Page 24 of Doubly Tied

“We will not hurt you, Ani. It is important to remember that, okay? We would die for you. You are safe here with us.,” Mayne said, struggling to keep his skin as he stripped off his jeans and boots.

The Bear’s shift was quick, but not as quick as Brody’s. Shifting was not pretty, either. The sounds of bones and muscles tearing, and reknitting were pretty fucking hard to take, in his humble opinion. But his change was fast. Hopefully too quick for her to notice. He would never want her to feel discomfort in any way, shape, or form.

Ani’s face narrowed in concern as she watched Mayne drop to the floor to take on his Bear’s fur. It was all said and done in under a minute, but the raw sympathy etched on her lovely visage struck him to the core.

“It’s okay, Ani,” Brody said, his voice more growl than he’d have liked. “He doesn’t feel any pain. That stops after the first few shifts.”

“Will it hurt you?” she asked.

“No. I’m an Alpha. Just wait and see,” he said.

As soon as he spoke the last word, Brody called on his Timber Wolf. The animal was enormous. Triple that of his wild cousins, dark brown fur with black tips covered his back, lightening to a beige-gray color on his underbelly. The massive Black Bear that was Mayne sat beside him.

Don’t want to scare her.

Mayne’s thoughts were clear in his head in this form, as they were when they wore their human skin. He understood his Omega’s reasoning and followed suit. Sitting on his haunches and waiting for her to make the first move.

Both men were zeroed in on her reactions, which so far were none. As in, Ani hadn’t moved or uttered a single sound. A heartbeat later, that all changed. The sweet, curvy female dropped to her knees and covered her mouth. Tears fell from her eyes, but she was smiling, then laughing as she reached out for them.

Without hesitation, Mayne and Brody moved to her side. The Wolf on her left and the Bear on her right. She reached out with soft hands to touch both of them. Brody could feel Mayne’s happiness radiating through their connection. He was in a similar boat. The rush of pure fascination he felt coming off Ani left him humbled and so very grateful for her existence.

Ani. Sweet Ani.

“Oh my! I can hear you,” she said, not bothering to hide her surprise.

Of course you can, sweetheart. You are our third. We have claimed you.

Mayne’s explanation was good as any. Brody was busy trying to keep his animal in check. The Wolf wanted to lick their delectable mate from head to toe, snaked out his tongue and got her good on the cheek. Thank fuck, she was laughing, otherwise he’d have to kick his own ass.

“Don’t get slobber all over me,” she said, laughing as she ruffled his fur.

My bad.

“I’m only playing,” she answered his thoughts out loud. His Wolf’s chest rumbled with happiness, knowing she was taking this a lot better than his human half had expected.

“I just can’t believe it,” she continued. “Shifters! Wow. Just wow.”

It’s true. We are real. And together the three of us are a Triad.Brody spoke into her mind, reaching her through theirmatebond. It was new and thin, but it would grow. As long as she stayed, it would grow.

“You are both so beautiful,” Ani murmured.

“No, love,” Brody spoke aloud, shifting back to his skin. “Youare beautiful.”

He took Ani’s shocked gasp into his mouth and claimed her lips with every burning sensation he had inside of him. He knew the moment Mayne had joined them in his skin. His Omega was just as taken with their mate as he was. Kissing her neck and running his hands over her shoulders, back, and that delicious bottom of hers.

Ani’s pleasure echoed through them. She might want to leave them, but maybe,just maybe, if they could convey the depth of their feelings to her, she would stay. This was the best way he knew how.

Stripping the sheet off her body, Brody kissed his way from her mouth to her breasts. So round and perfect, he sucked one plump nipple into his mouth, thrilling at the moan that escaped her sweet lips. The magic of their matebond pulsed around them, connecting the Triad in ways not even he, the Alpha, could fully comprehend.

“This is crazy,” she whispered.

“This is right,” Mayne corrected.

“But two of you? How will this work?”

Her question was valid, he supposed. For a human raised with strict moral codes, the idea of two lovers, or two husbands, which was what mates were only more so, was quite scandalous. He wanted to assuage her fears, to help her see this was right.

“Sweet Ani,” Brody began, sliding his way down her body while Mayne bracketed her from behind. “It would work just like this. The same way we made love to you last night. We are your mates. We will support you, care for you, cherish you every day for the rest of our lives. We are a Triad.”

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