An Alpha's Commitment : an MMM Wolf-Shifter Romance (Leongatha Pack Tales, Book 2)

Chapter 15

ISCA

I quivered with barely contained excitement as I heard the familiar sound of Talius’ vehicle coming up the driveway.

I was hanging around the front door, peeking through the screendoor. I didn’t want to rush out and make a scene. Although I was anxious to find out if he’d been successful, I didn’t want Talius to think that was all I cared about. I was delighted to have him home again, and if I never got the chance to be officially mated, I would still be happy as long as I was still in a relationship with Talius and Irian.

I bit my lip, shifting from foot to foot as I waited for the car to come to a halt in front of the house. Irian and I had literally danced around the house all morning, buzzing with excitement knowing Talius would return today, and hoping he brought good news. But now the moment of truth was here, I was edgy.

A whirlwind tore past me as Irian emerged from somewhere in the house, running for the front door. He must have had a sixth sense or something that alerted him to Talius’ arrival. They had the mind bond, of course, but Irian had told me they didn’t use it much anymore since I couldn’t join in. That was sweet and oh, so considerate of them, but I did feel a little guilty that my presence disrupted what they had going together.

“C’mon!” he urged, throwing the screendoor wide and tugging my hand as he flew out onto the porch, and down the stairs.

I lagged behind, ever cautious. Irian let go of my hand and a moment later was launching himself at Talius. The alpha caught him, one arm around his waist, the other supporting his ass, as Irian unashamedly wrapped his legs around Talius’ waist and smashed their lips together.

A month ago, I would have averted my eyes at this public display, but although I felt a little shy seeing their exchange, it also turned me on. I wasn’t sure where to keep my eyes – on the passionate kiss between these two gorgeous men, or the place where Talius’ hand cradled Irian’s pert ass. My mouth went a little dry.

Irian pulled back slightly, and I saw his lips move. Talius laughed and shook his head. Then he looked around and when his eyes met mine, his mouth spread wide in a dazzling smile of white teeth and dark red lips. He looked every inch the wolf, strong nose, hair wild and tumbling over his dark but luminous eyes, muscles stretching his t-shirt. He was, as always, breath-taking. It set my heart pounding.

Irian slithered to his feet, releasing the alpha, and Talius took two large strides towards me. The next thing I knew I was enveloped in his strong arms, pinned close to his body. As I took stock of all the places where our bodies touched, sighing and melting into the comfort of being held by my alpha, Talius pressed a kiss to the top of my head. I hugged him tightly.

“Welcome home,” I murmured, burying my face in his chest.

“Did you miss me?” Talius teased.

“You know I did. We both did,” I boldly pressed myself even closer against him. I could feel his hard length through the fabric of his jeans and my own dick had plumped up too. A little slick dampened the back of my pants. Again. Honestly, I”d produced more slick in the last couple of months with Talius than I had in the previous 24 years of my life.

I looked up at him, and nearly fell into the mesmerizing pool of those dark orbs. Nothing was more intense than Talius’ eyes when he zoned in on something or someone. Right now, that someone was me, though I felt one arm loosen its grip from me and from the sweet fresh scent that drifted over me, I guessed Talius had pulled Irian close too.

I turned in the circle of his arm. Irian was beaming, cheeks flushed pink. I knew why, too. It was obvious where this afternoon was heading. Maybe we wouldn’t get around to discussing the results of Talius’ quest until later, but it seemed like a win however the afternoon went.

******

Afterwards we showered, spending more time than we technically needed to, but it’s not every day you get to welcome home your alpha who’s been away for several days, so why rush?

I was the last to get out of the shower and was surprised to find Talius waiting for me with a fluffy, fresh white towel in his hands. He was only wearing a pair of tight-fitting jeans, his magnificent torso on display, the fine trail of dark hairs disappearing under his waistband. His dark hair was still damp, but clearly had been towel-dried as it flew in disheveled wisps around his head, the off-centre part leaving a massive mop of hair flopping across one eye. He must not have shaved since he left us several days ago, because he had that sexy short beard and moustache that I loved so much, and which made him look so dominant it literally sent shivers down my spine. Damn! I was leaking slick again.

I imagined the coarse hairs abrading the skin of my inner thighs and I trembled.

Talius’ nostrils flared.

