Mountain Murder: Mountain Menace, #2

By A.M. Proctor

Hardley Walsh

I found my family. Soul-bonded to three wonderful monsters. I'm not a beauty, and my beasts don't dance. They are full-blown growly werewolves.

Daddy Bear healed the battered little girl caged inside me.

Beautiful Cassius reminded me not to take myself too seriously as he danced to the beat of his own tune.

Dominant Darius was the complicated mountain hurricane I craved to defy.

Gentle Silas was my best friend and the caretaker of my heart.

Did it matter that only one of my four mates was human?

My body was going through dangerous and unexplainable changes that might hurt Silas. My wolven mates responded by putting restrictions on our private interactions until they could figure out what was happening to me. They should have known by now, I loved crossing red lines and Silas was as stubborn as he was tall.

The murders on the Appalachian Trail were still happening, and they might hold us responsible. The Measure was sniffing around the homestead, making Bear tense and unpredictable. But his enemy might have the answers I needed to control my unpredictable new self.

Something dark was coming for me and… my period was late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.M. Proctor
• Release date: Sep 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798223526407

A.M. Proctor

A. M. Proctor, a native Floridian who lives with her three cats, two dogs, and four angry backyard hens. She has two ponies. She weaves fantastically dark love stories involving humans, fae creatures, and monsters. If you like Tillie Cole, Amelia Hutchins, and H.D. Carlton, you'll love A.M. Proctor's beastly heros and the females that love them. www.amproctor.com

Book preview

Mountain Murder

A Dark Werewolf Reverse Harem Romance, Book 2

A.M. Proctor

Copyright © 2022 by A.M. Proctor

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

To gain permission contact the author at [e-mail].

Contents

Introduction & Warnings

1.Mountain Stranger

2.Mountain Dominant

3.Mountain Alpha

4.Mountain Love

5.Murder Mountain

6.Mountain History

7.Down The Mountain

8.Uncivilized Mountain Men

9.Supernatural Answers

10.A Feral Night Out

11.Mountain Surprise

12.Mountain Home

13.Alone with Silas

14.Mountain Fun

15.Mountain Neighbors

16.Mountain Homestead

17.Murder in the Dark Realm

18.The Measure

19.The Dark Lord’s Guest

20.Back at the Measure

21.The Dark Trials

22.The Human Realm

23.My Darkness

24.A Way Home

25.Sweet Mountain Home

26.Dirty Mountain Men

27.First Full Moon Shift

28.Waning Gibbous

29.Mountain Wedding

30.Liberty Has Four Dads

31.Claiming Them Back

About Author

Introduction & Warnings

This book isn't as dark as the first, but it's smuttier. I had a hard time getting my characters to put clothes on long enough to get to the plot. There are some twists and turns in store for my readers.

You are in the bed with my characters. No closed doors here.

There is monster romance. The wolven take Hardley as much as the mortal men do, so if the monster loving scene in Mountain Menace was not your bag, then take a pass on this one.

Darius is a hard Dom. So there will be punishments and controlling behavior. But Hardley is a brat who enjoys poking him.

Daddy Bear and Hardley explore their B/l (Big/little) dynamic a bit more in this book.

Cassius discovers his submissive side. He likes when Hardley gets rough with his junk. There is a small blood play scene.

Silas is simply perfect. I’ve got no warnings for the human of Hardley’s ‘why choose’ family. Except… maybe… you’ll fall in love with him.

All her men are possessive and growly. They’ll eat anyone who threatens her, but our girl is pretty tough in her own right.

Oh, and as possessive as the men are, if the almost-related relations in Mountain Menace were borderline too much for you, then you might be offended later in Mountain Murder. I don’t want to spoil anything, but there is a full on t@boo scene (trying not to get dinged and dungeoned here) that creates some shame in a few characters even though the focus is purely on Hardley. (Lucky girl)

There’s a few primal scenes where Hardley is chased, caught, and her man (or wolven) gets the prize. I’ll also mention that the wolven hunt their food during full moon shifts. There might be scenes where the wolven eat a few things that make your stomach turn. However, most of the time, they are eating Hardley so…

If you need to know more about the type of smut I write, check out my website.

AMProctor.com

Chapter 1

Mountain Stranger

Bear

Cassius pushed his hand through sweaty hair with a huff of impatience. I think we are far enough out to shift.

We’d left before sunrise to track a herd of elk known to migrate through these parts but had found no sign of them. Shifting into our wolven form would give us an advantage, but it was always risky.

