I was so deep in thought I never saw the back of his hand as it connected to my cheek and the side of my lip. My ears began to ring. Pain coursed through my face as I fell off the wooden bench onto the grass, liquid flooding my taste buds with a bitter metallic flavor. I put my fingers to the corner of my mouth and found he had not only made me bite the inside of my cheek, but had also busted my lip wide open. I felt the blood dripping from my chin and looked down to see it staining the ground.
My parents would not have tolerated this if they were still here. My father would have had Jericho's head if he knew he was the reason for even a drop my blood being spilled.
My mother and father were truly loved by all of our kingdom, but by most of all, me. They adored me and no matter how busy they were with running the kingdom, they still made time for me. It hurt every day to know I was the reason they were dead.
I pushed my long, midnight colored locks out of my face and forced myself to sit back on the bench, hoping not to piss him off any further. “I’m sorry, dear. It must have slipped my mind, it won’t happen again.” I'd miss every single meeting from now on if I had any say in the matter. The beatings would be worth it to not have to be in his presence.
“That’s my good girl. I’ll be expecting you at dinner tomorrow night to discuss some pack matters. Wear my favorite dress,” he demanded, and I nodded my head in agreement. Suddenly, he grabbed my chin forcefully causing my already busted lip to burst back open after it had finally stopped bleeding. “What do you say to your master?” he sneered.
“Yes, sir,” I managed to force out through the pain. He took a seat next to me and sighed deeply, placing his tanned hand on my quivering knee.
I quickly glanced in his direction to catch his short ginger hair barely blowing in the breeze. His arm muscles flexed while squeezing my leg in a death grip. I let out a small whimper hoping he'd stop. I knew a bruise would be there, and when his fingers finally loosened, one had sure enough already begun to form where his fingers had dug into my pale skin.
Goosebumps traveled up my spine alerting me to spying eyes. I cut my eyes to look over to the corner of the castle wall to see a gorgeous set of emerald eyes meet with mine. Murder was written all over Creed's face. I quickly pressed my mouth shut and slightly shook my head back and forth hoping he would listen to me. I knew the day was coming when none of my guards would hold back. Not just because they were my guards though, but because I had found comfort with them. I had eventually made the three of them mine.
“I hate hurting you, but it's a necessary evil. You have to be reminded of your place. I'm going to be King soon, and then I will rule this kingdom. No one else, me and only me!” Jericho abruptly stood to walk away, but turned around just before taking his leave. “You better wear that dress. Don't make this any harder on yourself, girl.”
Jericho smirked, almost evilly before swiftly shifting into his wolf. With a fur coat highlighted with red and orange-tinted strands, reminiscent of the flames of fire, and razor-sharp teeth like a shark, his wolf instilled fear in the hearts of others. While he did move with gracefulness, every muscle flexed when he walked, showing everyone he was not to be fucked with. Once he was out of sight and I was sure he had made his exit, I glanced back to the corner of the castle to see my gigantic beautiful black wolf making his way toward me.
His wolf was so beautiful and had awed me since the first time I laid eyes on him. His coat was so thick that I tended to run my hands through it to destress, and I swear his charcoal fur made his brilliant blue eyes stand out from a mile away. In one long stride, he had gone from beast to man in order to take his rightful seat next to me. I could feel his ocean blue eyes boring into me until I finally turned to face him. His eyes grew wide when they saw the damage that had been done.
"That son of a bitch. When are you going to let me put a blade through his heart? We can't keep doing this forever, and I know I won't be able to hold myself back anymore. Fuck the consequences!" Creed raged. My heart began to pound with panic. I could only pray that Jericho had already traveled far enough away so as not to have heard him.
I traced my fingertips down his cheek and gently stroked it. I knew he meant well, but he was aware of what was at stake just as much as I did.
