Page 6 of Facets of Attraction (Betas in Waiting #30)

-w at. Honey looked at her mates and swallowed. That was sudden.

Alen chuckled, and Baran grinned. You were caught up in telling your sister off.

She looked around and blinked. The house is made of sandstone?

Alen blinked. That is what you focused on?

Honey shrugged. Our dad is a geologist. We learned the composition of stone fairly early, like when we were four. We have a barn full of mineral samples.

Baran asked, Is? He is alive?

Our parents are consulting around the world. Once we were sixteen, they left us with our grandmother and paid her for our upkeep. Asel graduated early and got a job, and we both went to college. They took her two months short of her college graduation, and she came home two years ago. Gran made sure I got my degree, and Asel showed up one week before the cancer took Gran s life. That s my biography in a nutshell.

Baran asked, What is your occupation?

Clothing-optional dancer. It pays better than an accountant. She looked at the ceiling and smiled. The entire thing felt like one piece of stone, and it appeared to be. This place is amazing. Who built it?

Alen made a chuffing sound that got her attention. She looked at him and blinked. Yes?

He pulled her against him. I would really like to get to know you before the other takes over.

That will be in three days?

Or less if we can get your body to cooperate.

She stroked his chest with her fingertips. So, what happens after that?

Alen looked at her in surprise. What do you mean?

After I go through a heat with you and Baran, what happens next? Do I go back to my life, my normal job? Can I hang around with Asel?

Alen blinked. We will sign a pack agreement. You don t need to return to your previous job. You are welcome to work out on us without notice or provocation. Of course, you can hang around with the princess.

I am going to get clarification on that later. For now, can you kiss me, please?

He paused. I did forget that part, didn t I?

She turned and reached for Baran, who froze when she pulled him in for a kiss. A hand wrapped around her mouth a moment before she would have made contact.

She was pulled back to Alen, and he lifted her and kissed her, his rough tongue scraping her mouth, but it was what she had been expecting. He was feline, through and through. A thousand rude things sprang through her mind, but she gave herself up to the taste of him as the scent of being warm wrapped around her. It wasn t something she could describe, but it was a combination of sunlight, dust, and kittens.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. She wanted desperately to let go, but Baran was watching, and she wasn t sure what kind of beast he was.

Alen pulled back. He doesn t want you to hold yourself back from him.

Tough. It is hard to relax when dangling.

He smiled. Would you prefer to curl up with me first?

Yes, please.

He swung her up into his arms and walked from the central space and down a hall. There was light, but it was indirect. She couldn t tell where it was coming from.

The halls were carved the same way as the room they arrived in. Where are we?

My den. Well, our den.

She smiled at the inclusion and curled her fingers in the lapel of his suit jacket. She rubbed her cheek on his shoulder, and he let out a chuff again.

What does that mean? She was trying to memorize the way he felt, smelled, and the thud of his heart under her ear.

It is where you are safest, Honey.

You are sure that this is a good match? I mean, I have heard that Antonio of that gaming company has a beta who s a wildling. You could join their pack.

He snorted. That little wolf has his match, but I have a kitten and am very happy with her.

Are you? You don t know anything about me, she muttered.

When your sister pointed out that our mate was inside, what you were wearing and what your companions looked like, I got excited. When I saw you, I was astonished, and when I had you over my shoulder, I was delighted. The moment we were in contact, my beast started purring, and when your sister threatened us to put you back in the screening, it wanted to fight her. He chuckled. Then, it took a second look and decided that going to the screening was in our best interests.

Wait. So, your beast is afraid of my sister? Honey chuckled.

Tell me honestly that you are not wary of her. Alen looked at her with a wry expression.

I... see your point. She nodded. Since she came back, she s different. She used to be fun. A walking riot. But when she came back, she was quiet and so fucking thin. She uses the illusions to hide it, but it scared me every time I looked at her.

Her mates will take care of her. Those two can manage anything.

What are they?

One is one of two dark Elite dragons. The other is a djinn assigned here from the imperial household. The princes. She will be safe with them.

So, when you said princess... you meant princess. Honey was smiling then the smile froze. Wait, djinn?