Let’s wait and shift once we’ve found the herd.

Cassius lifted his water bottle and downed it in one long swig before refilling it in the river and pouring it over his head. Why? My wolven could scent the herd and dispatch one more quickly than my mortal form.

Quicker isn’t always better, Cassius.

His startling green eyes were lined with lashes so thick they…

Are you wearing makeup? I asked.

Hardley put eyeliner on me last night.

I frowned, and his proud grin faltered. Why do you ask? You’ve never cared what I wore in the past. Darius might—

Tease you about it? Maybe, but he doesn’t care either. It’s not just about you; it’s her, too. His brows drew together and I clarified, Not about what you wear. She’s into your divergence of dress. Just… forget it. We’ll talk later.

We refilled our water from the swift mountain river and stood up. Cassius blocked the trail. His sharp jaw was set with determination. What about her? Is this why you’ve been so broody all damned day?

Yes, it’s why I’ve been so broody. But, if I explain it now, I’ll have to explain it again later where we are all together and I wasn’t sure my wolven would behave long enough to make it through multiple conversations. We’ll have a family meeting about it.

I attempted to push past him and continue our hunt, but he was unmovable. No, if Hardley did something with me that upset you, then you’ll address me.

My lips formed a tight line before I loosened my tongue. If you’d lower your voice and focus on the hunt, maybe we’ll make it back before dark, and I can hold that meeting.

His determination morphed into stubbornness, and I sighed. Fine. In order for this to work, she needs to follow the rules of the pack. She sleeps with me at night.

He snorted in amusement. Did you tell her that?

I did, and she ignored my order. Now my voice raised defensively.

So, you ordered her to sleep in your room every night? No wonder she spent last night in my bed.

My teeth ground as I stifled the warning growl my wolven demanded from me. This wasn’t a pack conversation. This was a father and son one. I pushed past Cassius and started down the game trail, ducking behind a branch.

He followed me. Did you even explain to her why it was necessary?

Did I? I thought I had. She understood the importance of my order, so why did she ignore it? I struggled all night with the urge to break down Cassius’s door and drag Hardley down the hall back to my room, where she belonged. That would have gone over like an overturned barrel of compost.

Cassius continued to speak as he followed me. Dad, she’s human. You can’t expect her to instinctively know about pack dynamics.

My fingers soothed my beard as I paused. You know? I don’t think she’s all human, Cass. I don’t recall ever hearing about a human soul bonding with three lycan. The soul bond should occur between the alpha and his or her mate: the rest of the pack belongs to them equally.

Cassius grinned as he slipped by me on the trail. Does that make all three of us alphas?

My hands clenched into fists as I lifted my face to the sky and took several steady breaths. Don’t tease my wolven, Cass. Now is not the time for shenanigans.

Cassius came to a stop with a sigh. "Why can’t your wolven find the elk? Mine is barely even awake right now."

Because that would defeat the whole reason I brought you hunting today.

He started walking again, and I followed. I know you’re trying to get my wolven and me to unify, but I don’t think you’re teaching the right being. Another heavy sigh left him as he trudged on through the thick underbrush, He’s just not interested in this hunt.

But when you both were interested in bonding with Hardley, you felt united by a common goal, like he became your partner. It can be that way all the time, Cassius. You just have to work at it.

Why just me? Why can’t he meet me halfway?

"Because the mortal must bridge the gap. It’s the lycan way."

Cassius snapped a low branch in half with a loud crack as he stomped forward. But I’m only half lycan. He halted, his back stiff with a sudden thought. What if we never merge?

I put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. You’ll merge. It might take him longer to connect the way I had with my wolven, but it would happen.

My wolven knew exactly where that herd of elk was, and he’d been grumbling about us going the wrong way for an hour now. I had to remind him we needed to let the pup inside Cassius discover this information.

If your wolven isn’t interested in hunting, figure out why.

The terrain grew steeper, and my distracted son took a long time for internal reflection. It wasn’t until we got to the top of the trail that he said, He wants to go home and hold his mate in his arms.

If he were more intune with his wolven, he’d feel what she was doing right now through the bond. I felt the bond snap into place for Darius the moment he delivered his orgasm deep inside her body. My skin had itched with the need to turn around and snatch our mate from him the second it happened. My wolven wasn’t happy that Hardley now carried the scent of both Cassius and Darius. It wasn’t right that she didn’t start the day without carrying my mark first.

