Vivi I looked up as Xander and Kane approached, their expressions serious and urgent. The sight of them, naked and powerful, should have been distracting, but the intensity in their eyes kept me focused. I set my coffee cup down, standing to face them."What's going on?" I asked, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach.Xander stepped forward, his blue eyes piercing. "Vivi, there's been an incident. A nearby pack was attacked by poachers. We need to move you to our compound where you'll be safe."I blinked, taken aback. "Move me? I can't just up and leave. I have a job to do here. I'm not some damsel in distress who needs protecting."Xander's jaw tightened, a flash of frustration in his eyes. "Vivi, this is serious. These poachers are using silver bullets. They're targeting wolves, and they won't hesitate to hurt anyone who gets in their way."I crossed my arms, my own frustration rising. "I understand that, but I can't just abandon my work. I have a responsibili
I stormed into the healer's cabin, the scent of antiseptic and worry hanging heavy in the air. I had heard the whispers, the rumors that my brothers had found their mate. But I didn't believe it. How could they be so sure, so soon? And a human, no less. It went against everything we stood for, everything we were. I was determined to get to the bottom of this, to prove that this woman was nothing more than a distraction, a danger to our pack. Another nail in the coffin of my brother's leadership of the pack.I found Sage in the kitchen, her hands wrapped around a mug of tea, her eyes distant. She looked up as I entered, a small smile playing on her lips. "Dax," she greeted, her voice soft. "I was wondering when you'd show up."I crossed my arms over my chest, my stance wide and commanding. "I heard about the woman, Sage. The one Xander and Kane are claiming is their mate. I don't believe it."Sage sighed, setting her mug down on the counter. "I knew you'd be like this. Always so suspici
DaxHer eyes widened at my challenge, and I saw a flicker of uncertainty flash across her face. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a defiant tilt of her chin. "How?" she demanded.I took a step closer, enjoying the way her pupils dilated at my nearness, the way her breath hitched in her throat. "I'm sure you'll figure something out. You obviously convinced Xander and Kane. But I will not be so easily fooled. Prove you're mine." The last word was a low growl, and I saw the effect it had on her. Her pulse quickened, and she licked her lips, her eyes dropping to my mouth. I could smell the sudden surge of desire that arced between us, and it was then that I knew I'd won. She wanted me, and not just as a brother or a friend. I saw Sage watching us intently from the corner of my eye, and I knew she understood the game I was playing, the stakes involved. I knew she'd be running to my brother if anything went down between me and the human she didn't like.Vivi took
DaxVivi followed without question, her eyes darting around the empty space as I closed the door behind us. The silence that followed was heavy with anticipation, and I enjoyed the way her eyes widened, the way her heart raced at the implications. I backed her against the door, enjoying the way her breath hitched as I loomed over her. "Prove it," I demanded, my voice a low growl. She didn't flinch, instead reaching up to trace the contours of my face, her eyes never leaving mine. "I don't really understand any of this, Dax," she murmured, her fingers trailing down my neck to the expanse of my chest. "But I feel this need for you, just like I did for Xander and Kane."I growled low, the sound a warning as much as an encouragement. She smirked, her fingers dipping lower, tracing the contours of my abs. "I like that noise," she admitted, her voice a breathy whisper. "The way you take charge, the way you dominate. It's... exciting."I said nothing, allowing my actions to speak for me. M
As Dax and I lay side by side, the sound of our laughter still ringing in the air, there was a sudden knock at the door. It was insistent and angry. Frowning, Dax sighed and sat up, running a hand through his hair."Who the hell..." He trailed off as he stood and crossed the room. I propped myself up on my elbows, watching him pull open the door, apparently not concerned about his nakedness.Two figures stormed into the room, their eyes instantly finding me. Xander and Kane, their expressions a mix of anger and relief."What the hell did you do to her?" Xander barked at Dax, his eyes never leaving mine.Dax's chest puffed out, and I could see the muscles in his jaw clenching. "Nothing she didn't want. She's my mate, just as much as she's yours."Kane's eyes widened, and he took a step toward me. "Vivi, are you okay?"I nodded, sitting up straighter. "I'm fine. Really. Dax and I... we just had a... discussion." I glanced at Dax, who gave me a small, triumphant smirk.Xander's eyes narro
Kane's hands joined the dance, his clever fingers stroking up my legs until he was parting my thighs exposing my swollen, wet sex to everyone's view. A part of my brain shouted I should be embarrassed but the pull to these men was too strong. The feel of their hands and mouths all over my body overwhelmed any hesitation I may have had. Xander broke the kiss, and I gasped for air, my eyes fluttering closed as his mouth trailed down my jaw and neck. Dax's lips found mine again, his tongue stroking lazily against mine as his hands cupped my breasts. He pinched the hard peak of my nipple and my back bowed in pleasure.Kane's fingers delved into my core, and I jumped at the contact. "Easy there, Vivi. We're going to take good care of you."I nodded, my eyes slipping closed as the three of them surrounded me. Xander's hands glided over my skin, mapping every curve and dip as if he couldn't get enough. Dax's lips left mine, traveling down my body to pay homage to my breasts, while Kane's tou
