Taming Olivia

Terra-form 2

Taming Olivia Olivia Hammond finds herself on an alternate reality to Earth called Terra-form, where she finds her missing best friend April Waterson. Cedric and Hugh Kiath are panther shifters who claim to be her mates. Olivia wants nothing to do with them and uses her sharp tongue to keep them at arm's length. After trying to find her way back home, Olivia gets lost and must be rescued by Cedric and Hugh. The shifters eventually claim Olivia, but a wrench is thrown in the works when another male claims to be her mate. Just when things look to be working out, Olivia is kidnapped by a strange bear shifter. Will her mates rescue her in time? And if they do, will Olivia be able to open her heart to her men? Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter Length: 35,056 words

TAMING OLIVIA Terra-form 2

Becca Van

MENAGE EVERLASTING

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer. WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at [email protected]

A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting

TAMING OLIVIA Copyright © 2011 by Becca Van E-book ISBN: 1-61926-081-6 First E-book Publication: December 2011 Cover design by Les Byerley All art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers Dear Readers, If you have purchased this copy of Taming Olivia by Becca Van from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book. The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment. This is Becca Van’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Van’s right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

DEDICATION To my Mum and Dad, you are the best. Also to all my friends on Facebook. Thanks for the emails, keep them coming. Thank you for all your support.

TAMING OLIVIA Terra-form 2 BECCA VAN Copyright © 2011

Prologue Olivia Hammond finished the drink she’d ordered at the club in her hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska. She and her best friend, April Waterson, used to frequent the club every Friday night to unwind after a long workweek. It had been exactly one year since her friend had disappeared from the face of the Earth. Olivia was oblivious to everyone around her, despair on the anniversary of the loss of her friend pulling her down. She finished her drink, took one last look at the club she planned to never return to, then walked to the door, and exited. Not once did she look back. Olivia moved down the enclosed alleyway toward the cabstand. She hadn’t bothered to get a lift from her brother tonight like she used to when going out with April. What was the point? She’d only wanted to have one drink in memory of her best friend’s disappearance. The further Olivia walked away from the club, the quieter it got. She began to get spooked. She should be able to hear traffic and the dulling sound of music coming from the club as she moved further away, but all around her was total silence. She began to feel dizzy, her vision blurring, her ears ringing loudly. Olivia felt like she was trying to walk through quicksand. What the fuck is going on? Did someone slip something into my drink?

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Olivia began to see black spots dancing before her eyes. Her body felt heavy, like a ton of bricks, and her vision was nearly nonexistent. She blinked just to reassure herself her eyes were indeed open then tried to peer through the darkness, looking for the cabstand. Her vision was finally gone, and she was too afraid to keep moving in case she hurt herself. Her body was so heavy, and she was totally exhausted all of a sudden. She wanted to lie down and go to sleep, not caring where she was. She had no idea what was going on, but she was scared out of her mind. Olivia sat down, the leaves beneath her hands comforting to her for some strange reason she couldn’t fathom. Maybe the sensation of the leaves was enough to make her feel she was still alert. She closed her eyes. They were too heavy to keep open, and she felt her body slipping sideways, about to fall asleep only God knew where. The symptoms of whatever was happening to her began to recede. Her body began to lighten until she was feeling seminormal, and her eyesight began to return. Olivia opened her eyes and stood up. She knew her mouth was probably gaping open, but that was the least of her worries. She was standing in a forest, gigantic trees surrounding her, and there was a great bear lumbering down a track, heading straight for her. The bear lifted its head, sniffed the air, and looked straight at her. She gasped at the sound of an all-too-familiar voice, and then the sight before her made her heart pound in her chest. Olivia watched as her very pregnant best friend, April, walked up to the bear and hugged him around the neck. Was she mad? Did she have a death wish? Where the hell were they? Where had April been? Olivia felt her ire rising. The vision of her pregnant, very much alive missing best friend was too much. She was about to give her friend a piece of her mind, but April began to talk to the bear, causing Olivia to stop before she’d even spoken her first word. “Ben, where are Gage and Saxon? Don’t look at me like that. I’m not stupid. Cedric and the others are behind me. I just had this urge to

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come and look for you. For some reason, I thought you needed me,” April said then wrapped her arms around the bear’s neck again, giving him a hug. “A–April, is that you? Are you out of your mind, girlfriend? Get away from that bear before he eats you for dinner.” “Olivia? Oh my God. Olivia. How did you get here? Are you all right? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” April stated as she hurried as much as she could in her condition toward Olivia and hugged her. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” “Are you crazy? There’s a large bear behind you, and you look like you’re going for a stroll in the park. Come on, we have to get out of here,” Olivia said as she grabbed April’s wrist, trying to tug her along with her. “Oh, he won’t hurt you. He’s my mate, and those two up there are my mates, as well,” she said, pointing up into the branches above Olivia’s head. Olivia felt the hair at her nape stand on end. She slowly turned around and lifted her head to see two very large, muscular panthers grinning down at them. She turned her head back to April, looked at her crazy friend, and then looked at the bear and back to the panthers. Her friend had lost her ever-loving mind. She turned back to see April strolling toward the bear, and then she saw the ten large men walking up behind her friend and the bear. The tallest one had to be over seven feet tall. His face was chiseled into the epitome of a Greek God. His green eyes were staring at her as if she was his last meal. Olivia drew her eyes away from his and back to her friend and her friend’s “mate.” She watched with shock as the air around the bear shimmered, his body rippling and contorting with loud popping sounds that made her feel ill. The bear was now a man. A very naked, sexy man. **** April watched her friend’s jaw drop open, as Ben changed from

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his bear form back to his human form, with a smile on her face. Her smile quickly changed to anxiety as she watched her friend’s eyes roll back into her head and slump toward the ground. April didn’t see Cedric move, but he caught Olivia before she hit the ground. His roar of possessiveness shocked April. She stared at the gentle warrior with a frown on her face, wondering what he was doing, until she saw his brother Hugh step up and sniff the side of Olivia’s neck. Oh boy, this was going to be interesting. April had just worked out why Cedric and Hugh were acting so possessively toward her friend. She was their mate. She burst out laughing and didn’t stop until Ben covered her mouth with his own. Life was going to be far from boring as she watched the two seasoned warriors and her best friend work out the kinks in their relationship. She couldn’t wait to watch the fireworks.

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Chapter One Olivia’s eyes flew open, and she blinked several times, making sure she was actually seeing what she thought she was. She was lying on a large bed, the room more luxurious than anything she’d ever seen before, and her best friend was sitting in a chair beside her. “April, wha–what the fuck? Where am I? Where are you? How did we get here?” Olivia stuttered as she pushed herself into a sitting position. “Now, Olivia, take some deep breaths. Everything will be all right. I promise. At least you have me to help you through this fantastical shit. I had to go through this by myself. As far as my mates and I can figure out, we are on an alternate reality to Earth. We are in Terra-form in the year 2012. I don’t know how we came to be here. All I can tell you is I felt as if someone had drugged me. I felt as if I was walking through quicksand, my eyesight diminished, and when everything was back to normal, I was here.” “Shit, I felt like that, too. I was so angry when I first saw you standing in the forest with your arms wrapped around that bear. I’ve missed you so much, April.” “Oh, Liv, I’ve missed you, too.” Standing, she moved over to Olivia and wrapped her arms around her. The two women hugged and cried over the near loss of each other. “Did I see what I thought I saw in the forest? Did I see a bear change into a man?” she asked, her voice sounding hysterical even to her own ears. “Yes, Liv,” April answered as she pulled away from Olivia. “All the people on this plane of Earth can shift shape. My three mates can

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shift. Two are panther-shifters, Gage and Saxon Kian, and the other, Ben Koku, is a bear-shifter.” “You have three mates? Does that mean what I think it means?” “Well, probably. I did lend you my erotic romance books, so if you’re thinking by mates I mean husbands, then you would be correct.” “You’re shitting me. You have three men, to yourself? They’re your husbands?” “Yes. And you have at least two men, too,” April stated. “What? What are you talking about, April? I don’t have any men. You know I don’t have relationships.” “Yeah, well, about that,” April began, then stopped and turned her head toward the door that had just slammed against the opposite wall. “Ah, you’re awake. How are you feeling, little one?” “Who the hell are you?” Olivia asked, staring at the two men who’d just entered the room. They were so tall and handsome, and Olivia felt her pussy softening and leaking out her juices. She’d never reacted to any man before, and to have her wayward body doing so now, in front of these two hunks, pissed her off even more. One of them had to be nearly seven feet tall. He had light-brown hair and light-green eyes. His shoulders were nearly as wide as the doorway, and he was packed full of rippling muscles, which she had trouble keeping her eyes off of. She slid her eyes over to the other man. He was just as hot as his brother. She could tell they were related as their features were similar, but he was slightly shorter, his hair a darker brown, and his eyes a mix of green and brown. He was more muscular than his brother, and the way the two of them looked at her made her shift uncomfortably. “I am Cedric Kiath, and this is my brother, Hugh. Are you feeling well?” he asked, stopping when he reached the side of the bed, staring down at her as if she was his last meal. He was the taller of the two, with light-brown hair and green eyes. The heat in his eyes making her squirm as her body responded.

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“As well as can be expected, I suppose,” Olivia answered and turned her face away from Cedric and Hugh to look at April with a raised eyebrow. She suspected that Cedric and Hugh were her mates. April must have known what she was asking, because she gave a slight nod of her head, affirming Olivia’s suspicions. “Fuck, April. How can…” Olivia began. “What has you so upset, little one?” Hugh asked, crawling onto the end of the bed and looking at her with concern. “Oh, for the love of…Is it always like this?” she asked April. “Usually worse,” April replied. Olivia glared at her when she saw her trying to hide the smile on her face. “You must continue to rest, little one. We want you to be well again,” Cedric said. “Will you stop calling me little? I have a name, Olivia Hammond. Use it,” she snapped. “Of course. Sorry we have displeased you, Olivia Hammond. That was not our intention,” Cedric stated. “Oh, for God’s sake,” Olivia muttered, making April giggle. “You are angry. Why?” Hugh asked with a frown. “Oh, gee, I don’t know. Maybe it has to do with the fact my missing best friend is sitting next to me, about to drop. And two, I’ve entered the twilight zone,” she stated sarcastically. And she’d had enough of the two men staring at her adoringly, making her traitorous body awaken for the first time since…ever. “We don’t understand what you just said, Olivia Hammond. Would you care to explain?” Hugh asked. “First off, no, and secondly, call me Olivia or Liv, not Olivia Hammond,” she snarled. Olivia had learned to become even more aggressive with her mouth, using her sharp tongue and wit as a shield against anyone who threatened the defenses around her heart and ended up hurting her. She was often thought of as a total bitch, but she didn’t really care what others thought.

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“But that is your name, is it not?” Cedric asked, a frown on his handsome face. “Yes, it’s my name. But we only use one,” she answered. Masculine voices in the hallway drew everyone’s attention to the door. April stood up when three very large, sexy men entered the room. “April, we have been looking for you everywhere. We should have known you’d be here with your friend. How are you feeling, baby?” “I’m fine, stop fussing. Gage, Saxon, Ben, I’d like you to meet my best friend. Olivia Hammond, these handsome men are my mates,” April introduced. “Olivia, we are pleased to meet you. We are glad you are here. April has been very worried about you,” Gage said, stepping forward and shaking Olivia’s hand. The growls that emanated from Cedric and Hugh as Olivia shook hands with Gage made her jump with fright. She leapt from the bed and backed away. She kept her widened eyes on the two men and stopped when her back hit the window. “Knock it off. You’re frightening my mate’s friend.” Gage growled as he stared down the two men. “We are sorry, Alpha, but you know how we work. Our reactions were instinct,” Cedric replied, dropping his eyes. “I understand, and so does April, but others may not. Try to have a little more control,” Gage suggested. “Yes, Alpha,” Cedric and Hugh replied at the same time. “Like you did?” April asked then burst out laughing. She turned on her heel, walked up to Olivia, and gripped her hand. “We are going to find something to eat.” **** Cedric turned to watch as the two women left the room. When

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they were out of sight, Cedric and Hugh slumped down onto the bed. “You both need to take it easy with Olivia,” Saxon stated. “She’s not as hard as she makes out. She’s been through a tough time.” Cedric glanced at Hugh and then back to their Alpha. “Would you care to elaborate?” “It’s not my place. Olivia will tell you if and when she is ready. Just be cautious,” Saxon reiterated. “As you wish, Alpha,” Hugh replied, bowing his head with submission. **** April led Olivia through the vast hallways in the palatial home. Every question imaginable ran through Olivia’s head. “Is this a palace? Where are we going? You’re a mate to Alphas? Does that make you an Alpha, too?” “Olivia.” April pulled them both to a stop. “Breathe, girlfriend. Everything will work out in the end. You’ll see. For now, let’s just find something to eat. I’m starving.” Olivia burst out laughing, patted April’s belly, and pulled her friend into an embrace. “God, I’ve missed you,” she whispered, all choked up. “Oh, no you don’t. Don’t start getting all emotional on me. I’ve been emotional enough for four people. Hormones,” she said, patting her huge belly. “When are you due?” she asked, glancing at April’s protruding stomach. “Seven days. I, for one, can’t wait until this baby makes an entrance into the world. I’m sick and tired of feeling so fat. None of the clothes on this plane cover a person decently enough. The members of this clan no longer talk to me. They talk to my belly,” April said with a grimace. “Oh, April, I love you. You humor was always the best medicine. I

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can’t believe we found each other again,” she said with a smile. April returned her smile, hooked her arm into Olivia’s, and began waddling down the hallway. They reached an archway into a huge dining room. The area was bustling with people sitting around tables, obviously waiting for a meal. The smell of food wafted through the air, and Olivia spied another doorway, which she surmised led to the kitchen. April led her to a raised table at the far side of the chamber. She sat down and patted the seat beside her. Olivia became aware of the quiet in the room and raised her head to see everyone staring up at her. She squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. She had always detested being the center of attention, and it looked like some things never changed. April leaned toward her. “Don’t worry, Liv. They’re just curious. When my mates introduce you, and they know who you are, they won’t be so curious.” “Shit, April. I don’t know if I can do this. You know I like to keep to the background.” “As much as I’d like to help you there, you are going to be more in the spotlight than you want. Your mates are first in command to my mates. You don’t have a choice, Liv.” “Gee, thanks for the words of comfort. I think I’d rather go back home than deal with this shit.” “Believe me, I know how you feel. I don’t know how many times I tried to escape before I was happy to stay.” “They held you against your will?” she yelled then lowered her face, her cheeks warming with embarrassment as everyone stared at her. “Well, not exactly. I really had nowhere else to go. It was worth it, Liv. You’ll see,” she stated. “I don’t know about that. But it seems I have about as much choice as you did. Oh shit, here come Frick and Frack,” she muttered under her breath. She knew April had heard her when friend burst out laughing. Olivia watched from beneath lowered lashes as Cedric and Hugh

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made their way toward a table close by. They sat down, their seats facing the raised table, leaned their heads on their hands, and stared at her like lovesick puppies. “They’re pretty hot, aren’t they?” April whispered in her ear. “Oh yeah,” she replied automatically. “You have it bad, girlfriend. You don’t stand a chance.” “We’ll just see about that.” Olivia’s eyes were drawn to the arch. April’s mates had just entered the dining room. They stalked up to the raised dining table and stood, commanding silence without having to speak. When all were quiet, April’s mate Ben, the bear-shifter, stepped forward around the end of the table from his place beside Olivia. “We have a guest who is to be treated with courtesy and respect. I would like to introduce you to April’s best friend, Olivia Hammond,” Ben said, then swept a hand toward Olivia. Olivia tried not to cringe as everyone clapped and cheered. She smiled politely, gave a little wave, and lowered her head. “Breathe, Liv. It’ll be over soon,” April whispered. “Easy for you to say. They treat you like a queen,” she replied quietly. “To our clan, April is their queen,” Ben whispered from her other side. “You heard that?” she asked, stupefied. “We are shape-shifters, Olivia. Our senses are much more advanced than a human’s,” Ben replied with a gentle smile. “Great. Just fucking great,” she mumbled. “Hey, since you are so almighty, do you think you could get Frick and Frack to stop staring at me?” “Who?” Ben asked, obviously puzzled. “What are their names again?” Olivia turned to April, surreptitiously indicating the two men staring at her. “Cedric and Hugh,” April replied with a wink and smirk. Olivia knew damn well what their names were and hadn’t been able to put it

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over her friend. “I heard,” Ben replied with a smile. “You can’t avoid them forever, Olivia.” “I can if I want to,” Olivia stated petulantly. Olivia’s head spun toward the sound of two loud groans. Cedric and Hugh looking at her with heat in their eyes made her want to jump up and run. Instead, she pushed her shoulders back, held her head high, and glared at the two men. They winked at her, and each of them blew her a kiss. Olivia rolled her eyes and looked away, telling herself she wasn’t turned on by their antics at all. Maybe if she told herself enough, she and her traitorous body would begin to believe it.

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Chapter Two April showed Olivia around after they’d eaten dinner. Olivia knew she was going to have trouble finding her way around the massive building and was thankful when the tour was over. Her friend finally led her into the garden where a large hammock was hanging by a pond. “You’re going to have to help me get into that contraption. I have enough trouble when I’m not pregnant, let alone when I’m about to drop,” April stated. “Okay, hold on to my hands. How do you get out of that thing?” she asked once April was lying comfortably. “I don’t. Someone lifts me out,” she said with a smile and a grimace. “Why don’t you join me? It’s big enough for at least three people.” “Sure, I could use a rest. God, I’ve never felt so tired. What I want to know is, why?” “Liv, you’ve just traveled, God knows how, from Earth as we know it to here. Anyone would be exhausted emotionally having to deal with that reality.” “Yeah,” she answered, covering her mouth when she yawned. “I suppose you’re right. So, what’s it like?” They had always seemed to be on the same wavelength, and now was no different. “Out of this world.” “Is it really like those books you gave me to read?” “Better. So much better, especially when it’s with someone or, in my case, someones you love.” “So, three, huh? Do you take one in your…” She stopped, not

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willing to say the actual word. “Yes. One in my mouth, one in my pussy, and one in the ass,” April replied, an expression of bliss on her face. “I just can’t imagine…Doesn’t that hurt? Do you feel—I don’t know if this is the right word, but it’s all I can think of—dirty?” “No. Well, at first I wasn’t sure, but it was so good, Liv. It’s so darkly erotic, and feels so decadent. The first time, I actually passed out from too much pleasure.” “Fucking hell,” she screeched, waving a hand in front of her heated face. “I can’t believe…I’m so horny I could probably jump the bones of the first male in sight.” “We’re ready whenever you are, Olivia,” Cedric said as he rounded a broad bush, his brother on his heels. They stood at the end of the hammock, staring at her with fire in their eyes. She could see the bulge of their erections and was tempted to give in. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Can’t I even have a private conversation?” she asked, glaring at the two men. “Of course you can, honey. We just couldn’t resist. You’re so beautiful when you’re angry,” Hugh said with a smirk. “Fuck off,” Olivia replied, closing her eyes, intent on ignoring the two men. She always used profanities when she was threatened emotionally. She was beginning to feel guilty for her lashing out at them and was about to apologize. But Hugh spoke before she could. “As you wish, mate,” Hugh replied. “I’m not your mate,” she yelled, rising up to lean on her elbows and glare at Hugh. “Oh, but you are, Olivia. You just haven’t accepted it yet,” Cedric stated then turned on his heels and left, Hugh following him. Olivia groaned, flopped back on the hammock, and covered her face with her arm. “Maybe I should go back and hide in my room. At least that way I’ll have a little privacy.” “Um, about that,” April began then stopped when Olivia removed her arm and turned to look at her.