You’re getting all broody and growly again, Dad.

Green eyes met mine, and I shook myself out of my thoughts. Tell your wolven to find the herd we are hunting so we can bring a prize back to our mate. She will be happy that he’s provided for her.

Those emerald gems closed as Cassius turned his chaotic thoughts inward. The moment they opened again, his eyes snapped back the way we came. We’ve been going the wrong way.

Finally…

His dark head tilted to the side as he added, And we are not alone out here.

Which is why we can’t shift right now.

I’d felt a lone female human nearby for the past two hours, but this was Cassius’s hunt.

What is a woman doing out this far from the marked hiking trails?

I shrugged a shoulder. Maybe she’s hunting too.

His face turned toward me. No. Humans rarely hunt alone.

Stay focused on the elk, son.

He started toward the flicker of human energy. What if she needs help?

This hunt was going to take a week if he didn’t lock on to that damned herd soon. But his urge to help the poor woman was honorable. People got lost out here all the time, and most of them never returned home. If we could point someone in the right direction, then that was one less family suffering from loss.

Lead the way.

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Hardley

I wasn’t a murderer, and I had completed the bond with all three lycan males. Silas and Darius seemed to have moved past whatever I witnessed behind the barn.

And yet, it felt like the other shoe had yet to drop.

Could it be my low-key anxiety that I stayed the night with Cassius, defying Bear’s direct rules that the night belongs to him and only him?

Cass didn’t seem worried about Bear when he left to go hunting with him in the wee hours of the morning.

How bad would the punishment be?

Darius had already inflamed the flesh of my ass, but that had nothing to do with not returning to Bear’s bed last night.

I twisted to take a good, long look at my backside in Bear’s oversized bathroom mirror. The rush of steamy water filling the enormous bathtub was just clouding my reflection. The marks of Darius’s handprints were placed just inside Cassius’s claiming bite, almost like he was trying to paint the space red.

As I sank into the hot water, the marks stung, reminding me how brutally he had created them. Maybe I should have let him heal me completely. I snorted at my thoughts. I’m Darius’s little pain slut. If I had let him heal me, I’d just be begging for more in an hour. Would Daddy Bear’s spanking be just as brutal as Dar’s?

No. Bear was a sensual spanker. He didn’t get off on my pain like Darius did. He got off on bathing me, feeding me, and taking care of his little princess like nobody had ever done before.

My heart dipped at the possibility that he might withhold that from me as punishment. My brows drew together, and tension bracketed my jaw at the conflict brought by that thought. The way he bathed me before bed the other night had me feeling the same thing. Exposed and raw to the point of tears. I both loved and hated it. He better not stop now, or else I might implode. It would be cruel to do that to someone and then take it away.

I leaned back against the edge of the tub with a sigh. This bath was a self-indulgent luxury when I should have just cleaned up and returned to help Silas with whatever chores he still needed to do. I couldn’t help myself. This room drew me in like nowhere else on the homestead. It smelled of Bear. He was literally everywhere, and even though I’d been a naughty girl, it comforted me to be in his space. I supposed I could take some time to unpack what little things I had after my bath. If Bear came home to find that I’d done a little nesting, it might soften the blow I dealt him by defying him. I cared little about being naughty last night while I was with Cass, but now I could almost taste Bear’s disappointment. It hurt to know I caused this residual negative energy.

I traced the scars his wolven left when he delivered his soul bite. I’m sorry for hurting you. My voice was a murmur, but the warm feeling and tingling that ran along the raised bumps had a gasp leaving my throat. I knew Bear could communicate with Darius and Cassius through the pack bond.

Was that what I just did? Had he heard my apology and responded? I tried it again. I love you, Bear. The physical response never came for me. Well, that was disappointing. Did he choose not to respond because I abandoned him last night, or was I not doing this bonding thing right?

The tub of warm water was no longer taking my anxiety away, so I left it, choosing to put my mind and hands to work instead of sitting idle to worry over imagined things.

Hours later, I skipped down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Silas was cooking something delicious for dinner. I plucked the apron he’d given me weeks ago off the peg and wrapped it around myself. Where’s Darius?

Outside somewhere.

I fell in step next to Silas at the stove, ready to take whatever task he tossed my way. I was his apprentice, and the kitchen was his kingdom. Silas was king here, and even Darius submitted to his will with food. Are things better between you now?

He set some potatoes and a paring knife in front of me. Peel these. Why do you ask?

