Chapter 4 - Freya #2
“And what do you want?” Zak murmured, his eyes meeting mine. “This is about all of us, not just any two of us.”
The consideration in his words — the way he made sure I remained central to whatever was developing — sent warmth flooding through me. This was what I’d hoped for, what I’d dreamed of. Not just individual relationships with each of my mates, but bonds that connected all of us.
“I want to see everything,” I whispered, meaning it completely. “To feel it all through the Bonded link we share.”
Heath’s hand slid up from my hip to cup my face, his thumb brushing across my cheekbone. “Are you sure?”
In response, I pressed a hand to his pec and pushed my excitement and approval through the mate bond to him. His eyes darkened.
Then I turned to press a soft kiss to Zak’s palm where it still rested against Heath’s jaw.
The simple contact seemed to break whatever restraint had been holding them back. Heath’s other hand found the back of Zak’s neck, pulling him closer until their foreheads touched. I was pressed between them, able to feel the rapid beat of both their hearts, the way their breathing hitched.
“The moment Flint brought Freya to us, I felt drawn to her,” Heath recalled, his voice barely above a whisper.
“At the time, I thought it was just because of her heat.” He turned his head and gave me a rueful smile.
“It took a while before reality sank in. But when you arrived…” His caramel gaze turned to Zak.
“I had no such excuse to hide behind. My instant attraction to you took me off guard.”
“In a good way, I hope,” Zak replied, his fingers threading through Heath’s hair.
“I wasn’t so sure then,” Heath said, “But now I know.”
He closed the distance between them, their mouths meeting right before my eyes.
Their kiss was tentative at first, a gentle exploration that made my heart race with excitement.
Their uncertainty mingled through their bonds to me — Heath probably thinking of how Gage would feel, Zak probably worrying about pushing too hard too fast. But underneath that uncertainty burned genuine desire and growing affection.
When they broke apart, both men turned their attention to me, as if seeking reassurance that I was truly okay with what was happening.
“Don’t stop on my account,” I breathed, reaching up to trace my fingers along both their lips as though sharing in their kiss. “This is beautiful.”
Zak graced me with a radiant smile.
“We’re all mates,” he said simply, gazing at Heath. “All Bonded. That doesn’t mean anyone has to explore anything they’re not ready for, but it does mean we have the potential for something extraordinary.”
Heath nodded slowly, some of his tension easing. “I just… I don’t want Gage to think I’m taking attention away from Freya, or from him.”
“Gage claimed you,” I reminded him gently. “He bit you and marked you as his mate. He knows what’s his. As do I.”
My words kindled a fire in Zak, while the reminder of his new mate bond with Gage seemed to settle something in Heath. His shoulders relaxed, and when he looked at Zak again, it was with less hesitation and more hunger.
“In that case,” Heath murmured, his hand sliding down to rest on Zak’s chest, “I’d like to explore a few things.”
Zak’s answering grin was pure mischief. “I thought you’d never ask.”
This time when they kissed, there was nothing hesitant about it.
Heath’s mouth claimed Zak’s with the same intensity he brought to everything else, and Zak responded with equal fervor.
I watched, transfixed, as my newest mate’s hands roamed across Heath’s broad shoulders, mapping the contours of muscle and scars.
The sight of them together sent heat spiraling through me. Satisfaction flooded Zak when Heath groaned softly into their kiss.
Heath’s hand found the hem of Zak’s shirt and pushed it upward, exposing the gleam of metal at his nipples.
Heath paused, his eyes widening slightly. “Are those different nipple rings?”
“Do you like them?” Zak asked, arching slightly as Heath’s fingers traced around the piercings without quite touching them.
“I think I need a closer look,” Heath replied, then lowered his head to investigate with his mouth.
“So do I.”
As he took one nipple, I took the other. Pure need flooded the bond as my tongue flicked across one of the metal barbells, sending fire racing through my veins. It reminded me of Zak’s other piercings, and how they’d felt in my mouth… and how they might feel in other places.
Heat pooled between my thighs as I pulled back to watch Heath explore.
Heath seemed fascinated by the piercings, alternating between gentle licks and soft bites that had Zak writhing, his wide hand squeezing my thigh. When Heath captured one of the rings between his teeth and tugged gently, Zak’s back arched, a breathless moan escaping his lips.
“Freya,” Zak gasped, pulling me closer as Heath continued his exploration. “Come here.”
