by Maggie Walsh
“Right,” Raiden finished.
Alex’s smiled broadened. “Yes. Right. But... you said you didn’t find out who I was until tonight. I don’t understand. How did you find out?”
Raiden tugged on his hand, drawing Alex from the chair, and walked them to the couch. Raiden sat and pulled Alex down onto his lap. Alex didn’t fight it, he just settled in like it was the most natural thing in the world—which in itself told him a lot. He was already accepting of Raiden being one of his, but now knowing that Raiden was his friend UM, Alex felt totally safe.
“When you didn’t show up for dinner tonight, Tug and I started to get really worried that something either happened to you, or that you had changed your mind. While we were talking and trying to figure out a way to find you, besides calling Dell again, Tug mentioned you going to an orgy. Then he said something about Dell reminding him that sometimes you got caught up in your work and lost all track of time, and I asked him what you did. When he told me you were an author with a few different pen names, and one of those wrote steamy BDSM porn, the pieces all started to come together. That’s when I thought maybe you were Deltadawn. Then the clue of your screen name, Deltadawn and you’re a delta, well... part delta,” Raiden explained.
“So, from all of our conversations, you put two and two together that it was me, but what if you were wrong?”
Tug smirked. “That’s when our smart mate here went online as UM to message you. When we read all the messages you sent him over the past day, we both knew then that he was right. Then, you sent another message and Raiden started talking to you.”
“I needed to make sure I was right. I’m sorry, baby, I wasn’t trying to trick you when we spoke tonight. I was just in shock that it was you, my friend who I had been talking to for years, and now you were right here within reach and you were my mate. When you started telling me all the things that guy said, it broke my heart, Alex. Please, know that Tug and I didn’t lie to you or Dell. I have no idea who talked to you, but what he said isn’t true,” Raiden pleaded.
Tug moved closer and cupped Alex’s cheek, drawing his gaze. “I know you don’t really know us yet, mate, but please know that we would never lie to you. And from what Dell said, if you remember, true mates can’t lie to one another. Yes, it’s after the claiming, but please know we’re not lying, baby. Yes, we have been looking for a third, but as we already told you, we have never had any of those men in our bed. We have never had sex with any of them. Something was just always wrong, so we couldn’t do anything with them. I have no idea who approached you or why. All I can say is what he told you wasn’t true. I swear it on my life.”
A tear rolled down Alex’s cheek again as fear and confusion filled him. He could see and hear that his mates were being honest with him, so then why would this man, Cilly, lie to him like that? What was he to gain by it? Maybe his mates would know. “I don’t understand why he would come to me like that and lie. I know you're both telling me the truth, I can feel it, but then why did Cilly say all of those things?”
“Cilly? Is that the guy you talked to?” Tug asked, his brows scrunched down low, his eyes showing his confusion.
Alex nodded. “Yes. He introduced himself as Cilly, and told me he was your third and he lived with you and how you only used him. He said…” Alex swallowed hard. “He said that you Dominated over Raiden and hurt him. He said you were into some very dark things and I…”
Raiden tightened his hold on him, and Alex cuddled into the embrace, loving the feeling of having his men around him.
Suddenly Alex was moving. He looked up, eyes wide open as Tug lifted him off Raiden’s lap, and deposited him on his own, then took Alex’s face between both of his large hands. “Look at me and hear me. I have no idea who that was who spoke to you. I have never met anyone named Cilly in my life, and as far as I know, neither has Raid. I love Raiden with all my heart, and I know that someday you will own my heart just like he does, and I will love you just as deeply. I know this, because I already feel love for you, Alex. And Raiden loves me just as fiercely as I do him, I know he does, but I also know that Raiden already loves you. He wasn’t lying when he said Deltadawn was his best friend. For years I have heard him talking about you, and whenever he does I can see the affection he has held for his friend, and the love. I didn’t think anyone could make a real connection with a stranger online, but seeing the way his face always lit up, or hearing the thrill in his voice whenever he talked about Deltadawn, I know he loves you. Yes, it is a different kind of love, but I believe it is a stepping stone for our future. I have loved Deltadawn too in my own way, because he was someone good to my Raiden. Someone who gave him some peace. Someone he could talk to about all his fears, anxieties, desires, and that person was there for him in a way I couldn’t be. And just from your reaction to discovering that Raiden is UM, I can see that you love your online friend too. Maybe more than just a friend?” Tug asked, and Alex could see the hopeful look in his eyes.