All of them? At his nod, I moved the potatoes to the counter space next to the stove and got to work. I saw what happened behind the barn earlier.

His hands merely paused, stuffing the poor naked chicken splayed in the roasting pot. That was nothing. Just Darius trying to pleasure me into doing what he wants. Happens all the time.

You hit him. My gaze slid to his face to gauge his reaction to my statement.

Yeah. Dark brown eyes met my gaze. Watch what you are doing, Hardley. He’ll be pissed if he has to heal a finger because you weren’t paying attention.

His magic sputtered out hours ago.

He can be rough. He looked back over at me. Are you okay? Emotionally, I mean.

I smiled. I just discovered I like it rough.

His lips pulled into a knowing grin as those eyes sparkled with life and love. Me too.

Setting the knife down, I reached over and gave his solid ass a squeeze. Does he spank you, too?

His gaze dropped down the front of the little white dress I had slipped on before coming down. Sometimes. You?

My smile grew shy as I returned to my job. Yeah.

It took one quick glance to see that his grin matched mine as he said,. I guess he still has some shit to work through concerning you.

If a man tried to spank me three years ago, I would have freaked out and left immediately. Today, I was happy to be the one Darius worked his problems out on.

What did that say about me?

Maybe I had problems that needed working on, too.

We labored in the kitchen and gardens till supper. Silas was a naturally quiet man. Not in a weak or weird manner, more like comfortable in his own skin. Completely at ease in the silence that sometimes stretched between us. Even in the void of conversation, I never felt disconnected from him.

The screen door in the kitchen opened as we were prepping the roasted chicken and potatoes. Darius came in stark naked, dirt caked on his sweaty skin like nature wanted to add to his sculptured, powerful body.

Smells good in here. He stopped to clap us both on the ass.

My body flinched from the shocking reminder of the spanking I received earlier. Both men focused on me. Darius grinned as he lifted the back of my skirt.

A sharp intake of breath came from the tall man beside me as he leaned behind me to look. That’s an interesting glow of scarlet, Dar.

He dropped the hem of my dress and grumbled, She wouldn’t let me heal her.

I smirked at Silas’s questioning eyebrow. I knew he’d enjoy seeing his handiwork later.

Darius snorted as he walked out of the kitchen toward what I hoped was the bathroom for a shower. Not that I minded the way he smelled right now. I loved how hard work and sweat made his scent ruddier and more earthy. Don’t let her fool you. She’s holding onto my marks because they made her cum harder than ever before.

Both of us were watching Darius’s ass flex as he left, and when Silas finally looked back at me, I grinned and shrugged. He’s not wrong.

He picked up the dish and delivered it to the table. He never is about these things.

I followed with a plate of steamed veggies. We could team up on him after dinner. Give him a taste of his own medicine.

I see that backfiring in the most delicious way.

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Cassius

For once, my wolven cooperated with me and guided me right to the lone human female he had no interest in. Maybe dad’s lessons were sinking in and he was willing to meet me halfway.

She was a good thirty feet away when I spoke. You lost?

She pushed dark gray hair from her sweaty forehead as she slowly turned to face us. Sagging skin and a slight bend to her frame had me guessing her age was close to sixty, but her eyes were sharp as she sized us up. What makes you think I’m lost, young man?

Her voice was not quite what I expected from an aged human. It was almost musical compared to my father’s deeper baritone. You’re pretty far from the hiking trails.

But this woman didn’t seem prepared for a day hike. She had no backpack and carried no water on her. I’m just out enjoying the beauty of these fine mountains. Is that a crime?

My head tilted to the right as she approached with a sweet smile. Bear answered her question as my wolven peered curiously through my eyes. No. We just don’t come across many people this far from the park trails.

I added, And those we do are usually lost.

The woman halted before us. Her smile faltered as she brought her arm to her wrinkled nose. Do you have a dog with you? She stepped back, eying us suspiciously. I’m highly allergic to dogs.

I glanced at my dad with a frown as he assured her, No dog. Do you need us to point the way to the hiking trail?

She waved a dismissive hand. Lord no, I’m very much at home here in these woods.

Bear bowed slightly. Okay then, we’ll let you be on your way.

I dipped my head and hurried to catch up with my father. We can’t leave her out here all alone. What if her mind is addled? Some humans get that way as they age. My heart sank at the thought of Hardley growing older and possibly losing her sharp mind.

Bear waited to answer my protests until we were far from the woman. Did your wolven alert on that woman at all?

