by L. M. Brown
"Cal!" Ty shouted as he bucked beneath him.
"Ty!" Cal cried out in response, his cream coating the inside of his kilt as he shook with the force of his orgasm.
He rested his head on Ty's shoulder and closed his eyes.
When he opened them again he found himself on Ty's bed, his lover asleep beside him.
He sat up and saw his kilt had been removed and the cream cleaned from his body.
"Go back to sleep," Ty said. "It's going to be a long night tonight. You'll need your rest."
"I thought you were asleep," Cal replied.
"Just cat-napping. Now, come here and let me hold you."
Cal slid across the sheets and into Ty's embrace. "Can we skip tonight's festivities?"
"Probably not."
"Pity. I'd rather stay here in bed."
"I know you would. Now, since you seem to be wide awake and ignoring my advice, why don't you tell me what Lyndon said about Jax?"
Cal would rather have avoided talking of Lyndon for a little longer, but he supposed he might as well get it over with. He relayed to Ty what Lyndon had said about Jax and his own impressions as to his honesty.
"And you think Lyndon is hiding something from us too?"
"I'm sure of it. Did you get any more information out of Jax?"
"No. We talked of his upbringing before he lost his parents, but every time I tried to steer the subject round to his life now, he avoided my questions."
"I get the impression he doesn't have much of a life now. If Lyndon is the only feline he sees on a daily basis, it sounds as if he's practically a prisoner in his own home."
"In that case, he'd surely be eager to leave, but he repeated his belief that I should claim a mate from amongst the others."
"Lyndon thinks you'll set him aside if you find out he's not a virgin."
"I take it you didn't point out that I already knew this?"
"No. I got the impression Lyndon was deliberately stirring up trouble. He wanted me to tell you about Jax's bad reputation to make you set him aside."
"In which case, he doesn't know me that well."
Cal snuggled closer to Ty. "No, he doesn't," he agreed, before closing his eyes again.
Chapter Four
Jax sat between his uncle and Lyndon at the games table. The feline in charge dealt them several cards. Jax had no idea what to do. His parents had never taught him card games, preferring more physical activities.
"Just let me guide you," Lyndon whispered into his ear. "The aim of the game is to collect matching sets."
Jax lifted his cards and stared at the completely different pictures on them. He had no idea if they were part of a set or not.
Lyndon shifted his seat closer so his thigh was pressed against Jax's leg. Jax wanted to move away, but that would only bring him closer to his uncle, so he stayed where he was.
Across the room, Ty sat a table with his mother and two of the other guests. Jax recognised one of them as the dual-gendered feline who had been presented directly before him.
"I believe Ty might have been told about you," Lyndon murmured, using the excuse of helping him with his game to keep his voice low enough for no one to hear him. "Rumours spread so quickly, don't you think?"
Jax ignored him and tried to concentrate on learning the rules of the game.
"Ty and that feline beside him make a handsome pair," continued Lyndon, his voice a little louder now he wasn't openly goading Jax. "Their markings are quite similar."
Jax's uncle muttered an oath under his breath that Jax was sure had everything to do with Ty's lack of attention to his nephew, and nothing to do with his hand of cards.
Cal appeared to be on serving duty this evening, and he went from table to table with trays of snacks for the non-felines and drinks for everyone. When he reached Jax, he put a glass in front of him by leaning between Jax and his uncle. "Ty wishes you to know the tables will rotate throughout the evening, and he intends to end the night at your table."
Jax smiled up at him, and even his uncle appeared pleased.
"Well done," his uncle said after Cal had continued on to the next table. "I think you've made a good impression on our host."
Jax concentrated on his cards. He liked Ty, but maybe he shouldn't be encouraging him. If Ty claimed him, Lyndon would make sure he never saw his babies again. His stomach flipped at the thought, and for a brief, unsettling moment he wondered whether he might be carrying a second litter. Please no.
He took a sip of water and the wave of panic subsided.
He pushed all thoughts of pregnancy out of his mind and turned his attention back to the game.