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“Finish it,” she demanded. “Cedric and Hugh took you to their room. They don’t want you to have a room of your own.” “What? Can they do that?” Olivia asked. “Well, I can let you have a room of your own if you really want one. But I know you, Olivia. I can tell you are attracted to them as they are to you. Do you really want to have your own room? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to cuddle up with those two hunks? They don’t want you alone in case you’re mate to another. They want to keep you safe and protected.” “Well, shit. I’m in trouble. They do affect me. More than I can say, and I suppose it would be nice to cuddle, and I really don’t want to find out if I have more than two mates.” Liv groaned. She knew she was going to have a hard time resisting the two men claiming to be her mates, but resist she would. Olivia had too many deep scars caused by a man she had trusted. She was not going down without putting up a fight. She would use every weapon she had and others she didn’t. There was no way in hell those two men were going to touch her sexually. She was too afraid, but they didn’t need to know that. She would use the weapon she usually did—her mouth— and if that didn’t work, she would think of something else. Maybe she should try and escape like April had. She shuddered in revulsion at the thought of having two men’s hands on her body. Or so she told herself. There was no way she was aroused by that thought. Was there? Olivia didn’t think she would ever be able to bear it. Not without the nightmares returning. She had never been intimate with a man before, not after that long-ago night. The thought made her feel physically ill. She’d never told anyone but April about the man who had betrayed her trust and scarred her emotionally. She didn’t think she would ever trust another male for as long as she lived. She gave a shudder and was thankful for April’s mates arriving, interrupting her morbid thoughts.

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“April, are you ready to retire?” Saxon asked with a smile. April covered her mouth as she gave a big yawn. “It would seem so.” “Olivia, would you like some help to get up?” Ben asked, holding a helping hand out to her. “Thanks.” Olivia accepted then moved to the side to allow April’s mates to help her. Olivia was surprised when Saxon leaned over the hammock and scooped April up into his arms. He didn’t put her down. Instead, he held her to his body, nuzzling his nose at her temple. “We are going to retire, Olivia. I’m sure you understand how tired April gets,” Gage stated then gave her a wink and turned away. “I’ll see you in the morning, Liv. Night,” April called over Saxon’s shoulder. “Night,” Olivia replied, watching the four of them retreat. Shit, now what was she going to do? She had no idea how to get back to her room even if she wanted to, which she didn’t, but she had nowhere else to go. Olivia slid back onto the hammock, staring up at the stars appearing now that the sun had set. She closed her eyes with a sigh. She’d found her bed for the night. **** Olivia came awake gradually. She felt so warm and content. She yawned and stretched, awakening her muscles, relaxed after a good night’s sleep. She froze as her arms and legs came into contact with warm, hard bodies on either side of her. She jerked upright, screeching with fear as her eyes connected with first Hugh’s then Cedric’s. “What the fuck? What am I doing here?” Olivia screamed in outrage, finding herself in bed with Cedric and Hugh. “We couldn’t leave you to sleep outside, so we brought you to our room,” Hugh stated.

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Olivia glowered at Hugh then turned her glare on Cedric. She stood up on the mattress, pulling the sheet around her half-naked body. Had she known the two men were completely naked, she wouldn’t have moved. Their hard cocks bobbed up and down as she stared at them, and her body responded. They were huge. Cedric’s cock was long and thick, the mushroom-shaped head an aroused reddish-purple color. Hugh’s cock wasn’t as long as Cedric’s, but it was thicker and curved up in a slight arc, and he was just as aroused as his brother. She licked her lips nervously, trying to peel her eyes from their impressive erections. “You’re killing me, sweetheart.” Cedric growled. Olivia watched Hugh warily as he moved, pushing himself into a sitting position on the bed. She jumped and took off. She was halfway across the room before Hugh or his brother had a chance to move. Cedric reached her just as she placed a hand on the doorknob. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. “We would never harm you, Olivia. Please, don’t be afraid of us,” Cedric said quietly. Olivia leaned into him. Her body responding to the sensation of his warmth wrapped around her. She just wanted to feel like a normal human female. She wanted to be able to respond without fear, and she knew these two men would not hurt her ever. **** Cedric could smell the scent of her underlying arousal. He knew they were going to have to be very careful wooing their mate, to have her accept them into her body, as well as her heart. They had already accepted her, but he knew it would send her running if she knew they were already in love with her. She was so obviously afraid of their size and strength. They would need to ease her into a relationship with them. Cedric wondered who had hurt their mate so badly, that she was so afraid of all males. He had seen her flinch and back away when his

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Alpha’s were too close to her. He would like the chance to confront the bastard and kill him. No one hurt their mate and got away with it. Cedric picked Olivia up into his arms, strode back over to the bed, and sat down on the edge with his mate in his lap. He smoothed a hand up and down her back, offering her comfort when she slumped against his chest. She was so beautiful. Her long black hair hung down to the middle of her back. Her skin was so white and creamy, it was almost translucent. He could see the delicate blue veins beneath her skin, and her cheeks were flushed pink from her exertion. Her warm, moist breath caressed the skin of his naked chest, making his cock and balls ache with desire. He wanted to throw her down on the bed, sink himself balls-deep into her tight, wet cunt, and never leave. But of course, he couldn’t. Cedric saw Hugh move toward them from his peripheral vision. He raised his eyes to his brother and watched as Hugh squatted down in front of Olivia. “Olivia, please don’t be afraid of us. We would never hurt you, honey. We would give our own lives to keep you safe.” Hugh reiterated Cedric’s words. Cedric saw Olivia open her eyes. Her gaze wondered over his brother’s naked body, and then she closed them again. He smelled her arousal and could hear her escalated breathing. “Do you think you could put some clothes on, for crying out loud? Your thingy is hanging out.” Olivia stated the obvious, her eyes still closed. “Why does it bother you to see us in our natural state, sweetheart? It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Cedric said. “Well, you’re probably used to it, but I’m not. Where I come from, everyone stays covered up. Please?” “If it will make you more comfortable to look at us, then I will concede to your wishes. Do you think you’ll be able to look at us if we are covered?” Hugh asked. “Yes!” “All right, but we won’t always do what you want, Olivia. We are

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used to walking around our rooms naked,” Hugh said. Cedric passed Olivia over to Hugh, once his brother was dressed, then pulled his own pants on. He could tell by his brother’s facial expression, that he was enjoying the feel of their mate in his arms. Cedric knew he and his brother needed to talk to their mate. Try to get her to see she needed to accept who and what they were. Easier said than done.

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Chapter Three Olivia was glad Cedric and Hugh were called away from their room. She flopped back on the bed, sighing loudly. She really needed a shower, coffee, and food. In that order. She didn’t have any clean clothes and wondered what she was supposed to do. Sure, she could wear her jeans and shirt again for today, but she had no clean underwear. She sat up, scooted to the side of the huge bed, and headed to the door on the right, far side wall. Olivia gasped with awe when she entered the massive bathroom. The large bath looked like an ancient Roman bathing pool. It was certainly big enough for at least ten people, if not more. She removed her bra and panties and slid down into the warm water. She ducked beneath the surface and swam from one length to the other. When she surfaced again, she swam over to the opposite end, where she could see a large range of oddly shaped bottles. She washed her body from head to toe, loving the subtle scent it left lingering on her skin. She poured more of the gel into her hand and lathered her hair. Once done, she ducked under water, rinsing the suds away. Surfacing once more, she swam over to the edge of the pool. She walked up the steps, looking for something to dry off with. She heard a knock, but it didn’t register as she dried her hair She spun her head toward the doorway when she heard a loud gasp. Cedric and Hugh stood there gaping at her, their eyes wandering the length of her body, stopping in strategic places. Olivia squealed, ran over to the shelf, and grabbed a big cloth, fumbling with it as she tried to cover herself. Once she was covered, she raised her eyes to the two men still standing frozen in the

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doorway. “Don’t you two know how to knock?” she spat out. Olivia saw when the two men finally came out of their glazed-eye stupor, looking into her eyes. She cringed back as they moved forward, until her shoulders hit the shelf behind her. “We did knock. You didn’t answer,” Cedric answered. “What are you doing?” “You are so sexy, little one. You have a beautiful body. You have nothing to be ashamed of,” Cedric stated, his eyes once more traveling the length of her body. “I am not ashamed, and stop calling me little one,” Olivia exclaimed. “Well, compared to us, you are little,” Cedric said with a gentle smile. “No, I’m not little. You’re two are fucking giants.” “All right, we’re giants,” Cedric agreed. “Now you’re just patronizing me. Stop it! I don’t like it,” Olivia stated petulantly. “We are trying to make you happy, honey,” Hugh said. “Stop it! I don’t want you to make me happy. Oh, for the love of…” Olivia muttered, realizing how immature she sounded. “You two are making me crazy. I thought you had to be somewhere. Why are you back here?” “We’ve been asked to take you to our Alpha female. She is about to give birth and is asking for you,” Cedric informed. “She did? Why does she want me? I don’t know anything about giving birth. What am I supposed to wear? I have no clothes with me. What does April want me for?” “Shh, honey. Everything will be all right. Take a deep breath, hold it, and then let it out slowly. That’s it. You’re doing fine.” Hugh encouraged Olivia to calm down, keeping his voice low and calm. “We have some clothing for you. It’s laid out on the bed.” “Oh, well, good then,” Olivia replied, sweeping past the two men

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and into the bedroom. She spotted the clothes where Hugh said they would be and picked up the short skirt and even shorter top. She spun around, holding the garments in her hands, staring at the two men standing just inside the doorway watching her. “You expect me to wear this? Are you out of your minds? These are indecent. You can’t expect me to parade around half dressed.” “Olivia, have you seen any of the females dressed differently?” Cedric asked, his impatience evident. “No, I suppose not. What is it with you lot? Can’t you afford to buy more material?” Olivia goaded then gave a snort. “I am sick and tired of you running off that mouth of yours. If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything,” Cedric barked out. “Well, excuse me. You’ll have to forgive my ignorance, because no one’s bothered to try and explain anything to me,” she retorted, glaring angrily at Cedric. “You deal with her, Hugh. I’m at the end of my tether,” Cedric bit out then turned and stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him. “Was it something I said?” Olivia asked innocently, but she couldn’t contain another snicker from escaping. “You can goad and fight all you want, honey. You aren’t going to make us hate you. You can spit and scratch all you like, but we will always be here for you,” Hugh said, his tone adamant. “Over my dead body.” “Get dressed, Olivia. Your friend is waiting for you,” Hugh reminded. “Turn around,” she demanded, glaring at Hugh. Olivia heard his loud sigh but was thankful he did what she’d asked without protestation. She pulled the skirt up, dropped the material from around her body, and drew the top over her head. She tugged at the material, but it made no difference. It was still far too short. She gave a mental shrug, walked up to Hugh, and tapped him

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on the shoulder. “I’m ready,” Olivia exclaimed. “Good,” he said, taking her hand in his, leading her from the room. “You know, I’m never going to be able to find my way around this place. It’s massive, and my sense of direction sucks.” “If you find yourself lost, all you have to do is ask someone to point you in the right direction,” Hugh said, giving her hand a little squeeze. “Hm, whatever. How long before we get to where we’re going?” “We are here,” Hugh replied. He knocked on the door and waited. The door swung open to reveal April and her mates. April was actually the one to open the door, which surprised Olivia and, by the look on his face, Hugh as well. “’Bout time you got here,” April snarled, hauling Olivia into the room by her free hand then slamming the door in Hugh’s face. “What the hell are you doing, April? Shouldn’t you be in bed?” “No, I need to keep moving. It helps ease the pain and restlessness.” “Okay,” Olivia replied soothingly, looking over April’s shoulder to her mates. None of them seemed to know what they should be doing. They just shrugged their shoulders. “Don’t you have some sort of midwife or medical person around here? Shouldn’t they be here instead of me?” “I don’t…” April stopped, bent over holding her stomach, and groaned with pain. “Shit, that was a bad one. What did you say?” “Doctor? Midwife?” “Oh, maybe later. This room is full enough of people as it is.” “Well, let me remedy that. I’ll just leave you to it,” Olivia stated, turning to the door. “Don’t you dare leave me, you coward,” April yelled then doubled over groaning again. “I’m scared, April. I don’t know anything about birth or babies.”

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“You think I do?” April retorted. “I need you here with me, Liv. I’m scared, too.” “Well, fuck, April. I hate it when you do that.” “What?” “Use emotional blackmail. You always did know how to get around me. Why don’t you come and lay on the bed? You can hardly stand anymore as it is,” Olivia soothed, placing an arm around April’s waist for support. She had April in the bed, her clothes gone, propped up on pillows. Olivia climbed up onto the bed and lay beside her friend. April’s mates were still sitting at a small table near the window. They were making her nervous. They hadn’t spoken a word, but they kept their eyes on the two women. Their relaxed poses were all a farce. Olivia could see the tension in their bodies. “Are they always this quiet?” “Noooo,” April groaned loud and long. Olivia placed her hand over April’s belly and felt the tightening of her abdomen. She tried to time the contraction, but lost count. She knew it had been a long one. She rubbed over April’s tight belly, trying to soothe her friend and offer comfort and support. “Does it hurt?” “Like a bitch, and then some,” April replied. “I don’t want anyone else in here, Liv. I want you to deliver my baby.” “What? You can’t expect me to…I have no idea…April! That’s just ridiculous. I don’t know anything about delivering a baby,” Olivia screeched. “The healer will be here any moment. I’m not leaving everything to you. I just…I don’t know. I need you to do this for me. I know you, Liv.” “But…Shit, April. You’re a bitch.” “Yeah, but you still love me,” April said then burst out laughing. To her horror, her laughter turned to tears. “Oh, good. I see you’re finally in bed,” a male said as he walked

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into the bedroom. “How are you feeling?” “Just fucking brilliant,” April yelled. Olivia glanced to the healer, smiled, and put a finger into her ringing ear. She was now partially deaf. She had no idea April could scream so loudly. “What the fuck are you laughing at?” April snarled at Olivia. “You,” she answered, bursting into laughter. “God, I’ve missed you.” “Me, too,” April replied with a sniff. “Oh, no you don’t. Don’t you dare start crying again. Those mates of yours are not going to want to have anything to do with you if you keep turning on the waterworks,” Olivia goaded. She and April knew each other too well for anyone else to understand their relationship. They used to goad each other all the time, especially when either of them became emotional. It made it easier for them to pull their emotions back under control. “Screw you, Liv.” “Now, that I’d like to see. Ew, actually, no, I wouldn’t.” “Are you two always like this?” Ben called out to them. Since April was busy with another contraction, Olivia answered. “Yes.” “April was still single and so were you when you arrived on Terraform. I would have thought you two would have been courted by hoards of men. What is wrong with the men where you come from? Don’t they have any balls?” Gage asked. “Apparently not,” Olivia answered with a snicker. The two women spent the rest of the morning and into the early hours of the afternoon hurling insults at each other. Even though they’d never admit it, Olivia could tell April’s mates were grateful for her presence. She had seen the anguish in their eyes and knew they were beside themselves with worry for her. She had stopped them from jumping up and offering April comfort, but Olivia had known that wasn’t what April needed right then. April would have broken

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down, but her friend needed to concentrate all her strength on birthing her child. April gave birth to a healthy baby girl, weighing in at a whopping nine pounds seven ounces, or four point two five kilograms. April was sore and tired, but mother and baby were both healthy. By the time the ordeal of April giving birth was over, Olivia was an emotional wreck. She wanted to do nothing more than curl up and go to sleep. Olivia stepped out of April’s room and looked up and down the empty hallway, having no clue as to which direction she needed to go. She wandered the maze of connecting corridors, aware of the tears streaming down her face. She finally gave up, leaning against the wall, only to slide down until her ass plopped on the floor. She was asleep moments later.

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Chapter Four Cedric found Olivia sound asleep curled up on the floor. Her tearstained face made his heart wrench in his chest. He knelt down, scooped her up into his arms, and headed toward their room. He and Hugh had been nearly frantic when they couldn’t find their mate. They had searched high and low, too upset to think about using their sense of smell. Goddess, who knew finding our mate would turn our lives upside down? Neither he nor his brother had even claimed Olivia yet, and she was making them crazy. Cedric didn’t know how much longer he would be able to hold his beast off. It was pushing at him constantly, demanding control so he could claim his mate. His dick was permanently hard, and his balls were so full of semen they ached consistently. Cedric kicked the door to their bedroom wide open. He walked over to the bed, placed Olivia down, and pulled the covers up over her. I can’t believe you found her asleep on the floor in a hallway. What was she thinking? Hugh asked his brother telepathically. She wasn’t thinking at all. Look at her face, Hugh. She’s been crying. Who the hell upset our mate? Hugh growled, his voice rumbling deeper than before, indicating to Cedric that his brother was struggling with his beast, for control. I think she’s just worn out, Hugh. She spent most of the day with our Alpha queen, tending her while she gave birth. She was so brave. Apparently both women were scared out of their wits, but instead of sniveling and whining, they spent the entire time hurling insults at each other.

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That doesn’t surprise me at all. I’ve already noticed our mate uses her tongue when she’s scared. We have to do something soon, Cedric. My beast is fighting me for control. What the hell are we going to do if we can’t contain our panthers? She’s going to run if our cats get control, Hugh stated, running a hand down his face. I know. Maybe one of us should make the change? Show her what we look like and reassure her we would never hurt her even in our beast form? Cedric suggested. I’d agree, but remember what happened when Gage changed forms? April wouldn’t even look at him after what he did to her. I couldn’t live with myself if we scared Olivia like that. Hugh sighed. So what the hell do we do? Damned if I know, brother. Olivia whimpering and groaning in her sleep drew Cedric from his telepathic conversation and over to her side. He watched her moving restlessly, arching her body, shifting her legs. The scent of her arousal drifted to their nostrils, causing groans to emit from deep in their chests. He looked at Hugh then back to his aroused, dreaming mate. He couldn’t stand to be so far away from her and figured Hugh felt the same as he climbed onto the bed, making sure his body touched at her sides. Olivia must have felt their presence subconsciously, because she wriggled around, making firmer contact with their bodies. She sighed, arching her hips, her legs moving more and more, and one of her hands slid down beneath the sheet to the juncture of her thighs. Cedric was so horny he could barely contain his inner feline. Cedric could stand it no longer. He wanted, needed, to touch their mate. He and Hugh looked at each other, and then both removed the sheet covering their mate. The sight that met his eyes made his canines elongate and claws sprout from the tips of his fingers. Her skirt was rucked up around her hips, no covering over her wet pussy, leaving her bare to their eyes. Their mate had her hands in her crotch. She was trying to pleasure herself.

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Cedric ran his hands over Olivia’s belly until her eyes fluttered open. He wanted her consent to touch her and wasn’t going to give her the chance to use that as a weapon against him. “Will you let us love you, Olivia?” he asked. “Yes. God, please touch me,” Olivia sobbed out. Cedric gently removed Olivia’s hand from her crotch, only to replace it with his own. He was careful not to hurt her with his claw, making sure only the pad of his finger touched her slick, swollen flesh. He slid the pad of his thumb over her hard little nub, rubbing and swirling gently. She bucked her hips up into his hand, subconsciously begging for more. He saw his brother pull her top up, revealing her lush breasts to them, and bend his head to take one of the dusky-pink nipples into his mouth. Olivia moaned and the thrashing of her head from side to side on the pillow was more than he could stand. Cedric soothed his hands up and down her legs and was relieved when she opened her eyes to look at him once more. She offered no resistance as he moved and nodded her head, letting him know she wanted his touch. Cedric was between Olivia’s widely spread thighs in the blink of an eye, his mouth on her cunt a second later. He thrust his tongue into her body as far as possible, groaning with delight. The taste of her cream was pure ambrosia. He withdrew his tongue and slid it up between her slick folds, swirling and lapping over her engorged clit. She screamed. Her body arched up into his mouth, her release satisfying his beast as he began to purr. He gathered every drop of her cum, not wanting to leave any behind. **** Olivia jerked, her own voice sounding loud as she moaned and bringing her to a fever pitch of need. The sight that met her gaze had her in turmoil when the fog finally cleared from her eyes. Cedric moved between her thighs and began to lick her pussy, and Hugh was

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suckling and pinching her nipples. She spread her legs wider, giving Cedric access to her cunt, and moments later she screamed with pleasure as her body shook with orgasmic bliss. As the last pulse of pleasure died away, her muscles went lax with satiation, her mind spinning in circles. The scent of sex in the air caused her embarrassment to increase. She flew from the bed, her legs feeling like cooked noodles, heedless of bumping Hugh with her elbow and Cedric with her knee. She grabbed at the sheet on the mattress, pulling ineffectually as she tried to cover her nakedness. “What did you do to me?” “We pleasured you, mate.” Cedric growled, his voice deeper and more gravelly than usual. “Why? Why did you do that? No one’s ever done that to me before. How could you lick me there? And stop calling me mate. I don’t belong to either of you,” Olivia grated out between clenched teeth. “Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong, mate,” Cedric responded, his body moving sinuously as he rose to his feet. “Olivia, stay still. Don’t run,” Hugh ground out, his voice just as strange as his brother’s. “What the hell is wrong with you two?” “Our beasts are vying for control. If you run, they will take it as a challenge. We are on the edge of control, little one. We have not claimed you yet, and our beasts don’t like that.” Hugh growled. “Oh. My. God,” Olivia said, her voice shaking with fear. Her first instinct was to turn and flee, but she was too scared to move. She could see their long canine teeth in their mouths and claws protruding from their fingers. The vision sent her into a panic. She couldn’t breathe. Her heart pounded against her rib cage, blood roared in her ears, and her lungs were incapable of taking a deep breath. “What do I do? What do you want to do?” she asked, her voice shaking. “We would never hurt you, Olivia, not even in our beast form.