Alex turned his head and looked at Raiden, then smiled when he saw the same look in Raiden’s eyes. Alex reached back and grabbed one of Raiden’s hands and pulled him close, so that Raiden’s chest was pressed against his back. “Yes. There were many times when you talked about you and your man finding a third, and I would fantasize that it was me. I didn’t know what either of you looked like, but I would put these images in my mind.”
Alex turned and gave Tug a shy smile. “I would always put you in those fantasies and another man, because I didn’t know what UM looked like, but... anyway, I think you’re right, Tug. I think because of the connection that Raiden and I already have, as well as the one you and he has, it will help us in our mating.”
Raiden kissed the back of his neck, and Alex let out a small whimper. “And I have the added bonus of already knowing all you desire, Alex. I know all your dreams and fantasies. And now that you’re my mate, I’m gonna use all of them against you,” Raiden promised, then brushed Alex’s hair away from his neck and started kissing him. A thrill of desire and need shot through Alex like lightning from Raiden’s words alone, forget the amazing things Raiden was doing to his skin at the moment.
“Mmm, I think our baby loves that idea, Raiden. Maybe we’ll have to test your theory,” Tug said, then pulled Alex’s face close and kissed his lips. Alex immediately opened for Tug when the man's tongue ran over the seam, and Tug thrust his tongue deep, dominating Alex's mouth. Alex melted into the kiss, collapsing against Tug’s massive chest.
CHAPTER 12
Tug stepped into Dell’s office when the alpha called for him to enter. Closing the door behind him, he walked to the desk and took a seat when Dell motioned for him to sit.
“So, tell me what’s going on with you and your mates,” Dell said. “It’s been a week since our meeting here and I thought you three would have claimed each other by now.”
Tug smirked. “How do you know we haven’t?”
Dell gave him a smirk of his own. “Because then I would be able to smell your mates on you and vice versa. You also don’t have your mating mark yet. Sure, I can see that faded one from Raiden, but you don’t have your permanent one yet.”
Now Tug’s brows dropped in confusion. “I have a small mating mark? Where? I’ve never noticed it.”
“For those of you who are mates and already in a relationship awaiting your linchpin, but don’t know you’re mates, well, those of you who have bitten one another, the mating mark isn’t as prominent as the real one. It’s faded, but it is there. It’s on your right shoulder. Two very faint crescent shaped white scars. Once you claim your mates officially and they claim you, that mark will be able to be seen by all. So, what’s going on with you three? Weren’t you able to find Alex that night?”
Tug sighed, then smiled as he remembered their times together. He went on to tell Dell everything from that night, and why Alex was so apprehensive and hadn’t shown up for dinner.
Dell sat forward, his eyes blazing with anger. “So, someone in my
pack approached Alex and filled his head with a load of crap which had him afraid to claim his mates? Who? You said Cilly, but there is no one in our pack with that name, so who was it?” Dell demanded.
Tug shrugged. “We have no idea. Neither Raiden nor I know anyone by that name, and when we asked Alex what he looked like, honestly, it could be any twink we have in the pack. My mates and I have spent every night this week meeting at the bar for dinner and getting to know one another. We have all agreed to give this relationship a real shot, but to start it off right, like dating a bit. Raid and I have been together a long time, and we need Alex to know that he won’t be an afterthought to our mating, but an equal, so we have decided to prove it to him with actions, so that he’ll know we’re serious and are telling him the truth. We have no idea who this person is, this Cilly, but Raid and I agree that we don’t think we’ve heard the last of him. Why would he just approach Alex like that out of the blue and try to stir up shit? So we’re keeping a lookout for him.”