KaneI lay awake long after Vivi, Dax, and Xander had fallen asleep, their even breathing a soothing chorus in the quiet room. I couldn't believe what had just transpired. Vivi was indeed our mate, chosen by both my brother in everything but blood and the biggest thorn in his side, his older brother. Who would have thought it possible? Dax and Xander sharing anything, let alone a mate.There had to be some divine intervention in this pairing. It was a miracle, a blessing from the gods, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and gratitude. I thought back to the night in the woods when we first found Vivi, the way the universe had conspired to bring her to us. The fates had certainly been kind, and I felt a rush of protectiveness toward our new mate. She was small and delicate compared to the rest of us, but her strength and courage towered over us all.My mind wandered to the way she'd submitted to us, the way she'd welcomed our touch and returned our passion. I'd seen the flash
The next morning, the pack was buzzing with the news of Dax being brought into our triad, now a quad. I could feel the curiosity and excitement in the air as I made my way around the compound, greeting the members of our pack. They were cautious around Vivi, not sure how to interact with her, but the respect in their eyes was evident.I found Xander and Dax in the training clearing, sparring as they had likely done a thousand times before. I watched them for a moment, their movements graceful and deadly, a dance they'd perfected over the centuries."You wanted to see me, brother?" Xander asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.I nodded, gesturing for them to follow me away from the curious eyes of the pack. We walked in silence for a while, the morning sun casting a golden glow on the forest around us."Sage has an idea," I began, gauging their reactions. Xander's eyes widened slightly, while Dax's lips pressed into a thin line."A bonding ceremony for Vivi," Xander finished for me, his
Vivi paced the length of Kelda's cabin, her footsteps heavy with the weight of her anxiety. The older woman watched her with a mixture of concern and understanding, her ice-blue eyes tracking Vivi's movements."You must remain calm, child," Kelda said, her voice gentle but firm. "Letting fear and desperation cloud your mind will only hinder our efforts."Vivi paused, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "How can I be calm, Kelda?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. "Ava has taken my mates, my family. And I can barely feel the bond between us anymore."Kelda nodded, her expression grave. "I understand your distress, Vivi. But we cannot allow ourselves to be consumed by it. Ava's magic is powerful, but it is not unbreakable. And you must think of the baby as well."Vivi's hand rested on the barely rounded gaze flickered to the array of crystals and herbs laid out before Kelda, their surfaces shimmering with an otherworldly light. "Can these truly help us find them?" she
The chamber echoed with the eerie chanting of Ava's pack, their voices rising and falling in a haunting rhythm as they called upon ancient forces. Xander, Kane, and Dax huddled together, their bond thrumming with a mixture of defiance and unease as they braced themselves for the ordeal to come.Ava stepped forward, her green eyes glinting with a predatory light as she surveyed her captives. "You see, gentlemen," she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "the path to true power is paved with sacrifice. And today, you will be the ones to make that sacrifice."She turned to a figure cloaked in shadows, nodding her head in a silent command. The figure stepped forward, revealing itself to be an elderly woman with weathered features and piercing eyes that seemed to bore into their very souls."This is Maeva, our pack's shaman," Ava explained, her lips curving into a cruel smile. "She has mastered the art of manipulating the bonds that tie us all together – bonds of love, loyalty,
"You see, I've spent years studying the intricacies of the Starfire, unlocking its secrets one by one. And now, with you three as my captives, I can finally put that knowledge to the test."She began to pace, her boots clicking against the stone floor with each agitated step. "Your bond is strong, I'll give you that," she conceded, her voice taking on a thoughtful tone. "But even the strongest bonds can be... reshaped, molded to suit one's needs."Dax's eyes widened, realization dawning in their storm-blue depths. "You want to break our bond with Vivi," he breathed, his voice laced with a mixture of horror and disbelief.Ava's lips curved into a predatory smile, her teeth glinting in the flickering torchlight. "Not break, per se," she purred. "More like... redirect. Reshape it to suit my own purposes."Kane snarled, his dark eyes burning with fury. "You're insane if you think we'll let you do that," he spat. "Our bond is unbreakable, a sacred trust that you could never hope to unders
