Chapter 23
Twenty-Three
When Bel reached the bedroom that had been assigned to him, Wyatt, and River, he could hear soft voices through the door. He hesitated outside the room, wondering if he should give Wyatt and River some privacy to talk among themselves. But he decided against it.
The last time he left them on their own, they attempted to leave him in an effort to protect him from the actions of Albert and the rest of the neighboring pack.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust them so much as he wanted to make sure they weren’t getting any more crazy ideas in the name of keeping him safe.
He slowly pushed open the door and poked his head through first to find Wyatt sitting up with his back to the headboard, the blanket thrown over his waist. His beautiful bare chest was exposed, instantly creating a funny skip of Bel’s heart.
River was lying on his side, facing Wyatt, his head propped up on one hand.
Smiles grew on their faces as he appeared, and he couldn’t think of any better greeting than that.
“You just made the deadline,” River teased.
“The deadline?” Bel said as he closed the door behind him.
“Mmhmm…you had another minute, and Wyatt was going to track you down, toss you over his shoulder, and bring you to bed,” River said. The seriousness in his voice was at odds with the wide grin on his face.
“I haven’t checked on your brother’s security. I wasn’t sure how well you were protected from the sun,” Wyatt added.
Warmth spread through Bel’s chest at his lover’s concern.
“When it comes to protection from the sun, Marcus’s house is similar to what was in mine, though his seems easier to override from the inside.
” He tapped his index finger on his lower lip for a second as he thought about it and then tucked it away.
“Something to keep in mind when I rebuild, I guess.”
He walked to the dresser and toed off his shoes while undoing his bow tie.
In the mirror over the dresser, he could see River push into a sitting position near the center of the bed, watching as Bel slowly pulled off his clothes.
It was an intoxicating thrill to have two sets of eyes following his every move, hints of hunger playing in their depths, but there was also worry there. And maybe some curiosity.
“Are you planning to rebuild your house in the same spot? The exact same house?” River asked.
“I would like to. I guess the location partially depends on the outcome of our fight with Albert. Even if we get rid of him, the local pack might not care to have me living so close to their land.” Bel paused as he pulled off his shirt and neatly folded it up before placing it on the dresser.
It wasn’t overly dirty, and he’d have to make it stretch until replacements arrived.
“As for the house, I did like it a lot. I’d spent the better part of a decade designing it and really didn’t get to live in it long enough to enjoy all its features.
” He smirked at River. “Though the escape route out of the lab was getting a significant workout.”
River threw up his hands and Wyatt chuckled. “Wyatt was telling me about that ladder into the abyss. Apparently, I passed out on the way down, and I really don’t remember it.”
“Did you have any other secret escape hatches or hidden panels?” Wyatt asked.
“There were a couple of other weapons stashes. I wanted to put an escape route from the master bedroom to the hidden garage, but the architect and I couldn’t get everything to line up properly.”
Shucking his pants and socks, Bel crawled into the bed, wearing only his black boxer briefs. River surprised him by moving to the opposite side so that Bel was positioned between him and Wyatt.
“Of course, since I’m rebuilding, it would make sense to take the opportunity to make some changes to the plans.
” Bel used the distraction of climbing under the blankets and getting settled against the pillows as a chance to order his thoughts.
Was it too much pressure to bring up that he would like their input on the house?
Would they prefer it if he found somewhere else to build the house?
But would those questions put too much pressure on Wyatt and River?
Sure, they spoke about forever and how they belonged to each other, but those words were spoken under the belief that Wyatt and River would never be able to make a home with other wolves again.
Wyatt’s low laugh sent butterflies into flight in Bel’s stomach. “You are thinking very hard about something, Bel. Tell us.”
Bel nodded. Wyatt was right. They were supposed to be open and honest with each other. “I was thinking…that I’d like yours and River’s input on the new house. Was there anything you’d like to add or change? But then, I was worried that would put pressure on you to stay with me.”
“Pressure? We want to stay with you,” River quickly said. “We love you.”
Bel reached out and touched River’s cheek. “And I love you both. I want you to stay with me forever. But what about the pack?”
“What about them? We’re outcasts.”
“You don’t have to be if Wyatt beats Albert in a fair fight. Wouldn’t that make Wyatt the alpha? You could then both stay with the pack.”
River’s entire body tensed, and his wide eyes darted over Bel’s shoulder to look at Wyatt.
Bel didn’t doubt that they’d talked about just that dilemma between themselves, and River’s expression left Bel feeling that they hadn’t come to a clear decision about what would happen after Wyatt beat Albert.
“We’re not leaving you, Bel,” River said, but he was staring at Wyatt as if daring the larger man to contradict him.
“We love you,” Wyatt added.
“It’s not about love. It’s about having the life you want.
The one you need.” Bel grabbed one of Wyatt’s hands and one of River’s.
“I want you with me always. I will always love you, but I also want you happy. If that means living among your own kind, so be it. And if it means living with me, that’s wonderful too. ”
River and Wyatt stared at each other long enough that River started to growl, but it was Bel that stopped him by placing his fingertips to his lips.
“This isn’t something that should be decided quickly. You both need to think about it. And we still need to take care of Albert.”
River kissed his lips, and a sad smile tugged up the corners. “You’re perfect.”
Bel laughed, falling on Wyatt, who wrapped an arm around Bel’s waist. He slid across the silken sheets until his back was pressed against Wyatt’s chest. “Far from it,” Bel murmured. “The selfish part of me wants you to stay with me always. Fuck all the wolves.”
“That attitude runs in the family,” River said as he lifted the blankets so that he could scoot across the bed and stretched along the front of Bel.
“Really?”