Zak pulled me into a deep kiss while Heath worked his way across his chest. The combination of Zak’s mouth on mine and the waves of pleasure flowing through our bonds left me reeling with desire.
Zak’s hand slid up my body to tease my nipples, tracing the same patterns as Heath traced with his tongue on him.
Heath’s hands joined Zak’s on my body, both of them working together to drive me crazy.
Their lips found me next. The coordination between them was remarkable — when Zak’s mouth moved to my throat, Heath captured my lips.
When Heath’s hand slipped lower, Zak’s fingers tangled in my hair, holding me steady for Heath’s touch.
Desire clouded my thoughts, and my mental privacy curtains fell wide open. Zak chuckled a delicious laugh against my lips and drew them for me, keeping this moment between the three of us.
I was lost in the sensation of being loved by both of them, of feeling their desire for me and for each other through our bonds, when a familiar voice cut through the morning air.
“Enough lounging around,” Gage’s gruff voice carried into the tent, though affection underscored his stern tone. “We’ve got plans to make. Move your sexy asses.”
The interruption left us all breathless and wanting more, but the dominance in his voice had Zak on his feet almost instantly.
“Duty calls,” Heath groaned against my neck, his frustration palpable through our bond.
Zak stooped to put on his pants as I rose and stretched, his eyes flowing down my naked body as though memorizing the sight.
“To be continued,” Zak murmured against my ear as he zipped up, his promise sending another wave of heat through me even as I pulled on my own clothes.
Heath hastily threw on his clothes and burst through the tent flap. Zak and I followed, and I chuckled at how Heath’s hair was still mussed.
As soon as his eyes found Gage, his response was immediate and unrepentant.
“Jealous much?” he called out to Gage with a cocky grin. “You could have joined us instead of playing camp chaperone.”
Gage’s sky-blue eyes flicked between the three of us, taking in our disheveled appearance and the lingering scent of arousal that clung to our skin. Heat flashed across his expression.
“Next time,” he replied, his voice carrying that low rumble that always made my stomach flutter.
The implicit promise sent warmth spiraling through our bonds. Zak’s quiet chuckle beside me made me want to pull Gage into the tent with us right now.
But Gage’s sobering expression got my attention. “Right now, we have bigger problems than your morning entertainment.”
“What’s the situation?” I asked, reluctantly focusing on pack business.
“Denraider is closing in.” He gestured toward the bustling camp around us. “We need to heal any remaining wounds from yesterday’s battle, take stock of our supplies, and coordinate defense with Moonblessed. Among other things.”
Around us, the temporary camp buzzed with activity as our allies recovered from yesterday.
Brielle moved between the injured wolves, her hands glowing with healing magic as she tended to any remaining wounds that a night in wolf form hadn’t healed.
Dean and Varden coordinated patrol schedules with grim efficiency as Bretton went around tallying up supplies on his phone.
“I’ll help Brielle with the healing,” Zak offered immediately.
“Good. Heath, we’re on strategic planning with Flint.” Gage’s eyes found mine. “Freya, see if you can spot any of Torsten’s ravens. We need to know where Dryden and Aliza have gone to ground.”
Nodding our agreement, we all dispersed to our various tasks.
I made my way to the edge of our camp where I had the best view of the surrounding area.
The morning sky was clear, but despite scanning the tree line and open areas for several minutes, I saw no sign of the distinctive black birds that served as Tor’s eyes and ears.
While I could dreamwalk to Tor, I had no way to connect with his ravens.
Their absence worried me more than I wanted to admit. Had something happened to Tor? Or were the clever birds tracking Dryden and his witch allies through the forest even now, too far away to be seen?
Giving up for the moment, I moved through the camp, checking on each of my mates as they worked.
Zak moved with quiet efficiency beside Brielle, his hands gentle as he channeled healing magic into a young Frost Fang wolf who’d taken a nasty wound to the shoulder.
Watching him, I felt a surge of affection that went beyond physical attraction.
He’d proven himself over and over — in battle, in his willingness to help others, in the way he’d integrated so seamlessly into our unconventional pack.
It’s time, my wolf whispered with sudden clarity. Time to claim my fifth mate.
As a beta, Zak would never presume to ask for a claiming bite from me. That initiative would have to come from me, and the thought of marking him as mine sent anticipation thrumming through my veins.