You didn t think a society could just be one kind of being, did you? Did you notice Asel s ears? Those are djinn ears.

Oh. Right. I did wonder about those. Do you need to pack a snack? We seem to be going on a hike.

He chuckled. You have more questions?

Yup. I can table them until later.

He paused in front of a large set of doors and backed through them, showing her that Baran was following with a small smile on his lips. Baran asked, Were you at the Stronghold?

She nodded. I was. I looked for Asel but couldn t find her. But I stopped looking for her. I don t know why I stopped, but when I came home, she was there, and I bawled like a baby. I felt it more than I had when she returned two years ago. It was like she just came back after a very long time.

She manipulated your perception of time. Alen sighed. I am sure she will tell you why eventually.

Honey frowned. Why would she do that?

Baran answered softly, Because she needed you to treat her like herself.

Honey s eyes widened as Alen turned, and understanding thudded through her. Ohmygod. Ohmygod.

Baran got a hairbrush and a tiny dagger. We would prefer to relax you, but given your link to your sibling, it is best to form our link to give you the support you require.

Alen sighed. He s right. Your scent is distressed.

I... it was my fault. I was running, and she pulled me to the side and told me to hide, and then she was gone. She was gone for eight years, and then she was back and her eyes were hollow and her body was thin, but she put on a smile, and it wasn t until just now that I realized our link went silent ten years ago. She paused. No, it wasn t silent; it was frozen. I think I would have gone crazy if it had been cut off, but I am now figuring out what went on.

Alen sat on the edge of a huge bed and sighed. The Stronghold Elite were not known for their self-control. She would have learned that in moments, and from what I saw of her, she would have taken steps not to share her experiences.

You saw her for seconds. She handed me over to you two.

No, she told us where to find you, confirmed that you were our mate, and when I tried to extract you, she stopped me. She stopped him. She has tremendous strength and amazing power. She survived and came home to you. Rejoice that she came back.

I do. I just... until that moment, we were one person in two bodies. Then, we were separated, and my mark showed up.

Baran smiled. We are glad that it did. Wildlings are special. He began to brush her hair.

I have heard that. Mainly because they are deep. She blushed, but he kept brushing.

He chuckled. They are that. It is a relief.

Relief?

To be able to relax with a partner. To spend a night with frenzy and gentle touches and not have to remember each and every moment that you can t let go is a sort of bliss that we dream about.

Interesting dreams. She smiled.

Oh. Very. But there are other throwbacks among the dark Elite that are looking for a partner as well.

Honey smiled. If they are younger and like hanging around in the sun, there is one on the Wonder Islands. If you guys portal now, you can be there in a minute.

Alen chuckled. Trying to get rid of us?

No, just trying to make sure that everyone knows what their options are.

He chortled softly. You don t need to worry about me. Now, when you went to the Stronghold, what was your role?

She swallowed, remembering the coursing of Elite blood down her throat. I was the speed attack. I tore the throats out of those who tried to move against us. The rest of the Elite surrendered pretty easily. The ladies had been brutal with any resistance, so things had gone fast. The time for running and hiding was over.

Alen asked, Now, how did you manage to tear throats out, Honey? His voice was thick, as if the idea of carnage turned him on. We heard shouting and screaming, and it wasn t from feminine throats. His fingers gently stroked her neck.

Um, I tore their throats out with my teeth.

He stroked her lips with his finger, pulling her lower lip down. These little teeth?

No, my other teeth.

Can you show us, Honey? He stroked her neck again.

She stretched her neck and rolled her head, opening her lips as her canines emerged. Upper and lower were long, and Baran made a soft sound. Alen was purring. She could feel it under her thighs and all along their contact points.

His fingers traced along her fangs, stroked under her chin, and then he touched her ears. Gorgeous and so dangerous. You are amazing, Honey.

He slipped his finger between her teeth, and she bit down out of reflex. He chuckled. Very sharp, Honey.

She released him, ran her tongue across her teeth, and tasted his blood. A hunger swelled in her, and she quickly reduced her teeth back to normal.

He chuckled. Such pretty teeth. Based on your description, you also have fast reflexes.

Yes.

Baran smiled. Where do you want your link? The braid that represents our bond. It can be subtle or obvious. Your choice.