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Please don’t be afraid of us. We want to bite you, and we want to love you.” Cedric growled. “We won’t do this if you say it’s not want you want.” “But everything will change if I let you claim me. You won’t want me anymore just like everybody else. And if I decided to mate with you, I still won’t belong to you. I am my own person and I always will be.” Olivia turned on her heel and walked quickly to the door. “Olivia, please don’t run from us. We will be able to control our beasts if you stay still,” Hugh explained gently. Olivia whimpered, her back to the two brothers, her hand still on the doorknob. She could feel their warm, moist breath on the back of her neck. She wanted more than anything to turn around and face them. To let them know she wanted them more than she had ever wanted anything in her life. She was beginning to fall in love with them, but she was too scared of losing them. She didn’t move. “We know you are afraid, little one. We would never do anything to hurt you. We love you, Olivia. We want to hold you and show you how much you mean to us. Please, will you give us a chance, baby? Please, Olivia, let us claim you?” Cedric asked, anguished. Olivia released the doorknob and turned to face the two men. Their eyes were glowing a golden-yellow color, and the skin on their cheeks was hued red and drawn tight against their skulls. The heat in their eyes was practically melting her. She lowered her eyes, slid down the door, pulled her knees up into her body, and placed her head on her knees. “I can’t. I’m too scared,” she whimpered. A loud roar made her flinch and whimper, but she didn’t look at them again. The roaring was coming from the other side of the room now. She slowly lifted her head and peeked. Cedric was hunkered down in front of her, staring at her. She peeked around him to see Hugh pacing back and forth like a caged animal. Cedric lifted a hand toward Olivia’s cheek then dropped it again

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when she startled. “Talk to me, sweetheart. Tell me why.” “I can’t,” Olivia sobbed. “It’s too painful.” “We can’t help you if you don’t talk to us,” stated Cedric. “Please, trust us. Talk to us, sweetheart. Maybe if we understand, we will be able to control our beasts,” Cedric said gently. “My mom and dad divorced, separated, when I was a young child. My mom hooked up with a man when I was eight. One night, while my mom was sleeping, he came into my bedroom. He ripped off my nightgown and was intent on touching me. He held me down. I tried to fight him, but he was too big, too strong. He had a hand over my mouth and came down on top of me. I bit his hand as hard as I could, until I drew blood. He must have moved his hand away, because I could hear this terrible screaming, but it wouldn’t stop. My mom came into my room, turned the light on, and found her boyfriend naked in my room. She hit him, hard, on the head with a bat. He fell to the floor, but he didn’t get up again. My mom had knocked him unconscious. She called the police, our law. They eventually came and took him away. I…I haven’t b–been able to l–let anyone t–touch me since,” Olivia sobbed and stuttered. By the time she’d finished explaining, she was shaking uncontrollably. She was ice cold but sweating. She was going into shock after reliving that horrific night from so long ago. **** “Shh, it’s all right, sweetheart. We’ll never hurt you,” Cedric crooned, scooping Olivia up into his arms. He glanced over his shoulder, pleased to see Hugh’s beast had backed down, as had his own. Their beasts were letting their human side control things, not willing to scare their mate. Cedric walked over to the adjoining bathing room, taking them both into the warm water of the huge, sunken bathtub, heedless of their clothes. He sat down on the molded

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bench seat, cradling her in his lap, rocking back and forth, offering comfort as his mate cried her heart out. He didn’t try to stop her, knowing she needed to purge the horror from her mind and body. He just held her until she had no more hurt or revulsion at what had nearly been done to her. She slumped against his chest, her body shuddering every now and then, the results of the now-purged storm. Cedric moved aside, making room for Hugh. His brother sat beside them, stroking up and down Olivia’s back, soothing, offering comfort. Thank the Goddess she finally explained, Hugh said to his brother telepathically. That was the only way we could have gained control over our beasts. Yeah, I know. But what the hell are we going to do now? She’s so afraid of intimacy, and we need it to complete our bond. She is asleep. Why don’t we get her dried off and back into bed? If our queen is up to visitors, maybe we should ask for advice, Hugh suggested. Yes, I think that is a good idea. We should wait until tomorrow, though. Our Alphas are not going to be indulgent or worried about our problems. Their mate has just given birth, Cedric pronounced. Agreed, for now, we take care of our mate.

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Chapter Five Olivia awoke alone. She remembered pouring her heart out to the two men claiming to be her mates. She wondered if she had turned them off by telling them another man had touched her, tried to rape her. She should just leave. April was happy with her three men and now had a new baby to care for. No one would even miss her. She scrambled from the bed, gasping at her own nakedness. She opened a closet door, grabbed her jeans and pulled them over her hips. She pulled a top over her head then bent down to straighten the cuff on her pants. She found her boots, pulled them on, and tucked the material of the pants into the top of the boots. She only hoped she could find her way out. Olivia stuck her head out the bedroom door. She looked up and down the corridor, sighing with relief when she saw no one. She exited the room, walking slowly, casually, not wanting to draw attention to herself if she encountered another person. She had no idea where she was or where she was going, but it didn’t matter. She just had to get out. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She reached out to the handle on the glass doors and slid them open, listening, expecting to be stopped. She breathed a sigh of relief and walked out into the humid air. She took a deep breath then released it. She was outside, and no one had stopped her. She was in the garden where April liked to relax in the hammock. She perused the perimeter of the garden, surveying for nonexistent fences. She scanned, breathing easier when she saw no one. She walked quickly, bypassing the hammock and pond, and just kept right on going. Olivia followed the faint track, the oppressive air and her own

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anxiety making her perspire. The gigantic trees in the forest filtered out the sunlight as she continued on. She had done it. She had escaped. Now all she had to do was find a way to get back home. Olivia was tired, hot, and thirsty. She felt as if she had been walking for hours. She was covered in sweat and would have gladly begged for a drink of water, and she was totally lost. She turned in a circle, not knowing from which direction she’d come. Everything looked the same. She sat down on the leaf-strewn ground, leaning back against a large tree trunk. She was going to have to wait to be found. She had no doubt in her mind she would be, eventually. She just hoped it wasn’t too long. Then April’s words came back to haunt her. “You could actually be a mate to more than one species of shifter. If they don’t claim you sexually, as well as bite you, and make you theirs, any other species of shifter can claim you.” Fuck. What have I done? Now Olivia prayed the two brothers claiming to be her mates found her, and fast. The last thing she wanted was to be claimed by someone else. God, she was so stupid. If only she’d stopped to think before acting so impulsively. She turned her head at the sound of rustling in the bushes in front of her. She squinted, peering through the growth of limbs and leaves. Two pairs of yellow, glowing eyes were staring at her intently. Olivia rose to her feet slowly, fluidly, not wanting to alarm whatever was staring at her. She moved so she was standing to the side of the tree trunk, never taking her eyes from theirs. She lifted her hands, feeling around and above her until they encountered a tree limb. Without thought, she swung herself up onto the branch, surprising herself with her own agility. She turned her head back toward the bushes and gasped with awe. She froze when she saw two lions sitting on their haunches, staring at her as they licked their lips. She was doomed. She knew she shouldn’t climb higher and give the animals the advantage, knowing they would be far more agile and confident than she could ever be on the limbs of the tree. So she

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stayed still, frozen in place, too afraid to move up or down. The animals stalked forward, standing no more than five feet from her. They stared up at her, pinning her with their golden, glowing eyes. She wanted to scream, to run away and hide, but she did nothing. Olivia watched with awe and trepidation as the air around one of the lions began to shimmer, the lines of his body delineating and contorting until the animal was no more. Standing in its place was a massive mountain of a man. He had shoulder-length gold hair, his shoulders nearly as wide as one of the tree trunks. His eyes were an amber-gold color, his muscles so thick his arms were slightly out from his body because of his bulging biceps. His pectoral muscles bulged, and his stomach was ripped. He was nice to look at, but she didn’t feel any attraction to the man now standing before her. She lifted her eyes from his crotch quickly. She didn’t want to be looking at his erection. He on the other hand, was staring at her with such a carnal hunger, she whimpered with fright. “Do not be afraid of us, little one. We do not hurt females. They are too precious to us,” the man stated. Olivia felt shivers run up and down her spine, the hair at her nape standing on end. His voice was so deep it seemed to boom and echo all around. “Who are you? Where do you come from?” he asked. Olivia opened her mouth then shut it again. She gulped loud enough for them to hear. Her eyes slid over to the other lion, the air shimmering and waving as he changed from beast to man. This male wasn’t as tall or muscular as his friend, his body sleeker. He had rippling muscles, but he was not as intimidating as his counterpart. She quickly lifted her gaze and looked at him again. “Wh–Who are you? What do you want?” Olivia croaked out, her throat and mouth dry. Olivia’s eyes slid from one to the other continuously. They looked at each other, totally silent, but their eyes seemed to be speaking. Finally, the shorter of the two stepped forward. He hardly needed to

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tilt his head to look into her eyes, and she was at least five feet off the ground. “I am Lucius King, and this is my brother, Liam. We are of the pride clan. What is your name?” “Olivia, Olivia Hammond.” “What are you doing out here all alone? Where do you belong?” Liam asked. “My friend April is mated to the Alphas Gage and Saxon Kian who are panther-shifters, as well as Ben Koku, a bear-shifter. I want to go back to her home. Unfortunately I lost my way when I decided to take a stroll,” Olivia stated belligerently, practically daring them to refute her claim. “Shit, if the Alphas from the panther clan catch us with you, we are dead. Our two clans have been rivals since long before we were born. We will take you back close to the Panther lair and leave you. You can come down now, little one. We will not harm you,” Lucius reiterated. “So you say. But how the hell do I know if you’re telling the truth? I think I’ll stay where I am, thank you very much.” “You do realize we are lion-shifters, right?” Liam asked rhetorically. “Do you not know lions are very adept in trees?” “Well, of course I know. I just felt better sitting up here, out of reach,” Olivia replied facetiously. She bit her lower lip then swung her legs a couple of times and launched herself from the tree branch. She landed heavily, not used to jumping from such a height. She had nearly jumped the height of her own body. She stumbled, took a couple of side steps to regain balance, stood with her legs shoulderwidth apart, her hands on her hips, and looked up. God, they were so tall it actually hurt her neck to see their faces. “All right, I’m ready. Lead the way,” Olivia stated, waving her hand for the two men to precede her. The two men looked at each other then back at Olivia and turned around. The sight of their muscular buttocks flexing as they walked

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had her snapping her eyes up to their heads. That was the last thing she had wanted to see. She stumbled constantly, much to the amusement of the two men in the lead. They had been walking for a long time when the two men stopped abruptly, and since Olivia had been lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t see them halt and crashed into them. She would have fallen if Liam hadn’t steadied her with a hand at her elbow. Two ostensibly furious feline roars filled the air and echoed throughout the forest, making Olivia’s skin break out in goose bumps. She tried to contain the shiver but wasn’t successful. Her whole body shuddered. “We will leave you now, Olivia Hammond. You will be back with your friend soon,” Liam said, the air around him already shimmering. The two men changed from man to beast within a blink of the eye. Turning to her, they gave her feline grins and took off. They bounded away amongst the trees, disappearing from sight. “Well, that’s just fucking great. What am I supposed to do now?” Olivia muttered. She had no idea which direction would take her back to April. She took a few steps and plopped down, her back leaning against a large tree trunk. The sun was beginning to set, and she knew if she didn’t get back soon, she could end up mated to complete strangers. She was tired, thirsty, hungry, and afraid. She could still hear the occasional roars, which were getting closer by the moment. She only hoped whoever it was out traversing the forest was part of April’s men’s clan. Whoever they were, they sounded absolutely furious. Olivia’s head snapped up as rustling in the bushes no more than five meters away drew her attention. She muttered beneath her breath as she caught sight of the glowing, golden feline eyes. “Not again,” she mumbled then spoke louder. “Whoever you are, you don’t scare me, so come out and show yourselves.” Two large black panthers crept forward with predatory grace. They slunk low to the ground, their bellies only inches above the dirt. They were glaring at her, their mouths pulled back, exposing their

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teeth. The air shimmered, the lines of their bodies delineating, bones cracked and popped, and muscles contorted as they changed from beast to man. They stood over her. Their cocks jutted out toward her, bobbing up and down, their color an angry reddish purple. “What the hell were you thinking, Olivia?” Cedric growled. She took in his aggressive stance. His hands were on his hips, feet shoulder-width apart, hips thrust forward. “I wasn’t, all right? I didn’t stop to think at all. I just reacted.” “Who was here? Who touched you? I can smell lion clan all over you.” Hugh growled, his voice a low rumble. “I met up with Lucius and Liam King. They were kind enough to lead me in the right direction. They didn’t touch me. I bumped into them when they stopped walking. They heard you coming, changed to their lion forms, and took off.” “Have you thought about letting us claim you? We want to be with you, Olivia. Please, baby, we just want to show you how much we care for you. We would never do anything you don’t want us to do. We would never hurt you, Olivia.” Cedric growled. “What do you mean? How do you claim me?” Olivia asked with trepidation. “We need to bite you and make love with you,” Hugh answered. “Oh my. I don’t think…I can’t…Oh God. I don’t want to be a shifter.” “You won’t become a shifter, Olivia. We don’t know how our bite affects you, other than having our saliva in your blood. Our scent mingles with yours, effectively marking you as ours. You have to be born a shifter to be able to change shape. Come,” Hugh said, extending a hand toward her. “We will take you back home, where you belong. You were very lucky you weren’t claimed by another species of shifter, sweetheart. You running from us could have been disastrous.” “Yeah, like things couldn’t be more disastrous than they already are,” Olivia stated petulantly. She reached for Hugh’s hand and was

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suddenly sandwiched between two tall, muscular, warm male bodies. Hugh at her front, Cedric at her back. They towered over her five-foot-four frame. She had never felt so small and feminine, or so powerful. She felt sexy for the first time in her life. She wanted to wrap herself around them and never leave. What were they doing to her? She’d never been interested in men before. How could it be these two men, shifters, who got her motor running? The two men stepped back to her sides, grasped her hands in each of theirs, and headed back to the lair. She wanted them and knew she was going to give in. She knew she needed them as much as they seemed to need her. She didn’t think she could fight them or her own body for much longer.

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Chapter Six The first thing Olivia did was grab the jug of water from the table near the window in their bedroom, pour herself a glass, and down the contents. She poured another drink and headed to the bathroom. She placed her glass on the edge of the sunken pool, removed her clothes, and slid into the warm water. She picked up the glass and cautiously swam over to the other side of the huge tub, settling into the molded bench seat. She sat back with a sigh, her head leaning on the edge of the pool, letting the warmth of the water ease her tired, aching muscles. She sipped her water until her tumbler was empty, placed it on the rim of the pool, and picked up a cloth and bath gel. She washed her body from head to toe and then tackled her hair. She had her head tilted back, working the gel into a lather as she massaged her scalp She heard water splash and opened her eyes to look toward the noise. Olivia watched as Cedric and Hugh came at her, one on either side, their movements full of predatory, feline grace. Their golden eyes glowed as they mesmerized her with their stares. They sat next to her, sandwiching her between their hard, muscular, naked bodies. She looked from one to the other and looked away again. “Olivia, look at me,” Cedric commanded from her left. Olivia slowly raised her eyes, a shiver wracking her body at the heated desire she could see in both of her mates’ eyes. She watched as Cedric lowered his mouth to hers as if in slow motion, giving her time to protest or move away if she so desired. She couldn’t have moved if her life had depended on it. Her pussy throbbed with an unfamiliar ache. Her breasts tightened, her nipples thrusting up, begging for attention. She moaned at the first light touch of Cedric’s mouth on

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hers. She opened her mouth instinctively, allowing him the access he asked for as his tongue swept across her lips. She was burning up from the inside out. The muscles in her body relaxed, her thighs quivering and her clit throbbing. She unconsciously wound her arms around his neck, her fingers threading into the strands of his hair, using her hold on him to pull him closer. She couldn’t get close enough. Her bare breasts flattened against his muscular chest, her legs moving restlessly, sliding against his hair-roughened thighs and calves. Olivia mewled as Cedric’s tongue entered her mouth, sweeping in and tangling with her own. She responded, tentatively at first then more aggressively as her confidence and need soared, her arousal growing to flaming proportions. She was on fire, and the only way to douse it was to let Cedric and Hugh love her. She was scared, but she didn’t think she could stop them if she wanted to. Her whole body was a seething mass of aching nerves. Her pussy was slick with need, her clit throbbing, her breasts aching. Olivia tangled her tongue with Cedric’s. She couldn’t get enough of his taste. His flavor was an aphrodisiac, pure ambrosia, and she wanted more. So much more. She sobbed with pleasure as he slid his moist tongue over hers, up to the roof of her mouth, over the inside of her cheeks, and over her teeth. She arched her back, her body undulating in an attempt to get closer, to crawl inside his skin. She whimpered with frustration when he drew his mouth away from hers and moved to her side, his body no longer against hers. She opened her eyes, her lids heavy with desire, making the task difficult. Her eyes connected with Cedric’s, and she gasped at the heated hunger she could see there as he looked to the very depths of her soul. She watched as his eyes lowered, traversing the length of her body and back up again. His eyes were changing from a glowing gold to a heated green and back again. Movement at Olivia’s other side drew her attention, and she turned her head to see the same look in Hugh’s eyes. He leaned over

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her, his eyes on her mouth, and then he lowered his head, his lips a whisper of a touch on hers. She opened to him, wanting, needing to taste him as much as she had his brother. She closed her eyes, sighing into his mouth, and let Hugh take control. His kiss was every bit as heated as his brother’s. The taste of him was so different, yet no less potent. His kiss was just as carnal but more intense, more aggressive than his brother’s, which surprised her, because Hugh seemed more laid back, more sensitive to other’s fears and needs. He nipped at her lower lip then soothed the sting with the glide of his tongue. He pushed his way past her lips and teeth, growling with appreciation and desire as their tongues connected, twirled, and tangled then slid away again. He advanced and retreated, building the fire within even higher, until it was a raging inferno, so totally out of control she feared she would burst into flames. When she thought she was about to suffocate from lack of oxygen, Hugh wound the kiss down, sipping at her lips, and finally withdrew his mouth from hers. He picked her up and carried her from the bath. He didn’t bother to dry her off. He just gently placed her on the big bed and followed her down onto the mattress. Olivia watched as the two brothers stared at each other then moved as one. Hugh moved down her body, kissing and licking every inch of skin he could, until he was on his stomach, between her spread thighs, his head just above her pussy. She watched his eyes travel the length of her body until they met with hers. He inhaled deeply through his nose, breathing in the scent of her aroused sex. “We will never hurt you, honey,” Hugh said, his voice a deep cadence, gravelly with desire. Olivia was about to speak, but her mind switched off the instant Hugh’s tongue touched her aching clitoris. She bucked her hips, not sure if she was trying to get closer to the mouth and tongue laving her with pleasure, or trying to get him off of her. The intensity was too much. She shook with need as his mouth covered her cunt, his rough, feline tongue rasping over her sensitive nub. It was too much, but not

