Shared for Love (Kagan Wolves) (21 page)

“No, Miss Kagan. There’s one thing to make sure of first.” Michael focused on Noah. “Finding out if Noah has been blessed with a second chance or punished for wanting something that didn’t belong to him.”

“Mindy?” Hannah asked.

“No. My pack.” Michael grinned. “He contemplated challenging me. The spirit wolf intervened by ensuring he couldn’t and has worked to counter all the other foolish males who thought they knew what it wanted.”

Hannah straightened her spine, looking impossibly strong as she stared down Michael. A surge of pride swept through Ethan. “His mate—”

“Died in a fire.” Michael cut Hannah off.

“Was murdered.” Noah stormed closer. “Mindy’s legs were already—”

“Dredging up the past is not healthy,” Ethan interrupted his lover. A verbal fight wouldn’t help them. They needed Hannah off Tanner soil before midnight. “And neither is trying to uncover the spirit wolf’s wants for Hannah or Noah. We should…”

Ethan stopped himself before he told Michael how he should run his pack. Ethan had influenced him over the years by making Michael think he’d been the one who’d come up with the ideas Ethan planted.

Michael narrowed his eyes. “And what do you suggest
we
should do?”

Ethan inwardly cursed. Put on the spot, he scrambled for a believable response. “We should be looking at how to use the situation to improve relations between our pack and the Kagan pack, especially if Maria will be mating into it.”

Michael stared at him for a long moment, while Ethan held his breath. Finally, Michael raised the corner of his mouth in a smirk. “If she ends up mating Quinn, then I will worry about our interpack relations. Tonight I have to make a decision about what to do with Hannah. I’m sure Nic will understand the predicament I’m in.”

“My brother won’t. I am a Kagan pack member, and we are protective of our own.”

Michael turned his intense gaze on Hannah. “The moment you accepted Noah’s proposal, you became a Tanner. Human marriage laws mean nothing to me. Our matings are done by verbal agreement. Even those entered into during the mating runs are consensual. Any males who break that rule are killed.”

Curses zinged through Ethan’s head. The reason Michael had insisted Ethan participate in the run took on a whole new twist. All Michael had to do was suggest a forced mating, and by shifter law he could have Ethan eliminated. No trial necessary.

Noah reached for Hannah. Both Tanner protectors blocked him. Noah curled his fists. “Let me take Hannah back to her pack. The details of our life together can be decided tomorrow.”

“If you still have a future tomorrow. The full moon is a time when destinies are changed.” Michael glanced at the star-filled sky. “And in about twenty minutes, you might very well lose your wife if she decides she wants a mate and a family, not just a cock to use.”

Noah lunged for Michael. Ethan stopped Noah and pushed him away from Michael. With both protectors close by, Noah would lose any fight he started.

“Back off, Noah.” Ethan caught Noah’s gaze, a silent warning to play along. Nothing mattered beyond Hannah’s safety.

“Yes, Noah, listen to Ethan. He’s the peacemaker, always calming people’s tempers,” Michael said.

“Yeah, nothing ever riles him.” Greg snorted. “He’s too busy trying to pretend to be human. He hates being a shifter.”

Ethan glanced over his shoulder. “No. I’m grateful for my wolf, but I won’t let it rule me.”

Greg scrunched his nose. “Which is why you don’t touch our females. You can’t handle them. Hell, I don’t think you’d even be able to get one to spread her legs for you during the mating run when they’re horny and looking for any male to screw.”

“Why I—”

“As much as this amuses me, it’s wasting time.” Michael cut off Ethan and nodded toward Hannah. “Bring Hannah to the circle. She’s joining our unmated males and females in the mating run.”

Noah tried to break Ethan’s hold. With a squeeze of Ethan’s hands, Noah relented, following Ethan’s silent cue. “You’re contradicting yourself. You just said you acknowledged that Hannah is my wife.”

“Yes. Whether she’ll stay yours is up for her to decide. She deserves the same chance you had, don’t you think?” Michael cocked a brow. “You mated someone else. If she wants to do the same, let her. If you and Hannah are true mates, you’ll find your way back to each other in heaven, or in another life. On the other hand, if she wants to settle for a barren existence, all she has to do is make it back to Kagan soil without giving in to her lusts.”

Michael glanced at her. “Remember, Hannah, all you have to do is say no.”