Jericho was cherished among the wolves and was welcomed as their future king. They had no idea that once he was crowned king, he planned to enforce strict rules and place trackers in each and every member. They were to bow down to him; they would no longer be free to live how they wanted. Their lives would be his and he would use them to take over other packs. If they tried to run or disobey? Well those trackers would take care of that with a shock so powerful they would become immobile immediately until someone reached them. They likely would not exist for too much longer after that. We had to tread carefully until the perfect time to expose him. I also needed to have proof so there would be no doubt in my pack’s minds. I may have been their princess, but he was also to be their King.
I stumbled onto Jericho’s plot by accident one night. He had left a journal of sorts on his desk and my curiosity got the best of me.
Luckily, I had finished it before he barged in and found me snooping. It was then he showed his true colors, I suspect because deep down he knew he had been discovered, although he has never been able to prove it. Even though he was not my true mate, he was still supposed to be my mate in every way that counted, so it hurt to be betrayed by him.
"I know it kills you every time to sit back and do nothing, but the time will come, and it will be soon. I promise. I'll be fine, nothing a kiss can't fix." I smiled at Creed after a few minutes of silence, trying to lighten the mood.
When his lips crashed into mine, all our worries disappeared. I wove my fingers into his ebony hair and pulled him closer while he trailed his hand up my back. His tongue swept across my lips and I opened my mouth at his request. I let out a soft moan as our tongues began to dance together. I loved our little moments like this. They were amazing, but forbidden for now, and that seemed to make them that much more precious.
Creed, Falcon, and Paxton were assigned to be my guards by Jericho himself right after my parents had gone missing. The group were best friends and took their job as my protectors seriously, always on the lookout for predators. The further away I grew from Jericho, the closer I grew to them.
Falling in love with the three of them was not in my plans, but now I could never live without them. Fate had smiled down on me and I had found not one true mate but three.
As much as I hated it, I had to break the kiss with Creed. Anyone could be watching, and Jericho could come back any minute. Creed’s eyes shone with disappointment but understanding as well. He laid his hand over my sore thigh, causing me to flinch. Anger like no other flickered in his eyes. I grabbed his hand and put it in between mine.
"Are Paxton and Falcon going to be able to come tonight? It's very important that I see all three of you, I have some exciting news to share," I questioned, hopefully getting his mind away from how mad he was. I really needed to meet with the three of them anyway, I just hoped they'd all be able to sneak away from their guard posts. I nervously rubbed his hand as I waited for his answer.
"Yes, my princess. We'll do anything for you if it'll make you happy. Where did you want us to meet you?" Creed winked and kissed me on the cheek, causing heat to flush my cheeks. I loved that after a year they were still able to make me do that.
“My room, of course.” Butterflies began to dance in my stomach. I could only hope they would be as happy as I am about my news. I stood from the bench and straightened out my crimson dress. “See you then, my handsome wolf.” I grazed my lips across Creed’s mouth, then headed back toward the castle, leaving him with an idea of what was to come later.
Chapter Two
I paced back and forth across my bedroom nervously. My three men would be here shortly and the anticipation was killing me. Just as I began to wonder what was taking them so long, a soft knock echoed thro
ugh my quiet space. I quickly hurried over to the door and threw it open. The face that greeted me sent a pulse straight to my core.
Paxton stood there towering over my five-foot-two frame in the doorway with his signature smirk etched across his face. His eyes trailed down my body before coming back up to land on my still healing lip, courtesy of Jericho. The promise of death reflected in Paxton’s eyes before they softened and he met my eyes. Suddenly, he picked me up and twirled me in a circle as he made his way into my room. I squealed in delight; I loved his playful side.
He gently tossed me onto the bed before crawling over top of me. His emerald eyes were full of mischief. I leaned up to kiss him and he returned my kiss with such intensity, it was as if it was his first time feeling my lips against his. I grazed my hands over his short beard as my other hand grabbed his shaggy chocolate colored hair and pulled him even closer. His fingertips skimmed up the inside of my thigh, but just as he was about to get to my center, another knock sounded on the door.
