Chapter Five
Rowl carefully placed both of his feet on the floor beside the bed. He’d had enough of lying around and recovering. He needed to get out of their bedroom before his thoughts drove him nuts. He’d had enough time to think, and he didn’t like the direction his thoughts were taking.
Karli was in the kitchen making lunch for them, while Joseph had gone to the training field. It had been three days since Rowl had been shot, and he’d had to force Joseph to go back to training the warriors. He’d been hovering over Rowl alongside Karli, and Rowl needed to get back on his own two feet.
The pain in his right leg had subsided somewhat, but its strength had yet to be tested. He had to know how bad it was. Doc had left a pair of crutches and a cane for him to use if needed. He hoped it wouldn’t be necessary to use either. Rowl knew he should wait until Joseph was here to catch him if he fell, but for some reason, Rowl couldn’t stand for Karli and Joseph to view him as weak.
With one hand holding onto the bedside table and the other braced on the bed, he pushed up, keeping all of his weight on his left leg. Once he felt stable, he put weight on his injured leg and it immediately buckled. Rowl crashed onto the hardwood floor and let out a deep groan of pain.
He heard footsteps running toward the bedroom and knew Karli was on her way. He tried to stand but was unable to get his weak leg underneath him. Karli came into view, her face covered in concern. She reached down and with her shifter strength helped him sit back on the bed.
“Why would you try to stand without help?” Karli scolded. “I was in the kitchen, sweetheart. You could have called me. Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” Rowl growled, and he saw the hurt in Karli’s eyes. Shit, I can’t take my frustration out on my loving mate. None of this is her fault. He opened his arms wide and rasped, “Come here, love. I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated.”
Karli moved into his body and held him tight. “I understand. How can I help?”
Rowl wasn’t ready to give up on his dream of getting out of their master bedroom. “Can you help me stand while I get used to the crutches? I’d love to go sit out on the front porch for lunch.”
“That sounds wonderful. Here, we’ll stand up together. Let me reach over to get them,” Karli stretched for the crutches and handed them to him. She placed herself under his right arm to brace him as they stood.
Once he got the crutches under his arms, he steadied himself as Karli let go and went to open the bedroom door. Slowly, he took a small hop forward and brought the crutches forward, bracing himself before taking another hop. By the time he reached the doorway, he was starting to get the hang of it. He reached the living room for the first time in days and immediately felt better.
Karli opened the front door and Rowl stepped outside. He took a deep breath of warm air and could feel his body relax even further. He moved over to one of the cushioned chairs and sat down, leaning his crutches against the wall.
“I’ll be back with lunch in a tick, mate.” Karli leaned over and kissed him softly.
“Now that’s a sight I love to see.” Joseph’s voice came from somewhere behind Karli.
When she moved to Rowl’s side, he could see Joseph walking up the steps toward them. He stopped in front of Karli and kissed her deeply before leaning over, bracing his hands on the armrests of his chair and taking Rowl’s mouth in a deep, wet kiss. Rowl could feel himself hardening having his two mates lavishing him with love. The intense quiet between them was broken by whistles coming from the footpath running alongside their home. Rowl continued the kiss until they were both gasping for breath before looking up to see a few of their warriors standing only a few feet away.
“If you guys have nothing better to do than stand around, I could always find something for you to do,” Joseph instructed with a chuckle.
Rowl smiled at the sight of them. It had been days since he’d been to the training field and he missed it.
“Nope, thanks. No need,” Jerome called out. “We’re headed to the pool to swim some laps. We’re happy to see Rowl. Are you feeling better?”
“Nothing can keep me down for long. You should know me better than that,” Rowl joked while taking hold of both Karli’s and Joseph’s hands. “I’ll be back to full strength in no time.” He felt a pang of guilt knowing he was lying to them. He wasn’t ready to admit how long it might take for him to regain full strength.
“That’s great. We can’t wait to have you back,” Jerome declared before the warriors half-waved, half-saluted, and then turned to continue down the path.
“I’ll go get our lunch,” Karli murmured before kissing Rowl on his forehead and walking back inside the house.
Joseph took the seat beside him without breaking the hold he had on Rowl’s hand. The three had been inseparable since the shooting, until Rowl finally made Joseph go back to training. They’d slept surrounding Karli and holding one another close. They’d stood by their word about not mating Karli until they were bonded, but it was getting harder every day. He wanted them to be mated; they’d waited so long already.
“Truth. How are you truly feeling?”
Rowl thought about playing down how weak his leg was but couldn’t bring himself to lie to one of his mates. It was still new, considering Joseph as his mate and not only his best friend. But he’d never been happier.
“My leg gave out when I tried to put weight on it. I can’t get around without the crutches,” Rowl admitted softly, afraid someone else might hear.