Hannah narrowed her eyes but held her tongue. Ethan was glad. He needed the few minutes before the full moon’s magic descended upon them to figure out how he’d get Hannah to forgive him after he broke her heart tonight.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Michael had planned the night well. Ethan shouldn’t have expected anything less, and both he and Noah had played right into Michael’s trap.

Ethan rolled his shoulders and fought his frustration. He was as much to blame for Hannah getting coerced into joining the shifter version of speed dating as Noah.

He turned his attention to her. With her hands clasped loosely in front of her bare sex, she stood on the edge of the group of Tanner females. It bothered him that she was the only one naked, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. They were shifters. Being naked was acceptable, but Hannah was shy where her body was concerned. At least in front of strangers. Their first meeting told him that.

And I can’t help her. I have to pretend like she doesn’t mean anything to me.

Greg approached. The sight of him set Ethan’s wolf on edge. Greg always had. He was a demented bastard. No way would Ethan allow him anywhere near Hannah. Greg wouldn’t have a problem forcing her into a bond. In fact, he’d probably enjoy it.

The tips of Ethan’s claws broke his skin. He curled his hands to hide them.

Greg leaned against the tree next to Ethan. “Why are you here? I thought you’d be fighting our alpha this full moon.”

“What gave you that impression? I have no interest in being alpha.”

“Don’t bother with the act. I saw the look on your face when you left Michael’s house the other day. There was determination stamped on your expression.”

“Was there?”

“Yeah. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out why either. The moment you found out Michael’s plans for Maria, you decided to show a backbone.” Greg snorted. “Too bad Maria’s so-called true mate snagged her first, huh?”

“I doubt he’s her true mate.” Because Maria had already admitted she felt at peace around Alex. There was only one reason that would be—Alex was her true mate.

Then again, I have two true mates. Why can’t she?
He pushed away the question. Maria’s fate was out of his hands. He had to worry about his own.

“Whether he is or not doesn’t change things. I’ve met the Kagan male. If Quinn has decided he wants Maria, he’ll claim her.”

Ethan had to agree with Greg’s assessment. Stubbornness ran in Quinn and Noah’s family. Once they made up their minds, there was no escaping. Ethan’s relationship with Noah was proof of that.

“He probably will.”

“That’s why you’re waiting, isn’t it? With Maria out of the picture, you don’t have a female lined up to rule at your side.”

“I have no interest in being alpha. You don’t need more of an explanation than that.”

Greg grunted. “Fine. You’re not interested in being alpha. So why are you here?”

“Our alpha ordered me to join the mating run tonight. He wants to increase the number of our breeding couples. I’m supposed to open myself to the spirit wolf’s influence and see if there are any females who would fit the bill.”

“Good luck with that.”

Ethan ignored the disdain in Greg’s voice when all he wanted to do was give him a lesson in respect. There were many wonderful women in their pack. The fact that none stirred Ethan had nothing to do with their worthiness and everything to do with Ethan. Minutes before the mating run wasn’t the right time for this discussion.

Ethan cleared his throat. “And why are you here?”

“To find a mate, of course. I attend these events from time to time when there are potential females who might interest me.”

“And are there any tonight?”

“Yes. Hannah. It was damn lucky I found her before one of our less civilized males did. They might’ve mated her right then and there.”

“You happened to stumble upon her. Is that it?”

“No. Michael sent me to Noah’s house to”—Greg’s grin widened into a sneer—“deliver a message. He wasn’t there, but Hannah was. Finding her surprised me, but honestly, it shouldn’t have.”

There was no point in accusing Greg of setting the fire. He’d only deny it. Ethan tore his gaze from where Hannah stood among a group of Tanner females to Greg and asked the other question bugging him. “Why aren’t you surprised by her involvement with Noah?”

“I smelled him all over her yesterday when I went out to her office.” Greg shrugged. “It was a logical guess since no other shifter male has shown interest in her. She wouldn’t have wanted to spend her first full moon as a mature female alone.”

Hannah hadn’t mentioned Greg’s visit. Of course, they hadn’t spent much time talking the night before. Ethan had been more focused on solidifying their physical bond and had ignored everything else. The assumption they’d have plenty of chances to cover all the other stuff after they mated had come back to bite him in the ass.

Regret left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“She shouldn’t be here. If she agreed to be Noah’s wife, she’s off the market.”