“Come here,” Talius’ deep rumble broke me from my daydreaming, and I realized I’d just stoppedwhere I was standing.

When I moved towards him, he surprised me by ignoring my outstretched hands, and began drying me off with the towel himself. I stilled, confused. This wasn’t part of our normal dynamic.

Talius continued to pat and rub me with the fluffy towel, taking care to dry all the difficult places, my armpits, between my thighs, gently patting the fabric around my cock and balls. He didn’t play with me, though my dick started to swell in response to his caretaking.

I looked up, warmth rushing into my cheeks. I shouldn’t feel embarrassed, after all we’d shared many intimate moments, but this was… different. There was something about this that somehow seemed more intimate than anything sexual we had ever done.

I saw Irian watching us from a chair near the window. I cocked my head at him, questioningly, but a small shake of his head told me he didn’t know what was going on any more than I did. His eyes were bright and his expression relaxed but interested, so I assumed he had no objection to Talius’ ministrations.

My teeth worried at my lip, as Talius straightened up and got to his feet.

“There,” he said, “That’s a start.” He chuckled when he saw my confused expression and taking my hand led me to sit on the end of the bed. He sat beside me, holding my hand in his and placing it on his denim-covered thigh.

“It’s time to talk.” Talius looked first at me, and then across at Irian. We were both watching him and waiting to see where this was going. I began to feel light-headed.

“Breathe,” urged Talius gently. Oh, right, I needed to do that! I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath. Ever since my assault, I”d had a tendency to hold my breath when I became anxious. The relief as the air filled my lungs was intense.

Talius rubbed a hand over my back, soothingly.

“Relax,” he instructed. He wasn’t using his alpha voice exactly, but it was a clear command. My instinct was to obey. My shoulders relaxed, the tightness draining away. I hadn’t even realized I was holding so much tension in my body. It felt good to obey him.

“Look at me,” his words were just a breath of air, no compulsion at all, but I raised my eyes to meet his. He smiled softly.

“There,” he said, affection creasing his face. Then, softly, almost to himself, “So easy. We can do this.”

After a while he broke our gaze, lifting his head up. A moment later, Irian joined us on the bed, looking earnestly up at our alpha as if he had as much riding on this as I did.

“So I have some good news and some not so good,” began Talius. “As you know, I went to see Darius” pack mage. Darius had already explained our situation to him and the mage’d done some research. The bad news is that he didn’t find a way to break a mate bond. It isn”t possible for him to break Zarbius’ bond with you…”

I whimpered. Talius pulled me closer and reassurance washed over me.

“… but he found another solution – it’s not perfect, it’s not permanent, but it’s possible to create a second bond between us. There is a price though, which, Isca, you’ll have to decide if you’re willing to pay.”

I felt moisture prick at the corners of my eyes. I would pay any price for the privilege of a mating bond with Talius. I gazed up at him, waiting…

“What’s the price?” Irian burst in, unwilling or unable to wait for Talius to tell us in his own time.

Talius hesitated. He looked at Irian. He looked pained. Then he looked at me.

“This isn’t how I would normally do this,” he said, grimacing.

I waited patiently, looking up at him, my alpha. I trusted him. Whatever he asked me to do, I would do it.

“Xeres can... ” Talius started to explain, but Irian cut him off.

”Xeres! I know him.”

”So he said,” a smile danced around Talius lips. Obviously there was something more there, but he didn”t elaborate. ”He”ll weave a spell for us that will mimic the mating bond, but it will require you to submit to me, completely… in all ways…” Talius’ voice trailed off, his brows forming a line across his face that made him appear fiercer than ever. ”If I ask you to do something, you”ll have to do it to keep the bond intact.”

“That’s so unfair!” interjected Irian, angrily, eyes flashing.

“Yes.” I kept my eyes on Talius.

“See! He thinks so too. He”s not going to do it!” Irian insisted vehemently. I shook my head. He misunderstood.

“Yes.” I repeated, ignoring Irian and keeping my attention firmly fixed on my alpha. “I trust you. I want to.”

”What?!” squawked Irian. He started muttering, but I barely heard him. The handsome alpha held all my attention.

Talius” dark eyes searched mine for … something. I was dimly aware of him placing a restraining hand on Irian, who finally fell silent. Then Talius’ expression softened, the lines around his eyes easing. He looked younger.