She paused and said, Just forward of my right ear?

Baran smiled. Good choice. How are your braiding skills?

I have hip-length hair and a twin sister. They are pretty good.

Good. If other throwbacks persuade you, you will have to add to your collection.

Are you thinking a head full of box braids?

He laughed. There are not that many of us, but if any cannot find their mates, they may turn to you.

Why me?

Because you are the wildling. Just as Alen is the throwback. He has his favourite shape but can switch from one to another as needed.

She turned to Alen. Not while we are having sex.

He grinned. I won t. Promise. The beast that emerges won t change in the middle of anything. They promise.

As she looked at him, his features flitted through feline, canine, avian, and variations of them. She was pretty sure she saw a tree at one point.

Oh my.

Alen chuckled. Not a bad reaction.

She smiled. Thanks for the warning before anything happens.

He stroked her cheek. Oh, things have happened already.

Baran snorted. If we create the link, the things can be shared.

Alen chuckled. Fine.

Honey sat while Baran segmented out her hair, and Alen smiled. You can work on my hair if you like.

Where would you like your braid?

He tapped his right temple. Here.

Baran handed her the brush, and she quickly grabbed a segment of the snowy stuff. While Baran worked on her, she swiftly wove a tight three-part braid from his shoulder-length hair that felt like silk strands. She finished weaving the braid and plucked a hair from her head to bind the bottom. Baran was halfway done with her hair, so she looked to him. Which side do you want braided?

He smiled. Right side, over the temple.

He had enough slack in her braid to have a seat next to Alen, so she reached out, got the lock separated, and began brushing and then twisting the braid into being.

She smiled and tied his braid off the same way she had Alen s. A strand of her hair tied it off.

Baran smiled and copied her when he got to the end of her braid. I know long hair in our ladies is customary, but I swear a nice bob is now dancing in my head.

She laughed. So, what now?

Well, we are doing the simplified version, so a prick of the finger and rub it into my braid and his. We will do the same, and when the link forms with you, there should be an emotional transfer.

She looked at Alen. No biting?

Not for mating. We don t use them for marks. Our bodies heal too quickly. He smiled and raised his brows. They are fun, though, according to myth and legend.

She bit her lip. So, you don t mind biting?

He chuckled. No. Do your worst, Honey.

Okay, but first, the braids.

He shook his head as if dazed. Right.

She looked at Baran, and he handed her the small knife. She flicked her finger and stroked her finger down Baran s braid, rubbing the blood in as she went. She smiled, kissed him softly, and did the same to Alen. She worked the blood into the hair from the root to the tip and sat back. She was about to put her finger in her mouth when Alen grabbed her fingertip and sucked on it, swirling his tongue around her digit. The slow suction set off a reaction low in her belly that throbbed in time to his tongue.

She leaned in and felt her eyes glaze over with lust.

Baran said, Alen. Let her go.

He released her finger with one last long lick. The rough flat of his tongue made her skin tingle.

She looked at her finger. There was a slight pink spot and no hint of a wound. Wow. That is fast.

Alen popped claws she hadn t seen, and he reached for Baran s braid, staining the other half of it red.

Baran did the same with his finger, and she wondered where the hell the claws had been. He stained Alen s braid, and then they turned to her, gripped the braid at the scalp, and slowly pulled the entire length through their fingers.

Honey was dizzy with the connection that was forming. Roiling waves of lust were getting more energetic inside her, and there were two distinct flavours to the emotion. One was roaring, and the other was quiet and patient but no less intense.

The scent of blood was in the air. Honey was quivering and looking from Alen to Baran. Her pulse was thudding, and she licked her lips as she looked from one to the other. She crossed her legs at the ankle and pressed her thighs together. So, what next?

Alen smiled. Now, we do what I have been thinking of since your sister pointed out that our mate was inside the ballroom and almost happened during the viewing.

You go for popcorn? She looked up at him with a smirk.

He laughed and put his hands on her waist, pulling her up to face him. She was going to say something snarky, but he rubbed his cheek along hers, and she breathed in the smell of warmth that he exuded. He kissed her softly, stroked his hands down her back, and pulled her against him.