“They can wait. I haven’t seen you in two days because Jericho’s had his assholes trailing me. Let them suffer for a little while just like I have. It kills me to know you're so close, but yet so far away.” Paxton moved as if to shift my panties to the side, but a rich, masculine voice reached my ears. I laughed when Paxton released a very frustrated sigh.
“I don’t think so, Pax. I want to see my princess too, you can’t just kidnap her and keep her all to yourself. I’d kill you before I let that happen.” There was my handsome Falco. He pushed his gorgeous long hair out of his face to glare at Paxton with his hazel eyes. Falco was my protector, and I knew that he was being serious. If anyone, even his best friends, were to try and take me from him, he would not take kindly to it.
His jaw tightened as he waited for Paxton to free me so I could come to greet him. I sat up on the edge of my bed and signaled Falco to come sit next to me once I was out from under Pax. I didn’t have to tell him twice.
When he sat down next to me, I couldn't help but smile up at my brooding mate. Falco's firm expression immediately faded away and was replaced by a grin so big, my heart began to flutter. "I'm sorry, my princess. I've just missed you so much, and I'm a little nervous about what you've summoned us here for." His apology was sincere, showing me the softer side of himself, as was typical.
Leave it to Paxton to add gasoline to the fire. "So am I, bastard, but you don't see me walking in here 'Madelyn, you're mine and only mine and I'll kill anyone who takes you away. Blah, blah, blah.'" He deepened his voice and made all sorts of hand gestures trying to mock Falco and get a rise out of him. I accidentally giggled at his show, causing Falco to give me the side eye.
"You know that was funny. He's just messing with you, don't pay him any mind." I told him, just before giving him a kiss to make him forget how irritated he was at Pax. I bit his lip, hard, just how he liked it. I knew it always turned him on, and as he pushed me back on the bed, his hard length beneath his pants let me know I’d done just that. His hand began to knead my breast, getting me wet all over again.
"Yuck, get a room you two, unless I can watch," Paxton said with a chuckle from the end of the bed.
Creed picked that time to barrel into my room, not bothering to knock like my other mates. Falco jumped off of me so quick, standing next to Paxton, both ready to fight until they saw who it was. They both visibly relaxed, cursing Creed and how he scared the shit out of them.
"Put those tiny peckers away and shut the hell up, assholes. Maybe next time you'll know not to be caught off guard, or better yet, lock the damn door," Creed scolded, clearly not liking having been cursed out by his best friends.
I cleared my throat, making sure all their attention was focused on me before things got out of hand. They stood in front of me, each of them towering over my petite frame, with their frustration faded away and replaced with love. My heart sang when we were all together. It helped reassure me that everything would be all right and I'd get my happily ever after.
"Thank you all for coming.” I gave Creed a quick kiss, making sure I poured all my emotions into it so he knew how much he meant to me. When I finally pulled away, I nervously continued. "As you know, I asked you all here because I have some news to share. I'm really happy about it, so I hope you all will be also."
I had to pause to summon up the courage to tell them. My hands anxiously rubbed together. Finally, I confessed, "I'm pregnant."
Chapter Three
Silence consumed the room and I began to worry as the seconds ticked by. After what felt like hours, they finally all three began to hug and fist bump each other. “We’re going to be dads, that’s fucking awesome!” cheered Paxton.
Creed twirled me around and kissed my face all over before finally putting my feet back on the floor to fall to his knees and kiss my stomach. I could vaguely hear him whispering to our unborn child.
Falco walked up to grab my hand, placing a soft kiss onto my palm, then pressed it to his cheek. “I couldn’t be happier, my white wolf.”
I was ecstatic at how overjoyed my wolves were. I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction. They knew, of course, that it could truly only be one of theirs, but the answer as to whose didn’t matter. We were a team, and this baby would belong to all of us and I knew each one of them would love it as if it was their own.
