“Right,” she drawled.
Keller pulled out the chair and she sat between the two men.His heat warred with the inferno that flowed from Madden.Two sides of the same coin, so alike, yet so different.
The guard that had accompanied her took up a post in front of the table.He and four others essentially made a wall-o-wolves, cutting them off from the rest of the diners.Talk about overkill.
Keller forcedhimself not to reveal all.She didn’t know.Didn’t realize she was to be mated to the Ruling Alphas.And that made him want her all the more.
Truly?Madden’s voice floated to him, and he sensed his partner’s vulnerability mixed with surprise.They’d had their share of women come after them because of their position, but this human Marked had no idea as to their identities.
Truly.
His shoulder throbbed, the heat slithering through him and wrapping around his cock.He couldn’t deny the scents of arousal surrounding them: her sweet musk combining with his need and Madden’s desire.He’d long ago brushed aside any embarrassment over his partner’s reactions when it came to women.From the moment they’d paired, they’d shared women, preparing themselves for their mate someday.Bodies touched, cocks got hard.It was all part of sex.As long as lips didn’t wander and swords didn’t cross, they were all good.
He fought to stifle his moan when Scarlet’s tongue darted out to lick her lips.
It didn’t work.A pale blush stole up her cheeks, and she glanced at him.“What?What are you looking at?”
He smiled.He couldn’t suppress the sappy grin that covered his features.“You.”
Madden eased toward her, closing in on her from the other side, and Keller mirrored him.The flavors of need grew, encompassing their small group.He knew she didn’t recognize mates by scent, couldn’t smell their desire.Part of him wished his sweet Marked was another wolf and could sense their flavors in the air.But when she turned those brown eyes on him, so needy, he didn’t care that she would always wear human skin and never fur.
Keller’s shoulder seemed to be on fire, scorching him and stroking his cock with an imaginary hand.He moaned and leaned even closer, catching more of her scent, hissing when the heat grew and his balls drew up tight.
“I don’t understand…” Scarlet shook her head as if clearing her mind.
Madden nuzzled her from behind, rubbing his scruff along the pale skin of her neck.Keller watched dark fur slide from his pores, evidence of the man’s wolf rising and pushing at his control.
Keller felt the same, beast pouncing and shoving at the wall that held it at bay.But he needed to go slow, needed to keep from stripping his mate and taking her in front of one and all.He was normally the more level-headed of the two.Normally.
“Shh…” He eased back, forcing his muscles to relax, and he shoved at his wolf.“Madden, give her some space.”His partner’s eyes glowed bright.“Man, you’re scaring her.Knowing and feeling are two different things.”The other wolf whimpered, and it was the first time he’d ever seen his partner truly vulnerable.
Keller reached out and ran a finger down her cheek, traced her jaw.The heat rose around them.“A kiss for Madden, Scarlet?You can see he lives close to the edge.”
Her arousal beat at his control.She was a Marked, knew of Gathering laws, and he assumed she was familiar with what happened when meeting her mates.But like he said, knowing and feeling were two different things.
Scarlet nodded and turned her head, a small movement that put her lips within Madden’s reach.His partner struck, mouth moving over hers, and tongue delving into her.Keller’s cock throbbed in his pants, silently demanding release, but he held it back.Watching them, their mouths dancing, tongues twining… Envy and jealousy had no place in their mating.All he felt was pure bliss.
Madden’s feelings flowed over their connection, the peacefulness that came from experiencing Scarlet’s touch.He sensed his partner’s desperate need, a feeling greater than his own, and he accepted that encouraging Scarlet to turn to Madden first was the right decision.
They had a lifetime together.
The seconds ticked by, the entwined couple’s breathing growing heavier with every heartbeat.
Madden?
Mine.
Keller sighed.They’d go through this until they’d claimed her.They were both dominant, but Madden’s wolf had always been a little more so.Ours, Madden.
A snarl tore through his mind.
Madden, we need to take care of our mate.I’m sure she’s hungry.
This time it was a growl, but their kiss eased, lessening until his partner released their woman.
Scarlet sat back with a sigh, fingers trembling when she reached for her water glass.
“Scarlet?”The last thing he wanted to do was overwhelm her.