Joseph squeezed his hand tighter. “We will get through this together, the three of us. Doc said we could start physical therapy when you’re ready.”
“I think sooner would be best. I need to be able to take my position as your beta,” Rowl muttered. Will I ever be able to be his beta?
“You are my beta. I will never accept a territory without you and Karli by my side,” Joseph declared as if hearing Rowl’s thoughts.
“By your side for what?” Karli asked as she joined them on the porch with a tray in her hands.
Before he realized what he was doing, Rowl attempted to stand to take the tray from Karli. Joseph was quick to grab him under the arm as his leg gave way, and helped him to sit back down. Rowl could feel his face heating up, embarrassed that he couldn’t even help his mate with a tray of food.
“Easy, I’ve got you,” Joseph whispered.
“Right, and I’m supposed to be your beta. How do you see that happening?” Rowl vented his frustration at Joseph and instantly regretted it. “I’m sorry. I’m not acting like myself today.”
“Don’t worry. We understand. No matter what, we’re a family,” Karli reiterated as she sat down beside him and took his other hand. “And you will be an amazing beta.”
Rowl decided to let this discussion rest for now. There’d be plenty of time for worst-case scenarios. Now he wanted to rest and have lunch with his mates. Joseph handed out the sandwiches piled high with meat, exactly the way Rowl liked them. Karli had even put a pickle on his plate, because she knew how much he loved the tangy taste.
He knew his family loved him. He was going to have to work hard to regain his mobility and strength. He wouldn’t let them down.
He’d just finished his pickle when he heard a voice he’d hoped never to hear again. Atilia and Ferone came around the corner accompanied by three warriors. The moment she spotted the three of them sitting on their porch, her hate-filled eyes turned on them.
“What are they doing out of their house?” Rowl growled.
“They’re being taken to the pack house, where the alpha is preparing to escort them to the edge of the territory. They’re free to return to their original pack,” Joseph explained.
Rowl looked over at Karli, trying to gauge her reaction, but before he had a chance to say a word, Atilia began shouting.
“Well there’s the happy triad. You’re such a disappointment, and now you have one mate that can’t even walk. You could have had everything.”
Joseph stood, but it was Karli who spoke. “I do have everything I’ve ever wanted, right here. I was never a daughter to either of you, merely a piece of property to be sold off to the highest bidder. My mates are my family now. I don’t want to see either of you ever again.”
Rowl was so proud of his brave mate. This had to be heartbreaking for her, even if her parents deserved it. Joseph sat back down as the warriors pushed the two assholes forward and away from their home. What kind of people wouldn’t love their daughter? Especially one as special as Karli? With every fiber of his being, Rowl hoped this would be the last time they saw Karli’s parents.
“Are you okay, love?” Rowl rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, needing the connection.
“I will be, but I’m done hoping for more from them,” Karli answered before turning to face him. “I don’t want you to listen to anything they said. You will walk again.”
“But we need to be prepared in case that doesn’t happen,” Rowl insisted, trying to be realistic, even if it was crushing him.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, we start physiotherapy, and then we go from there,” Joseph stated, always the logical one. Although, for some strange reason, his logic hurt Rowl this time, and he didn’t know why. Do I want him to break down alongside me?
His conflicted emotions must have shown on his face, because in the next moment, he had a lap full of Karli. Thankfully he wasn’t still feeling the pain he had in his leg, but even if he did, he’d still want her right where she was.
After a few moments, Joseph stood and held out his hand for Karli to take. “I’ll have to take Rowl away from you, love. It’s time for his shower before he needs to rest some more.”
“Shower? How will I stand?”
“With my help, of course. You think I would let you try to stand in a wet shower all by yourself?” Joseph asked with a smile. “I’ll take good care of you.”
“Yeah, yeah. I can’t wait until we’re mated, ‘cause I’d be in that shower with the two of you. I know we swore not to mate fully until after the ceremony, but this is killing me,” Karli grumbled as she gathered the plates. “I expect some serious loving when that time comes.”
Rowl grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back onto his lap. “I swear we will lavish you with all the love and attention you can handle,” he promised before taking her soft lips in a passionate kiss. As soon as their lips parted, she was lifted into Joseph’s arms and given the same treatment.
When she was finally set on her feet, she wobbled a little before saying, “You two better deliver on that promise. Now go have your shower. I’m sure you two can find a way to reduce some of that stress.” She winked and walked back into the house.
Rowl looked up at Joseph, whose eyes had begun to shine with his wolf close to the surface, and the desire was unmistakable. Rowl was still getting used to being able to show his true feelings in front of Joseph after years of hiding them, not wanting to ruin their friendship. Now knowing Joseph felt the same way opened Rowl’s world to everything he’d ever dreamt of. Having both Karli and Joseph as his true mates, sharing both a physical and emotional connection, made him feel complete.