Ava paced the dimly lit chamber, her boots clicking against the stone floor with each agitated step. The cavernous space was illuminated only by flickering torchlight, casting ominous shadows that danced across the walls.In the center of the room, three figures lay bound and unconscious – Xander, Dax, and Kane. Ava's eyes burned with a mixture of triumph and trepidation as she studied them, her mind racing with the possibilities that lay before her.She had taken a tremendous risk in confronting Vivi and her mates, but the potential rewards had been too great to ignore. For too long, her pack had been forced to exist on the fringes, their knowledge and connection to the Starfire a closely guarded secret.But now, with these three powerful wolves in her grasp, Ava had the chance to unlock the true depths of the Starfire's power – and to claim it for herself.A low groan broke the silence, drawing Ava's attention to Xander as he began to stir. His ice-blue eyes fluttered open, confusio
Later, as they retreated to the privacy of their cabin, Vivi broached the subject with her mates, her voice laced with concern."Did you notice the way Ava was looking at Xander tonight?" she asked, her brow furrowed.Kane and Dax exchanged a glance, their expressions guarded."We noticed," Kane replied, his dark eyes somber. "It wasn't just Xander, either. There were moments when she seemed... fixated on all of us."Dax nodded, his storm-blue eyes narrowed. "It's almost like she's sizing us up, trying to figure out our weaknesses."Xander's jaw tightened, his ice-blue gaze hardening. "Whatever her game is, we can't let our guard down. We need to be prepared for anything."As they huddled together, the bond between them thrumming with a mixture of wariness and determination, Vivi couldn't shake the feeling that they were teetering on the edge of something momentous, a shift in the delicate balance of power that had existed within their pack.Ava's true motivations remained shrouded in
In the days that followed, the newly expanded pack settled into a routine, with the freed wolves seamlessly integrating themselves into the daily life of the compound. Vivi watched with a sense of pride as they found their footing, their initial wariness slowly giving way to a growing sense of belonging.Ava, in particular, had become a constant presence at Vivi's side, her calm demeanor and keen insights proving invaluable as they navigated the challenges of their newfound alliance. Vivi found herself drawn to the other woman, her curiosity piqued by the subtle power that seemed to emanate from her.As they walked the perimeter of the compound together, Ava turned to Vivi, her green eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "So, Vivi, tell me – what do you know of the Starfire?"Vivi felt a jolt of surprise at the unexpected question, her steps faltering momentarily. "The Starfire?" she echoed, her brow furrowing. "Well, I know it's a powerful force, one that's connected to me in a way
The freed wolves were a mix of weary resignation and guarded hope as they gathered around the fire, their eyes darting between the members of Vivi's pack. Kelda moved among them, her gentle presence and soothing touch easing their lingering tension.Xander stood at the head of the group, his ice-blue eyes scanning the faces before him. "Welcome," he said, his voice calm and measured. "You've been through a terrible ordeal, but you're safe now. We're here to help you heal and recover."One of the wolves, a woman with silver-streaked hair, stepped forward. "Thank you," she said, her voice rough with emotion. "We thought we were lost, that we'd never be free of their control. But you... you saved us."Vivi felt a swell of pride at the woman's words, the bond between her and her mates thrumming with a renewed sense of purpose. "We're just glad you're safe," she said, moving to stand beside Xander. "We know what it's like to have your freedom taken from you. But now, you're part of our pac
As Vivi followed Xander back to the cabin, a sense of unease coiled in the pit of her stomach. The news he had shared - about the poachers potentially regrouping - only added to the weight of the Broker's looming threat. Xander's hand was a steady presence at the small of her back, guiding her forward with a reassuring touch. She could feel the tension in his body, the protectiveness radiating from him in waves. It was comforting, but also a stark reminder of the dangers they faced.When they entered the cabin, Vivi's eyes immediately sought out Kane and Dax. The two men were tangled together on the couch, their expressions softening as they sensed her and Xander's approach. The bond between them pulsed with a soothing warmth, a reminder that she wasn't alone."What's happening?" Kane asked, his dark eyes shining with concern as he disentangled himself from Dax.Xander's jaw tightened. "The poachers may be regrouping. Liam's pack has agreed to lend their support, but we need to be re
Kane paced the living room of their cabin, his dark eyes flashing with barely contained worry. Dax watched him from the couch, his storm-blue eyes warm with understanding.Ever since Xander had dragged a protesting Vivi out the door to meet with Kelda and the other pack members, Kane had been a wreck. Vivi's earlier confession about meeting with the Broker alone weighed heavily on him and the ensuing battle had made things worse. Even with her power on full display Kane couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was going to happen to her."You're going to wear down the floorboards if you keep that up," Dax said mildly, patting the spot next to him on the couch. "Dwelling on worst-case scenarios doesn't do either of us any good. We have to trust Xander and focus on being here for Vivi when she gets back."Dax sat next to him and opened his arms. "Come. Let me help take your mind off things.""I hate this," Kane growled, resting his forehead against Dax's broad chest. "Hate her