Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 122684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 491(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 491(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
River and Wyatt stared at each other long enough that River started to growl, but it was Bel that stopped him by placing his fingertips to his lips.
“This isn’t something that should be decided quickly. You both need to think about it. And we still need to take care of Albert.”
River kissed his lips, and a sad smile tugged up the corners. “You’re perfect.”
Bel laughed, falling on Wyatt, who wrapped an arm around Bel’s waist. He slid across the silken sheets until his back was pressed against Wyatt’s chest. “Far from it,” Bel murmured. “The selfish part of me wants you to stay with me always. Fuck all the wolves.”
“That attitude runs in the family,” River said as he lifted the blankets so that he could scoot across the bed and stretched along the front of Bel.
“Really?”
“Marcus said the same thing to a certain extent. He said that we are staying here with you until a new house can be built. There was no question or room for discussion.”
“He even presented us with keys and security codes for the house,” River added on a laugh.
“Marcus is accustomed to taking care of the family, and sadly, this isn’t the first house I’ve had destroyed in my long life. The last time, I stayed with Marcus until a new one was built.” Bel paused and cocked his head to the side as he searched his memory. “Come to think of it, we’ve all lived with him at one time or another.”
“Ethan is kind of the same way. He cornered me after the whole hide ’n seek bullshit and we ordered a bunch of clothes and other supplies. It’s all supposed to be here today and tomorrow.”
“Yes, my family is very pushy.”
River leaned close, his lips brushing across Bel’s so that his breath caught in his throat. “I’d call it loving.”
“That too.”
Wyatt’s lips kissed along Bel’s shoulder, moving up to his neck. In the crook, they parted and Wyatt’s teeth lightly bit down. A low groan rumbled up Bel’s throat as blood rushed to his cock. Never had he thought it possible to be turned-on by a gentle bite, but Bel was pretty sure he was going to come in his briefs if Wyatt kept up the teasing.
River shifted in front of him, the motion causing his cock to brush against Bel’s. Pleasure zinged through his frame.
“Wait!” Bel panted.
“What? You don’t want me?” River said while he rubbed his dick over Bel’s. At the same time, Wyatt wrapped an arm around Bel, and his hand slid across his chest to pluck at one of his nipples.
“Evil! You are both being evil, torturing me so I can’t think.”
Wyatt nuzzled his neck some more, nipping at the taut tendons. “It’s clear that you’ve been thinking too much for one day. It’s better if we make it impossible for you to think. At least for a few hours.”
“But…Aiden…he said…the clan…” Bel said brokenly. They were both quite skilled at what they were doing; he really couldn’t pull together a coherent thought in his brain. And it had felt so important just a minute ago.
“What about Aiden and the Variks?” Wyatt asked. At least he’d stopped biting at Bel’s neck, and his hand was now flat over his heart.
Bel blinked, focusing on Wyatt’s words. “Oh, yes! He said that he’d like to invite you both to be part of the Varik clan.”
River’s body froze, and his head snapped up enough so that he could meet Bel’s gaze. “Seriously? He wants us to join the Variks. Werewolves as part of a vampire clan?”
“Yes. He would like to more formally invite you, but he suggested that I float the idea by you first and give you time to think about it. He didn’t want you to feel obligated to join the Variks just because we’re…well, we’re mates.” Bel swallowed hard and tried to keep his voice light. He didn’t want to make either of them feel guilty or obligated. “And I know things are still up in the air about what will happen with Albert’s pack. I’m sure you’d probably rather be with werewolves, but you know…you’re welcome among the Variks.”
River stunned him by suddenly shoving away and rolling over to face the far wall. Bel’s heart gave a painful thump as he watched his lover curl up into a tight ball. The pillow that had been under River’s head was now pulled tight against his chest.
“River,” Bel whispered. Very carefully, he scooted closer to the wolf’s rigid form and slowly smooth his hand up along the bumps of his spine. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Of course, if you don’t want to join the Variks, that’s okay. I’ll understand. We all will. I don’t want you hurt. I’ll always love you, whether you’re in my clan or not.”