Gabriel was nowhere in sight.
“Where’s Gabriel?” Her stomach plummeted. She knew he hadn’t changed his mind, so maybe he was running a bit late.
Bethany patted her hand. “Patience, sweetie.”
“Who gives this woman to these men?” The alpha of the pride held her gaze.
What a weird question. No one else had the right to give her to them. “I do.”
The leader grinned and Bethany giggled. “My husband and I give her to them.” When Sameya frowned at her, Bethany explained, “It’s customary for a pride member to grant permission.” Sameya opened her mouth to tout the idiocy of that, but the shifter kissed her cheek. “I’m delighted to call you sister.” Gabriel’s sister squeezed her hand and went to the seat beside her spouse.
“Sameya, do you accept Maximus and Gabriel as your mates?” The leader asked.
“Yes.” Her voice rang loud with confidence.
“Gabriel and Maximus, do you accept Sameya as your mate?”
“Yes.” Her vampyr’s fangs slid out and over his bottom lip.
“Yes,” Gabriel said from behind her. Electricity sparked in the air, and she guessed he shifted to his fur.
“Allow the ceremony to commence with the Mother’s blessing.” The alpha leader squeezed Maximus’s shoulder and strode to an empty chair she hadn’t noticed located behind the bed.
The purring at her side alerted her to Gabriel’s presence. He rubbed his body along her legs, and she ran her fingers across his fur.
“In cat fashion, he’s marking you as his,” Maximus’s husky voice explained.
“I am his.” She went to her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. She buried her face in his fur. “I love you, Gabriel.”
His purring became louder.
“Come, Sameya.” When she looked up, Maximus had extended his arm toward her.
She licked her lips and rose to her feet. “I’m both of yours, Maximus.” Her tiger nudged her toward her vampyr. When she was mere inches from him, she felt the static in the air signifying Gabriel’s shift into man. His finger slid along the hemline of her skirt at her lower back. Her skin tingled where he touched.
“This garment makes me want to fuck you senseless.” Gabriel’s finger dragged up her spine.
“Me too.” Her vampyr’s eyes hadn’t stopped glowing since getting his first gander of her.
Sameya had no idea how to proceed. What came first? Were there any rules? Anything they had to do to make the mating official among the pride?
They must’ve sensed her uncertainty, because in the next moment, Maximus went into action, his fingers in her hair, dislodging the pins. The hairpins hit the hardwood floor with pings as her hair tumbled around her shoulders. Gabriel nudged her hair aside with his chin and licked her neck. One of his hands landed on her hip and the other palm flattened against her thigh. His touch shifted to the inside as it moved upward. He cupped her pussy, and everything quickened. Her breath came in short pants, her pulse leapt, and her skin prickled with anticipation, while moisture surged from her core.
Her tiger placed nips up her neck before pressing his lips against her ear. “Mmm…wonder what these panties look like.”
“We should find out.” Maximus tugged her forward and spun her about. As he sat on the edge of the bed, he pulled her back against his chest between his parted legs.
She scrutinized Gabriel. His golden gaze was honed on her, intense and penetrating. And after his shift, he was naked.
One man came to her dressed in finery, the other in his fur.
Maximus shoved a hand into her corset, his thumb swishing back and forth across her nipple as Gabriel knelt. Gripping her skirt her tiger pushed the divisions on either side of her knees. Palms on the top of her thighs, he pushed the silk upward. His scrutiny lowered to her pussy. “Red, Maximus, they’re red. And lacy.”
The silky material of her skirt was shoved upward quickly to her waist. Afterward Maximus and Gabriel readjusted her position. She found herself sitting on the vampyr’s legs, with hers dangling on either side of his, and she was tugged forward so her bottom rested against the edge of his knees.
“Sexy.” Maximus pinched her nipple as he fingered the edge of the panties. He lowered his head and captured her lips in a kiss. His tongue pushed between her lips, claiming her like he marauded a village. His typical embrace, he demanded her sole focus.
Until Gabriel hooked his fingers behind one of her knees and pushed her leg toward her body. He kissed up the inside of her other thigh. She moaned into Maximus’s mouth when Gabriel tongued her pussy through the lace.
He plied her clit with swirls and sucks through the material, teasing arousal out of her. Whimpering, she dug her fingers into Gabriel’s hair. Maximus lifted his head to observe her for a moment, before peering at the tiger between her thighs.