He lifted my hand to his mouth. I felt the warmth of his lips on the back of my fingers. It matched the warmth in my heart. There was nothing I wanted more than to submit to this wonderful man. I wasn’t like Irian, feisty and free. I don’t think I’d ever been that way, but if I had been, it would have been knocked out of me by the life I’d led with Zarbius and before. I wanted to be held close and loved, I wanted to feel safe and protected, and I could have all that by handing control over to Talius. It might not be right for Irian, but it was right for me. I wanted this more than anything.

I got up, moving around until I was between Talius” thighs, and slithered to my knees. The towel fell away as I did so, leaving me kneeling there, naked and trembling, head bowed. I heard Talius’ sharp intake of breath, then a pair of gentle fingers tipped my chin up.

“My Omega,” Talius said softly, eyes luminous.

“My Alpha.”

Talius leant down and kissed me, then indicated I should stand. He turned to Irian who was frowning, clearly not happy. Goddess, my pack mate was feisty! He looked like he was going to go into battle for my rights! The rights I didn”t want to claim. Talius was offering me what I wanted.

Talius pulled Irian close, so the three of us were in a huddle.

“Every relationship is different,” he explained to the agitated omega. “I struggled with this myself,” he admitted, “I wanted to model my relationship with Isca on the one we share. But Isca’s a totally different person to you, so it makes sense that my relationship with him will be different. Still equal, just different.”

“But Talius…” Irian whined, clearly wanting to argue. Yes, I knew he was a staunch believer in omega rights, and I was too. But that included allowing omegas to choose what sort of dynamic they participated in. I thought submission suited me perfectly. I craved the direction that a strong loving alpha could give me. I knew my earlier life was not a good model for how omegas should live, and I also had no frame of reference that told me how I should behave. I knew Talius could give me that. I wanted him to guide me and I wanted nothing more than to reside safe in the circle of his protection. Standing at his side, or kneeling at his feet, it didn’t matter to me, though if I was honest, there was something about the more submissive position that appealed to my very nature.

“Irian,” I spoke softly, “I enjoy submitting.”

Irian gaped at me, mouth hanging open, eyes blinking. “O-okay. Are you sure?”

I gave a few rapid nods, raising my eyebrows for emphasis. Irian looked skeptical, but just shrugged at Talius. “As long as I don’t have to,” he mumbled.

Talius chuckled fondly. “I wouldn’t even dream of asking you to, my love,” he said, his fingers running through Irian’s short hair.

My insides felt all bubbly, like someone had shaken a can of soda and popped the lid and the bubbles were starting to escape. It started slowly and began to build. This was the lightest I’d felt in a long time. It seemed like all my dreams could come true. Yes, I already (now) had the most marvelous life. I had a magnificent alpha who loved me and I shared him with the mischievous and playful omega who had befriended me and with whom I was also in love. I didn’t doubt my place here, but they’d been a couple before I came along, and with no formal tie to bind us, I was afraid to be the third wheel, the one that would be jettisoned if things fell apart. By seeking to bind me to him this way, Talius was showing me that wasn’t the case.

“How will he do it?” Irian asked the question that I wasn’t willing to ask.

“I’ll let Darius know we’re going ahead with it and he’ll come here with his mage to perform the ritual. He’s gone over the basic details with me, but they’ll tell us more later.” Talius turned to me. ”Basically, Xeres will set up a location where he can weave his spell. While he’s performing the spell, you submit and I bite you over your other mating gland.”

“That’s all?” Irian’s eyebrows nearly hit the roof.

“Well, I don’t think it’s easy. I know for a fact Xeres has never done this spell before. He had to hunt through some old spell books to find it.”

“What if it goes wrong?” I asked, unable to keep the tremor from my voice.

“We turn into pumpkins,” Talius quipped. Then he laid a reassuring hand on my arm. “You don’t need to worry. Xeres may be young but he’s apparently a very talented and serious mage. He wouldn’t try this unless he was absolutely certain he could do it.”

“He is pretty smart. If anyone can do it, it would be him,” admitted Irian.

“And would it… what about the mind bond that you guys have… would it create one of those?”

“I don’t know. I asked about that but Xeres didn’t know either.We’ll just have to wait and find out.”

Irian caught my attention. His eyes were bright. He looked as hopeful as I felt.