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enough. She cried out her pleasure when Hugh thrust his tongue into her body. It was so long and muscular, she would have sworn she felt it hit the thin skin barrier inside her. Cedric was now nibbling on a nipple and plucking at the other while his brother fucked her with his tongue. It was too much pleasure to bear. The internal muscles of her womb and pussy had been gathering into a tight coil since the moment Hugh’s mouth touched her vagina. She threw her head back, her shoulders bowing off the bed, and screamed as her body snapped. Wave after wave of pleasure ebbed and flowed, her limbs trembling, the muscles in her pussy contracting, until finally the last shudder receded. Her body totally surfeited, and she couldn’t even open her eyelids. Her breathing finally eased from the rapid panting, her lungs filling with precious oxygen. Olivia forced her eyes open, filled with trepidation as a large cock kissed against the hole of her cunt. She was scared Hugh would rip her apart, but the fire that had just been doused began to build again. She felt her flesh separate, a burning sensation making her tense as the head of his cock forged into her body, popping through the tight muscles. “Easy, honey. Breathe, don’t tense up,” Hugh crooned, offering comfort. Olivia kept her eyes locked on to his now completely glowing golden eyes. He was her only anchor in an unfamiliar world. She watched as he rocked his hips forward, gaining depth an inch at time, pausing often, giving her body time to adjust to his penetration. “Do you have any idea how sexy you are?” Hugh asked, his voice a deep growl. “You feel like heaven around my cock.” “She’s so beautiful, isn’t she, Hugh?” Cedric more stated than asked. “Without a doubt, the most beautiful woman in the whole universe,” Hugh replied, pushing in another inch. Olivia was grateful when Hugh paused when she felt the head of his cock hit her tight flesh. She didn’t want to feel any pain but knew

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it was inevitable. “Massage her clit, Cedric.” Olivia mewled as Hugh began to withdraw his cock from her body, but her protestation turned to pleasure as Cedric swirled the pad of his finger over her engorged clit. She bucked her hips up, trying to get Hugh back into her body, wanting more of the pleasure she had felt as he entered her. Hugh grasped her hips in his hands, holding her still, not letting her move. Olivia growled at him, trying to convey her frustration without words, which were beyond her passion-fogged brain. “Shh, sweetheart. I’ll give you what you need. I don’t want to hurt you or for you to hurt yourself. Let me control our lovemaking, Olivia,” Hugh panted out. Olivia tried to twist out of his grasp, but he was too strong for her. She slumped back down onto the bed, her eyelids closing, breathing out a sigh of defeat. Her eyelids flew open again, the friction of his cock sliding back into her wet cunt exquisite. He slid in and out of her body, slow and gentle, penetrating her a little more each time. He grasped her hips more firmly then plunged though her tightness until she could feel his large, heavy balls against her ass. She had never felt so full, or so alive. Her internal muscles spasmed around the length of Hugh’s cock, making her groan as her head thrashed back and forth on the pillow. Olivia felt a hand on her chin gently turning her face until she was looking into Cedric’s eyes. He bent his head to hers, taking her mouth with his own. He devoured her, leaving nothing untouched, untasted. He tangled his tongue with hers, curling it around her muscle, drawing it into his mouth until he suckled on her tongue. She cried out in objection when Hugh pulled her away from his brother. He had her sitting up on his lap, totally impaled on his hard cock, straddling his hips. He lifted her mouth to his and kissed her. She was totally oblivious to anything going on around her. She responded to Hugh’s kiss, tangling her tongue with his.

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Olivia stiffened when she felt a wet finger against her ass. She pulled her mouth away from Hugh and turned her head, her eyes connecting with Cedric’s. “What are you doing?” “I’m preparing you, sweetheart. Don’t be afraid. I promise not to hurt you.” Cedric growled. “You’re not…you can’t…” “It’s all right, Olivia. Just breathe evenly and deeply. If it’s too much, let me know and I’ll stop,” Cedric said. “Olivia, we have to take you together, sweetheart. We need to make sure our claim holds. Trust us not to hurt you,” Hugh stated. “But…it’s not right,” Olivia declared. “Why isn’t it right, honey? Everything we do in the privacy of our bedroom couldn’t be anything but right. We only want to bring you pleasure. Will you let us do that for you? Please, Olivia?” Cedric asked. “And if I don’t like it? If I want you to stop?” “All you have to do is say so, honey. We’ll stop if you ask us to,” Hugh reiterated. “Okay, but I’m not promising,” Olivia stated. “No, sweetheart, by the time we have you ready, we’ll have you begging,” Cedric said with a smile. Olivia didn’t think so but tried to relax her body. She gasped with pleasure as Cedric massaged her ass. She’d never have dreamed the nerves at her anus were so sensitive. She felt the tip of his finger push into her body, and her muscles clamped down around the intrusion. “Keep breathing, Olivia. In and out. Good girl,” Cedric crooned. When he withdrew his finger, she had to bite her cheek to keep her cry of objection from escaping. Then he was pushing two digits into her body. His wet, slippery extremities pumped in and out. He stretched them wide, extending her tight muscles, pushing through as they clamped down on his digits and Hugh’s large cock. Her internal muscles were gathering again, coiling tighter and tighter as her mind tried to fight off the overload of sensations.

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“Stop, Cedric,” Hugh panted. “She’s not going to last, and neither am I.” Olivia moaned as Cedric withdrew his fingers from her ass. Now that she knew what it felt like to have something shoved up her ass, she craved the sensations. She needed it. She wanted more of the dark pleasure they could give her. Olivia gasped when she felt the wide, blunt head of Cedric’s cock pushing against her ass. She breathed in and out, consciously trying to relax her muscles. The pinching burn as he pushed into her body was almost too much to bear. Then he was through, the head of his cock just inside her body, not moving, giving her time to adjust. Olivia whimpered when he pushed inside her even farther. He slid his cock back and forth, gently forging his way into her body without causing too much discomfort. She breathed deeply, evenly, keeping her body under control as much as possible. Her muscles clenched and released around the two cocks now buried in her depths. Hugh and Cedric had a hold of her hips and waist, keeping her still, not letting her move even though she wanted to, desperately needed to. She was about to scream, demand they do something, but sighed instead as Cedric slid his cock back until the corona was just resting inside her ass. As he pushed his way back into her body, Hugh withdrew his cock, the wide mushroom head just inside her cunt. Olivia had never felt anything like it. Pleasurable sensation after sensation sent shivers through her body, sliding over her nerves endings, her body reaching for the rapture she knew only these two men could give her. She was panting, the noise loud even to her own ears. They moved in a slow, synchronized rhythm, one withdrawing as the other surged forward. She had never felt so full. To have two hard cocks thrusting in and out of her body was out of this world. Olivia felt her muscles gathering, tightening. Her legs, arms, and torso were shaking, her internal muscles coiling tighter and tighter, the pleasure unbearable. And then she was screaming. Her pelvicfloor muscles exploded, clamping and releasing over the cocks still

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thrusting in and out of her ass and cunt. Just when she thought it was over, she flew again, surging up to the highest peak and over the edge. Her mates roared out their releases, their cocks swelling inside her, locking her to them, and pinpoints of light formed before her eyes. Their sharp canine teeth sunk into her flesh where neck met shoulder, the white-hot pleasure too much for her body. She slumped down against Hugh’s chest into pleasure-induced oblivion.

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Chapter Seven Olivia woke alone again. The two men couldn’t even hang around to cuddle her. She felt despondency creeping up into her heart. Maybe she hadn’t been good enough. She shouldn’t have let Cedric and Hugh seduce her. She shouldn’t have listened to her wayward body. She should have used her head instead. Olivia bathed, dressed, and left the bedroom. She wanted to find April, see how her friend and her new daughter, baby Jade, were doing. She wandered the labyrinth of long corridors, not sure where she was going and having no idea on how to get back. She’d always had a terrible sense of direction. She got lost in the large shopping centers just by turning a corner. She thought it was unusual she hadn’t encountered anyone in her meanderings. She was about to give up, slump down to the floor in defeat, but brightened when a group of males turned the corner heading toward her. She eyed the handsome men scantily clad in some sort of skin trousers, their torsos bare, and wondered what was in the water. They were all so tall, muscular, and handsome, not one plain-looking face or body amongst them. “Um, hi. I was wondering if you could direct me to April?” Olivia asked, nervously licking her lips. “I’ll take you wherever you want to go, darlin’,” called a tall warrior from the back of the group. “Knock it off, Gavin. She’s already mated,” snapped an even taller man at the front of the group. The hair on Olivia’s nape stood on end. She shifted nervously from foot to foot. The man who had just spoken was looking at her as if he wanted to eat her. His eyes were rapidly changing back and forth

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from a glowing gold to a dark blue. He was obviously fighting not to let his beast out, and that scared the shit out of her. She squeaked with fear and surprise as she saw long claws extend from the tips of his fingers. She didn’t stop to think. She turned and ran. Olivia heard the men behind her shout, but she didn’t catch what they were saying. She was too scared. Her heart was nearly pounding out of her chest, her blood roaring through her ears, her breathing labored. She heard the click of claws close behind her. She didn’t want to look back, but natural instinct took over. There was a huge black, panther right on her heels. She screamed again, ducked around a corner, and slammed against a hard, immovable object. She would have fallen on her ass if muscular arms hadn’t wrapped around her waist. She looked up, sighing in relief and dropping her head onto his chest as Hugh pulled her tight against his big body. She jumped when she felt and heard a threatening growl rumble up Hugh’s chest and out of his mouth. What the hell is going on? Olivia clung to the only safe haven, too scared to move and look over her shoulder. She could feel the heated, moist breath from the panther-man on her lower back. Hugh grasped Olivia’s upper arm and shoved her behind him. He used his large body to conceal her from the animal in front of him. Now that she felt safe, she was able to lean around Hugh’s massive frame, peeking at the massive black panther staring at her. “Explain yourself, Tony. Why were you chasing my woman?” Hugh growled. Olivia didn’t hear a sound besides the heavy breathing from the panther, but he was staring into Hugh’s eyes, as if he was communicating. Then those eyes slid to her, pinning her with feral heat. Olivia slid back to safety, hiding behind Hugh’s massive frame, clutching at the waist of his pants. The muscles beneath her hand began to contort, bones cracking and popping sickeningly. She had nowhere to hide now. The rest of the men enclosed the two panthers within a circle, effectively blocking her view. She wanted to run, but she didn’t want Hugh hurt because of her. She slid through a gap and

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pushed her way into the circle. “What the fuck is going on?” Olivia screamed, stepping between the two panthers. “You two are behaving like two-year-olds fighting over a toy. You have no right to even look at me. I don’t even know you,” Olivia yelled at Tony. “And, you”—she pointed at Hugh, words beyond her for a moment—“Grow up.” Olivia pushed her way back out of the circle, too furious to care what anyone thought. “Which one of you is Gavin?” “I am,” called a tall warrior, stepping toward her as he spoke. “Gavin, could you please escort me to April?” “It would be an honor,” Gavin replied, crooking his arm for her to take a hold of. Olivia turned her head, looking over her shoulder, and gave a final glare at the two now very subdued panthers then let Gavin lead her away. “What the hell was that about?” Olivia whispered, walking through corridors with Gavin. “I don’t quite know, myself,” Gavin hedged. “But if you had to hazard a guess?” Olivia asked persistently. “It would be better if you questioned your mates, lady.” “Olivia. My name is Olivia,” she muttered. “A pleasure, Olivia. We are where you wanted to go.” Gavin indicated the door in front of him. “Thank you, Gavin,” Olivia said, knocking on one of the double doors in front of her. “Just call if you need some assistance, and I will be at your side,” Gavin stated then nodded his head and left. “Olivia, April will be pleased to see you. Come in, little one,” Ben said, practically pulling her through the door. “What’s wrong?” she asked, looking at Ben’s tense expression. “April has been crying since she woke up. She can’t seem to stop. We don’t know what to do,” Ben stated with frustration. “Oh. Don’t worry about it. Her body’s just been through one hell

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of an ordeal. Her milk will start coming in, and I’ve heard that can make new moms real emotional. She’ll be fine, you’ll see,” Olivia stated, patting Ben’s arm. “I thought you said you knew nothing about birthing and babies?” Ben asked curiously. “Well, I don’t, but I’m not totally ignorant. I do know how to read, and I’ve heard other women talking,” Olivia said with exasperation and a roll of the eyes. “April, stop blubbering,” Olivia said, walking further into the room. She spied April in bed with her baby girl in her arms. Gage and Saxon were reclining on the bed beside her. Both had worried expressions on their faces. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. You three get out now. You’re only making things worse. Go and do what you…do, and leave us women in peace for a while,” Olivia commanded. Olivia saw Gage and Saxon raise their eyebrows at her audacity in ordering them, the Alphas of the panther clan, out of their bedroom. But when they sighed, she knew they were actually glad to have an excuse at a reprieve. Olivia watched as April’s three mates practically ran out the door. She snickered and then crawled on the bed beside April and baby Jade. That perfect angelic face and the small bowed lips smiling in her sleep was enough to get her all weepy, too. Instead she looked up into April’s tear-drenched eyes. “You can stop that right fucking now, girlfriend. You’ll not get an ounce of sympathy out of me. You have those three men wrapped around your little finger. You in tears isn’t going to make me pander to you, so suck it up. You have a beautiful baby girl. You should be happy, not sad.” “I am,” April wailed. Olivia was doomed. She’d tried and failed. The perfect little girl was enough to melt any jaded heart. Both the women spent the rest of the day cooing and bawling over the baby Jade.

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Olivia felt a yearning in her heart and soul. She imagined herself with a round belly as her own child grew inside her womb. The thought of holding her own baby, a piece of her mates as well as herself, made her tear up. She could think of nothing better than holding her own child in her arms. Once that thought took hold, she knew she was never going to leave. She was going to have to try and come to terms with all her demons so she could realize the ultimate dream of having her own baby. She just didn’t know how to go about being a complacent female. She hoped she could let down all her barriers one day soon. She was driving herself insane as well as her mates, and she knew she couldn’t keep her walls of protection in place forever.

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Chapter Eight Cedric pounced on his Alphas as soon as they entered the communal dining room. His brother was beside him. He had a dilemma he didn’t really want to sort out but knew the emotional and physical safety of their mate depended upon him solving the problem. He waited until their Alphas were seated at their table and approached. “Alphas, if we may join you, we would like some advice,” Cedric asked courteously. Cedric was relieved when Gage swept his hand out in invitation, watching as he and Hugh approached their table. “What seems to be the problem?” he asked. “I found Tony pursuing our mate earlier today. He was in panther form, which of course called to my beast to challenge. Our mate was brave enough to defuse the situation,” Hugh said. Cedric saw his brother’s proud grin spreading across his face and knew he was just as impressed as he had been at their mate’s actions. “Once we had both calmed down, Tony revealed he thinks Olivia is his mate also. We don’t know for sure if what Tony says is true, but we don’t know how to go about finding out.” “Hm, these women are becoming such a pain in the ass,” Gage said with a smile. “But they are so sweet and precious.” “So what do we do?” asked Cedric. “I think you should introduce Olivia and Tony. Let them have some time together, get to know each other,” Ben stated, crossing his massive arms over his chest. “I understand what you’re saying, Alpha, but Olivia doesn’t even

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know us well, yet. She’s still very skittish around us. We haven’t had the time to spend with her and make her more comfortable,” Hugh stated. Cedric watched the three Alphas look at each other. They were obviously communicating using their own private telepathic mind link. He waited expectantly and with trepidation for their Alphas to speak. Finally, the three Alphas leaned back in their chairs, turning to the front of the table again. “We are giving you a week’s reprieve from your duties. You will spend that time with your mate. She needs to be at ease with the both of you. I am also giving Tony that week free from duties. He will also be spending time with your mate. I want you all here for the evening meal. The four of you will sit at that table, where we can see how your mate interacts with you all. If Tony believes your mate belongs to him as well, it will be apparent to you and us by meal’s end,” Gage stated with conviction, brooking no arguments. Cedric wasn’t very happy with Gage’s decree, but since he was an Alpha, he had no choice. “As you wish,” Cedric conceded. He and Hugh gave slight bows, turned, and left the dining room. What do you think, brother? Do you think Tony has a claim over our mate? Cedric asked. I’m not wanting to admit it, but from his reactions, I would say yes. But I won’t be agreeing to anything until I see how our mate and Tony interact. I’m hoping he has no claim over her at all. We’re having enough trouble wooing and taming our mate as it is. Our mate’s reaction to introducing another mate to her is going to be catastrophic. Well, we don’t have a choice. We’ll just have to deal with issues as they crop up. We are going to have to inform Tony that Olivia uses her mouth when she feels frightened or threatened. You know what a hardass he is. The last thing we want is him scaring our mate any more than he already has, Cedric mused. She’s going to freak. I know.

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**** Olivia crawled from April’s large bed where she had spent the day visiting baby Jade. She stood, preparing to leave, when persistent knocking on the double doors drew her attention. “Liv, can you see who that is? God, if Gage was here, he wouldn’t have let the second knock land. He’s so protective of Jade. It’s funny,” April muttered. “Jade’s not the only one he’s protective of,” Olivia threw over her shoulder, heading to the door. She opened the door, scowled when she saw who it was, and tried to slam the door in their faces. Hugh moved so fast he was a blur. He had the door out of her hand before she could blink. “Hey, what the fuck? You can’t come barging in here. It’s not even your room.” “We have orders to take you to the dining room for the evening meal. You are to dine with us, as well as Tony Kial, in the presence of our Alphas,” Hugh commanded. “Liv, what the hell have you been up to?” April called from across the room. “Nothing,” Olivia replied over her shoulder, puzzled. She swung her head back to Hugh, pinning him with her eyes. “Has this got anything to do with him changing and then chasing me?” “Did I hear you right? Tony changed to his beast and chased you?” April asked with indignation, rising from the bed with her hands on her hips. “Yeah. What’s up with that?” she asked. April stared at Olivia for a moment. Olivia could practically see the cogs turning in April’s mind. “Ah, Liv, did you happen to notice if his eyes were flicking from his normal eye color to gold?” “Yeah, what is with that?”