Joseph reached down to help Rowl stand. He grabbed his crutches and began the hop back into the house. He could hear Joseph softly growling behind him right before he slapped Rowl’s ass. Heat raced through his body and settled in his hardening cock. Karli smiled knowingly at them as they cut through the kitchen on their way to the master en suite.
Rowl crossed the threshold to the large bathroom and was immediately pressed against the wall. His crutches fell to the floor and his weight was supported by Joseph as he plundered Rowl’s mouth. He could feel Joseph’s desire pressing against his own. Rowl flexed his hips, desperate for more friction. Joseph’s tongue mapped his mouth thoroughly before releasing him.
“Let’s get you into the shower,” Joseph whispered before throwing Rowl’s arm over his shoulder and bracing his right side as they walked up to the long vanity.
As Rowl leaned on the countertop, he felt Joseph’s hands on the waistband of his track pants. He looked into Joseph’s shining blue eyes and saw a touch of reservation.
“What’s wrong?” Maybe he’s changed his mind. Oh, God, no.
“It’s…we’ve never…and I’m a little nervous.”
“Do you want me?”
“Yes, completely. Not one doubt.”
“Then take my pants off and we’ll figure this out together. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Joseph responded before giving him a soft kiss. Then he slowly lowered Rowl’s pants.
His hard cock sprung free and pointed accusingly at Joseph. His mate quickly shed his own clothing, revealing his tanned, muscled body and pressing it up against Rowl. Their naked bodies melded together and felt better than anything he could have ever imagined. He couldn’t help but moan at the feeling of Joseph’s hard body rubbing up against his own.
“That’s the sound I want to hear.” Karli’s voice came from the open doorway.
He and Joseph turned to look at their mate to find her standing in the doorway, wearing only a towel. Rowl’s wolf pushed even harder having his two mates so close, and all of them practically naked was taking him toward the edge of control.
“Baby, I want you in the shower with us, but I don’t think I have the restraint necessary to keep our promise to the alpha,” Joseph muttered, and all Rowl could do was nod in agreement. His voice had left him.
“Oh, I don’t plan on joining you two in the shower,” Karli explained as she walked up to their separate claw-footed bathtub. Her hips swayed with every step before she bent over provocatively and turned on the water. “But if you think I’m going to miss my mates lavishing each other with love, then you’re crazy.” She added some sort of soap to the water and it began to foam up. She then slid out of her towel, revealing her beautiful body, and stepped into the half-full tub.
Rowl loved this side of Karli. She was a strong, confident woman who knew what she wanted, and that was sexy as hell. He knew Joseph felt the same way. Joseph turned to look at Rowl, the heat in his eyes taking Rowl’s breath away.
“Can you hold yourself up braced on the vanity, babe?” Joseph asked.
“Yes,” Rowl confirmed, and Joseph went to his knees in front of him. Oh, God.
When Joseph wrapped his hand around Rowl’s hard cock, he was powerless to stop the moans that were now spilling out of his mouth. Rowl cried out when Joseph’s wet, warm mouth closed around Rowl’s cock. He held on tight to the counter while Joseph pumped as he sucked him down as far as he could. What he lacked in experience, he more than made up for with his passion. He looked up, and Rowl almost came on the spot. Joseph flicked his tongue around the sensitive head and dipped into his slit.
“Joseph, love. If you keep this up, I’m going to come,” Rowl warned.
His mate slowed his pace until he eventually released Rowl’s cock and licked the underside from root to tip. Rowl was lost in his passion and claimed Joseph’s lips in a searing kiss the moment he stood. The soft moan in the background confirmed they still had their other mate’s attention. Knowing they were being watched only increased Rowl’s excitement.
“I’ll start the water so it can warm up, babe.” Joseph checked to ensure Rowl was still balanced against the counter before turning around and walking into the large glass-encased shower.
Rowl looked over to see Karli watching him intently, a beautiful smile on her face. “I’m a blessed woman to have you two as my mates.”
“Funny, I was thinking the same thing,” Rowl replied as Joseph rejoined them. “I love the two of you more than I can explain.”
“We know how much you love us, and we feel the same way.” Joseph placed himself under Rowl’s right arm and helped him over to Karli.
She stood up but stayed inside the tub, soap sliding down her curvy body, and Rowl’s hands ached to touch her. When he got close enough, Karli wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply before doing the same with Joseph.
“Now let’s get in that shower. I can’t wait to get you all wet and soapy,” Joseph crooned, his eyes shining with a mixture of his natural blue and luminescence of his wolf.
So sexy.
Karli slid back into the soapy water while he and Joseph walked into the shower. The steam from the hot water rose in small clouds, surrounding them in a warm embrace. Rowl was able to lean against the wet wall and brace himself by holding onto the built-in shelves on either tiled wall. Joseph ran his strong hands up Rowl’s chest as if memorizing him by touch. A trail of heat followed in their wake as he leaned into Joseph’s caress.