“You heard our alpha, Ethan. I agree. She deserves the same chance Noah had at a family. He hadn’t protected his mate long enough to have one. That’s his fault, not Hannah’s. She shouldn’t be forced to live her life without the joys of being a mother.”

Much like Michael, Greg knew what to say to come off as being noble. Both lied through their teeth. It disgusted Ethan, but he’d use their own words against them. He should’ve done so long before. No better time than the present to start.

“You have a point. Many females say being a mother is the greatest role they could fill.” Ethan rubbed his chin in a contemplative manner and hoped the less-than-intelligent male next to him bought his acting skills. “And it wouldn’t hurt bringing her strong genes into the Tanner pack either.”

“There is that.” Greg turned his attention to Hannah. “I certainly wouldn’t mind claiming her as mine. She’d give me beautiful kids, dominant or not.”

“Do you actually think she’d welcome you? She looked at you as if she wanted to claw your eyes out when you stopped her from going to Noah.”

Another shrug. “I’ve heard Noah’s good in bed. He did fuck everything that moved in those couple of years after Mindy died. Guess it was his version of grieving.” Greg chuckled. “But once Hannah finds out Noah’s not the only male who can satisfy her, she’ll enjoy my touch.”

“Or mine.” Ethan faced Greg. “I think you might be right. Hannah deserves a chance with a male who can be everything Noah can’t.”

“And you think you can be that male?”

Ethan glanced at the moon. Almost midnight. He was running out of time. “Yes. In fact, I think I can convince her to run with me in less than five minutes.”

Greg chuckled. “Like hell. You don’t know how to seduce a woman. Why else would you go to human hookers?”

Ethan gave a half shrug. “Simpler. They don’t expect romance, just money.”

“Hannah has enough of her own. That won’t be a plus for you.”

“No, but you pointed out exactly what she does want.” Ethan glanced at Hannah. She met his gaze. After a moment, her face slackened with lust and her body flushed. She looked away. He couldn’t have planned her reaction any better. “A male who can command her body and make her beg. She doesn’t want to be seduced. She wants to be fucked hard.”

“Don’t give me any shit. You’re only sniffing after Hannah because Maria is off the market.”

Ethan shrugged. “I know when to cut my losses and move on.”

“So do I, and Hannah’s my second chance.”

“I guess we’re at an impasse, then. I won’t simply give her up.”

“Neither will I.”

“Then we can fight for her. Here. Now.”

“And while we’re going at it, one of the lesser males in the pack will use the opportunity to claim Hannah. You know how it is. They’ll back off if a dominant like you or me approaches her, but otherwise, she’s fair game.”

Greg was nowhere near being in the same class as Ethan. Only Greg’s depravity pushed him into the top tier of dominants. That would change the moment Ethan took over. Greg would learn what it felt like to be afraid.

“Should we make a bet, then?” Ethan raised a brow. “If I can’t get Hannah to leave with me in five minutes, I’ll back off and let you have her.”

Greg studied him with narrowed eyes. “Do you think me a fool? All you have to do is tell her you’ll help her get off Tanner soil, and she’ll leave with you.” He shook his head. “No. You get five minutes to convince her to fuck you. If you can’t get her to agree, she’s mine. She’ll be begging for my dick once I’m done with her.”

Ethan nearly smiled with the ease at which Greg had fallen into Ethan’s trap. “Agreed. May the best male win.”

Noah’s loud curse carried over the murmur of voices from the shifters gathered around the ceremonial circle. Ethan glanced at where he stood arguing with Michael. Ethan hated not having the chance to talk to Noah and hoped his hotheaded lover didn’t say anything that would damn them.

One of the protectors guarding Michael shoved Noah back. He balled his fists, muttered something to Michael, then made his way across the clearing. Noah flicked his gaze to Ethan before focusing on some distant point. The unspoken demand Ethan gleamed in that brief look spurred him into action.

Ethan strode forward, straight toward where Hannah stood among the group of Tanner females. As expected, Noah planted his palms against Ethan’s chest and pushed. Fangs bared, Noah got up in Ethan’s face, a ruse but his frustration was anything but. Ethan matched the aggressive stance and snarled. The rough sound set Noah off. He slammed Ethan to the ground.

Noah leaned over him. The fall of Noah’s hair hid his demanding expression from prying eyes. “Mate her.”