By the time he found himself seated at the same table as Ty, he had almost convinced himself he was worrying over nothing. The invitation to the festival had been received a little over a month ago. Lyndon had only fucked him once before they had arrived here. If he'd been pregnant before they left, he would know by now, and if any of their couplings since they'd arrived had resulted in a pregnancy, it was far too soon to tell.
"Are you okay?" Ty asked. "You look a little pale."
Jax nodded and discarded two of his cards. At least he was starting to get the hang of the game.
"Perhaps you're just tired," Ty continued. "May I escort you to your room?"
Jax checked with his uncle who nodded. He rose and made to follow Ty to the door. His uncle stopped him with a hand on his arm. "Don't forget to use your talents, Jax."
Jax frowned at him, unsure what he was saying to him.
"If you spread your legs for him, he'll have to claim you officially," his uncle whispered loudly. "Do what you must to convince him to fuck you."
Jax pulled free of his uncle's grip and hurried after Ty. With his uncle on one side, telling him to act like a whore, and Lyndon on the other, advising him not to encourage Ty too much, he was surely going to disappoint one of them.
"Orin should learn to keep his voice down," Cal said as he stepped into line with Ty and Jax.
"What did he say?" Ty asked.
"He told Jax to spread his legs for you, so you'd have to claim him as your mate," Cal replied.
"He didn't!"
"Yes, he did," Jax said. "But don't worry, I'm not going to trap you into anything."
"I'm glad to hear it. So, what has Lyndon been whispering in your ear all night?" Ty smiled at him with a kindness that Jax didn't feel he deserved.
"Mostly he's been helping me learn the game. I've never played cards before."
"And the rest of the time?" Cal asked. "Or shall I guess?"
"I'm sure you don't need to. He has taken great delight in telling me how handsome Ty appears with every other dual-gendered feline in the room."
"It can't have been a very pleasant evening for you," Ty commented. "With each of your companions trying to steer you in a different direction."
Jax shrugged.
"Which direction do you want to go in?" Cal asked. "Or haven't you decided yet?"
"I don't know."
"Would it help if I backed off a little?" Ty asked. "I know I can be rather forceful when I set my heart on something."
Jax shook his head. "No. This is something I need to work out for myself."
"Won't you let us help you?" Cal took his hand and entwined their fingers. "If you told us the dilemma, we could at least give you our opinions."
It was very tempting, but before Jax could decide whether to confide in his companions his stomach flipped again and he lurched for a nearby bowl, reaching it just in time.
When he had nothing left to bring back up, Jax turned to Ty and Cal, both of whom stared at him with knowing expressions.
"Come on," Ty said. "Let's go to my rooms and talk."
Jax hung his head and followed them to Ty's luxurious quarters. Behind them, a servant slipped out of the shadows and spirited the bowl away.
When they were alone, Ty guided Jax onto the couch and knelt at his feet. Cal fetched him a drink to wash the taste of vomit from his
mouth, then sat beside him, holding his hand once more.
"How long?" Ty asked.
"A little over a month," Jax whispered.
"Lyndon's?"
"Yes. There hasn't been anyone else."
Ty nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I see now why you're reluctant to let me claim you. Does Lyndon know yet?"
Jax shook his head. "No. I wasn't sure myself until tonight."
"You have to tell him," Ty said. "He'll no doubt want to claim you."
Jax gave a bitter laugh and shook his head even more vehemently. "No, he won't."
"But of course he will," Cal said. "You're carrying his litter. That changes everything."
"It changes nothing!" shouted Jax, his voice breaking as he tried to stifle a sob.
Ty reached up and cupped Jax's cheek. "Why would you think that?"
"Because he refused to claim me last time," Jax snapped as he pushed Ty's hand aside. "He fucked me and when he found out I was pregnant he denied the babes were his."
"Did you tell your uncle the truth?"
"I tried, but Lyndon convinced him my mind had become unhinged due to my depravity."
"Fuck!" Cal whispered.
"Where are your babies?" Ty asked. "Did you leave them at home?"
