“How do you cope with that much man?” Teilo whispered as they watched Cathair and Nereus sparring with double swords. They were seated on the edge of Nereus’s pool, enjoying the late afternoon sun. Marius’s muscles ached from the work out he and Teilo shared and he was happy to play spectator for a while. Kane was understandably worried about the cryptic messages from the elven seers and had stepped up training for everyone. For the past four days, Cathair sparred with everyone in the pack. Only Nereus was left to beat.
“You can talk,” Marius laughed. “You cope with that one and your little sweetie. Where is Raff, by the way?”
“Visiting Kurt and the others, although, I’d say Ollie is the main attraction in that household. He wanted to come and watch us train, but Nereus gently suggested having Killer and the other little ruffians under our feet might be dangerous for everyone.”
“And for that, I am truly thankful,” Marius stretched out his bare toes. “As much as I adore your sweet Raff, those little ankle biters are a pain in my a…ankle.”
“Well, they can’t reach your ass, although I’ve seen Killer try a few times. Cutie Pie too,” Teilo laughed. “They’re honestly not so bad when they’re at home. They’ve taken over the spare room as their own and provided I don’t try and move any of them from their designated spots in the living room, I’ve stayed relatively unscathed.”
“I don’t know how you do it,” Marius shook his head. “Five dogs. Two mates. Don’t you ever feel hemmed in?”
“Only in the sexiest possible way.” Teilo’s hand rested lightly on his shoulder. “Is everything okay in your mating? I felt for sure Cathair would want to train with you most of all, but he seems to be focused on weapon training with everyone else.”
“Honestly, we’re fine. Cathair just can’t bring himself to fight with me, especially with swords.” Marius heart gave an extra thump as Cathair glanced over, throwing him a wink, before he met Nereus’s attack. Both Cathair and Nereus were bare-chested and the sunlight added an erotic play of color over the flexing muscles. “I know I always said I didn’t want to find my mate, but now that I have….” He sighed, his eyes riveted to Cathair’s fighting form once more.
“You’ve been bitten by the mating bug,” Teilo’s shoulder nudged his as he dropped his voice to a whisper. “And that other little problem you had; have you worked that out as well?”
“I haven’t had a nightmare since I met my mate, if that’s what you mean.” Marius felt his cheeks heat and put it down to the warmth of the sun. He was well aware of what Teilo was talking about, but he wasn’t at the point where he could cheerfully confirm he and Cathair were now happy with switching. “Fancy a swim? These two look like they’ll be going for hours.”
“Yeah, a swim is a good idea,” Teilo nodded. “But hey, if you do have any problems, you do know you can come to me, right?”
“So, you can share them with Adair? Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.” Marius laughed and got to his feet, brushing the sand from his butt. “Come on lazy bones, let’s cool off. I’ll race you.” Letting out a loud whoop, Marius ran across the sand, and dived into the crystal clear water. The sudden coolness made him gasp, but he surfaced quickly, his arms moving strongly through the water. A grab on his ankle let him know Teilo had joined him.
“Oh, you little….” Marius’s words were cut off as his head went under the water. Opening his eyes, it was easy to see Teilo grinning at him as he swam away. I’ll get you for that, he thought as he swiftly gave chase.
/~/~/~/~/
“Let’s call it a draw for now,” Nereus panted as he bent over, resting his hands on his knees. “I’m going to have to cut back on Raff’s baking. I swear I used to be more fit than this.”
“You’ve still got the skills,” Cathair twirled his swords and slid them into the holster on his back. “Hand to hand might be more exciting, if you want to take me on.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Nereus shook his head as he straightened. “I’m well aware of how tough a battle lord needs to be to get to that position. I’ll take a pass if you don’t mind. Besides, aren’t your knuckles sore after taking out Adair?”
“Nope, but my kidneys will be feeling the effects of his kicks for a while.” Cathair looked over to see Marius and Teilo chasing each other around the pool. Marius’s laughter as he pushed Teilo under the water was joyous to hear. Cathair was tempted to join them, but he knew Marius needed time with his brothers. I’m heading back to our room for a shower, he sent through the mind-link they were both getting used to.
