I completely forbade myself from thinking about Zack Billford until tomorrow, just as we planned to leave for the High Table meeting. I intended to spend the rest of today and tonight with my twins, refusing to give Zack another second of my time.
Sebastian and Williams were now set on the task of contacting their sources regarding what a “Soul Eater” might be and how it connected to my abilities. We could only hope the information about what I was did not spread, as their sources might not be willing to share information if they believed a neighboring pack had a weapon primed and ready.
“I don’t know about you two, but I’m not letting this ruin my day,” Ethan smirked as we trekked through the woods.
From what I could tell, we were in the middle of nowhere. We left out the back door and walked through the thickest part of the forest, leaving behind the sparkling lake and its tantalizing waters. The hike wasn’t that bad, if I were being honest. My stamina and endurance were much better as a werewolf. I wasn’t even winded and managed to keep up with the twins easily. They definitely helped pave the way, holding back branches and pointing out stray roots. My eyes were everywhere, and Silver was practically sitting front row, begging me to shift and leap into the overgrown brush.
“Why would the threat of me being a ‘Soul Eater’ ruin your day?” I teased a bit dryly.
Ethan, who was leading our three-man group further into the forest, turned and cocked an eyebrow at me. His rough voice was accompanied by birds singing and the earth beneath our feet crunching.
“It wouldn’t, because I know that you can handle it,” he said simply, giving me a smile that turned my insides to mush. “Very few people are actually suited for power like that, and you just happen to be one of them.”
“Confident, but how can you know?” I replied, huffing quietly when Kieran stopped me from tripping over a thick root that was strung across our path.
“Hmm, let me think for a minute,” Ethan mused, and I found myself growing antsy with each quiet second that passed. “Well, if you were a Soul Eater-or whatever, would you have used your ability on Jessy? I mean, after what she did to you, it makes sense.”
I didn’t have to think about what Ethan was saying and snorted at him. I briefly locked eyes with Kieran when he tugged me in front of him while holding a branch back. I could see the lingering anger in his eyes, just as I felt it settle over me.
“Of course, I wouldn’t,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes at the two of them. They were being dramatic. “She’s a disgusting excuse for a human being, but she doesn’t deserve her damn soul ripped out. People like that usually go to jail. That doesn’t make me special; a lot of other people would do the same in my shoes.”
“Not as many people as you’re thinking,” Ethan denied, glancing at me from over his shoulder. “I sure as hell wouldn’t. I’d devour her soul and not lose a night’s sleep.”
We approached a small ravine in the forest, dotted with large stones that acted as our only way across. Ethan’s movements were smooth and graceful, even though the stones were coated in algae. I gritted my teeth and stepped on the top of one tentatively. My sandals had no grip, and I nearly slid forward right then and there.
“I second that,” Kieran grunted as he hoisted me in his arms, holding me against his chest while he stepped over the tops of the stones. His eyes were dark when they met mine, and a sinful smirk was on his face. “Your reflexes are much better, but you’re still quite clumsy for a werewolf.”
“I’m not clumsy,” I snapped playfully, scowling up at him. “You and Ethan are just special.”
“You think we’re special?” Kieran asked, chuckling low in my ear. We had crossed the small ravine already, but Kieran had yet to set me down. “Sweetheart, you are the special one.”
Kieran shifted and moved until my legs were wrapped around his torso and my arms around his neck.
“How can you walk like this?” I scoffed, yelping when his hand slapped against my bottom.
“It isn’t very hard; I have motivation.” He laughed, a sound that was as thick and rich as the forest around us. I stifled an embarrassing moan when he pulled me tightly against him, his rippling muscles beneath my thighs.
“I’m not going to last another half hour if all I smell is her arousal,” Ethan called out from behind him, making Kieran chuckle and I blanch.
“Let me down,” I hissed quietly, tapping on Kieran’s shoulders. “If you don’t, I won’t last half an hour either.”
“Actually, in that case, feel free to play with her a little while longer, brother,” Ethan chuckled, flashing a dark look my way.
“Don’t you dare,” I warned Kieran, giving him a stern look.
There was no way I’d be doing anything out here, not until I was able to cool off. It was unbearably humid, and the sweat trickled down my back in thin rivulets.
Kieran let me down slowly, and I could feel the full length of him pressing against the seam of his pants. His apologetic smile was flimsy, and I could see past it in an instant.
Once the fire burning in my gut stopped raging out of control, the rest of the walk was actually pleasant. A cool breeze continued to whoosh by as we neared closer to our destination, giving me a small reprieve from the heat.
I could hear the water running before actually seeing it and could smell its freshness from far away. We broke through the tree line and stood at the top of a small waterfall. Easily ten feet high, I could feel the spray of the water as it clashed to the bottom. Jagged stones, shining with moisture, dotted the cliff and surrounding area.
“You’re sure no one will see us here?” I asked the two of them, feeling oddly exposed since my conversation with Zack.
“Nah, we own the surrounding forest,” Ethan reassured me, tossing his bag against the trunk of an oak tree.
I trusted his word and took a deep breath. I was comfortable around the twins, but I was nearly positive that pang of nervousness in my gut would never go away. Their presences were just so consuming, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever learn how not to drown in their eyes.
I dropped my own bag to the ground and stripped my t-shirt from my head. Ethan stopped digging through his bag, his head cocked and eyes on me. Kieran acted the same, his attention diverted and placed on me.
How couldn’t I feel confident? I could feel what they felt for me. I sat at the center of their world, and there would never be another woman who could dare get that close.