Ethan didn’t get the chance to respond. Noah raised a clawed hand. Ethan reacted. He grabbed Noah’s wrist and used the strength in his legs to knock Noah off him. The shove tossed him several feet away. The pack protectors rushed forward and grabbed Noah, stopping him from charging Ethan again.

Pride swamped him over the scene Noah had caused. The show served two purposes. One, to reassure Ethan that Noah wanted what was best for them. Two, to support Noah’s territorial drive concerning Hannah.

Ethan hopped to his feet, turned his back on the sight of his lover struggling with the other males, and went to Hannah. He didn’t hide his interest or his chosen partner. It didn’t matter who Ethan picked. Michael would use whichever female he approached to punish Ethan. Hannah was the one he knew he could protect.

Hannah regarded him coolly, the lust from moments ago hidden. He needed to bring it forth. He lowered his chin and let the hungers riding him show in his eyes. They were real. He wanted to devour her. Make her scream. Hear her cries of release. His dick lengthened, a sign that was impossible to misread. Since he was as naked as her, there was no way to hide the thick shaft.

She glanced from his cock to his face. Her breathing quickened. The rise and fall of her chest lifted her breasts. He shifted his gaze from her erect nipples to the space between her legs. The scent of her arousal drew him closer and made his mouth water. He licked his lips. Her rough inhale yanked his attention back to her face. The desire he’d come to expect from her showed in her eyes.

She scrambled backward. Noah’s growl carried over the sounds of the night. Ethan grinned. Both of his lovers gave him the reactions he wanted, whether they knew it or not. And why not? They were made to be his perfect complements.

He snatched Hannah’s hand before she could escape, but didn’t tug her into his embrace, despite his longing to hold her close. Instead, he held her at arm’s length, conscious of their audience. “Hello, Miss Kagan.”

“Mr. Lyons.” Venom dripped from her tone, but lust darkened her eyes.

He rubbed his thumb over the inside of her wrist. “Mr. Lyons? Have you forgotten my name already? We have talked before.”

“About business. First names aren’t necessary in business.”

“But they are when talking to potential mates.” Ethan slid the loose circle of his hand up Hannah’s arm, stopping at her elbow. “Say mine.”

“No.” A spark of defiance flashed in her expression.

Faked or not, it excited him. He took a step forward. She matched it backward. “It’s just a name, Hannah. Saying it won’t hurt you.”

She shook her head. “I’m not playing games tonight. I just want to go home. Alone.”

He took another step, which she mimicked to keep the distance between them. Another and another, and he backed her into the trunk of a wide tree. Her eyes widened. He grinned. “No games. I know exactly what I want from you.”

“And that is?”

“You on your knees with your ass in the air and your fingers scratching at the ground as I fuck you.”

She sucked in a breath. The scent of her arousal thickened in the air around them. After a moment, she shook her head. “Didn’t you hear me when I told Michael that Noah is my true mate?”

“I heard. Like Michael, I don’t believe the spirit wolf would limit you to a male who can’t mate you.” The direction of his thoughts spurred another. “The spirit wolf loves you. It would want to give you everything.”

Eyes widened, she caught her lip between her teeth. “Including a male who can father my babies.”

“Yes.” He nodded, pleased she too followed his train of thought. It made perfect sense. The spirit wolf’s influence was subtle, but it was real. If it could somehow make him indifferent to other females, it could bend the rules for true mates who’d missed out on each other. “And I want to be the one who gets to fill you with life.”

She dropped her gaze to his lips. “I didn’t come to Tanner soil looking for a mate.”

He stepped closer to her, caging her in. She laid her hand against his naked chest, stopping him from closing the last scant inch between their bodies.

He tucked of lock of her hair behind her ear. “You came for sex.”

A small grin played on her mouth. With his body blocking her from prying eyes, she let her mask slip. Those shifters close by could hear them, but her expression was for him only. “Among other things.”

He settled his hands on the slight flare of her hips. “I can give you those things.”

“You don’t know what they are.”

“Let me guess.” He dragged the tips of his fingers to the edge of her breasts and stroked his thumbs over her nipples. She squirmed against him, the move unintentionally stimulating him more. Each brush of her stomach against his aching dick jacked up his needs. He bit back a groan. “You want a male to command you. Pleasure and protect you. You want someone to make you the center of his world.”