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“Oh, girlfriend, it looks like…” “April, what are you doing out of bed?” Ben called, hurrying into the room. “Oh, for God’s sake, Ben. I gave birth, I’m not sick. Women have been doing it since the dawn of time. I’m sick of you, Gage, and Saxon coddling me.” “Olivia, we must hurry to join the evening meal. We cannot dismiss a direct order from our Alphas,” Cedric stated, reaching for Olivia’s hand as Hugh took the other and led her from the room. Olivia dug her heels in, not wanting to have dinner in a room full of shape-shifting strangers. She had a sinking feeling in her gut. She just knew she wasn’t going to like whatever it was Cedric and Hugh were trying to hide from her. And from the scowls on their faces, they didn’t like it either. She was still mad at them, too. How did they think she would feel waking up after a wonderful night of sex, cold and alone? She was already full of self-doubt, and to find herself alone this morning was enough to give her low self-confidence another battering. “Please, Olivia. We cannot dismiss a direct order from our Alphas,” Cedric said gently as he looked down at her. “As if you care,” Olivia spat back. Cedric and Hugh stopped so suddenly, she nearly fell on her ass. “What do you mean by that?” Cedric asked, frowning at her. Olivia hadn’t meant to blurt that out. She’d become so adept at lashing out with her tongue when she was hurt or insecure, it had become natural. She lowered her eyes to the floor, giving a negligent shrug of her shoulders. “You will answer, mate,” Hugh commanded, raising her face up to them, using a firm but gentle thumb and finger to hold her head in place. Olivia could see by the steely determination in their eyes they weren’t going to let her get away without answering. She had nothing to lose anyway, as far as she was concerned. She was going to find a

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way to leave and get back home if it was the last thing she did. She didn’t belong in this world. “Well, you certainly didn’t hang around this morning,” Olivia spat belligerently. “We had duties to attend to. We didn’t want to leave you, sweetheart, we had to,” Cedric replied gently. “You thought we didn’t care for you after we claimed you last night?” Hugh asked incredulously. “How could you think we didn’t care for you? You’re our mate. We want to be at your side always, but we have duties we need to do. We have just been given a week free from our duties. We will be able to spend the next week by your side every minute of every day.” “Careful what you wish for,” Olivia muttered beneath her breath, seeing the irony of her contrary thoughts. She had spent so much time and put so much thought into trying to get away from them and keeping them at arm’s length, it had become a habit. Now, she was going to spend the next week in their presence and them in hers. “What did you say?” Cedric asked. “Nothing. We’d better get to the dining room before we upset the oh-so-exalted ones,” Olivia stated, walking away. Hugh took a few long strides, caught up with her, and placed his hands upon her shoulders. He turned her body around and tapped her on the ass. “Your sense of direction is terrible,” he said with a chuckle. “Why do you have to tease me? I can’t help it that I get lost,” Olivia said, lifting her chin and glaring at Hugh. “I am sorry, honey, maybe we should have maps with labels put in all the corridors for you, that way you may be able to find your way.” “Ha ha, very funny,” Olivia muttered, knowing full well it was true. They arrived in the dining room just as the evening meal was being served. Cedric and Hugh led Olivia to a table in front of the raised Alphas’ table. The man who had changed into his panther form

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was sitting at the table Hugh and Cedric stopped beside. He stood up, looking at her with a heated gaze. She could actually see him struggling to not pounce on her. She looked into his blue eyes and felt as if she was drowning in his heat. She shivered, goose bumps rising over her body. Her pussy began dripping juices, her nipples hardened, and her clit throbbed. What the fuck? “Olivia, this is our second-in-command, Tony Kial. Tony, our mate, Olivia Hammond,” Hugh snapped out. His voice was so deep she could feel it vibrating through her. “Olivia, it’s a pleasure,” Tony rumbled, taking her hand in his. Olivia stared at the tall, handsome man. What was wrong with her? She already had two men who had claimed her as their mate. Why was her body aroused by another man? One who had scared the shit out of her this very morning? Her hand trembled when he turned it over in his, exposing her palm. She couldn’t help the whimper of need that escaped from her when his rough tongue tickled across the sensitive skin of her hand. She couldn’t pull her eyes away from his heated stare. The man was huge. He had muscles on muscles. His legs were as big as tree trunks, and his arms were hanging out from his body, the muscles in his arms too big to allow them to be close to his side. And he was absolutely gorgeous. Her eyes were drawn to the cleft in his chin and the creases in his cheeks, as well as his full lush lips That is until his eyes began to change. They flickered from glowing gold to blue, making her scared. She jumped behind Cedric, gripping the waistband of his trousers, peeking out at the crazy man trying to stare at her. “Mate.” Olivia gasped as Tony pinned her with his heated stare, the hackles on the nape of her neck standing on end. Is he crazy? She already had two mates. Olivia had had enough of this bullshit. She stepped out from behind Cedric and stood at his side. “What the fuck? I am not your mate. So you can just go and sit with someone else,” Olivia spat, remembering her fear and anger

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from when he had chased after her in his animal form. She tried to stare the mountain of a man down. He glared at her, his eyes on fire with arousal, but there was also anger. The way he looked at her scared the crap out of her, and she hated being scared. “You are my mate. You will please, accept me?” Tony asked through clenched teeth. “Go fuck yourself,” she snapped at him then turned and walked toward the glass doors on the opposite side of the room. She didn’t get more than three steps away from the table. A humongous paw of a hand wrapped around her wrist and pulled her toward the man who had just declared she was his mate. She struggled halfheartedly but didn’t have a hope in hell of escaping him. Not that she really wanted to. Tony turned her on just as much as Cedric and Hugh did. She felt the yearning in her heart to be cherished and looked after by Tony as well. She just didn’t want to give in too easily. She had a reputation of being difficult to uphold, after all. “Let me go. My best friend is your queen. I’ll tell her to sic her mates on you,” Olivia said desperately, her muscles getting tired of fighting for her freedom. “Olivia, come here,” Gage called. Thinking she had April’s men on her side, she looked up into Tony’s eyes, poked her tongue out at him childishly, and stomped away when he released her hand. “Take a seat,” Gage commanded. Olivia saw that Gage was now standing beside the empty seat his mate usually sat in and pulled it back for her so she could sit. Olivia turned to Gage with a smile on her face, about to thank him for rescuing her. But her smile quickly turned to a frown of trepidation when she saw the serious expression on Gage’s face. “We are all grateful that you are here. April is much happier having someone she knows and loves in our home. We are thankful for you helping her through the birth of our daughter and the

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hormones she’s been dealing with. We would never place you in any harm. We would rip out the throat of anyone who hurt you, but do not lie to yourself, little one. You know just as much as Tony does that you are his mate also,” Gage stated gently. “I don’t care. I don’t want him.” Olivia looked at Gage. She hid her anguish and arousal from him as she stared. She did want Tony, but she wasn’t sure if she could cope with having three mates. “Why?” “He’s huge. He’s a head taller than Cedric and Hugh. He wouldn’t even have to try to hurt me. He could snap my neck between his fingers without any effort at all.” “You’re scared of him?” Gage asked. “No one would ever hurt you, Olivia. We treasure our women. Haven’t you noticed how few women we have?” “Well, yes, I had wondered, but I don’t care. I mean, I do, but I can’t have him. I don’t want him,” Olivia stated, her voice quavering. She looked over to where her mates and Tony were in deep discussion. She saw a surprised expression flit across Tony’s face, and then his eyes pinned her. She lowered her lashes, turned her head away, and looked back at Gage. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want you to decide now. Take some time to think things over. You are his mate and I want you to seriously think about accepting him before you deny him. You haven’t even taken the time to get to know him yet. How can you refute him as your mate? Please, Olivia. Please take some time to talk with Tony.” Gage’s steely voice brooked no argument. “Whatever you say, your highness,” Olivia replied disparagingly then rose and walked away. Instead of going back to the table where her mates were, she walked to the sliding glass doors and out into the gardens. There was no fucking way she was obeying a stranger. She was leaving.

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Chapter Nine Olivia made it to the large hammock then stopped and stood staring into the fish pond, her arms wrapped around her waist, her stance protective and defensive. She had nowhere else to go, and she’d already tried to run once. The thought of another shifter species trying to claim her as their mate was repugnant. She didn’t fit in. She’d never fit in anywhere, not even in her own home. She knew her mom loved her, had protected her when her mom’s latest boyfriend had tried to touch her, but she felt guilty. Her mom had been charged with assault. The bastard had pressed charges against her mother. Her mom had ended up in jail for three months, serving time for something any normal mom would do to protect her child. Olivia had never gotten over that. She and her brother had had to stay with her mom’s sister. Her aunt had resented having to look after her and her brother. She’d been young and single, and they had obviously cramped her style. Her Aunt Delia had blamed Olivia for her mom’s incarceration, calling her a little slut and tramp. Olivia had learned from her aunt how to protect herself using her tongue. She gave back as good as she got. When her mom had finally been released from prison, they’d had to find another place to live. Their previous apartment had been released, and her mom had never been the same. She was harder, tougher, not as in touch with her two children as she had been before her stint in prison. She’d tried to talk to her mom and apologize, but her mom had brushed her aside, saying she had nothing to apologize for. Their relationship had deteriorated in Olivia’s eyes. She felt like an outsider in her own home, not knowing

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which way to turn or how to fix things and get back to where they had been before. Olivia’s older brother had tried to make up for their mom’s lack of affection, but somehow, things had changed too much from what they had been. She’d carried around the guilt for years, using her mouth whenever she felt hurt or threatened. It was as natural to her as breathing now. She didn’t know how to change. Not sure if she even wanted to. Olivia slipped into the hammock, her stomach so tied in knots the thought of food made her feel ill. She closed her eyes, breathing in the warm, humid air and the scents of the flora blooming in the garden. She didn’t want to be under the control of any men. She liked her independence too much. The thought of another man trying to tell her what to do, controlling her, was so frightening. She gave in to the urge and wept. She didn’t make a sound, just let the tears leak from beneath her eyelids. She wanted to curl up and sleep. She wouldn’t have to deal with anything if she was asleep. Olivia squealed in fright as large hands scooped her up from the hammock. She opened her moisture-filled eyes and looked into Tony’s blue orbs. She pushed against his chest, a knot of fear forming in her stomach when he didn’t release her. “Put. Me. The. Fuck. Down. Now.” “Okay,” he said then released her. “But please listen to what I have to say.” Olivia squirmed on his lap. Even though she had asked him to let her go and he had, she didn’t really want to get up, so she stayed where she was. “I don’t want you,” Olivia said, reaching up to stroke her hand over his cheek in contradiction as she stared into the dark-blue eyes above her. “Yes you do,” Tony replied as he covered her hand with his. “What is it with you men? You’re all so arrogant and egotistical. It’s a wonder your heads aren’t dragging on the ground,” Olivia yelled, still pushing up and getting to her feet.

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He surprised her. Instead of biting back with a sharp command or comment, he threw his head back and laughed. She thumped him lightly in the arm, the deep cadence of his laugh and his dimples emerging enthralling her. She squirmed, her legs squeezing together, trying to relieve her aching clit as she pushed against his chest and shoulders in frustration. He looked down at her, a grin still on his face. “I can smell your desire and your actions contradict your words.” “You cannot! They do not!” “Oh, but I can, little one. Didn’t Cedric and Hugh tell you shifters have heightened senses?” Tony asked and reached out to pull her between his splayed thighs. He surprised her by giving her a quick hug and releasing her once more. “I don’t want to have sex with you,” Olivia stated quietly, cursing when she felt her eyes slide away from him with her lie. “Yes, you do. I like the way you feel in my arms. You’re as light as a feather,” Tony said and reached out to her again. He pulled her onto his lap and was pleased when she didn’t struggle. He held her against his massive chest. “I am not! Oh, shit, you have addled my brain.” Olivia groaned over her contrary statements. She knew she probably did feel quite light to him, since he was so big and strong. “Where are we going?” “I’m taking you back to the dining room. You need to eat,” Tony stated. “I’m not hungry,” Olivia replied, crossing her arms over her chest and pouting with petulance. “You are going to eat. You need to keep your strength up,” Tony said, easing sideways through the glass door. She realized Tony was being careful not to bump any part of her body on the frame and was silently thankful. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a bastard?” “No. I can’t say that they have,” Tony replied with a smile. Olivia was embarrassed from all the stares directed their way. She

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ducked her head and lowered her eyelashes. She absolutely abhorred being the center of attention. She was surprised again when Tony sat down at their table, keeping her on his lap instead of relinquishing her to her own seat. The big brute was going to have to learn she wasn’t a fragile flower needing to be carried around all over the place. “You’ve been crying? What did you do to her?” Hugh asked, glaring at Tony. “Oh, for crying out loud. Stop it. Just stop it. I’m not some toy you need to fight over. He didn’t do anything. I’m fine,” Olivia stated, glaring at Hugh when he deigned to look at her. “And I wasn’t crying. I got something in my eye. Can I please sit in my own seat?” she asked, tilting her head back onto Tony’s chest to see his face. He looked at her without speaking, sighed, picked her up, and gently placed her in the seat next to him. “Thank you.” Olivia sighed with relief. “You’re welcome, mate,” Tony replied with a grin. “How many times to I have to tell you…” “Do you think you’ll ever believe it?” Tony asked, a brow raised in query. “Humph, men,” Olivia muttered, looking away from Tony’s penetrating blue eyes. Olivia was thankful for the interruption as platters of food were laid out on the tables. She’d hoped the attention of the three men sitting with her would be drawn away. Her hope was futile. The three men sat staring at her, unblinking, making her squirm with vulnerability. “Do you have to keep doing that?” Olivia hissed through her teeth. “Doing what?” Hugh asked in confusion. “Staring at me. Have I got spinach in my teeth or something?” “What is spinach?” Tony asked, moving his chair closer to hers and placing one of his massive arms on the back of her chair. “Never mind,” Olivia ground out, sighing and relaxing as Hugh

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removed his arm. Tony picked up a serving utensil and began to fill her plate with food. Olivia knew she must look ludicrous. She could feel her mouth gaping at the amount of food he put on her plate. “Stop. Do you really think one person could eat all that?” she asked, stupefied. “Easily,” Tony replied then began to place an even larger amount of food on his own plate. Olivia picked up her heaped plate, stood, leaned over the table, and picked up Hugh’s empty plate. “Excuse my bad manners, leaning over the table, but there is no way in hell I could ever eat that much food at once. Maybe over three to four meals, but not at once.” “No wonder you’re so small. You don’t eat enough,” Tony replied and tried to put food on her empty plate. Olivia snatched her plate out of the way. She was going to serve her own food. “Stop it. Please. I can get my own food.” She heard Tony sigh but was thankful when he gave up trying to ply her plate with food. Olivia served her own food and began to eat. She had no idea what she was eating and wasn’t really sure she wanted to find out. The meal was delicious, and once she began, she didn’t attempt to speak again until she had finished. She watched surreptitiously as the three men ate. They had each mounded their plates high enough to feed a veritable army. She couldn’t believe the amount they packed away. “Do you always eat like that?” Olivia asked, placing her utensils on her plate. “Like what?” Tony asked after swallowing. “The amount?” Olivia asked then realized she was being rude. She lowered her eyes and mumbled, “Sorry. Forget I asked.” Olivia saw Tony reach over to her from beneath her lowered lashes. He placed a gentle finger beneath her chin, raising her eyes to his.

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“You can ask anything you want, little one. You are our mate. It’s only natural you want to find out about us,” Tony stated. “Olivia, we want you to ask us questions,” Cedric stated. “The only way for this relationship to work is for all of us to be open and honest with each other.” “You’ve got to open up to us, honey. Stop trying to hide parts of yourself away from us. You think we don’t know you use that sharp tongue of yours when you’re scared?” Hugh stared intently at her until she lowered her eyes. Shit. How the hell did they know that already? She didn’t want them knowing so much about her. It was the only way she could protect herself from being hurt again. And she knew it was as inevitable as the sun rising. She would end up with her heart broken, her soul ripped out of her. It had happened time and time again. She didn’t think she could stand the pain when they decided she wasn’t what they were looking for. “Olivia, look at me,” Cedric commanded. Olivia didn’t want to raise her gaze but couldn’t help obeying the command in Cedric’s voice. She looked up at his eyes, drawn into his depths, as they pinned and held her. “You can fight us all you want to and we would never take from you what you are not willing to give. But we know you have feelings for us, Olivia. We can see them in your eyes when you look at us. You can’t fight fate, sweetheart. As much as you want to, you can’t fight it. You can’t run from your feelings, Olivia,” Cedric said in a gentle voice. Olivia lowered her eyes, not wanting to be caught in Cedric’s assertive gaze anymore. She didn’t know what to do. She had already given Cedric and Hugh her body, and she knew damn well she had feelings for Tony. She didn’t really want him to back off. She wanted him to take the choice away for her and claim her, but she knew he wouldn’t do that. She tried to imagine how she would feel if he was no longer in her life, trying to woo her into his bed. She felt pain

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pierce her heart, and she knew she had only been trying to fool herself. She didn’t know if she could hold them off for long. Not that she really wanted to. They were already chipping away at the protective walls around her heart. She’d already shared parts of herself she vowed she’d only ever share with April. And even though she’d told April some things, she now wished she hadn’t told her friend everything. In the end, she was the one who always ended up on the short end of the stick. She was the one who was always abandoned, left to pick up the pieces of her battered, broken heart and soul. Olivia pushed her plate aside, stood to her feet, and moved away from the table before they could stop her. “I’m going to get some air. I’d appreciate it if you would leave me alone for a while.”

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Chapter Ten Olivia knew she probably should have stayed and cut down the three men with her tongue, but she was tired of fighting. As much as she didn’t want them chipping away at the walls she’d built up, she knew she had feelings for them and wanted to be able to express what she felt, instead of being such a bitch. She was so tired of fighting and keeping her mates at arm’s length. She wanted to feel loved and cherished. They treated her so well, and she had been so nasty in return. Yes, she now had April again and knew she would be lost without her best friend, but she knew even her and April held themselves back from each other. Being the good friends they were, she and April used humor and satire to bolster each other. She’d never realized how much until she was totally out of her comfort zone. Finding herself in a strange land with strange people made her feel so vulnerable and insecure. She had never realized she was such a coward. She kept trying to run instead of making a stand like she had with her recalcitrant aunt. It had become a habit to run or let her waspish tongue take over, and she didn’t know if she could let go. She needed to decide what she really wanted, but if she was honest with herself, she already knew what to do to free herself from her selfimposed prison. Olivia stiffened, feeling a male presence behind her. She didn’t turn around, too afraid to see the knowledge of her cowardice in their eyes. She wrapped her arms around her waist, hugging herself defensively and protectively. She straightened when she realized how her body language portrayed her emotions. “Olivia, why don’t you come back to our rooms? It’s getting late,

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little one.” Tony’s deep voice rumbled from behind her. “I just need a few minutes alone. I thought I’d already made it clear I wanted to be left in peace.” Olivia spun round, sneering at Tony. “You can’t stay out here all night, baby. It’s not safe and you’ll get cold. Let us look after you, Olivia.” “I don’t want to. I don’t want you. I don’t want them. I want to be left alone,” Olivia yelled in desperation. “You’re lying to yourself, Olivia. You want me as much as you want Cedric and Hugh. You can deny it all you want, but your body doesn’t lie, babe.” He reached out, gently clasping her upper arms in his massive hands. He pulled her into his body, holding her against his stomach and chest. “I can’t do this,” Olivia sobbed, tears leaking from beneath her closed eyelids. “I don’t know how.” “Do you think we do? We never even imagined we would be lucky enough to have a woman of our own. We know about sex, but we have no idea about love, relationships. We’re all in the same boat, babe. We are going to have to learn as we go along, but the only way we can make this right between the four of us is if you talk to us. We need you to tell us what you’re thinking, what you’re feeling. We also need time to get to know each other. I’ve worked with Cedric and Hugh for years, but I’ve never seen this softer side of them. We are all going to be learning together, baby. We want to know if something we do or say angers you. We don’t want you hiding from us. If you do, how we will ever learn? How will our relationship survive?” Olivia rested her head against the bottom of Tony’s sternum, since her head only reached just below his pectoral muscles. He was such a big man. Who would have believed he would be so gentle with her? What he’d said was true. She knew she was going to have to learn to open up, or they were all doomed. But they all had to learn that the fastest way to piss her off was to tell her what to do. They were all going to need to comprise.

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Olivia stepped back a couple of steps so she could look up into Tony’s eyes. “I’ll try to be more open and honest, but I’m not promising anything. I’ve lived like this for years, it’s who I am. I’m not going to be able to change overnight.” “I understand that, baby, and so do Cedric and Hugh. We’re all in this together, all learning from and about each other. We know that doesn’t happen overnight. It can sometimes take years and years for people to fully understand each other. Come on, let’s go inside?” Tony asked, holding out one of his large hands to her. Olivia took a deep breath, stepped forward, and placed her hand into his. His large hand engulfed hers, making her feel so small and lost, but also very feminine. She walked by his side, surprised she was able to keep up with him. She looked over to his long legs, realizing he was practically shuffling his feet. A giggle bubbled up from her chest. She covered her mouth with her free hand and looked away quickly, hoping Tony hadn’t noticed. She should have known better. “What’s so funny?” The question made her burst out with laughter. She just couldn’t contain her humor anymore. She let go of Tony’s hand and doubled over clutching her stomach, tears rolling down her face, her breath nearly nonexistent in her bout of hysterics. Finally her laughter dissipated enough for her to stand upright. She wiped the tears from her face, still smiling as she met Tony’s amused gaze. “So are you going to tell me?” he asked her, his deep rumbling voice sending shivers down her spine. “I’m sorry,” Olivia began, waving her hand toward his long, muscular legs. “You’re so tall, and I was keeping up with you. You shuffling just looked weird. Funny weird, of course.” “Why, you little minx…” Tony started to reply, lunging toward her. The look in his eyes frightened her, and she backed away slowly until she came up against the hallway wall. “Olivia, look at me,” Tony demanded. “Do I look angry to you?”