She curled against him, seeking his body heat as the kiss went on and her body hummed to life. Honey stroked his tongue with hers, and he shuddered under her. His hands slid into the back of her dress, and she heard the fabric parting.

Cool air tickled her back, but his hands moved over her. Then there was another shredding sound, and the dress fell to her knees.

Her fingers worked at his shirt, and she unbuttoned it down to his waistband before she tugged it free and spread the shirt wide. Unbuckling his belt was the work of seconds, and she pulled the leather free with a snap.

The surge of lust that went through her made her weak, and he opened his trousers, shredded her panties, and lined her up. The tip of his erection pressed into her, and his fingers slipped around, and when he grazed her clit, she jerked against his fingers.

The pattern repeated. Touch, slide, slip, and she sank further onto him. When she had worked him in halfway, she began to move with his fingers.

He turned and covered her, purring softly against her throat. He paused and said, Feeling good?

She nodded in a daze.

Good. Ready to go a little faster? His eyes glittered, and his voice was a low growl.

Honey wrapped a leg around his hips and pulled him close. Go for it.

He surged in, and her eyes widened as she realized that he filled her completely. Honey groaned and gripped his shoulders as he thrust into her with slow beats that picked up speed until she shrieked and lunged up to bite his shoulder. He growled, held himself deep, and she felt heat spilling into her.

She slowly released her bite, and he chuckled. See? Biting is fun.

She was dazed, and her body was throbbing. She blinked. Her whole body was still awash with endorphins. He started purring, and she felt it from the inside out. She could feel it in her teeth, in her scalp, and in the lobes of her ears. She panted slowly and then more rapidly as the purr picked up intensity, and then she arched up against him and moaned as her body went off again.

He started moving again, and she looked up at him as she held on and waited to see what would happen next.

Honey felt warm skin, but it was different as she felt Baran s arms around her. She was completely naked now. The shreds of her clothing were gone, and he was large and unclothed against her. Fuzzy though.

She turned in his arms and looked and chuckled. Sure. That makes sense.

He was midnight black with his white hair and his white chest hair in stark relief. The mark of the throwback was on his belly from navel to ribcage.

She trailed her fingers over the mark and then stroked the fuzziness on his chest. She hummed happily.

Honey looked up at him, Hmmm. Fuzzy.

His eyes widened in surprise. Really? You are going to love the beasts then.

She laughed, and he turned her, kissing her neck as he went down her back with small nibbles. His furry chest moved ahead of his lips, and she felt like she was being petted. It caused all kinds of wiggling inside her, and he started laughing.

She dug her fingers into the bedding and shuddered as Baran fitted himself to her. He moved against her, slid deep, and then kept moving. Honey whined as he managed to hit all the sensitive spots inside her, and her arousal rose fast. Once he had her on the edge of cumming, he bit her neck and started a cascade of pleasure that kept running through her until he grunted with his hips against her buttocks and his cock deep inside. He wasn t as hot as Alen, but she definitely felt a warmth inside her.

Baran nuzzled at her neck and murmured, You know, when we are told we have to wait for a mate, it is a constraint. We hope, and we plan, and we consider all the possible creatures that would cross our path before we can get to the one who is ours.

Creatures?

You were human. Born human and became one of ours. We are not of the same origin, so to you, we are beasts, and to us, you are a fascinating creature who will be with us for the rest of our lives. Omegas are not necessary, but they are definitely desirable. He kissed the side of her neck again. When we heard that exact matches were being made, we couldn t believe it. Now, we are true believers.

She snorted and mumbled against the bedding, I just ended up with a hard-to-explain tattoo.

Well, we match. We are marked as a warning to others. Baran nuzzled her ear.

How far away do you think my heat is?

He leaned up and eased one of her shoulders back. He looked at her chest and smiled. Twenty-four to thirty-six hours. The leaves have started to unfurl.

She looked down at her chest. Oh, that s what it s for. It s like a thermometer.

Baran nodded. I guessed as much, but it is nice to see it in action.

Honey sighed and flopped face down on the sheets. She wondered what her sister was doing at that very moment. It had to be more dignified than lying with an elf s cock halfway to her heart. Not that she was complaining.