Will join you soon.
“I’m heading off,” Cathair said out loud. “Same time, same place tomorrow?”
“Yep,” Nereus looked over to the brothers too. “They’re having fun, I might leave them to it and see what Raff is planning for dinner. With any luck, I might be able to convince him to make salad or something similar for a change.”
“You just need to work on your stamina,” Cathair laughed as they fell into step together, heading for the pack house.
“I’ve got plenty of stamina for the things that count.” Slapping his shoulder, Nereus disappeared, presumably to find his smaller mate.
Cathair wondered how Nereus coped with his ménage relationship, as he made his way past the pack house, heading for the enforcer’s quarters. Personally, he thought he’d find it difficult balancing the needs of one mate with another. Nereus, Teilo, and Raff seemed content. But then they did live in a small house, a short distance from the pack while still being in pack territory and Cathair wondered if that made any difference to their relationship dynamics. Maybe having somewhere where they weren’t overheard as they went about their daily lives was a positive aspect of the three’s relationship. He and Marius still hadn’t made a decision as to whether they wanted to set up a small house of their own or stay in the enforcer house. In a way, Cathair would prefer their own place, but he didn’t want Marius to feel isolated from the pack or Adair.
Climbing the stairs, Cathair sighed as he rubbed his back. He could have just zapped himself to their bathroom, but some of the wolves got a bit jumpy when he suddenly disappeared and then appeared from nowhere and he was doing his best to fit in. In a lot of ways, living in a pack was no different than when he served his time in the elven barracks, although the accommodations were more comfortable in the pack.
Leaving the door unlocked for when Marius returned, Cathair unbuckled his leather harness and set it and his swords carefully on the dresser. Flicking open the button of his jeans, he pushed them down his legs as he kicked off his boots, making sure they were by the door where he could find them. Throwing his jeans into the laundry hamper, Cathair padded naked into the bathroom, turning the shower mixer so the water would heat up.
By the time he’d finished using the toilet the room was full of steam and Cathair stepped under the water and groaned as he tipped his head back, letting his hair get soaked. He might have an image to protect, but damn, those wolves were good fighters. Cathair was grateful for a few minutes alone where he could just relax his aching muscles and enjoy a few minutes peace.
“I’ve been waiting for you, elf.” Cathair’s eyes opened to see Wesley sitting on the shower bench as naked as the day he was born. Having never fully gotten over his initial discomfort around the much younger wolf, Cathair was shocked to see him now. He was even more shocked when Wesley stepped into his personal space and grabbed his cock.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” He yelled, raising his arms to push Wesley away.
“You will get a hard-on,” Wesley’s eyes glittered with triumph. “You will not resist me. You will stay absolutely still and let me put this huge length in my ass so I can ride it until Marius’s heart is broken.”
No. No. No. Cathair’s stomach churned as his cock went rock hard, but none of his limbs would move. He fell backwards against the tile and slid to the floor; unable to move away as the water from the shower pelted his body and face. Wesley slid over him, the touch of his skin sending tingles of disgust in every part of Cathair’s body. And yet his cock still stayed firm.
Help. Help. Help. Cathair’s screams in his mind got louder, but the bond with his mate was muted from whatever shit Wesley was using. His magic was unresponsive; he couldn’t even twitch his toe and yet he could feel his cock bobbing on his abdomen as though it didn’t even belong to him.
“I’m so going to enjoy this. I’ve wanted to fuck with you since the first time I saw you – all perfectly groomed and thinking your shit doesn’t stink,” Wesley laughed. “One act a wolf can’t accept – screwing around with another. I’m about to show you how easily a mated pair can be broken. Here’s a present from my friend, open your mouth wide.”
Unable to help himself, Cathair’s mouth fell open and Wesley shoved his fingers deep inside, stroking over his tongue. Evil. Cathair could taste it and he wanted to gag but none of his body parts were under his control. He could feel the effects immediately. His strength waning, Cathair fought to stay conscious. But he was losing the battle and the last thing he remembered was Wesley’s mocking laugh.