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“I don’t know. I don’t really know you.” “Baby, I concede we’re still getting to know each other. Just remember, I will never, ever hurt you. I was only going to tease you, like you were me. Please don’t ever be afraid of me,” Tony reiterated. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it. I just react without thinking. You know? I didn’t mean to hurt or anger you,” she said, her eyes sliding from his. “Baby, I’m only feeling hurt because you’re afraid of me. You didn’t anger me. Come here, Olivia,” he said, holding his arms out and open to her. Olivia bit her lip, looking at his massive, muscular arms and chest. Then she lifted her eyes to his and saw only patience and tenderness. She took one step forward, and then another and another, until his arms wrapped around her body. She leaned into him, inhaling his clean, masculine scent. She felt as if she was loved for the first time in her life, and she hadn’t even been claimed by Tony yet. Why didn’t she feel like that with Cedric and Hugh? They had already claimed her, but all she felt was as if she was a convenient body for them to spend themselves in. This big, gentle giant had done more for her in the short hours she’d known him than anyone had ever done in her whole life. Olivia felt Tony flex his large arms and move them beneath her ass, and then she was being lifted up and up and up. She opened her eyes and found herself face-to-face with the tall, gentle man. She stared into his eyes as he slowly lowered his head to hers. His soft lips gliding across hers in a gentle, loving caress made her heart clutch, her stomach melt, and her pussy throb and weep. Olivia moaned when Tony’s tongue slid over her lips, requesting permission to enter her mouth. She couldn’t have stopped him if she wanted to. He oozed masculinity, testosterone, and sex. He was Hercules, Adonis, and Eros, all rolled into one being. She opened up to him, his taste exploding in her mouth. She couldn’t get enough of him. She moved her tongue along his, the rumbling moan he made

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vibrating from his chest, sliding over her nipples, making them peak. When she felt one of his massive hands cup the back of her head, holding her to him, she went wild. Olivia swirled her tongue around and over Tony’s, his flavor seeping into her pores to be forever entrenched within her mind, body, and soul. She felt the walls around her heart shatter into a million tiny fragments. She wrapped her legs around his waist, rubbing her mound on his naked torso. She had no idea what she was doing, she just needed more. She needed to be closer to him. He was the air that filled her lungs with life-giving oxygen, and she would never get enough. The noises she could hear were coming from her own throat and mouth. She was like an animal in heat. Olivia angled her head in the opposite direction to Tony to deepen the kiss, wanting, needing more depth, more touch, more taste, so much more. She dug her nails into the muscles of his massive shoulders, rocking her hips, sliding her hot, wet pussy against his stomach. She growled when Tony pulled his mouth from hers, staring at her like a starving man, his breathing as rapid as her own. She turned her head when she caught movement in her peripheral vision. She hid her face in Tony’s neck when she saw the back of one of the many warriors of the panther clan. She groaned at her behavior, so inappropriate in a corridor in the massive, palatial mansion. She knew she wouldn’t have stopped and thanked God Tony had called a halt to her ebullience. Olivia had never been so uninhibited before. She was embarrassed, ashamed of her behavior. She didn’t want to look at Tony and see the condemnation in his eyes but knew she couldn’t hide forever. “Look at me, baby,” Tony commanded. Olivia didn’t speak, just shook her head, her forehead rolling over the skin of his chest with her negative action. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, Olivia. It’s natural for mates to lose control with each other.” Then he began to walk the length of

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the hallway, with her still safely ensconced in his arms. “I’m not like that with Hugh and Cedric,” Olivia said against Tony’s neck. “At least, not to that extent.” “We’re going to have to change that. Even though you’re mated to them, they haven’t had the chance to bond with you yet. Their duties have kept them too busy. “But…” Olivia began then stopped. “But what, baby?” “We haven’t even mated yet. Why am I like this with you when we’ve only just met?” “I think we’ve connected on a deeper level already. Have Cedric and Hugh taken the time to talk to you much?” “Well, yeah, we talk, and I’ve told them things I’ve never told anyone else.” She lifted her head and gazed at Tony’s face. “Did they force you to mate with them?” he asked with a frown. “What? No. Of course they didn’t.” “Then it has to be a combination of events. You’ve been holding yourself back with them and they haven’t exactly taken the time to talk with you properly. You’ve been more open with me. Why?” “I don’t know. I just…I feel more comfortable with you for some reason. I can’t explain it, which doesn’t make sense after you scared the shit out of me. You’re so much taller and more muscular than they are. You’d think I’d be more scared of you, wouldn’t you?” Olivia asked, discombobulated. “Don’t worry so much, baby. We’ll work it out in the end. Everything will fall into place. We’ll try to be patient with you, and you have to try and be more open with us. Okay?” “As I said before, I’ll try.” “That’s all we can ask for, babe.” Tony leaned down, kissing her on the forehead, his long legs eating up the distance in the extensive corridors.

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Chapter Eleven Olivia hid her face in Tony’s shoulder once more as he strode through the door to the bedroom she shared with Cedric and Hugh. “Is she all right?” Cedric asked. “What’s wrong?” Hugh asked at the same time. “Nothing’s wrong. I can get us here faster if I carry Olivia. That way I’m not shuffling,” Tony stated with a smile. Are you sure she’s all right? Cedric asked Tony telepathically. She’s perfect, Tony replied with a grin, striding over to the large bed and sitting on the edge. “Olivia and I have had a small talk. She will try to be more open and honest with us, if we try not to boss her around too much. She knows as much as we do that our relationship needs to have more communication. She will try to let us know when we anger or upset her. Isn’t that right, baby?” Tony asked, kissing the top of her head. Olivia lifted her head and looked at Tony then over to Cedric and Hugh. “Yes, I’ll try to be more open and talk to you, but you have to be patient with me. I’m not going to change the habits of a lifetime overnight.” You’ve done more with her in a day than we have been able to in the twenty four hours we’ve been mated. We can’t thank you enough, Tony, Cedric said. Olivia was watching them, her eyes narrowed to slits as Cedric and Tony looked at each other and smiled. “Are you…No, it’s not possible. Stupid question,” Olivia muttered. “Ask what you were going to, sweetheart,” Cedric encouraged. “Are you able to talk to each other using your minds?” she asked,

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biting her lip, waiting to be berated for such a stupid question. “Yes, we can, honey. I’m sorry. We thought you already knew. We weren’t trying to hide that ability from you,” Hugh said, moving to her and Tony’s side as Cedric moved to the other. “Well, that’s just not fair,” Olivia stated with a pout. “What’s not fair, baby?” Tony asked. “You can talk about me without me ever knowing,” she stated. “Does the fact we can really disconcert you that much, honey?” Hugh asked, rubbing a hand up and down her thigh. “No. I was just teasing,” Olivia stated shyly, lowering her eyes. She raised her eyes and looked from one male to the other. She could see the heat in their eyes, most especially in Tony’s since they hadn’t yet mated. But she could also see the trepidation in Hugh’s and Cedric’s gazes. She could tell from the looks on their faces they were afraid to make a move toward her, in case they upset her. That fact made her realize Tony had been right earlier. She’d been the one holding back. She was going to have to make the first move toward them. They were too afraid of alarming her. Olivia reached out for them, clasping their hands in hers as Tony held her on his lap. “I’m sorry I’ve been so difficult. I’ll try to do better.” “Oh, sweetheart, the blame for the way things are between us doesn’t just rest at your feet. We’ve been so busy with our duties we’ve hardly had any time for you. We can spend the next week getting to know you since we have been relieved from our duties. We want to spend time with you, Olivia. I’m sorry we haven’t been able to. I’m sorry if we have treated you with anything less than respect and for frightening you. It was never our intention, Olivia. We’ve never had the chance to interact with many females and we had no idea what we were doing. I know we are arrogant and dominant but we would never hurt you. Please, forgive us Olivia?” Cedric apologized. Olivia squeezed both their hands, letting them know she

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understood. Her eyes slid back to meet Tony’s, the heat in them turning her insides to warm molten lava. She fell into the depth of his soul and couldn’t pull herself out. Not that she really wanted to. She watched as he lowered his head down to her, her breath hitching in anticipation of his warm, moist, silky lips touching hers. She leaned up, meeting him halfway, her eyes closing as his decadent mouth touched hers. Olivia couldn’t prevent the whimper from escaping her mouth as Tony’s tongue slid in between her lips. She felt herself trembling, anticipating him sliding into her wet body. She wrapped her tongue around his, leaning into his big body even more. She felt his muscular arms beneath her ass, lifting her up to his height. She wrapped her legs around his waist, let go of Cedric’s and Hugh’s hands, and wrapped her arms around his neck. His cool, silky, shoulder-length brown hair slid against the sensitive skin of her arms, and shivers raced up and down her spine. She wanted to crawl beneath his skin and stay there forever. She never wanted to let go. Olivia felt another pair of hands against the small of her back. She arched into the touch, wanting, needing more of the pleasure she knew her mates could give her. She began to rock her hips against Tony’s flat abdomen, delighting in the friction of his skin sliding against her wet body. She groaned with frustration when Tony began to wean his mouth from hers, winding their kiss back until they were sipping at each other’s lips. She clung to him as Tony stood, turned until he was facing the bed, and began to lower her to the mattress. She let her legs fall from around his waist and pulled her arms from around his neck. Her three men were looking at her with such heated desire she felt the flames licking all over her body. She watched as Cedric and Hugh shucked their hide trousers and boots until they stood before her naked. They climbed onto the bed on either side of her, their hands reaching for her clothes. Olivia arched her hips up, helping Cedric by letting him pull her skirt from her body unhampered. She mewled in the back of her throat

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as Hugh kneaded her breasts then pulled her top up and over her head. She closed her eyes as he sucked a nipple into his mouth while Cedric kissed his way up her legs. They played her body, making the flames burn higher, brighter than they had ever burned before. She felt like a pool of liquid, molten lava and couldn’t prevent her hips from rocking, trying to get them to touch her pussy and aching clit, begging them to touch her. She sobbed out her pleasure then frustration as Cedric gave a lick of his tongue from the top of her slit down to her ass then moved away. She opened her eyes to question him, but Tony’s voice prevented her from speaking. “Baby, look at me.” Olivia slid her gaze to the bottom of the bed where Tony stood watching her. The muscles in his arms, shoulders, and torso rippled as he reached for the fastening on his trousers. She gulped nervously, watching as he slowly revealed the massive bulge that had been hidden from her view. She stared, swallowed again, blinked, and stared some more. No way! She gasped with trepidation as she stared at his large cock. She was about to push away from him, but Tony’s deep, calm voice penetrated her anxiety. “Olivia, stop. Have I hurt you in any way? Have I harmed you at all?” Tony asked in a gentle voice. “Your body was made for mine, baby. Please don’t be scared of me.” “You’re too big. There is no fucking way that will fit in my body without ripping me apart.” “I’ll stop if you tell me I’m hurting you, but please don’t turn me away. I’ll go slow, I promise,” Tony said, crawling onto the bed between her thighs. Olivia watched Tony crawl up between her thighs, gently pushing them apart until he was on his knees looking down at the exposed folds of her sex. She saw him inhale, and he closed his eyes. She could still see the massive appendage between his thighs bobbing up and down with his heartbeat. He opened his eyes and kept them on her as he shifted his big body, leaned down, and licked her from ass to

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clit. She moaned and bucked her hips involuntarily as his rough tongue slid through her slick folds. She felt vulnerable and couldn’t stand the intimacy of his eyes watching her as he gave her pleasure. It was just too much. She closed her eyes and moaned again as he gave her another swipe with his tongue. “Olivia, open your eyes. Look at me, baby,” Tony demanded. “I can’t. It’s too much.” “Open your eyes, damn it.” Tony’s deep voiced boomed out his command. Olivia couldn’t resist. She tried to ignore him but found herself opening her eyes. “I want you to watch me pleasure you. Keep your eyes open,” Tony stated, lowering his head once more. Olivia couldn’t remove her eyes from Tony’s once he started licking her again. The depth of emotion she could see in his eyes kept her trapped. He lowered his head slowly, keeping her eyes pinned inescapably with his. She sobbed with pleasure at the first lick of his tongue. She couldn’t help the instinctual arching of her hips, seeking further pleasure from the contact of his coarse feline appendage. She closed her eyes, relishing his rough tongue rasping through and over her slick folds. He stopped. “Keep your eyes open and on me, baby. Every time you close your eyes or look away, I’ll stop,” Tony stated through clenched teeth. Olivia sucked in a breath and opened her eyes. She couldn’t help the whimper escaping her mouth as Hugh and Cedric used their teeth to nibble on her turgid nipples. Her eyelids flickered, and then she glanced down her body, looking into Tony’s eyes. He held her with his gaze and once more lowered his head. He devoured her. He opened his mouth wide over her wet pussy and sucked as much of her flesh into his mouth as he could. Olivia pushed her head back into the pillows, arched her hips, and screamed. Her legs trembled, her lower abdomen contracting as wave after wave of euphoric bliss swept over her body. She saw stars form and wondered if she had her eyes open

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or closed. Her body eventually calmed, her muscles limp, her body spent of energy. Olivia’s eyes focused once more and met Tony’s, the feral, carnal smile on his lips causing her to suck in another gulp of air. He grasped her hips, moved his body closer to hers, and began to penetrate her body. The burning of her wet flesh being separated by such a monstersized cock was almost too much for her to comprehend. She tried to move her hips back away from the relentless burn, but Tony held her firm. She became aware of Hugh and Cedric crooning to her, soothing her, but also igniting her desire. “Breathe deeply, honey, let him get that big cock in you. Tony’s going to make you feel so good.” Hugh’s hot breath whispered across her ear. “It’s too much,” Olivia whimpered. “Easy, sweetheart. Tony won’t hurt you. Relax, Olivia, let Tony fuck your pretty little cunt,” Cedric crooned. “Oh God. It hurts,” Olivia moaned, her head beginning to thrash on the pillow. “Easy, baby. I’m nearly there. Goddess, your cunt is so hot, wet, and tight.” Tony growled. Olivia stiffened as the head of Tony’s cock pushed through her tight muscles, her flesh stretching to accommodate his wide girth. “Shh, baby. The worst part is over. Lay back and relax. I promise to make you feel good.” Tony panted, sweat rolling down his face from his forehead. Olivia moaned as Tony began to push forward once more. The burning pain had eased, and now all she felt were her nerve endings sparking as his large cock slid along the walls of her pussy. Her whole body was trembling, but her three mates held her in place, not letting her move away. As the pleasure increased, Tony began to rock his hips forward and back in slow, gentle thrusts. The pleasure was so exquisite it was almost unbearable. She could feel him forging his way deeper and deeper into her body with every pump of his hips.

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The tension in her lower belly began to gather. It was so intense she began to fight it. She could feel it coming. It was huge, and she didn’t know if she would survive it. Olivia whimpered when she felt Tony’s balls flush against her ass. Her whole body was one big mass of pleasurable nerve endings. She shook uncontrollably, and knew the only reason she didn’t fall from the bed, was because her three mates were holding her steady. Her eyes focused once more, and the volcanic hunger she saw in Tony’s eyes was nearly enough to send her over the edge. “Fuck, baby. You are so sexy. You’ve taken all of me. No one’s ever done that before. You can fight it all you want, but you’re going over with me. Keep her steady,” Tony commanded then pulled his hips back. Olivia couldn’t help but watch the tortured expressions flit over Tony’s face. If she hadn’t known better, she would have thought he was in pain. The slide and glide of his massive cock inside her body, massaging her internal walls, every ridge and vein enhancing her pleasure, was too much. She threw her head back, closed her eyes, and screamed. Her cunt clamping and releasing around his hard flesh compounded her pleasure as he pumped in and out of her. She came so hard the muscles in her lower abdomen cramped and wouldn’t let go. All the while, he pumped in and out of her, harder, faster, and deeper. Her orgasm wouldn’t let up. She came and came and came. Her own voice began to sound hoarse even to her own ears. She felt liquid gush out of her pussy, coating herself and Tony with her cum. Tony bent over her body, his hips still pumping, and bit her. His canine teeth punctured the flesh of her shoulder as he claimed her. She heard him growl his release against her skin as he sent her into orgasmic bliss once more. Her body couldn’t bear any more pleasure. It was too much. She slumped down on the bed, her vision dimming as she fainted. ****

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Olivia became aware of her body draped over the lap of a large male body. Numerous hands were washing and massaging her with soothing gentleness. She opened her eyes and sighed as three worried faces looked down at her. She smiled, stretching her tired, aching muscles, groaning as the inside of her thighs pulled tight. “How are you feeling, baby?” Tony asked with concern. “Tired, but good.” “Did I hurt you?” “No.” “Goddess, you had us worried. When you passed out as I claimed you, I thought I had hurt you,” Tony stated, gathering her close against his body. “No. You didn’t hurt me,” Olivia reiterated, her hand cupping the side of Tony’s face. “It was too much. I’ve never experienced so much pleasure before. I think my body short-circuited with the overload.” “Goddess, you’re so sweet. I would never, ever want to be the cause of you feeling pain. I sort of lost it in the end. When I bit you and knotted inside you, I touched the spirit world. I have never felt anything like that before, baby,” Tony said, kissing her neck. “Me neither,” Olivia replied then lifted her face to Hugh and Cedric. “I’m sorry, that doesn’t mean you gave me any less,” Olivia said, biting her lip, hoping she hadn’t insulted her other two mates. “It’s all right, Olivia. We know what you mean. I can’t believe you took all of his cock inside you. We were scared he was going to rip you in two,” Cedric said as he glared at Tony. “Me, too,” Olivia replied with a sigh then gave a grin. “But I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Olivia watched as her three mates laughed, the tension easing from their muscles. It looked as if everything was going to be all right in her world for once. She should have known better.

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Chapter Twelve Olivia and her mates had spent a wonderful week getting to know each other. She would have equated that week to a decadent honeymoon spent on a tropical island, without the beach, of course. The only water she’d seen was in the garden. She knew there had to be rivers and maybe even beaches but hadn’t gotten around to asking. She was spending her days with April and baby Jade now that her mates had returned to their duties. She was happy with her three mates, but she needed more. She was used to working, being independent, and to find herself idle just didn’t sit well. She was back to snapping at her mates but hadn’t gotten around to explaining to them she needed something to occupy her time. When she wasn’t with April and Jade, she found herself wandering the expansive gardens. She even began to maintain the garden to prevent boredom from sending her into depression. Olivia sighed, sitting back on her haunches as she pulled another weed from the surrounding garden near the tranquil pond. As much as she loved April and Jade, she couldn’t spend all her time with her friend and her new baby. She needed to find her own niche in this new world but had no idea what she wanted to do, or even how to go about getting what she wanted once she had decided. Maybe she should offer a hand in the kitchens. She had always loved to cook but had never really bothered much for herself. Sure, she’d often cooked for her brother, but even cooking for just two didn’t seem worth the effort. And then there was the chance she would be stepping on someone else’s toes if she asked to help out in the kitchen. She just didn’t feel as if she fit into this new world besides in the bedroom.