“I love you so much, Rowl. I never dreamed we could have this. That the three of us could share ourselves completely. I’ll be forever thankful that you were brave enough for the both of us to show me how you felt.”
Before Rowl could answer, Joseph claimed his mouth possessively, his tongue diving deep, taking complete control. Control Rowl was more than willing to relinquish to his mate. Their wet bodies pressed close, sliding against each other and heightening his arousal. There wasn’t a spot Joseph’s hands hadn’t touched, leaving Rowl mindless with desire.
Joseph wrapped his hand around both Rowl’s and his own hard cock, bringing the two together and pumping them slowly. Rowl couldn’t help but moan as Joseph began sucking up marks on his neck and shoulder, marking him as his.
Rowl turned his head to look at his other mate and found her watching them from the bathtub intently, with the tips of her canines peeking out from under her top lip. One of her hands cupped her firm breast while the other disappeared under the soapy water. Rowl could only imagine what she was doing with her other hand, and the thought of it had him flexing his hips faster into Joseph’s hand.
“Look at our mate. She wants you as much as I do,” Joseph groaned in Rowl’s ear. “Babe, I’ve wanted you for so long, but I always thought that was impossible. Now that I have you, I want all of you.”
Joseph began to pump their cocks faster and slid his free hand down Rowl’s side and around to squeeze his ass cheek. Rowl’s body was shaking with excitement as Joseph’s finger circled his hole, and that was all it took to send him over the edge. He shouted his release as his balls pulled up tight and he came all over Joseph’s hand and cock. That began a chain reaction. He felt Joseph tense seconds before he came, and the deep moan echoing from the tub confirmed Karli’s pleasure.
Gasping for breath, Rowl opened his eyes, unsure when he’d closed them, to find Joseph staring at him with hooded eyes. His canines had extended below his bottom lip just as Rowl’s had. Thankfully they’d had enough control not to bite each other. That would have to wait until after their bonding ceremony.
“Stunning,” Karli moaned. “The two of you together are stunning.”
“Imagine the three of us, love,” Joseph responded, before releasing Rowl’s softening cock and reaching for the soap. “Let’s get cleaned up, sweetheart.”
“Love the two of you,” Rowl rasped, leaning forward for another kiss from his lover.
“Can I have one of those?” Karli asked as she walked into the large shower. She stopped under one of the three showerheads to wash away the bubbles that clung to her body before coming to stand at Rowl’s side. Rowl didn’t dare release the hold he had on the shelves, though he wanted to wrap his arms around her. Thankfully she seemed to understand and stood on her tiptoes to kiss both him and Joseph.
“Are you sure this is a good idea? The three of us naked together?” Joseph asked, and Rowl had to agree this was risky. The three of them couldn’t mate fully until after the ceremony.
“Well, now that we’ve taken the edge off, I think we should be able to spend a few moments washing each other without getting out of hand.” Karli winked as she took the soap out of Joseph’s hand and began to lather it up on Rowl’s chest. “Now, if you help Rowl to stand up, I’ll begin to wash his gorgeous body.” He couldn’t help but blush at the attention he was being given. Rowl knew his mates were giving him extra care, and he loved them for it. But he’d be back on his feet in no time; he swore it.
Karli reached out and grabbed the washcloth and began to run the soap and cloth over the rest of his body. Joseph gathered Rowl into his arms and he buried his face in Joseph’s neck. Karli’s soft hands roamed all over his body in gentle caresses that had him getting hard all over again. He flicked his tongue out and tasted Joseph’s slightly salty skin, causing his mate to arch his neck to the side as if begging for more. Rowl was happy to comply.
He ran his tongue over the hot skin of Joseph’s neck before he began sucking up dark marks. Rowl continued to mark him as Karli switched her attention to Joseph and began washing him as well. All too soon, he was being angled under the hot stream of water and forced to rinse off, when all he wanted to do was put Karli between them and continue exploring.
Karli quickly washed, rinsed off, and exited the shower. Rowl lifted his right arm over Joseph’s shoulder, and slowly they walked out of the shower to find their mate waiting with towels.
“Thank you,” Rowl muttered as he ran a towel down the front of his body. He knew his mates had done all of this for him to take his mind off his leg and to strengthen their bond.
Tenderly, they dried one another before making their way to their bedroom. Joseph led Rowl over to his side of the bed and he pulled himself in. Karli crawled in beside him and under the blankets while Joseph took up position on her other side. Both men stayed above the blankets, lowering the temptation to take this further than simply resting.
They curled up together, arms weaved, holding one another close.
For a moment, he could pretend all was right with the world, even though he knew nothing would ever be the same again.