Jax wept openly. "I don't know where they are. They took them from me the day after they were born and I've not seen them since."
"Fuck!" Cal said, louder this time.
"Someone must know where they are," Ty said.
"My uncle and Lyndon know, but they won't tell me."
"Why not? They're your babies."
"My uncle just says that they're better off not knowing their slut of a father."
"What a hypocrite," Ty said. "Calling you a slut, while at the same time encouraging you to have sex with me, so that I'll be forced to claim you as my mate."
"And Lyndon?" Cal asked. "What does he say? Surely, he knows the babes are his, even if he denied it to your uncle?"
"Oh he knows. He just doesn't care. He knows I want them back, and he holds the promise of reuniting me with them over my head."
Cal shot up from his seat. "Okay, I've heard enough. Ty, we can't let either of those bastards know Jax is pregnant again."
"I agree," Ty said. "I think we need to get Jax away from them before he starts to show."
"But if I leave, Lyndon will make sure I never see my babies again."
"He has no intention of letting you see them, anyway," Cal retorted. "And if he finds out you're carrying again, he'll make sure these are taken away from you too."
Jax rested his hand on his flat stomach.
Ty and Cal placed their hands over his. "We're going to make sure you and your babies are safe," Ty promised. "And we're going to get your children back."
"But how?"
"I have no idea," Ty admitted.
"We'll figure something out," Cal said.
"Tomorrow," Ty added. "Tonight I'm going to claim you, Jax. So that in the morning no one within sniffing distance will have any doubt that you are under my protection."
"But I'm carrying another feline's litter," Jax reminded him. "Why would you claim me when you know that? I'm supposed to be carrying your babes. That's what we've all been called here for, isn't it? So you can find a mate to continue your bloodline."
Ty grinned and Cal chuckled, though Jax wasn't sure what the joke was.
"Are you going to tell him?" Cal asked.
Ty smiled and nodded before turning back to Jax. "I'm perfectly capable of carrying my own litter, and that was always my intention."
"What are you saying?" Jax thought for sure he had misheard.
"I'm dual-gendered," Ty confirmed. "I never wanted nor needed a dual-gendered mate to carry the next generation and continue my bloodline. I can do that myself."
"But why the festival, then?"
"My mother doesn't share my views on this matter," Ty explained. "However, as I told Cal when we talked about this, my mother isn't here in my bedchamber and if I want to carry my own babies, I will. There's precious little she can do about it once I'm pregnant."
"Then you don't need me."
Ty smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "I might not need you to carry my babies, but that doesn't mean I don't want you in my life and my bed. I think the three of us will do quite well together, and with the three of us, we'll be able to help with the babies when they arrive."
"As well as your older children, when we find them," Cal added.
"You'd really do that for me?" Jax sobbed again. He couldn't seem to help it. He'd spent most of his last pregnancy blubbering over Lyndon's betrayal, and he rather hoped he didn't spend this one in a similar state of distress.
"We will," Ty said. "Provided you're in agreement, that is?"
Jax nodded. "Yes, oh yes."
He threw himself into Ty's arms, sobbing with relief and joy. For the first time since his babies had been stolen from him, he felt real hope that they would be returned to his care.
Ty was a high noble, from one of the oldest families on Furyne, he had influence and connections. If anyone could find his children and keep his unborn babies safe, he could.
Jax let Ty carry him over to the bed, where he gently placed him in the centre. Cal climbed on to his left, while Ty settled on his right.
"I want to claim you too," Cal said. "And I want you both to claim me."
Ty nodded. "Me too. I want there to be no doubt that the three of us each belong to both of the others."
Jax nodded and took hold of one of Ty's hands and one of Cal's. "The three of us together."
"And if anyone asks, the litter you're carrying is mine," Ty said. "I claim them as well as you. Agreed?"
Jax placed Ty's hand on his stomach. "Yours."
They rested for a few minutes, Jax feeling safe between the two larger felines. Unlike with Lyndon, who stood a head taller than him and was of a larger build, Jax didn't feel anything other than cared for with Ty and Cal. He wondered whether he was being foolish by putting such blind trust in virtual strangers.
