Page 109 of Brutal Reign
“It’s different, then,” I mumble, flopping back in my chair and dragging a hand through my hair. “I do calming rituals before every shift to prepare, and as long as my wolf doesn’t feel threatened, I’m good. But if she does…” I trail off with a hard swallow, glancing back toward the fire. “Even just being around violence can set her off. Sparring’s fine, as long as it’s in human form, but if wolves are involved…”
“So that’s why you left during the wolf tournament,” Ace murmurs.
I jerk another nod. “Avery gave me a heads up to get out of there before it started,” I say, shifting my weight on the chair as I turn to look between the guys again. “Only my family knows about my wolf, and there must be some hereditary component because my mom’s is like mine. Fractured, somehow. Over the years, my dad has helped her to get it under control, but that’s why I’m their only kid. I was the only pregnancy her wolf didn’t end by forcing a shift. When she went into labor with me, her wolf tried to push through, and it almost killed her. Dad refused to try for any more children after that.”
“Shit, Riv, that’s heavy,” Seb grumbles, scrubbing a hand over his face.
“Yeah, no shit,” I bite out, lifting the rim of my beer bottle to my lips and tipping it back. The carbonation tickles my throat as I swallow down the remainder, licking the residue from my lips as I lower the bottle to rest on the wooden arm of my chair. “So yeah. That’s the harsh truth. And if this is too much for you guys, I get it,” I mutter, gritting my teeth as I stare into the flames.
“The fuck is that supposed to mean?” Seb growls.
I swing my gaze on him, pulse picking up speed when our eyes meet. “When you think of your future, how do you see it?” I question, chest constricting painfully. “Is it with pups? Because if you’re mated to me, that might not be possible. Not to mention the fact that I’m about to lose my Alpha rank.”
“So?” Ace challenges, sitting up straighter and narrowing his eyes on me. “You think we give a shit about any of that?”
“Don’t you?” I scoff.
“No,” Seb snarls, darting a hand out to grab for mine. He weaves his fingers between my own, holding my stare. “We care aboutyou, Riv. You’re ourmate.”
“None of the rest of it matters to us,” Ace agrees, my heart skipping a beat when I slide my gaze over to him and we lock eyes. “Not unless it matters to you. If you want pups someday, then we’ll figure out how to make that happen. And if you want to keep your Alpha rank, then we’ll work out how you can take on this challenge safely. We’re in this with you, no matter what.”
My breath catches in my throat, the sting of tears prickling behind my eyes.
No matter what. Those three words hit hard; it’s the phrase my mom and aunt have always used to express their unconditional love for one another, then later expanded its use with their mates and children. It means more than they even know.
Seb’s hand tightens around mine and he abruptly jolts to his feet, yanking me up from my chair and circling his arms around my waist. “You can’t keep this shit to yourself, Riv,” he rasps, staring into my eyes with more vulnerability than I’ve ever seen from him. “Not anymore. From now on, the three of us are a fuckin’ team, you got it? No more secrets.”
I nod feebly, still fighting back tears.
“Good,” he grunts, falling back into his chair and taking me with him. He shifts me around on his lap until I’m leaning back against his chest, one arm still cinched around my waist possessively while he takes my chin in his opposite hand. Turning my head and tipping it up, he leans down to seal his lips against mine, kissing me hard.
My mind goes gloriously blank as Seb’s lips glide against my own, his tongue sweeping against the seam. For a few blissful seconds, I forget about what happened today; about the uncertainty of the future. It’s just us.
I tilt my head, wanting to lose myself even more, but rather than deepening the kiss, Seb suddenly pulls back. Releasing my lips with a loud pop, he opens his eyes to lock with mine. “Youalright?” he asks, a little crease of concern forming between his brows.
“I will be if you kiss me again,” I reply breathlessly.
His lips spread in a grin and he dives forward again, claiming my mouth so fiercely that my toes curl, liquid heat flooding my core. My heart thumps harder as our tongues tangle and I lose myself to the moment once more, pleasurable sparks blooming from every point of contact between our bodies.
Again, the kiss ends too soon. The sound of a throat clearing loudly beside us has our mouths breaking apart, my lashes fluttering as I blink my eyes open. Turning to look past Seb, my heart skips a damn beat when I meet Ace’s heated gaze.
“C’mere, babygirl,” he murmurs, extending a hand toward me in demand.
I reach over to place mine in his with a demure smile and he tugs me up from Seb’s lap, pulling me over and down onto his in one swift motion. His tattooed hand latches around my throat, lips crashing against mine. What little breath I have left is stolen from my lungs as our mouths fuse, tongues twining.
“Fuck, why is it so hot to watch you two together?” Seb rasps, shifting in his chair and pulling at the front of his jeans.
Ace chuckles against my lips as he flickers a glance toward his best friend, his fingers flexing their grip around my throat. “Because I know how to work our girl up,” he murmurs, trailing his lips down to my jaw and nipping the edge with his teeth. “Don’t I, babygirl?”
“Yes,” I gasp, tilting my head to give him better access as he starts licking a path down the side of my neck.
“And I don’t?” Seb scoffs, reaching over to grab me around the waist. He hauls me off Ace’s lap with a feral growl, plonking me back down on his own and guiding me to lean back against his chest again. His hand cruises down my belly, popping thebutton on my jeans and delving inside, my breath hitching when his fingers brush my center.
“Never said you didn’t,” Ace replies with a low chuckle, his gaze latching onto mine as Seb’s fingers continue to dance between my legs. “But let’s put it to the test, shall we?” He rolls his lower lip between his teeth, leaning back in his chair and dropping a hand to the obvious bulge in the front of his jeans. “Make her come, Seb,” he bites out, still staring intently into my eyes. “I wanna watch our girl shatter before I claim her.”
A moan slips from my throat as Seb spears a finger inside me, grinding the heel of his hand against my throbbing clit. “Is that what you want, Riv?” he growls, his warm breath tickling the shell of my ear. “You want me to make you come so you’re nice and wet to ride his cock?”
“Fuck yes,” I grit out, hips bucking to chase Seb’s touch.