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She needed so much more. She needed to feel wanted, needed, besides in bed with her mates. Olivia felt the hair at her nape rise. She sensed she was being watched. She looked about but couldn’t see anyone. Now she was becoming paranoid. She rose to her feet, sauntered over to the large hammock, and slid onto the soft, stretchy material. She let the gentle sway of the hammock soothe her, closing her eyes as she breathed in the scents of the blooming flowers and clean, humid air. She let her mind drift, grasping on to then tossing away things she might want to do. She didn’t even hear footsteps approach. A shadow alerted her to a presence, as the sun’s rays were blocked from her body. Her eyes flew open, but she didn’t get the chance to scream. A large male hand clamped down over her nose and mouth, effectively blocking any noise from escaping. She looked up to see eyes so dark they were black staring at her with lecherous intent. Olivia struggled against the man’s hold, but her efforts seemed to be totally ineffectual. She scratched and clawed with all her might, but he was too big, too strong. He had her body clamped to his great chest, both her arms pinned at her sides as he wrapped a large, muscular arm around her. She fought like a wild woman, using her feet, knees, anything she could, to try and escape his hold. It was totally useless. He was too strong. Spots formed before her eyes, lack of oxygen making her feel faint because he was still covering her mouth and nose. Her struggles became pitiful until finally she passed out. **** Olivia came to slung over a massive shoulder. She was being carried through the humid forest by a strange male. She was so scared and had no idea why she’d been kidnapped. He must have felt her awaken, because all of a sudden her world turned upside down and then she was placed on her feet. She backed away from the man as

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she stared into his pale blue eyes. “Who are you? What do you want?” Olivia demanded, still backing away slowly. “I want you. You’re very lovely,” the strange male replied. Olivia felt shivers of fear work up and down her spine. There was something not quite right about this man. He was staring at her, but his expression was totally blank. No emotion whatsoever showed on his face. He gave her the creeps. “You can’t have me. I’m already mated.” “I can have you. I already have you,” the man said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Please, just leave me here. My mates will come for me. I don’t want you to be harmed when they do,” Olivia lied, hoping to reason with the strange man. “I won’t be harmed. They will.” He growled, his eyes flickering from blue to gold. Oh, fuck. He was a shifter, too. She was in deep shit. Olivia prayed to God. She hoped whatever animal the strange male before her was, wasn’t of the large lion species. She’d had enough of those vying for her attention already. She had no idea what to do, nowhere to go. She was lost in an unfamiliar world with a stranger. The only place she had to go was up. Olivia stumbled over a thick branch but kept her feet beneath her. Her back thumped against the rough bark of a large tree trunk. No one knew where she was. She only had herself to rely on. She had to keep this beast-man calm until she could get her panicked brain in order. She needed to keep her wits about her and use anything and everything she could to escape. Maybe, just maybe, if she kept him talking, he would relax, back off, and become complacent. “What are you?” Olivia asked, relaxing her muscles, preparing for battle. “I am a bear-shifter.” “Why did you take me?” Olivia asked.

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“You are a beautiful woman. What is your name?” “Olivia. Why did you take me?” she asked again, trying not to become too forceful. “Because you were there, alone. You are so pretty to look at,” he said, taking a step closer. “Please, I’ve done nothing to warrant this. Can’t you let me go?” Olivia asked, trying to reason with him. “No. I don’t think I will. I am tired of being alone.” “Don’t you have any family? What is your name?” Olivia asked again. “My name is Bradford. My family has all died. Bear-shifters do not convene with others of their own kind unless it’s their own immediate family. My parents died of an unknown disease years ago. My sister died giving birth to her first cub. Her mate killed himself, unable or unwilling to live without her. I have been wandering the forest for many days and nights. I caught your scent on the air and followed it. Once I saw you, I knew I had to have you.” “But I’m already mated. Bradford, I’m sorry for the loss of your family, but you can’t go around kidnapping women just because you’re lonely. It’s not right.” “You are not a shifter. Where are you from?” Bradford asked, still staring intently. “I am from Earth. I don’t know how I got here, but here I am. My friend April arrived here on Terra-form twelve months ago. She is mated to the Alphas of the panther clan and Ben Koku. As far as we can figure out, she and I have traveled to an alternate plane of our Planet Earth,” Olivia summarized, breathing a little easier as Bradford’s stance began to relax and become less predatory. “No one from your Earth can shift?” asked Bradford. “Not that we’re aware of. There are lots of myths, legends, and stories regarding shape-shifters, vampires, and such, but there has never been any evidence to prove their existence. But who knows? Maybe some of the shifters from this planet have made the crossover

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from Terra-form to the Earth realm,” Olivia said. “Hm. How many females are on your planet Earth?” “Too many to count. The female population is higher than males, last time I heard.” “There are many unattached females on your Earth?” Bradford asked with avid interest. “Yes.” “Tell me how you got here to Terra-form, and maybe I will think about letting you go.” Olivia spent the next fifteen to twenty minutes telling Bradford about her experience when she had traveled from one plane of Earth to the next. Bradford asked her so many questions, prying every little bit of information out of her. She was beginning to get a headache. She couldn’t stop the yawn that formed but covered her mouth quickly, not wanting to anger him by making him think she was bored. Even though she was. The last thing she needed was for him to sling her over his shoulder and take off with her again. The longer they stayed still, the more chance her mates would have of catching up with them and rescuing her. She hoped they didn’t think she’d tried to run again. “Can you remember where you converged on Terra-form?” Bradford asked, his stance aggressive. His hips were thrust forward, his arms crossed over his chest. She hoped he wasn’t going to come on to her again. He seemed to have his beast under control once he’d listened to her explain her arrival and asked her in-depth questions. She had no idea what had calmed him, but as long as he kept himself under control, she didn’t really care. “Uh, well, I wish I could, but my sense of direction is terrible,” Olivia answered, nervously shifting from foot to foot. Olivia’s eyed him with trepidation when Bradford stalked toward her. He reached out, grasped a handful of her hair, and tilted her head back so she was looking at him. “If you’re lying, I will not be happy, and if I find out you are

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lying, you won’t like the consequences either.” Bradford growled. “I’m not. I promise. I get lost in that mansion of a place all the time. Ask anyone,” Olivia wailed. “Now that would be a bit difficult, since there is no one around to ask. Don’t think I won’t find out, though. I always find out the truth.” “I. Am. Not. Lying,” Olivia said through clenched teeth. Now she was getting downright pissed off. No one questioned her, especially a stranger who had had the gall to kidnap her. “Back off, you bastard.” “Hm, so much indignation. Do your mates know how to deal with you?” “What? Fuck you. Let me go,” Olivia commanded. She was surprised when Bradford released the hold on her hair. The move was so unexpected she stumbled and fell on her ass. She stared at Bradford warily, getting to her feet as she dusted off her butt. “I’ve had enough of your macho shit. I’m leaving,” Olivia stated then turned and stomped away. Bradford’s laughter halted her in her tracks. She looked back over her shoulder and scowled at him. “What the fuck is so funny?” “You’ve just proved your statement correct. You’re going the wrong way.” “Fuck you.” Olivia scowled. She just turned her head back to the front and kept walking. She didn’t care where she ended up, as long as it was away from this asshole. Olivia screamed as her world turned upside down. She landed over a broad, hard shoulder with a loud oomph. It took her several moments to get her breath back, and when she did she screamed at the top of her lungs, pounding on Bradford’s back for all she was worth. What pissed her off more was the fact he didn’t even seem to notice her struggles.

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Chapter Thirteen “Where the fuck is she?” Cedric roared, his beast trying to take over. “The last time she was seen, she was in the garden. Let’s see if we can get her scent. You don’t think she tried to run again, do you?” Hugh asked. “No, she’s been taken. Come over here. Her scent is strongest at the hammock, but it’s intermingled with an unfamiliar scent.” Tony growled. Cedric felt the hair on his nape stand on end as Tony struggled with his beast. He sniffed around the area, breathing in their mate’s scent. The distinctive aroma of an unfamiliar male made him growl and hiss along with Tony. “Bear,” Cedric managed to spit out before his beast took over. He let his animal have control and saw his brother and friend change forms as well. He bounded off through the gardens and into the forest as he followed their mate’s and the strange bear’s scents. He felt his muscles ripple as he ran faster and harder than he ever had before. Three furious, raucous roars echoed throughout the forest. Cedric and his brother and friend were calling for backup and he knew they wouldn’t have to ask for help twice. They were hunting, and no one was going to get in the way of getting their mate back. **** “Hey, where are we? This place looks familiar,” Olivia stated from her perch over Bradford’s shoulder. She’d resigned herself to the fact

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she wouldn’t be walking anywhere. She propped her head up on her hand, her elbow sticking into Bradford’s muscled shoulder. She hoped her bony elbow was hurting him. Bradford stopped walking, removed Olivia from his shoulder, and placed her on her feet. “What do you mean this place looks familiar?” “Well, it looks like where I came in. Where I found myself on Terra-form for the first time,” Olivia stated, looking around her. “You know what? I think it is. See that track? I’m sure that is where I first saw the bear staring at me and April scared the shit out me when she walked right up to the bear and hugged it.” “Hm, well I suppose it could be, but you can’t be really sure, can you? Your sense of direction is terrible.” “Ha ha, yeah, laugh at the dumb female. I can’t help it, you know. I don’t know why I have so much trouble remembering where I’m going or where I came from.” “I’m not trying to insult you, Olivia. I just want you to be really sure this is where you came in,” Bradford stated earnestly. “Well, I don’t think I’ll ever be really sure, but that looks like the tree April’s Panther guys were lounging in. I remember the branch was twisted and gnarled nearly the same as that one. I doubt we’ll ever know for sure. Not unless you ask one of my mates, or the Alphas from the panther clan.” “Not going to happen. If they get within ten feet of me, I’m dead.” “Why did you have to kidnap me? I mean, I know what it’s like to be alone, to be lonely, but I’ve never hurt anyone else because of it. You didn’t have to take me away from my home.” “I know, and I’m sorry for what I’ve done. I don’t know what came over me. It’s just, I’ve been alone for so long. I think I went a little crazy,” Bradford admitted. “Well, maybe you could just let me go home now. If you point me in the right direction, I can make my way back,” Olivia said, her eyes squinting in hopefulness.

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“You’d be lost within ten paces, Olivia. I can’t leave you out here to roam around by yourself. It’s too dangerous. I’ll just have to take you back and face the consequences of my actions. At least I’ll be with my family again. It’s said the Goddess’s home is a beautiful place to be.” “No. I’m not letting you die because of me,” Olivia stated, hands planted on her hips. “None of this is your fault, female. I made my own problems. I will deal with my actions like a warrior.” “Oh, for God’s sake. Spare me from the arrogance and pride of a male,” Olivia muttered. “Look, you and I both know my mates will be out looking for me. Why not just leave me here and go home? You’ll be safe from the wrath of my mates, which will make me happy. I’ll be safe once they get here and take me back home.” “I can’t just leave you here. Another shifter species could find you, and then you could be in real trouble,” Bradford replied with another heavy sigh. “Look, I just don’t want…What the hell?” Olivia squeaked as the air around them began to pulse with electricity. Bradford leapt in front of Olivia, pushing her behind him as the air ten feet away from them began to shimmer. Olivia peaked around Bradford’s waist and stared in awe as little blue electric lights pulsed and began to converge into a ball. The sphere got larger and larger. Olivia stared in awe as the orb of blue converged into one large, glowing globe and then faded away. Standing in its place was a tall, voluptuous redhead. Her eyes looked unfocused, and her mouth was gaping open. She stared around her in awe, as if she were in a dream. Olivia watched as the woman raised a hand to her arm and pinched herself. She must have pinched hard, because she yelped in pain. The female’s eyes slid to Bradford and widened in shock. Olivia could see the heat she sent Bradford’s way from her hiding place behind him. Bradford’s bearlike roar made her and the strange woman jump. “Mine,” Bradford yelled after he finished roaring then leapt the

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distance between him and the strange woman, slung her over his shoulder, and took off. Olivia stood, her mouth gaping as she watched Bradford sling the woman over his shoulder. The woman hadn’t made a sound, and Olivia wondered if she had passed out. The two disappeared from sight. She fought back a giggle. That poor woman didn’t stand a chance. Olivia realized she was once again all alone and had no way to get back home. She sighed and sat down beneath a large tree. All she could do was wait. **** He doubled back. He’s heading to where we found Olivia when she first arrived on Terra-form. Wonder what he’s up to? Cedric asked his brother and his friend. I don’t know but I don’t like it, Tony replied. What if she’s convinced him to help her leave? Hugh asked. I don’t know. I don’t think she will, Tony answered. She seemed pretty happy to me. But there is something going on in that hard head of hers. As soon as we find her, we get her back home and we ask her what’s going on. Agreed? Agreed, Cedric and Hugh replied. **** Olivia was becoming worried that her mates wouldn’t find her before nightfall. The light was gradually fading from the sky, and the cacophony of animals and insects scurrying about made her nervous. She hated being out at night by herself, but she was even more scared since she was in a forest full of wild animals, men, and shape-shifters. Her breath hitched in her chest at every little sound and rustle of leaves. She wanted to be surrounded by her mates. Oh God. She was in love with them. Pain lanced through her chest, piercing her heart at

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the thought of being away from her mates. She wanted to be surrounded by their hard, masculine bodies. She wanted them to fill her every orifice and shower her with their love. She had no idea how they really felt about her, but they had vowed to protect and never hurt her. Surely they felt something for her other than a physical need to assuage their desire. The way they all looked at her with such hunger made her think that maybe, just possibly, they had some tender feelings toward her. Olivia’s heart began to pound frantically against her rib cage as three loud roars echoed through the forest. She began to panic with nervous excitement. She just hoped those angry roars were her mates and not some other form of shape-shifter.

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Chapter Fourteen She’s close. Her scent is getting stronger, Cedric stated. Whoever took her has definitely brought her back to where she first arrived on Terra-form. If she has somehow managed to find her way back to her home planet of Earth, I am going to rip his fucking head from his shoulders. I don’t care who or what he is, he’s a dead bear-shifter. Calm down, Cedric, Tony stated. Cedric felt relief course through him as he spotted Olivia sitting beneath a large tree. She looked as if she had been for a casual stroll in the forest, with not a care in the world. You don’t want to scare our mate. Oh, thank the Goddess. She looks so sweet sitting there. We know better though, don’t we? How are we going to handle this? Do we berate her or do we comfort her? Hugh asked. Why don’t we let Olivia take the lead? Let’s see what she has to say, and then we can deal with her after we find out what’s been going on, Cedric suggested. I agree. But if I don’t like what she tells us, she’s going over my knee. Tony growled. She’s going to be tortured all night long, as far as I’m concerned, Hugh stated, a lascivious tone in his mental voice. Let’s hear what she has to say first. We don’t want to jeopardize our relationship any more than it already is. I want her to give us her total commitment. I’m sick and tired of walking on eggshells around our mate. It’s time we told her how things are going to be. I don’t want her holding back from us anymore, Cedric stated. Do you think we can get her to open herself up to us totally

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without pushing her further away? asked Hugh. There’s only one way to find out, Tony replied. Tony stalked out from the covering of the bushes, Hugh and Cedric on his tail. **** “Oh God, please tell me that’s my mates?” Olivia squeaked. Olivia watched as the air began to shimmer around the large black panthers moving stealthily toward her. She felt nervous excitement pump through her veins. Bones cracking and popping made her wince as she waited for the men she hoped were her mates to be revealed to her. When they had completed the change, Olivia bounded to her feet and ran the last few feet separating her from her mates. Not one of them moved, their stances aggressive as they pinned her with their hungry eyes. She stopped a few feet from them. “It wasn’t my fault. So you can get those looks off your faces right now,” Olivia commanded, hands on her hips as she glared at each of her mates. “Tell us,” Tony demanded, his pose more antagonistic than Olivia had ever seen. His eyes were filled with such hunger, it was a wonder she hadn’t gone up in flames. “I was taking a break from weeding the garden. I was lying on the hammock with my eyes closed, minding my own business, when a large shadow blocked the sun from me. I opened my eyes to see a great mountain of a man standing over me. He placed his hand over my mouth and nose. I fought to get away from him, but I couldn’t breathe. I must have passed out, because when I came to, I was slung over his shoulder and he was walking through the forest with me. I tried to talk to him, to get him to see reason, but he wouldn’t listen. He had me scared for a while, until he had his beast back under control. I thought he was going to try and mate with me,” Olivia said. She winced and covered her ears, three furious male roars nearly

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deafening her. Once they stopped their loud protesting, Olivia continued explaining. “I was finally able to talk to him. He’s so lonely. He lost his parents and his sibling. He’s been alone for many years and went a little crazy when he saw me alone in the garden. He asked me who I was, so I told him. I also told him I was already mated and not interested in mating with anyone else. I explained how I just seemed to arrive on Terra-form, but had no idea how I’d come to be here. We ended up back at the place in the forest where I first found April and Ben. Oh boy. Bradford and I watched as the air began to shimmer with little blue electric lights. It was so awesome. Those little blue lights all gathered together into a large ball then slowly faded away. In their place was a redheaded female I’ve never seen before. She looked dazed, just how I felt when I first found myself on Terra-form. But guess what?” Olivia asked excitedly. “What?” her three mates answered with humor. “Bradford took one look at the female, sniffed the air, and roared. He scared me at first. I wasn’t sure what he was carrying on for, but then he yelled mine, jumped over to the woman, scooped her up over his shoulder, and took off. I think he found his mate. Isn’t that great? I was so worried about him. He seemed so depressed,” Olivia said with a little sniff. “You were worried about a bear-shifter, one who kidnapped you because he was lonely?” Tony asked incredulously. “So sue me. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. I know what it’s like to be lonely.” “I should put you over my knee and spank your ass, baby. We were worried sick about you, and you have to gall to tell us you were worried about the shifter who took you from us?” Tony growled. “You are not going to touch my ass. And I’m allowed to feel compassion for another human being, uh, shifter if I want to,” Olivia stated belligerently, crossing her arms over her chest in defense. “You are in so much trouble, sweetheart.” Cedric growled in Olivia’s ear.

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“Hey, what for? I didn’t do anything wrong.” “You were going to try and leave again, weren’t you, baby?” Tony whispered in her other ear. “I was not. How could you think I would? I already told you I wouldn’t try and leave again,” Olivia stated petulantly. “But you thought about it, didn’t you, honey?” Hugh asked, moving to stand in front of her. “I can tell by the guilty look on your face that you were.” “Well, shit. It only entered my mind for a second, but I knew I couldn’t leave you three behind. I couldn’t bear the thought.” “You’ve been holding back on us, baby. You haven’t told us how you feel about us. You are going to open up to us and tell us what’s been going on in that hard head of yours,” Tony whispered, his hot, moist breath making her shiver. “We are going to torture you all night long, baby. We’re not letting you hide away from us anymore. You said you would try and open up to us more, but you’re not. We are going to make you open up to us if it’s the last thing we do.” “Hey, who made you king of the jungle? I don’t have to tell you everything if I don’t want to,” Olivia replied. Secretly she was grinning like the Cheshire cat inside. She loved the fact her mates had no idea she was goading them. Their sexy voices purring in her ears and the way they stared at her hungrily made her pussy drip her juices down her legs. She had them right where she wanted them. Taking control. Olivia shrieked as her world turned upside down. She reached down and placed her hands on Tony’s muscular butt cheeks as he ran through the forest. How the hell he kept her from bouncing on his shoulder, she had no clue. The man had the grace of a feline. Ha, he was a feline. Olivia couldn’t believe how fast they made it back to the panther clan home. Tony never broke stride, not until he had kicked open the door to their room and gently placed her on the mattress. He stood over her, dominant aggression evident in his stance.

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“Take your clothes off, baby,” Tony demanded and added, “Now,” when she didn’t move fast enough. Olivia slid her eyes from Tony standing at the end of the bed to Cedric and Hugh standing beside him, their stances just as aggressive, their expressions determined. Oh fuck, she was in trouble. Maybe she’d pushed them a little too far, but she knew they would never hurt her, and she couldn’t wait for her punishment to begin. “Screw you,” Olivia said with a grin, moving quickly to scramble from the bed. She should have known she wouldn’t get very far. In fact, she never even made it to the edge of the bed before three sets of hands were upon her. She tried to fight them halfheartedly, but all she ended up doing was tiring herself out. They had her naked and restrained within moments, and she loved feeling so helpless. She was giving them the control they wanted, and she was also giving in to her need to submit to them. “You are going to give us what we want in the end, honey. So why don’t you give in now?” Hugh asked as he crawled his way up the bed until he was lying next to her at her side. Olivia didn’t answer. She pulled against the soft fabric they had used to bind her hands to the headboard. Only her legs were free. She closed her eyes and pulled her lips into a taut line, turning her head away from Hugh, only to snap her eyes open when the wet tip of Cedric’s cock brushed against her lips. It took every ounce of her control not to open her mouth, flick the head of his cock with her tongue, and then suck him down to the back of her throat. She turned her head back until she was facing the ceiling and closed her eyes. She was going to make her mates work for what they wanted. She wasn’t going to give in easily.