My shorts fell to the ground next, leaving me clad in a lacy bra and thong. It had been a pair the twins packed me, one that took fifteen minutes of debating to finally place on my body. It was completely see-through, revealing every inch of my body. Either way, that wasn’t too different from what I had in mind.
I sauntered up to Kieran with as much confidence as I could muster. Once I stood a few inches away, I turned around and gazed up at him through my lashes.
“Could you undo my bra, please?” I asked sweetly, my legs buckling when I felt a rush of need blast through my senses.
Ever since marking the twins, their emotions were on overdrive. It was like I could feel them completely now, the emotion at its fullest.
“Sure thing, sweetheart,” he spoke after a few moments of silence, his voice huskier than usual.
I could feel every place his fingers touched my skin. He chuckled at the goosebumps that ran down my arms and back. Once the clasp on my bra was undone, I let it flutter to the ground with the rest of my clothing.
“Need help with anything else?” Kieran asked from behind me, his fingers toying with the lace underwear I wore.
“I don’t think so,” I said breathlessly, taking a few steps away and dropping my underwear on top of the pile of clothes.
If Kieran were to have helped me with my underwear, he’d see the full extent of his impact on my body. That wasn’t happening. There was only so much I could take, and I knew I wouldn’t ever live it down.
“Are you two going to swim, or just stand here and stare at me?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips as I looked them both in the eye.
I didn’t know I had the confidence to stand there in front of them. Even though my fingers twitched with the urge to cover myself, I managed to stand my ground.
“Well, we were going to swim,” Ethan reasoned with a sly smile and a shrug. “But I think we have something better in mind.”
“Oh no, that’s not happening,” I shook my head, taking a few steps back towards the edge of the small cliff. “We came here to swim, and I’m going to swim.”
“You really can’t be persuaded, doll?” Ethan asked, jutting his lower lip out in a pout that made my mouth water.
“Not a chance,” I squealed, leaping from the top of the cliff and into the water below.
The cool water washed away the sweat and heat from my body. Ethan and Kieran soon followed, splashing into the lake below. I hid behind the waterfall but was soon found by Kieran before I could sneak up on them.
We swam for what felt like hours, never stopping even to eat. The sun blazed down, but the lake’s water kept us cool. My limbs ached from constant swimming and wrestling matches, but I savored every moment. Watching Ethan and Kieran wrestle was a favorite pastime, their muscles rippling as they battled. They were evenly matched, with no clear winner, but the playful competition was entertaining.
Much to Silver’s delight, we shifted and raced through the forest. Ethan won every time, but I managed to beat Kieran three times, much to his chagrin. Ethan’s teasing made me laugh as Kieran fumed.
Eventually, we sprawled on a thick blanket Ethan had tossed on the grass. The twins took turns devouring me, leaving me sore and longing for another dip in the cold water.
We headed home as the sun set, making our way back to the cabin and ending up in bed an hour later. Our lengthy shower was filled with touches and kisses, perhaps driven by the looming threat of tomorrow’s High Table meeting. Despite my efforts to remain calm, thoughts of the worst possible outcome haunted me.
Ethan and Kieran would go to war for me if necessary, but the thought of the bloodshed was unbearable. Silver’s voice reminded me of our strength and the need to end the hunting of white wolves. The uncertainty of what lay ahead made us desperate to claim and be claimed, and their kisses chased away my nerves.
“Will it hurt?” I gasped, wedged between the twins with both inside me.
Kieran, in front, grasped my chin as he thrust into me. Ethan, behind, played with my breasts as he entered me slowly.
“Don’t worry about that, doll,” Ethan murmured, groaning deeply as he filled me completely. “Fuck, Sophia-”
Their rhythm sent waves of pleasure through me, Ethan’s hand tangled in my hair while Kieran’s lips found my neck.
“Come for us, sweetheart,” Kieran whispered, grinding against my clit as Ethan pinched my nipple, sending me over the edge. I pulsed around them, my body quaking with the intensity of my orgasm.
Both twins bit into my neck simultaneously, a flash of pain quickly overwhelmed by pleasure. I felt their connection form and grow, completing the bond between us. The warmth of their mark spread through me, and they lapped away the blood from my neck.
Kieran rested his forehead against mine, both of us still connected. I felt his heartbeat against my chest, Ethan’s at my back.
‘You are incredible, sweetheart,’ Kieran’s voice echoed in my mind, blending seamlessly with my thoughts.
‘Can he hear me?’ I wondered. ‘Is he in my mind, or am I in his?’
‘Think of it like we’re constantly on a 3-way call,’ Ethan chuckled, joining the conversation.
‘Is there any way to mute our little 3-way call?’ I giggled, blushing at the thought.
‘Yes, doll. We’ll need to teach her how to block some of her thoughts,’ Ethan snorted to Kieran.
‘Big egos?’ Kieran grumbled.
“Don’t be such a baby,” I cooed at Kieran, whose eyes darkened.
“I can think of a much better use for that mouth than saying those hateful things,” Kieran scolded, kissing me breathless.
“I’d like to make our little mate scream now, brother,” Kieran said to Ethan.
“I’ll never pass up an opportunity like that,” Ethan chuckled, trailing kisses down my neck.
We tangled in a mess of limbs and whispers, my body aching yet insatiable. My throat grew sore from the sounds I made, the twins’ hunger driving them on. Only when the clock read early morning did we finally curl up in bed. I lay between them, listening to their heartbeats and emotions until my eyes fluttered shut.