“When you find him, I want to know. I need to have a little chat with him. With Caleb, then Bo, and now all of you finding your true mates, I’ll have to address the whole pack, but I would like to hold off until the three of you are officially claimed. And the most important thing they need to know is that mates are never to be fucked with. I know it has been extremely rare for a paranormal to find their true one, so most don’t know the rules of a mating, so I will have to lay down the law.”
“Which is what?” Tug questioned.
“No one is to interfere with a true mating. No one. Even me. I don’t have to remind you of our conversation last week, so you know how absolutely important these true mating’s are and will be for the future. They must be respected and nurtured by all. Starting with respect. I will make it perfectly clear to the pack that all true mating’s are sacred and anyone found trying to get in the way of one will be severely punished. So now, when are you three going to finally claim each other?”
Tug raised a brow as he narrowed his eyes at his alpha. “Why are you so invested in my mating, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Dell gave him a mischievous smirk. “I have my reasons, besides the fact that I look on Alex as a little brother, and that I am alpha of this pack and need to know these things. Caleb was the first, then Bo, but they have both gone off to the Heart pack, so you three are the first for the York pack. I have my suspicions of others in the pack who are most likely true mates waiting for their linchpin to arrive, so I will be keeping an eye on them as well. All our futures may depend on these mating’s.”
“Okay, I can understand that from everything you told us, but may I ask what will happen if you don’t find a true mate, Dell?”
Dell never flinched or changed his facial features, he just stared Tug down and replied evenly, “Then I will suffer the purge like anyone else, and Ridge and Caleb will take over both packs.”
“I don’t really know Ridge, but I am assuming he’s a good man, a good alpha, but I must admit, I would rather have you around, my friend, so I will keep my fingers crossed and pray to our gods that you will find your true mate.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Alex was so excited that he couldn’t sit still. As he tried to write, his mind kept going back to the past week and all the dates he had with his men. Tug had shown him how gentle and kind he could be, but also how Dominant. The man always took control of all situations, which Alex found very sexy. When they met each night for dinner at the pub, Tug had a table waiting for them, then he would always hold out Alex’s chair for him, then Raiden’s, before he took his own seat. After they looked at their menus, Tug would ask what they wanted, then he would place the order for all of them. Alex knew some people wouldn’t appreciate that, but he loved it. And one look at Raiden, and Alex knew his other mate was not only used to Tug’s ways, but appreciated them too.
Tonight they were going to meet at Tug and Raiden’s house for dinner, seeing as Tug finally had a night off and Raiden was leaving work early to make sure he would be there on time. Alex was really looking forward to having a private date with his mates. From what Raiden had told him, Tug was an amazing cook and Alex was dying to see for himself. He wasn’t bad at cooking, but Alex never did it too often with it only being him, so the idea of a home-cooked meal had him just as excited as seeing his mates.
Alex had set the timer on his laptop to go off at two, so that he wouldn’t get lost in his work tonight, and it would allow him plenty of time to get ready. Not that he was planning on anything more than dinner, talking, maybe a few kisses, like they had shared all week, but Alex was hoping for more. Spending the evenings all week with his mates was wonderful and Alex wouldn’t change a thing, but honestly, being in such close proximity to his mates was driving his wolf crazy, and himself.
The beast kept whining and begging to be let free, so he could offer its ass to its mates, and Alex couldn’t agree more, but he needed to keep control over their need. His mates were determined to show him that they wanted him in a real relationship, not just a sexual one, and Alex wouldn’t rain on their parade, but with each night, Alex found himself wanting to drop to his knees and beg for them to take him.
With his wolf riding him hard and his own need building, Alex was hoping that maybe tonight they could go a bit further than kissing. So, when his alarm went off, he immediately shut down his laptop and headed for the bath. Alex spent the next four hours primping and pampering himself. He wanted to look perfect for his men and also be ready in case something happened between them.
