He couldn’t help himself. The wolf took control. He wanted to mark her. Fuck it all, so did Brecc. She was theirs. It shouldn’t matter that he marked her. “It’s not like I mated her.”
“It’s as good as.” Eros sighed. “She’s going to be angry when she finds out.”
That would wait. He’d get to know her better before explaining what he’d done. “We’ll explain in time.”
“We don’t have much time. The elders will come visit any day and how will we explain the lack of a mate?”
“Forget the elders. We have a mate,” he said with a growl. “She is ours.”
“She hasn’t made a choice yet. We can’t take it upon ourselves to keep her here.”
Fucking hell! He snarled and felt the need for a shift push at his bones.
“Run your wolf. But when you return, take her and spend time with her. When the time comes for her decision, it won’t be based on me. You’ll be the driving force,” Eros said. “I already know how she feels about me. We both do. It’s you she’s torn over.”
Brecc knew it. He didn’t particularly care for it, but he knew.
* * *
He reached the cabin to find Charlotte coming out to greet him. She glanced at him, her gaze filled with questions. She wore a long wool coat with a white hat and scarf. Her mocha skin stood out against the fabric. She looked beautiful. Everything about her captivated him. From her brown eyes, to the long, dark curls hanging down her sides.
He stopped at the bottom of the steps to the cabin and smiled. How could he not when he’d been thinking of her for hours? “Want to go for a walk?”
Relief filled the depth of her eyes. “Yes. I’d love that.”
He grabbed her gloved hand and held it. She didn’t attempt to pull back and he didn’t sense any hesitation when it came to him being near her. Knowing she wasn’t trying to get away from him made his heart expand. He’d been unable to stop thinking about her.
He took her to the river, close to the frozen area the kids in his pack loved to run skates on. “I see you’re wearing less layers today.”
She laughed. “Yes. Alessandra showed me some of your clothing. It’s made for this kind of weather and the material is super lightweight, but keeps me really warm.”
He pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and stopping to give her a kiss. She wasn’t expecting it, so it made him smile to see her eyes widen and arousal brighten her gaze. The kiss was quick and hot. Enough to make him grunt with the need for more. New emotions filled his heart. Desire. Lust. And something else. A desire for more of her smiles directed at him.
Her lashes fluttered open and she gazed at him through hazy eyes. “Brecc. I don’t understand. You and Eros have confused the shit out of me.”
He barked a laugh. “How did we do that?”
“I thought you two were…you know, a couple,” she stammered. “I didn’t realize you were into threesomes.”
TWENTY-ONE
He went back to walking, helping her along by holding her hand. “We’re not into threesomes. We share females. Eros and I have always had a deep connection. Our bond ensures we have the ability to lead the pack as best we can, but also have a triad relationship with a female.”
She bit her lip and frowned. “You mean to tell me you’ve always shared women?”
He nodded. “We’re linked. Have you not noticed?”
He waited for her to deny the connection they all felt by now. But she slowly nodded. “Yes. I noticed. After yesterday, I could sense we were all closer somehow.”
“You’re the right woman for our triad.”
“That’s a lot to take in. I need to think about this. I’ve never even dated two men at once. How would that even work?” The note of fear in her voice worried him. He wanted her to understand they’d never hurt her.
“We’ll do everything in our power to make you happy at all times.” That’s the best he could do without asking her to be their mate.
She glanced at the kids out in the river. “You’re so different from Eros. I feel like I don’t understand what it is you want.” She met his gaze. “I barely know you.”
They continued their walk by the edge of the river. “I am not difficult. In the years since my parents died, I have been in charge of the pack. That means I meet with my people as well as Alyx. I lead them as best as I can.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think you understand. I need to know you. What do you do for fun?”
He frowned. “Fun?”
She gasped, her eyes going wide. “You don’t do anything for fun? That’s so sad.”