Other than finding her slightly odd? No.

His eyes shuttered. It was odd how she smelled our wolven and covered her nose. That was no ordinary human. I swear, didn’t you encounter any other fae during your time at the Measure?

Yeah, but my wolven—

Was being suppressed by you so you’d fit in. Therefore, he never got the chance to scent and learn about the things that might kill you.

Kill me? That old hag? But Bear was right. I kept my wolven on a tight leash as I interned in Colorado, but to be fair, they did not put me in situations where I encountered anything that might provoke him.

Can we get back to the hunt now, Cassius? Dad was annoyed with me, but that was nothing new.

Are we just going to let a threat run loose in the mountains, then? What if she makes her way into more populated areas?

Then the Measure can deal with her. His voice was gruff with finality.

I glanced back down the trail. We should… My voice trailed off as the beacon of energy from the old woman vanished.

My legs were moving back up the trail before my mind caught up. Bear’s shouts to stop only spurred me on faster. The only thing that would extinguish her signature this close to us was death, and I had to know what killed her.

I came careening to a stop at the edge of a cliff.

Did she jump? My gaze tracked the underbrush below, but there was no sign of it being disturbed by a falling body. No scream pierced the forest sounds before she vanished off my radar.

Maybe. He lifted his nose to the air and added, Her scent lingers here, but I can’t tell where it’s coming from.

I searched the sky for the source of the scent like an idiot before shrugging. Well, she doesn’t need our help anymore. Let’s go find that elk so we can get home quicker.

Back to Hardley is what I really meant. From the first moment I caught her scent, she had been the only thing my wolven and I agreed upon. For a moment, we were a team, and she became our goal.

I stupidly thought we’d reached the joining. Had merged as one because of her. Thought that unity would last.

But this hunt showed me that without Hardley’s presence, we were back to wandering in separate directions. My wolven was currently uninterested and uncooperative in anything that was not centered on her.

I truly understood him. I too would rather be in bed, holding her, marking her with our scent deep inside her fiery, drenched pussy. We all yearned to put a litter of pups inside her. It didn't matter that this primal need might never be fulfilled. It was the connection we shared during the act that astounded me.

Darius loved discipline and restraint.

Bear loved to nurture the soul and the child within.

Silas loved to serve.

But the look on her face when I bred her lingered in treasured memories. My ears still heard the noises she made as pleasure washed over her. My heart skipped when she clung to me like I was the only thing that mattered in her entire world.

That was the moment I lived for, and she was the only thing that brought me internal peace.

So, we’d find this annoying herd of elusive elk and cull the perfect gift for our mate.

Chapter 2

Mountain Dominant

Darius

I was too rough with her. Those marks on her ass shouldn’t still be so raw and tender. Even as my insides twisted with discomfort, my lips tugged up at the corners at the way she’d gasped when I grabbed her ass.

She was the one who denied my gift of healing. Said she wanted to feel me for the rest of the day.

Was it so she could savor the bond that had just snapped into place for us?

Well, for me anyway.

She may not feel the bond like I do, being a bratty human, but I felt it immediately. What we did in that barn this morning changed my entire world. I punished her severely for emotionally chaining me to her when I wasn’t free to be taken.

Hardley collared and leashed my wolven the moment he sank his teeth into her and went to war with her soul. He conquered her, but in that win, he also gave all of himself away. She is now his sole reason for existing.

He no longer raised his sleeping head to peer at Silas through my mortal eyes.

So where did that leave my first love now that I had accepted the bond?

Turning off the shower, I snatched my towel from the hook and roughly dried myself.

Would I forsake him for her? My stomach rolled with sickening emotion.

Would he forsake me? I frowned at myself in the foggy mirror. What if he loved her more than me?

I raked the towel over my short hair. What if she loved him more?

My stomach dropped into my loins at the thought of them together, without me. They were, though. Already together without me.

Without bothering to dress, I left the bathroom and arrived in the kitchen. Hardley’s blue eyes traced my body. She sucked her plump bottom lip between her teeth before her smile pulled it out. I didn’t bother to explain that when it got too hot for clothing, we lived in the nude. That’s why Silas didn’t react to me the way she did. At least that’s what I hoped.

Laying my towel on the chair, I took my seat at the table. This table, carved from ancient hardwoods, had been handed down through generations by my ancestors. Many family units had sat here. I wondered briefly what kind of advice this table might provide if it had words.