"How do you want to do this?" Cal asked. "I mean, for me, it's anal, but you both have a choice."
Jax hadn't even thought about how they would claim him. He'd not considered either possibility since the day Lyndon had made it clear that he would never consider taking him as a mate. He put all thoughts of Lyndon from his mind. Ty and Cal wanted to claim him, to make things official.
"You don't have to do this," Ty said. "We won't force you."
Jax realised his hesitation had been misinterpreted. "No, I do. I think maybe I'd like to be claimed in the same way as Cal. If that's all right with you?"
"Of course it is," Ty assured him. "We'll do whatever you're comfortable with."
Jax smiled and squeezed Ty's hand. "What about you?"
"I think perhaps one pregnancy is enough for the moment, so I'll have you two take me the same way."
Cal laughed and rubbed Jax's stomach. "You're probably right about that, Ty. The last thing I need is to have to deal with two pregnant felines at the same time."
Jax elbowed him in the ribs. "Are you saying you think I'm going to be difficult?"
"I've been around pregnant females before and if you're even half as bad as them…"
The teasing helped to relax him and when Cal leaned in to kiss him, Jax responded wholeheartedly. He pushed his tongue into Cal's mouth and grabbed him by the fur on his head. He could sense Cal's surprise at his aggression, but he would make no apologies for it. His sexual appetite had always been voracious, and right now he felt as if he were starving.
As he and Cal devoured each other's mouths, Ty moved his hand lower, brushing over Jax's abdomen, before teasing his cock with light touches. He bucked his hips and moaned with need.
"That's it, Jax," Ty encouraged, as he slipped a hand between Jax's legs and eased his thighs apart.
Ty's hand had no sooner left his cock than it was replaced with Cal's.
Cal en
ded the kiss with a gasp. "Ty, where do you keep the oil?"
Jax whimpered as Ty's hands left his body and he scrambled to the side of the bed in search of the oil.
"Soon," Cal murmured into his ear. "Who do you want first?"
The question was far too hard for him at such a moment. How could he choose? "Both." He clapped his hand over his mouth as he realised what he had blurted out.
Ty shook his head. "We can't both take you anally at the same time."
"Well, technically we could," Cal interrupted, "but I don't think it would be a good idea. I don't know about you, Jax, but I'm not that experienced at this sort of stuff."
"How experienced are you both?" Jax asked, his curiosity rising along with his cock.
Cal and Ty both flushed shades of dark red.
"I've never been fucked," Cal replied.
"Me neither," Ty added. "We don't want to hurt you with our inexperience, Jax."
Jax smiled. "You won't. Anyway, I didn't mean to suggest taking both of you in the arse at the same time. Maybe one day, but not tonight. I meant one of you claiming in that way, and the other… you know…"
"Ah," Ty said. "I think we can manage that. What do you say, Cal?"
Cal grinned. "I think we've got ourselves a wild one here."
Jax's face heated and he was sure he was even redder than either of his companions. He cursed his pure white body, as it always made his blushes more noticeable. "I'm sorry. Can we call it pregnancy hormones making me horny and slutty?"
Ty laughed and nuzzled Jax's neck. "In that case, remind me how far gone you are, and how long you're going to be horny for."
"Another five months," Jax replied. "By the time I've gone the full six months I'll be big as a house though, and too tired to do much more than feed. At least that's what it was like last time."
Ty rolled onto his back and drew Jax down on top of him. "I think I want one of those kisses you just gave Cal."
"I definitely recommend them," Cal said. He stroked his hand along Jax's spine, tracing the thin white stripe of fur leading to his tail.
Jax keened and pushed back against Cal's hand.
Cal moved his hand over Jax's arse, sliding his fingers between his buttocks.
Ty's kiss was different to Cal's. To Jax's surprise, he seemed less confident and assertive than Cal had been. Jax had expected Ty to take the lead, but instead he found himself taking the more dominant role. For the first time in his life he was the one in charge. He hadn't realised until right now just how much he needed that.