“Marcus said the same thing to a certain extent. He said that we are staying here with you until a new house can be built. There was no question or room for discussion.”
“He even presented us with keys and security codes for the house,” River added on a laugh.
“Marcus is accustomed to taking care of the family, and sadly, this isn’t the first house I’ve had destroyed in my long life.
The last time, I stayed with Marcus until a new one was built.
” Bel paused and cocked his head to the side as he searched his memory.
“Come to think of it, we’ve all lived with him at one time or another. ”
“Ethan is kind of the same way. He cornered me after the whole hide ’n seek bullshit and we ordered a bunch of clothes and other supplies. It’s all supposed to be here today and tomorrow.”
“Yes, my family is very pushy.”
River leaned close, his lips brushing across Bel’s so that his breath caught in his throat. “I’d call it loving.”
“That too.”
Wyatt’s lips kissed along Bel’s shoulder, moving up to his neck.
In the crook, they parted and Wyatt’s teeth lightly bit down.
A low groan rumbled up Bel’s throat as blood rushed to his cock.
Never had he thought it possible to be turned-on by a gentle bite, but Bel was pretty sure he was going to come in his briefs if Wyatt kept up the teasing.
River shifted in front of him, the motion causing his cock to brush against Bel’s. Pleasure zinged through his frame.
“Wait!” Bel panted.
“What? You don’t want me?” River said while he rubbed his dick over Bel’s. At the same time, Wyatt wrapped an arm around Bel, and his hand slid across his chest to pluck at one of his nipples.
“Evil! You are both being evil, torturing me so I can’t think.”
Wyatt nuzzled his neck some more, nipping at the taut tendons. “It’s clear that you’ve been thinking too much for one day. It’s better if we make it impossible for you to think. At least for a few hours.”
“But…Aiden…he said…the clan…” Bel said brokenly. They were both quite skilled at what they were doing; he really couldn’t pull together a coherent thought in his brain. And it had felt so important just a minute ago.
“What about Aiden and the Variks?” Wyatt asked. At least he’d stopped biting at Bel’s neck, and his hand was now flat over his heart.
Bel blinked, focusing on Wyatt’s words. “Oh, yes! He said that he’d like to invite you both to be part of the Varik clan.”
River’s body froze, and his head snapped up enough so that he could meet Bel’s gaze. “Seriously? He wants us to join the Variks. Werewolves as part of a vampire clan?”
“Yes. He would like to more formally invite you, but he suggested that I float the idea by you first and give you time to think about it. He didn’t want you to feel obligated to join the Variks just because we’re…
well, we’re mates.” Bel swallowed hard and tried to keep his voice light.
He didn’t want to make either of them feel guilty or obligated.
“And I know things are still up in the air about what will happen with Albert’s pack.
I’m sure you’d probably rather be with werewolves, but you know… you’re welcome among the Variks.”
River stunned him by suddenly shoving away and rolling over to face the far wall. Bel’s heart gave a painful thump as he watched his lover curl up into a tight ball. The pillow that had been under River’s head was now pulled tight against his chest.
“River,” Bel whispered. Very carefully, he scooted closer to the wolf’s rigid form and slowly smooth his hand up along the bumps of his spine.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Of course, if you don’t want to join the Variks, that’s okay.
I’ll understand. We all will. I don’t want you hurt.
I’ll always love you, whether you’re in my clan or not. ”
“I don’t believe that’s it,” Wyatt murmured.
“What is it?” Bel would do or say anything to bring his River back into his arms.
“My own people kicked me out,” River started in a low, choked voice.
“They didn’t want me. Werewolves everywhere have threatened to kill me because I love Wyatt.
Even if Wyatt claimed Albert’s pack, we’d be forcing our way in.
We wouldn’t actually be welcomed or wanted.
” River sniffed loudly and rubbed his hand over his eyes.
“And vampires…the MacPherson clan just saw us as animals. Like pets.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“But then we found you,” Wyatt whispered in Bel’s ear. “You didn’t want us, but you, at least, treated us with compassion and dignity.”
“Trust me, I’ve learned my lesson. You and River are the only things I want. Only ones outside my clan that matter to me.”
River rolled back over and pressed his tear-damp face to Bel’s chest. “I love you. I love your family. Thank you for accepting us.”
“But what about the Ministry and the truce? What about the Montgomery clan?” Wyatt murmured.
“It doesn’t matter. You will always belong to me, and that makes you both a protected part of my life and family. The head of the Montgomery clan has been told about you. We’ll face it all together.”
Wyatt lifted one hand up to Bel’s jaw and turned his head so he could steal a slow, deep kiss. “Thank you, Bel. River and I will give it some serious thought. It is probably best if we deal with the wolf pack first.”
Part of Bel was disappointed by Wyatt’s decision, but he understood. It was the smart decision. Responsible. It was looking out for Wyatt, River, and the pack.
Soft lips brushed along Bel’s and he smiled, leaning into River’s kiss. It was a good hint that they’d already talked enough for one day. Bel licked along River’s lips until they parted. His tongue dove inside, tangling with River’s while Wyatt’s hands roamed over his body.
Wyatt slipped under the waistband of Bel’s briefs and shoved them down so that he could feel Wyatt’s hard cock against his ass. River moved closer so that Bel was pinned between their bodies. Dropping his head back, Bel moaned, reveling in the feel of his lovers. He would never get enough of them.
Their lovemaking that morning was slow, allowing them to slowly explore each other’s bodies, to savor each soft moan.
Bel tucked it all away in his brain. He didn’t know what was going to happen in the next few days…
if he’d ever have another moment like this.
He had to make sure that he memorized everything in case he lost them.
But he did know one thing—he was going to fight until his very last breath to keep River and Wyatt in his life.