They sat down together opposite me. It was good that they did so. I studied them acutely. Witnessed the exchanging of shy smiles and looks of love between them. Watching them together hurt, but it also provided a strange comfort as we ate the roasted chicken they had prepared.

My silence had them both squirming in their seats. I should say something. So, how ‌did you two happen? I waved my fork between them as I winced internally. I should have thanked them for the meal. Told them how delicious it was. Instead, my mouth jumped right to the matter of things.

Hardley’s face bloomed as she glanced with wide eyes at Silas. He held my gaze steadily from across the table. His fork lowered slowly. Much like you and I happened, Darius. His voice was testy and the look on his face told me he just might punch me again.

So, she kissed you after a long hike in the woods? Did she have to force you to accept it like I did?

Silas frowned. We kissed each other, and you didn’t have to force me to love you, Darius. I just needed time to process my new feelings our first kiss created.

My face remained stony. Show me how you kissed each other. I forced a wintry smile. I’m processing too, right now.

Hardley might suffer whiplash the way she was looking between us, lips parted as her delicate hand used the fork to toy with her plate.

I schooled my features as I leaned back in my chair. Go on, kiss her.

His face turned towards Hardley, but his gaze was reluctant to leave mine. May I kiss you, Hardley?

My scowl was as brief as her nod. Oh, come on. I’m sure neither one of you asked for consent the first time your lips touched.

Silas shot me a glare. No, but I’m asking for her consent now. If she doesn’t want to take part in your twisted little game, she doesn’t have to.

Hardley’s voice was an eager whisper as she stared up at Silas. I’ll participate.

I tried to ignore the stab of pain that lanced my heart as Silas’s attention left me for her. He cupped her face with gentle hands as he angled his head and slowly closed the distance. The way he stared into her eyes made me shift in my seat. This was no game. This was pure adoration.

Then he kissed her in a way I knew intimately. It was a passionate, slow burn joining of two people I cared much too deeply about. The way her hands fisted and released before tentatively moving towards his body had my lungs pausing. Earlier today, she tore into my flesh with those claws. Now, with Silas, those fingers had no bite as she caressed my male.

The tender way she responded to him twisted me up inside. I hated seeing them together, and yet I was on the edge of my seat to witness more.

My cock stirred to life as I swallowed my shame for starting this during supper. Bear would not approve.

I picked up my fork and interrupted their moment. Food is delicious, by the way. I smiled and nodded as they turned confused, heated eyes on me.

Watching them squirm as they glanced at each other through the rest of our meal was pure satisfaction.

Did they think the game was over?

Because I couldn’t help but wonder.

Because I couldn’t help but wonder about what they did inside that tent as they hiked out several weeks ago.

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Silas

I had thought long and hard, even fantasized about what it would be like after I told Darius how I felt about Hardley. The initial telling that ended up with me punching him and him sucking me off behind the barn had been expected.

I’d known Darius his whole life and yet he still could do the unexpected with Hardley. I expected a threesome. This was Dar we were talking about. I just didn’t think it would be so darn soon after I told him I’d already made love to her.

Dar was the type who took a long time to process his emotions. He had always made careful plans. I expected his retaliation to be creative and well thought out. But this time, I felt like he was making things up as they came to him, and it had me on edge.

That kiss, though.

Even Darius melted into the background the moment her lips touched mine.

I realized just how starved I was for her affection. My heart refused to chill out, and my dick was like an overly excited puppy. I leaked all over my zipper and I prayed the wet spot wasn’t visible by the time we finished the meal.

How long do you think Bear and Cass will be gone? Hardley put the question to Darius, which was a relief because if I opened my mouth right now, I just might whine a pitiful noise of need. I was that desperate to get back inside her body.

Darius eyed her for a heartbeat. And I knew that remote, half-interested look intimately. Dar wasn’t finished toying with us. If Bear is trying to teach Cass a lesson, it could take a week for him to learn it.

Hardley pushed her empty plate away and leaned forward, propping her elbows on the table and her chin on her fists. What kind of lesson would Bear be teaching Cass? She sounded kind of worried about them.

I could tell Dar caught the tension in her voice too, because he leaned forward and gave her his full attention. You wouldn’t understand.

Try me. She held his direct stare like a rock star. I knew how it felt to be trapped in the spotlight of his hazel gaze.

"It’s a wolven thing. Bear is attempting to get Cass and his beast on the same page." He spat the word beast. She must have called the wolven that at some point, and Darius hadn’t let the offense go.

