Melinda instinctively pawed at the ground and lowered her head, an indication of her acceptance that the spirit before her deserved reverence and respect. It meant her no harm. It was a guide.
The dark smoke inched forward, stopping her breath.
Uncertainty about what might happen if it overcame her made her shudder, but she remained still, bowed toward the ground in submission. She knew with all her soul she was not in danger. She would never be in danger as long as she heeded the nudging of the spirits around her.
As the shadowy figure moved closer, shrinking in size until it almost resembled a living being, her heartrate slowed. Her calm increased. She was on the right path.
There was no communication with the spirit, at least not verbal, neither out loud nor telepathically, and yet she sensed it speaking to her soul in a way that could not be denied.
She knew with dead certainty she would finish her mating with all haste. It was designed by the universe. It was not hers to deny. The mating would make her whole. It would fill her heart to overflowing. It would protect her in turbulent times.
And the shiver that took over her form was from the knowledge there indeed would be turbulence in her future. Perhaps in the future of her entire pack.
Her strength would get her through. Her strength would carry many members of her tribe to the other side.
She bowed her head lower, closing her eyes in assent, reaching out with her mind to assure the spirit she understood and would obey the call of nature.
When she blinked her eyes open, it was to the rustle of leaves some distance in front of her. She watched as the shadowy figure immediately collapsed in on itself, disappearing in a fraction of a second as though sucked back into a jar at her feet.
“Melinda?” The voice was Trace’s. It came to her through their connection.
She lifted her gaze to meet his as he came back around the bend. “I’m done. We can return now.”
He paused, Keegan coming up behind him and circling to his side. Both their heads were cocked in confusion.
“Are you sure?” Keegan asked. “I thought you wanted to go to the summit. Didn’t you need to reach the peak to communicate with the spirits?”
She warmed deep inside to hear him ask that question with no judgment. “Apparently that wasn’t necessary. I’ve seen what I needed to see right here. I know what my immediate path is.”
“And?” Trace encouraged.
“Let’s get back to Keegan’s. We have a mating to finish.”
Chapter Thirteen
It was late afternoon when Trace pulled up to the house. He was nervous and excited at the same time. Whatever happened to his mate on the side of the mountain had been monumental. And he didn’t want to question it.
She would share with them when it was time.
Hell, she hadn’t even suggested stopping to see Rebecca and the baby. That was telling.
For now, he would relax in the knowledge that something had propelled her to accept this arrangement with her entire soul. He and Keegan needed to tame their respective cocks and work their sweet mate into such a frenzy of lust that she relaxed under their hands and mouths enough to let them both in.
He had no doubt they would succeed. But his cock was dangerously close to exploding inside his jeans before they ever started.
“We should make dinner,” Keegan announced as they entered the house.
Melinda grabbed his arm and Trace’s on her other side. “We can eat later. It’s time to consummate this mating.”
Her words held a definitive urgency.
Trace twisted to look at her as he shut the door. “Such an abrupt change of heart.” He pulled her into his embrace and took her lips before she could respond.
She moaned against his lips. He swallowed the sound, loving the vibration of her vocal chords against his tongue. Her tone was filled with lust. A lust that finally matched what he felt—what he knew Keegan also endured.
Melinda reached for Trace’s shirt as he kissed her, tugging at the material as though a flame had been lit under her and she was suddenly in great need of fulfillment.
She broke the kiss first, gasping for air. “Oh my God. It’s consuming me.” She stepped back, pulling off her shirt and dropping it on the floor without a care. She kicked off her shoes.
Trace watched as her fingers shook, making it difficult for her to lower the zipper on her jeans. She managed and wiggled out of them in record time.
He glanced past her to find Keegan already naked. Keegan lifted Melinda easily in his arms and carried her through the house in fewer strides than seemed logical.
Trace dropped the rest of his own clothes and followed.
When they reached the bedroom, Keegan tossed her sexy ass on the bed. “Get on your hands and knees, hon, facing away from me.”