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Chapter Fifteen “You aren’t going to win, baby. We are going to love you so good, and I know you will love every minute of it,” Tony rumbled in a deep voice. Olivia felt the bed dip as Tony crawled onto the mattress between her thighs. He eased her legs apart, making room as he slid his hands up over her skin. “We’re going to have you begging us before the night is over, baby,” Tony stated. Olivia had to bite her cheek to stop herself from crying out at the first lick of Tony’s tongue on her engorged, sensitive clit. That long, strong, raspy muscle flicking over her clit had her on the edge of orgasm within moments. She was in heaven and hell. She loved every minute of it. She arched her hips up, trying to get Tony to give her a firmer touch. Just a bit more pressure on her sensitive clit would be enough to send her over the edge. Olivia screamed with frustration when he stopped. “You aren’t in control, baby. We are. We’ll give you what you want when you give us what we want. What has been bothering you, Olivia?” Tony asked. Olivia clammed up even more. She gathered her muscles and tightened her whole body, ready to fight her mates with everything she had. She could feel those three words on the tip of her tongue. She hadn’t thought she would ever want to say those words to anyone, and she was fighting herself rather than her mates, but it was the only way she knew how to react. “Okay, you asked for it, baby.”

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Olivia felt Tony’s tongue enter her wet cunt. She panted, trying to hold on to her control. They upped the ante. Hugh and Cedric each took one of her puckered nipples into their mouths. They sucked, laved, and nibbled on her turgid peaks, driving her insane with pleasure. Three mouth’s and three sets of hands lavishing her with pleasure was almost too much to bear. She couldn’t help the instinctual arching of her hips, pushing her pussy and breasts into their mouths. She was on the edge again so soon it made her head spin. They knew how to play her body, how to make her respond even though she didn’t want to. With Tony lapping at her cunt and Hugh and Cedric pinching and sucking on her nipples, she didn’t stand a chance. She was so close she could feel her internal muscles coiling into a tight spring. Just when she thought she was about to go over, they stopped. Tony pulled his mouth away from her throbbing pussy, and Cedric and Hugh released her nipples from their mouths with loud pops. If she hadn’t caught the gleam of determination in Tony’s eyes, Olivia knew she would have already been screaming at her mates for stopping. “What have you been holding back from us, honey?” Hugh’s hot breath whispered across her ear. Olivia closed her eyes against them once more. It was the only defense she had besides staying mute. She was enjoying the hell out of her punishment Her eyes flew open as she felt movement all around her. They were swapping places. Tony was now on her right side where Cedric had been, Cedric now on her left, and Hugh was between her splayed thighs. “You can fight us all you want, baby, but we will win. We can keep going all night long. Do you think you can stand being brought to the edge over and over without us letting you reach orgasm?” Tony’s deep voice rumbled against her ear. Olivia closed her eyes tight, her lips pulled in tight. She was playing deaf, mute, and blind. She was determined to be the one to

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win. She knew in the end they were all going to win, but giving in would be no fun at all. Olivia couldn’t hold in the gasp of surprise as she was flipped over onto her belly, the soft restraints that held her hands turning with the movement. Large hands gripped her hips and pulled her up onto her knees. She squeaked as a warm, wet tongue glided down the crack of her ass then licked around her sensitive, hole. Oh God, they were killing her with pleasure. Hugh licked and laved over the rosette of her ass, sliding one of his hands from her hip, across her belly, and down between her thighs. She mewled as he slipped his fingers through the length of her slit and back again, not once relenting in his ministrations to her anus. She was so close. It was too much. She was going to come. This time she couldn’t keep her scream of frustration from escaping when they removed their hands and mouths from her body. They were torturing her, and she couldn’t stand it for much longer. “Tell us what has been bothering you, sweetheart,” Cedric commanded. “We’ll make love to you and let you come when you do.” Stubborn silence was her answer. Hugh’s tongue flicked over her ass again. His hand slid along her slit once more. Cedric and Tony each grasped one of her breasts, massaging her soft flesh then adding pinches to her hard, sensitive nipples. Each time they stopped then started again, she flashed to the edge of orgasm faster. She knew she wasn’t going to be able to hold out if they stopped again. Her body was a frenzied bundle of needy nerves. Her pussy was so wet she could feel her cream weeping out to coat her thighs. She was at the breaking point, and they knew it as much as she did. The familiar coil began to gather, but this time was so much bigger, so much more intense than the last time. She wiggled her backside in silent demand, hoping to break Hugh from his relentless control with her body. If she was going to break any of her mates, it would definitely be Hugh.

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All three of them pulled away from her body again. She gasped with outrage as a firm slap landed on her ass. Her eyes snapped open, shooting Tony and Hugh glares filled with fire, and her control snapped. “Oh God. Fuck me. Please fuck me. I can’t take any more,” Olivia wailed. “You’re not getting anything until you tell us what we want to know. What has been going on in that hard head of yours, baby?” Tony asked in a hard, deep voice. “I need more, all right. I can’t just be the little woman tucked away for your convenient use. I need to feel worthy,” Olivia stated. Two sets of hands were on her restraints in an instant. She was released from the bind holding her captive, scooped up into strong, muscular arms, and pulled in between the three of her mates in the center of the bed. “You are more than a convenience, Olivia. Why would you think yourself unworthy? You are out mate,” Cedric stated. “I’m used to being busy. I have nothing to do. I’ve been so bored. It’s all right for you three. You have duties. I have nothing,” Olivia sobbed. “Baby, you are our mate. You mean more to us than anything else on Terra-form. We would be lost without you. I’m sorry if you feel neglected, unworthy. That was never our intention. If you had come to us with your concerns and needs, we could have gone to our Alphas for you. We will find something for you to do, to fill your day so you don’t feel so bored. I love you, Olivia. I would be lost without you,” Tony said. Olivia could see the sincerity shining from Tony’s eyes. He did love her. She wasn’t just a convenient body to relieve his urges in. She slid her eyes to Cedric as he reached over to turn her head toward him. “Sweetheart, you are the most precious thing to me in the world. I would be lost without you. How can you doubt your worthiness in our

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eyes? We need you to breathe, Olivia. I love you so much and we will find something for you to feel more fulfilled. We want you to be happy, Olivia. Please, don’t keep your concerns, worries and frustrations from us anymore. We can’t fix something if we don’t know what the problem is.” The tears that had gathered in her eyes spilled over onto her cheeks. She gave a small squeak as Hugh scooped her up from the bed and pulled her onto his thighs so she was straddling his lap and facing him. He placed a gentle finger beneath her chin, lifting her eyes to his. He wiped her tears from her cheeks with his thumbs, leaned down, and sipped at her lips. “Honey, I love you so much. I hate having to leave you every sunup. I would spend eternity by your side if possible. We will talk to the Alphas and Queen April together and find a way for you to be happy. You are the most important thing in our lives. If you’re not happy, then we’re not happy. We would give you the sun to make you happy if we could,” Hugh said with a gentle smile. “Oh God. I’ve been such an idiot. I love you all so much. I’m sorry I fell back into my habit of keeping things from you. I…I’m just not used to having anyone to talk to. I’ll try to do better, I promise.” “Baby, we all love you unconditionally, flaws and all. We will never stop loving you, no matter what,” Tony stated. “I love you, too. All of you. I’ve been so stupid,” Olivia said with a sniff. “From now on, I’m going to be talking your ears off and making demands.” “What sort of demands?” Cedric asked with a frown. “Yes, you should be worried, buster. I can be very demanding once I’m no longer holding back. Now, you three have been teasing me to the edge of reason and beyond. It’s time for you to use those weapons you have between your legs and please your mate. Fuck me. Now,” Olivia demanded, standing up on the mattress, hands on her hips as she gave her command. “Your command is our wish, honey,” Hugh said with a waggle of

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his eyebrows as he reached for her. “I’ll just bet it is,” Olivia said with a giggle as she was pulled down onto the bed and surrounded by her mates. Hugh grabbed Olivia by the waist, pulled her back over his lap, and thrust his hard cock into her with one surge. His cock buried in her cunt made her moan with passionate delight. He filled her so completely, just like her other two mates did. Now that she had let go of the protection that had surrounded her heart, she sensed all the love and tender care her mates felt for her. It was also there for her to see, shining out at her from their eyes. How the hell had she missed that before? She hadn’t wanted to see it. All thoughts fled as Hugh pumped his cock in and out of her cunt, massaging the sensitive, internal, nerve-rich walls with each slide and glide. It wasn’t enough. “Oh, you feel so good. More. I need more,” Olivia cried out. “Shh, sweetheart. We’ll give you everything you need,” Cedric crooned, his hand sliding over her back to her butt cheeks. Olivia groaned as his large hands kneaded her flesh, spreading her cheeks wide and opening her ass. He blew his hot, moist breath into her hole, making her wriggle and compress onto Hugh’s cock. “Cedric, now. I can’t hold out much longer. Her cunt is clamping around me and is going to make me lose control,” Hugh stated through gritted teeth. Olivia mewled as she felt the tip of Cedric’s cock against her anus. He must have already used the oil to coat his hard dick, because he slid inside her with ease. He pushed his way through the ring of muscles of her sphincter then held still, giving her body time to adjust to his intrusion. She was having none of that. She needed all of them now. “Cedric, fuck me,” Olivia yelled, her voice more guttural than she’d ever heard before. She gave a sigh of relief as he pushed his cock into her body until she felt his balls flush against her skin. But she still needed more.

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“Move, damn…” she began, only to have the rest of her words muffled as Tony pushed the head of his cock into her mouth. The taste of his pre-cum was ambrosia. She licked and swirled her tongue around the head of his dick, relaxed her jaw muscles, and took him as far as she could into her moist cavern. She gave a frustrated moan when she tried to take him in farther but couldn’t. “Shh, it’s okay, baby. It’s enough. Use that tongue on me,” Tony demanded as he rocked his hips with the slightest of movements. Olivia moaned around Tony’s erection as Hugh and Cedric began to move. Cedric slid out until only the tip of his cock was in her ass then began to thrust back in. As he moved, Hugh pulled his cock out to the tip then surged inside. She was overwhelmed with the pleasurable sensations. She was on the edge with the first couple of plunges, but she fought going over because she didn’t want their loving to end so soon. The three men loving her moved in slow, easy stabs, building her up to a height she had never reached before. She rocked her hips, trying to get them to go faster, but Hugh’s and Cedric’s hands prevented her from having any control. “Oh, baby. That mouth of yours is pure bliss,” Tony ground out. “You should feel her ass. She’s clamping on me so hard she’s nearly breaking me in half,” Cedric grated. “Her pussy is gripping me like a fist. She’s so hot, tight, and wet. I don’t want to ever leave,” Hugh stated. “Oh God. Shut up and fuck me,” Olivia cried out. “We are fucking you, baby,” Tony replied with a bark of laughter. “More. Harder, deeper,” Olivia demanded. Olivia’s mates must have reached their limit as well, because they picked up the pace and began fucking her in earnest. Olivia moaned around Tony’s cock. She arched her back and tried to take more of Cedric and Hugh into her body. Their flesh slapping together echoed through the room as they fucked her. Her mouth made slurping noises as she sucked Tony’s cock, which turned her on even more.

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Olivia’s lower belly felt heavy with liquid desire. Her cunt was making sucking noises as Hugh’s cock slid in and out. Her muscles gathered tighter and tighter as her mates fucked her. She sucked on Tony’s dick harder, using her tongue on the sensitive spot beneath his cock. He growled in response, sliding a bit more of his cock into her relaxed mouth. Olivia felt as if all her nerve endings were exposed. Her pelvicfloor muscles tightened around the cocks sliding in and out of her body. She was so close she could taste her own orgasm, could feel it coming. Stars began to form before her eyes. She sucked and moaned around Tony’s cock, determined to make him go over with her. Her internal muscles rippled along the length of Hugh’s and Cedric’s rods. She felt Tony’s cock pulse, harden, and then he shot his load across her tongue and down her throat. His roar was music to her ears. She licked him clean, released him with an audible pop, threw her head back, and screamed. Olivia’s muscles clamped down onto the two cocks buried in her body, held a moment, released, and clenched down again. Over and over, her body spasmed around her mates’ hard flesh. Just when she thought she couldn’t take any more, their cocks expanded near the base, locking her to them as they roared out their own releases. Their cocks jerking inside her sent her into orbit again. She screamed as they continued to pump her body full of cum. She yelled until she was hoarse and collapsed down onto Hugh’s chest with exhausted satiation. She’d never felt so loved and protected in her life. And there was no way in hell she was giving up the loves of a lifetime. Or the pleasure.

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Chapter Sixteen Olivia had never been so carefree and happy. She was thriving under the tender love and care from her mates. She had everything she could ever want. She’d been given a small section of the kitchens for her own use. She was experimenting with food and coming up with new dishes then passing the recipes on to the kitchen staff. Everyone was happy. No one’s job had been taken away from them, and the panther clan seemed to love the new dishes they were eating. It was a win-win situation. April often wandered into the kitchen with baby Jade, just so she could get a taste of whatever new dish Olivia had created. She was in her element, and April was just as happy as she was. Olivia often wondered what had happened to the woman Bradford had claimed was his mate, but she knew it was unlikely she’d ever find out. It wasn’t like she could pick up the phone and call him. She knew in her heart Bradford would never mistreat the woman he’d claimed as his own, and even though she knew it would be a hard and rocky road for them, she knew in the end they would be happy. At least she hoped so. Olivia inhaled on a sigh, the smell of the food she had been playing with turning her stomach. She felt sweat break out over her skin, and even though she knew she must be hot, she felt cold to the bones. She sucked in a deep breath and hoped the nausea would pass. She got a drink of water and sipped at it, but it didn’t seem to help. She stumbled out of the kitchen and stood in the hall, taking in the fresh air flowing through the open doorways and through the corridors. Thankfully, her roiling stomach settled. She decided to take

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a walk since she needed a break anyway. She made her way to the outdoors and the pond where she and April usually sat to talk. “Olivia, are you all right?” April asked. Olivia turned her head to see April lounging in the hammock, baby Jade lying on her stomach sound asleep. “Yeah, I was just feeling a bit queasy for a moment. Probably just needed a break,” Olivia replied. “God, I’m so tired.” “Are your men keeping you up all hours again?” April asked with a giggle. “Again? They never stopped. I’m going to have to put my foot down and tell them to go fuck themselves. I need a decent night’s sleep.” She covered her mouth as she yawned. “Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s even worse when you have a baby. If it’s not your mates keeping you awake, it’s your baby waking you up. But it is so worth it. Look how precious she is!” Her loving gaze fell on her sleeping daughter. “Yeah, she’s gorgeous. I don’t know how you do it, girlfriend. I’d be insane by now if I was being kept awake by a child, as well.” “No you wouldn’t. You’d love every minute of it, just like I do.” “Would not,” Olivia riposted without any conviction. “Would, too,” April replied with a laugh. “You know, you still don’t look well. You’re very pale. Why don’t you come lay down with us? You’ve been working too hard.” “Nah, it’s not the work. It’s the constant fucking.” “God, you’re incorrigible. Never change, Olivia. I love you like a sister.” “Oh fuck. Did you have to say that? You’re gonna make me cry, you bitch.” she stated as she climbed onto the hammock with April and Jade. “Oh, I don’t think this was such a good idea.” “Why not?” April asked absently, stroking her daughter’s back. “’Cause the movement is making me feel seasick.” Olivia groaned, clutching her stomach, sweat once again popping out on her forehead.

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“Olivia, when was your last period?” “What? Oh no. No fucking way,” Olivia yelled, jumping from the hammock then bending over, holding her upset stomach. “Well, you can deny it all you want, girlfriend, but you’re up the duff. You have a bun in the oven,” April exclaimed with a chortle. “Well, screw you. I am not having a baby. No fucking way am I going through that.” “So how long have you been here now?” April asked, still smiling. “Three months.” “And how many times have you had your period?” “None. Fuck, April. What am I going to do?” Olivia groaned. “Well, that’s the dumbest question I’ve ever heard you ask. You’re going to have a baby, girlfriend. God, I’m so excited. I hope you have a girl so Jade has someone to play with.” “Well, I hope it’s a boy and he ends up mated to Jade,” Olivia snapped back. The two women looked at each other and burst out laughing. Of course, that laughter turned to tears of happiness. When they finally had themselves under control again, April just had to goad her one more time. “Your mates are going to want to keep you locked up in your room. They’re not going to let you out of their sight once they know.” “Fuck off. They are too busy doing the duties your arrogant, overbearing mates demand of them. They’re not gonna have any extra time with me.” “That’s what you think,” April replied with a smile. Olivia saw April looking over the top of her body as she stood bent over. “Baby, is it true? Are you pregnant?” Tony asked from behind her. Olivia straightened and gave April a glare, letting her know payback was a bitch. She could have warned her one of her mates was nearby. “Uh, I’m not really sure. There is no way for me to know without taking a test,” Olivia replied.

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“Come here, baby,” Tony demanded. Olivia sauntered over to Tony full of bravado. She cocked her right hip, placed her hands on her waist and glared up at him. “What?” Tony scooped Olivia up into his arms and pulled her in tight against his chest. Olivia heard him breathe in deeply and felt his nose nuzzle against her skin. “Oh, you’re pregnant all right, mate. How we didn’t notice the subtle change to your scent, I’ll never know. But you’re definitely having a cub.” Olivia closed her eyes and breathed deeply, trying to circumvent her nausea as Tony spun her around with exuberant joy. She threw up all over him. April’s laughter echoed after them as Tony carted her away to their rooms. She couldn’t wait to get cleaned up and have her mates love her for the rest of the night. Olivia knew she was going to have her work cut out for her over the next two months or so. Her mates were going to try and treat her like fragile glass. She would take advantage of that when she wanted to, like now when she was feeling tired and queasy, but she wouldn’t let them take complete control of her. She was going to have to keep them on their toes for as long as she could. She had worked out how to get around them very quickly, but she knew they allowed her to get her own way. They indulged her often, as she did them. She was so happy about being pregnant. She couldn’t wait to hold her child in her arms. The thought that she had created a baby, which was now growing in her womb, amazed her. She had first thought that her mates might become jealous of whoever the biological father was, but she knew that just wasn’t true. She knew that thought had been her old insecurities rearing their ugly heads. Cedric, Hugh, and Tony had been over the moon when they had learned she was with child. They were just as excited as she was about having a baby to nurture and care for. What more could a girl ask for? Life couldn’t get any better.

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Becca Van

THE END WWW.BECCAVAN-EROTICROMANCE.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR My name is Becca Van. I live in Australia with my wonderful hubby of many years, as well as my children, a pigeon pair, (a girl and a boy). I have always wanted to write and last year decided to do just that. I didn’t want to stay in the mainstream of a boring nine-to-five job, so I quit, fulfilling my passion for writing. I decided to utilize my time with something I knew I would enjoy and had always wanted to do. I submitted my first manuscript to Siren-BookStrand a couple of months ago, and much to my excited delight, I got a reply saying they would love to publish my story. I literally jump out of bed with excitement each day and can’t wait for my laptop to power up so I can get to work.

Also by Becca Van Ménage Everlasting: Slick Rock 1: Slick Rock Cowboys Ménage Everlasting: Slick Rock 2: Double E Ranch Ménage Everlasting: Slick Rock 3: Her Ex-Marines Ménage Everlasting: Terra-form 1: Alpha Panthers Ménage Everlasting: Help Me Fly Again Ménage Everlasting: Re-awaken Me

Available at BOOKSTRAND.COM

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com