It must be hard to have a completely separate personality existing within.

His smile was devilish as he cocked his head. You do not know.

She leaned back with a small laugh. Actually, I’ve thought about it a lot since I was highly prone to dissociative identity disorder. You know, from my childhood?

He straightened. Actually, since you haven’t discussed your childhood with me, I don’t know.

Her smile turned enticing. I don’t think you have a meaningful discussion on your mind right now, Darius. Her finger touched her bottom lip as she tilted head. Though I do believe you’re sadistic enough to be aroused by my trauma.

A deep frown dulled the deviant spark in his eye. We are done here. His gaze moved over the clean dishes. It’s time to retire to the living room.

Had she effectively tossed a bucket of icy water on Darius? It was difficult to tell as his face closed off completely as he took Bear’s chair in front of the fireplace. It was a place of power for a powerful male, and Darius fit that image in his resplendent nudity.

Hardley couldn’t seem to look away as she studied every line of thick muscle, lingering on the semi-hard cock resting on his thigh.

The corner of Darius’s lip quirked up as he stared back at her over thick lashes. The light from our oil lamps created shadows that danced over his rugged face, making him more beautiful by the second.

Take your clothing off.

Hardley dropped onto the couch next to me and folded her arms. Why?

His hands gripped the arms of the leather chair. Because I want to see you. I want both of you bared to me.

Hardley’s head cocked defiantly as her hands dropped to her lap. You want to watch us fuck? Is that it? That devilish grin returned, and I stiffened, recognizing the ‌grin came right before she said something to provoke Darius. I didn’t take you for a cuck.

My mouth formed the question before I could stop it. Cuck?

The wickedness in her grin reached her eyes as she explained. Cuckoldry is a kink where a man watches his wife fuck another man as he sits and does nothing to stop it. He usually enjoys the shame, helplessness, and degradation pushed upon him as he watches.

Darius’s sadistic grin grew as she spoke to me. She had to know this wasn’t true, as she boldly held his gaze. Her bond with him should guide her to the truth. Darius loved control, and he was still processing what he had just learned about us.

My fingers fumbled with the buttons on my shirt before finding their purpose. I slipped the soft fabric off my body before I stood to lose my pants. My cock jutted free, exposing my shameful arousal to watchful eyes. My face heated.

Good boy, Dar purred in an approvingly deep voice before his gaze returned to Hardley. Isn’t he exquisite?

Hardley licked her lips as she took in my body. Her voice grew husky. Yes. Her heated gaze met mine. He’s gorgeous.

You both are unhinged.

Darius barked a laugh. You already knew that about me. His gaze shifted back to Hardley. Well?

Her brows lifted. Oh, I don’t deny my crazy.

Another short laugh burst from Dar. It made me smile because my beloved brother rarely laughed.

He said to her, Take off your dress.

Her blue gaze held mine as she lifted the dress over her head. I broke her erotic eye contact to take in her soft curves as she pulled the tie from her hair and let her faded blue waves down.

Darius inhaled deeply. Gods, you’re sopping wet, woman. You’ve been teasing me with your scent since you sat down for dinner.

He fisted his growing cock and clenched. Show me how you kiss Silas.

She sized up our height difference before gently pushing me back to the side of the couch. Following me down, she straddled my lap as she cupped my cheeks and took my mouth with hers. She claimed me like a conquest, and I melted for her with a low groan.

My hands went to her ample ass, fingers digging into the skin as I encouraged her closer. The need to press her against my throbbing dick was overwhelming, but a disapproving sound from Darius stopped me.

Arch your back, mate. Show us how wet you truly are. My eyes flashed open at the word us. One look at his golden gaze told me his wolven was also enjoying the show.

Hardley moaned into my mouth as she lifted her ass and spread her knees.

Darius’s unearthly eyes moved from mine to her, and pleasure softened his face as he stroked his cock slowly. That’s my good girl.

His tongue darted out to swipe his bottom lip. Pull her pussy open for me, Silas. I want to see… everything.

My hands moved over the globe of her ass lightly before grazing the wet heat of her vulva. I ran the tips of my fingers up and down her plump labia gently before finding the seam and stretching her wide.

Hardley’s kiss slowed to a stop. Her lips still touched mine as her breath fanned my cheek.

Darius sucked in a sharp breath. Fuck that’s good. You do not know how bad my wolven wants to clean that mess up, woman.