He shaved his face and lower region, making sure no hair remained, then gave himself a facial as he soaked in a long, hot tub and used his loofah to exfoliate his whole body. After that, Alex moved to the shower and cleaned himself inside, then shampooed and conditioned his long hair. When he was done, he dried himself before applying skin cream everywhere, making his skin soft and smelling fresh, then he blow-dried his hair. Alex wanted to make sure he was soft and appealing from head to toe.
Alex walked into his bedroom and dug out some of his favorite clothes and began putting them on. Tight black jeans, a shimmering slate gray button down that he tucked into his jeans, then he grabbed a pair of ankle boots with five inch heels. After that Alex applied a bit of eyeliner around his eyes, making them pop, then added a soft coating of lip gloss to make his lips look wet and inviting. Not that he dressed like a girl or did the whole makeup thing, but there were times he really liked using cosmetics to enhance his features, or styled his hair in different ways, and times when he did like to wear something that was more suited to a woman, but only certain items that made him look and feel good about himself.
Taking one last look at himself in the full length mirror, Alex momentarily thought about braiding his hair, but then decided against it and left his long blond locks to cascade down his back. He grabbed his cell phone, wallet, and keys, and headed out. With his snowmobile still at Tug’s house, Alex chose to walk, so that he could drive the machine home later.
“Shit,” Alex cursed as he stopped walking. “I never paid Raiden for the work he did on my snowmobile. Maybe he’s still at the garage and I can catch him before he leaves.” Alex quickly changed direction and headed toward the mechanic shop that Raiden now owned. He had bought it from Caleb when he moved to the Heart pack to be with his mate.
Alex sighed in relief when he saw the light still on in the garage and he went to the front office door. Stepping inside he smiled when Timber looked up, meeting his gaze. “Wow, look at you. Hot date?” Timber asked.
Alex smiled shyly as he made his way to the desk. “Um... yeah. Is... um... Raiden still here?”
The smile on Timber’s face flinched a tiny bit before he replied, “No. Sorry, he already left. Anything I can do for you?”
“Yeah. I know Raiden took my snowmobile over to Tug’s and I’m heading over there now, but I suddenly realized I never paid for the work done on it. So I figured I would stop by and pay my bill,” Alex explained
.
Timber didn’t immediately reply, which made Alex wonder why, but saw that it looked like Timber was lost in thought. A moment later, his friend blinked a few times and shook his head as if clearing the fog. “Yeah, um, sorry. Anyway, your bill’s been taken care of. It’s already been paid,” Timber informed him.
Alex’s brows drew down in confusion. How had his bill been paid? He hadn’t done it so... Then a thought hit him. Raiden. His mate probably paid it for him. Alex was not too happy about that thought, because he always paid his own way and didn’t need anyone taking care of him. He sighed heavily, then bit his bottom lip as he thought about how he was going to thank Raiden, but also gently tell the man he couldn’t accept Raiden paying his bills. He didn’t want to hurt the man's feelings, but he needed his mates to know that he could pay his own way.
“Thanks, Timber. I guess I’ll head over there and talk to Raiden about it. Thank you and have a good night,” Alex said, then turned and left before Timber could say another word.
Alex was so lost in thought that he hadn’t noticed when someone began walking beside him. As he became aware, his head snapped to the right and his eyes opened wide when he saw that it was Cilly. Alex stopped dead in his tracks as he gaped at the man. Cilly stopped also and faced him full on.
“What do you want?” Alex asked, in a strained voice. Anger started to build in his gut and he wanted to yell at the man, but he fought the need. Even though he had spent his life training as an enforcer and knew how to fight, he was never really that good at it, so when he turned eighteen he talked to the alpha and stopped his training. His dads had been so disappointed in him and told him so. When he refused to go back to the alpha and tell him he had made a mistake and wanted back in the program, his fathers had become livid and kicked him out. They said no son of theirs was going to be a weakling. They said it was his duty to serve his pack, but Alex had already discussed everything with the alpha who told Alex to do what would make him happy, so that’s what he did.