The front door forgotten, she went inside and touched the beautifully carved piece. Artwork of various wild animals hung on the walls, and she walked around, inspecting each piece with a critical eye.
One specific picture caught her attention and drew her to it. She was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Three giant bears appeared to be posing in the shot. Their eyes revealed so much, and Emma leaned in, taking a closer look. Her mouth dropped open in surprise. It was Mahkah, Takoda, and Chayton. The corner of her mouth lifted, and she reached out and touched the glass covering. After everything they had been through, she wasn’t the least bit afraid of them. It awed her how calm she was by the whole thing.
Stepping back, Emma investigated the rest of the office, finally stopping at the desk. Her name in dark, bold lettering grabbed her attention, and her heart slammed against her chest. She felt panicked but couldn’t understand why. Looking around once more to make sure she was alone, she reached dow
n and grabbed the large envelope. Her hands were shaking as she opened it and took out the small stack of papers. Before she started reading, Emma took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves, but the feeling of dread lay heavy on her chest.
Exhaling loudly, Emma opened her eyes and started reading the papers. Her life story was outlined in perfectly typed lettering, making everything seem neat and clean. Highlighted throughout the document was the proof of her sins. They had her whole life summed up in a packet of paperwork.
Emma continued to read as the room began to spin. How could they do this to me? How could Chayton deceive me with being unconscious? How can they call me their mate, yet lie and spy on me? Pain sliced through her heart, and Emma slammed the papers down on the desk.
Her hands were shaking as she left the office, in a hurry to leave. More questions ran through her head as her world tilted on its axis. Nothing was as it seemed. Her heart cracked with the loss and deceit. What must they think of her now? Feeling a little too surreal, she stumbled outside with no destination in mind.
Chapter 15
Emma wandered aimlessly for a while. Her head and heart were in chaos. She was too exhausted to think, so she walked in a daze, not really seeing her surroundings. Mahkah, Takoda, and Chayton were all wonderful. She understood that. What she didn’t get, was why her? Was this some sort of predestined arrangement, or fate? What was so special about her? With no answers coming, she circled back around.
Walking past their matching trucks, she peeked through the window and saw the keys sitting in the ignition. Without much thought or planning, she got in, started the engine, and drove away. Where to now, Steele? It didn’t matter, as long as she was alone.
Driving down a deserted road, she stared out the window, admiring the scenery. She wasn’t mad. She was embarrassed. It would’ve been nice to tell them about her past, instead of having it all laid out in a manila envelope. She just wanted to forget, not to have it thrown in her face at the most inopportune time. Emma realized it was about forgiveness. Her own family didn’t speak to her.