Blue eyes flew open and met mine. Her lips curved up against me before she withdrew a fraction of an inch. She stared at me as she spoke to him. I’d rather you both watch Silas clean up the mess you created by teasing me during dinner.

Teasing you?

She glanced back at him over her shoulder. You don’t take responsibility? Not after showing up to dinner looking the way you do and forcing him to kiss me?

I pushed both index fingers into her juicy body and her head snapped around, surprised. I gave her a tight smile. Would you stop antagonizing him and let us play with you?

Her eyes rolled into the back of her head with a groan as I pushed my fingers in and out of her with casual ease. I leaned forward and nibbled along her jaw, using my teeth to scrape and nip before moving my mouth lower to the graceful globes hanging heavy at my chest. One hand went to the nape of my neck as she fed me her breast with the other. She moaned my name softly as I latched on to her peaked nipple and sucked.

My fingers stroked in and out, tugging her open as I drew my slick digits back. Darius rumbled a sound of pleasure as he watched us, watched me stretch her wider for him with just my index fingers. I opened my pinky fingers, letting them nudge her clit. She jerked with a gasp, almost choking on my name.

Put two more fingers inside her.

I observed her face as I added my middle fingers to the ones already pumping in and out of her.

That’s it, Silas. How does she feel?

I lifted my gaze as she opened her eyes and met mine. Her breath came in heavy pants as I lost myself to her. She radiates soft warmth. The kind that reminds me of a hearth on a cold winter’s night. She is… I lost my train of thought as I drug my lips across hers. Pure love.

The couch dipped beside us, and his voice rumbled in my ear. Yes, that she is.

I turned my face towards his, and he traced my bottom lip with his thumb. And so are you.

His hand left me and closed around my wrist, reminding me that my fingers had stilled inside Hardley some time ago. Pulling my wrist away, my slick fingers cooled as he brought my hand between us. Sensual lips parted right before he sucked my index and middle fingers together.

The heat of his mouth combined with the way his eyes closed as he sucked her off me forced a twist of titillating pleasure deep in the pit of my stomach. When his eyes parted again, the heat of passion blazed in the depths.

Your turn. His voice was smoke.

I pulled my other hand out of our woman, who had gone as still as the dead of winter. Her lips parted as wide eyes followed my fingers into my mouth. I held her stare as I sucked my own fingers and I swear, even in the dim light, her eyes dilated as Darius spoke again.

What does she taste like to you?

My lips tugged as I immediately responded. Like fresh mountain mist on a perfect morning.

Reaching between us, he gripped my cock. The muscles in my thighs tensed. A sound of pained need left me as his thumb swiped over my leaking tip, sending an unexpected shock of pleasure coursing through my body.

He caught Hardley’s chin and gently urged her to look at him as his thumb swiped the glistening fluid over her parted lips. She drew his thumb into her mouth, sucking my precum off as her eyes closed once more.

His breath caught as she moaned softly. With a smoky voice that quivered, he asked, And what does he taste of?

Her eyes flared open as he withdrew his thumb. They found him as she searched for the words. Like morning dew from that mountain mist as it settles on night-cool grass.

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Hardley

In all my years, I don’t think I’d ever been this turned on before. My body thrummed and tightened with every action. Every heated word inched me closer to orgasm, even though nothing touched my aching pussy.

Darius didn’t stiffen or moan as he swiped his thumb over his very stiff erection to collect the fluid leaking from him.

My eager mouth opened for him.

The moment his taste hit my tongue, mixing with the lingering taste of Silas, I inhaled sharply. His precum sank into my blood, igniting it with a heady fire that sent pleasure coursing through me.

He pulled his thumb out of my mouth with a pop and I let out a deep sigh as my eyes closed and my head tipped back. My hair tickled my shoulder blades as I spoke to the ceiling.

You are the summer sun that ignites the mist and dew, giving life to nature.

A faint smile appeared when I dropped my head to meet his intense stare. Show me how it is between you. Allow me to bear witness to mist and dew burning up for their sun.

He moved to the far end of the couch, one leg drawn up against him, the other foot on the floor, knees wide as he fisted himself. His hazel gaze was a blaze of desire as he watched us and slowly fucked himself with his hand.

Darius was no cuckolded mate like I had teased him about earlier. No, he was the director of this encounter. We belonged to him, puppets to control for his pleasure.

A year ago, that thought might piss me off.

I was my own person, fully in control of my body and sexuality.

But belonging to Darius felt