Jericho and I had never had any physical relations, at least any that didn’t include beating me when he felt like it. I would rather die than let my so-called future king ever get that pleasure. My true mates would forever be my firsts and my lasts.
“I was so worried about how you all would react with everything going on. This is a dream come true for me,” I told them, as tears of joy began to fill my eyes.
“You know what this means though, right? As of now, we will not allow that bastard to touch you. It’s not just you at stake now, it’s also our child. It’s taken everything we’ve had to not kill Jericho thus far and stand back and watch everything he has done to you. Understand we only did that because you made us vow to you that we would only intervene when the time was right. Well, now the time is right and we can’t stand in the shadows any longer. It’s time to let everyone know who their future king, or in our case kings, really are.” Falco’s speech was one I couldn’t argue with, and at this point, I wasn’t even going to try. I knew better than anyone what was at stake.
“Yes! Does that mean I can finally torture Jericho slowly and chop off his family jewels? I mean, since he won’t be King, he obviously doesn’t deserve any kind of jewels, right? Correct me if I’m wrong.” Paxton always knew how to make me laugh, and he didn’t fail me this time.
I giggled and replied, “I know how much joy it would bring you to do that, baby, so I just may let you.” I winked and Pax seductively made his way over to me, embracing me in his muscular arms.
“Thank you, beautiful. I hate that I have to leave you at a moment like this, but I have to get back to my post before anyone on Jericho’s side realizes that I’m gone. I can’t wait to meet our child and marry the most gorgeous princess in the world.” This was always the hard part, saying goodbye. I couldn’t wait till they were ruling by my side and not having to leave me every night. His lips met mine with a promise of what was to come, telling me all the things he couldn’t say at the moment. It reassured me everything would be fine, and also left me feeling a bit turned on. He broke our kiss, and with a final wink, was gone.
Creed, who had never really left my side, appeared so disappointed when I had looked at him. He grabbed both my hands and pulled them up to his luscious lips. “I hate to have to do this to you as well, but I’m also on guard duty tonight. You have made me the happiest man in the world tonight.” His smiled sincerely before kissing me goodnight and making his exit.
That left me with my handsome and overprotective wolf, Falco. I turned to speak with him, sadness lacing my tone. “Does this mean it’s also time for you to leave me for the night?”
“Well actually, n
ow that you mention it, I think I remember making a deal with another shifter to give me the night off for some extracurricular activities. I just left out the part that it’d be with their future queen and my mate.” He wiggled his eyebrows. I wasn’t going to complain about this new side of him. He was always such a hardass when it came to following the rules, but I guess the chance to spend time with me made him a daredevil.
“What have you done with my Falco? Hmm, I think I like this mischievous side, especially if it means we can do these extracurricular activities that you’re talking about.” I strolled over to him, adding an extra sway to my hips, and ran my hand down his chest. When I peered up at him through my lashes, our eyes caught. His were full of not only pure and unadulterated love, but also lust. The hard outline visible through his pants showed me how badly he wanted me.
Just as I was about to move in for a kiss, he grabbed my hips and spun me around so quickly I almost lost my footing. His fingers gently slid my sheer nightgown down my shoulders until it fell around my feet. I stepped out of the fabric and turned to face my hazel-eyed mate.
My hands laced behind his neck and dragged him toward me until our lips barely grazed. I pulled back just enough to tease him and dip my fingers into the waist of his black cargo pants. My hand slowly moved back and forth until settling on the button. Unsnapping his pants, I decided to tease him a little more and allowed both hands to skim down his thighs while his cock sprang free.
I guided my hands back up his diesel thighs and grabbed his ass, before leaning down and putting my lips around the tip of his cock. A growl ripped from his chest when my hand moved to his shaft and began to stroke it while I sucked and took him deep until he touched the back of my throat. My center was aching for attention, but I could wait. I loved pleasing my men just as much as they loved pleasing me.
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