Page 25

CHAPTER 24

C alla

I ’m nervous as I stand in front of my mates—four of the five wolves, all giving me their undivided attention, except there’s more than just lust lingering in their gazes. Curiosity. Worry. I guess Caleb’s reaction justifies it. He’s finally talking to them again.

“Okay, so, Caleb already punished me for this, and I realize it was a mistake not to tell you,” I say, looking down. “I’ll start at the beginning.”

I’m as detailed as I was when Caleb was using the leather strap to get the truth out of me. Not that he had to. I’d already realized I need to be honest with them. Caleb nods along to my story, while the others look stunned. Vance isn’t here to hear everything, but that might be for the best. He’d be overjoyed, and I’m not sure the others are going to have the same reaction.

“I’m confused,” Jace grunts. “Silas is alive, but he’s trapped in this place called The Aether? Where all souls go when they die.”

“He’s not exactly alive ,” I clarify. “He’s a lost soul. Some of your brothers are with him, but I didn’t get to meet them. They only appeared as wolves and were like ghosts. Not Silas though. When I’m in The Aether, he’s as real as the four of you are.”

“And the only way to let him move on is for our pack to grow,” Knox says. “Easy enough. Wolves only carry a baby for a few months before they give birth.”

“I’m not a wolf…” I say, my eyes getting wide.

“No, but you’re going to be knocked up by wolves,” Jace chuckles. “Who knows how long it’ll take before you’re ready to pop.”

“Vance would eat this shit up,” Knox sighs. “But I don’t know what kind of ancient connection we could have. You said The Aether is broken because there are too many lost souls due to mankind fucking around with nature. Wouldn’t we be part of that? We were made in a lab.”

“I don’t know.” I shrug slightly. “Maybe it’s more complex than that.”

“Well, unless Silas gives you an answer the next time you go to The Aether, there’s no way for us to know,” Gideon says. “Our mom never really talked about that kind of stuff when we saw her. Dad… that’s about all he talked about, but he was focused on the science.”

“Yes,” Knox grunts. “He didn’t care about much else. He didn’t even like it when they educated and trained us. He just wanted us in the lab, creating his grandkids. Or at least trying to.”

“That doesn’t matter. They’re both long gone,” Caleb mutters. “No reason to start unpacking all that bullshit. What matters is that Silas needs our help. And the quicker we breed our mate, the quicker he will have a chance to move on. We couldn’t protect him while he was alive. We can at least give him the dignity of moving on to this… Eternal Paradise.”

“An Eternal Paradise does sound nice,” Jace remarks. “But only if Calla is there.”

I blush a little and look down. They don’t seem angry. That’s somewhat of a relief.

“You healed us,” Gideon says, standing up and walking over to me. “And now we know with absolute certainty you are our mate. But you’re not off the hook yet. I think you need a little more punishment for not telling us this sooner.”

“Caleb already punished me,” I groan. “You saw the marks.”

“Don’t argue, little girl,” Knox growls as he stands up. “You’ve got five mates, not one. Vance doesn’t have your scent yet, but the rest of us do, and I agree with Gideon.”

“Don’t keep things from us, mate,” Jace murmurs, walking closer. “We’re not angry with you, but it would have been nice to know our bloodline is responsible for healing the world before we came rushing into Haven North to exact a little revenge for you—not that I mind the idea.”

“I know,” I admit. “I just had so much on my mind, and there was never a great time. I was worried about having to tell my friends I wasn’t coming inside. When I heard Clyde forged a letter, I lost it for a moment. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“We’ll help you get clarity,” Gideon assures me, grabbing the front of my pants and pulling me closer.

Gideon unfastens his pants. Knox and Jace close in on me, trapping me between the three of them. Caleb just watches, but I can see the intensity in his eyes. He’s ready for more, too. The brothers slowly undress me, and I don’t fight it. Jace turns me around and holds my arms in front of me. I don’t have to ask why, but that doesn’t make the stinging slap across my ass from Gideon any easier to take.

“Ow,” I whimper, then another one echoes in the abandoned clinic. “Ah!”

“You have to learn, little girl,” Knox chides, staring into my eyes while Gideon spanks me. I grimace and take them, but I can’t help twisting on my toes once it starts to sting. “Especially now that we know what is at stake. We might have decided differently if we realized that you were the key to saving the entire world.”

“We all are,” Jace says, his cock already hard and rubbing against me. “It isn’t just instinct making us crazy for you. Making us want to rut, claim, and breed you every chance we get.”

“We were fucking broken,” Gideon growls, slapping my ass a few more times. “And you healed us. You’re so much more than our mate. I told you what happened with Silas on the way to Haven North. That would have been the right time to tell me what was going on in your dreams.”

“But you were too busy waking up wet for him, like you’re wet for us right now, hmm?” Knox asks, narrowing his eyes.

“It wasn’t like that,” I whimper, squeezing my eyes shut when several harder slaps land. “I felt it, but it wasn’t just him. I think it was… ow… me feeling my attraction to your pack.”

Gideon stops spanking me. I let out a sigh of relief and dare to open my eyes. As soon as I do, Gideon turns me around and presents my punished bottom to Jace.

“Please, I’ve had enough,” I whine. “Especially after Caleb tied me down and whipped me.”

“Just take your punishment like the naughty little girl you are,” Knox orders, nodding to Jace, who begins spanking me.

Jace’s slaps are hard and fast. Less controlled than Gideon’s steady rhythm. Similar to how it was the first time I got spanked, when Jace put me over his knee. But he’s not holding back as much as he did back then.

“Ah! Not so hard! Gideon didn’t spank me this hard!” I protest.

“Gideon isn’t punishing you right now,” Jace chuckles, continuing to spank me. “I am.”

I whimper, groan, and do my best to hold back my tears. My bracelet offers no assistance, which isn’t surprising, because it seems to think I need to be punished often. At least it’s not helping them tie me down this time—although it probably would if I asked.

And it’s not just the bracelet. It’s The Aether itself, deciding I not only need mates, but disciplinarians. Silas said when I first stepped into The Tangle, it was like a mother finding a lost child she didn’t even know she had. One who needs to be corrected regularly, it seems. One that keeps making mistakes, no matter how hard I try to do the right thing.

Keeping this secret definitely wasn’t the right thing. I’ve got marks from the leather Caleb used. A stinging ass from Gideon, that’s getting thoroughly reddened by Jace’s fierce hand. And then Knox will have his turn. Four punishments, and I’m really glad Vance doesn’t have my scent. He’d probably spank me too, even if he seems a lot kinder than his brothers.

“Bad mate!” Jace says harshly, but there’s some humor in his tone. He slaps my ass hard a few more times before finally stopping. “Very bad mate!”

“That’s the spirit, brother,” Knox says, moving to take Jace’s spot as soon as he takes a step back. “You got her nice and red. But I think she still needs the rest of her punishment. Bend her over a little more.”

Gideon nods and takes a step back, pulling me toward him. Knox holds onto my hip, so my lower half doesn’t budge.

“Stick your ass out,” Knox demands. “Then I want you to ask me to give you a good, hard spanking for keeping secrets.”

I groan a protest, but I know it’s no use. Knox made me thank him for every stroke from the switch and ask for another. Resistance and noncompliance just got me extra ones that didn’t count. I whimper, stick my ass out until it meets his scarred hand.

“P-please give me a good, hard spanking for keeping secrets,” I whisper.

“No, say it loud and proud,” Knox growls, slapping my ass. “Say it like you mean it, little girl.”

I clench my jaw and nod. “Please give me a good, hard spanking for keeping secrets,” I say, even though I know this is going to hurt. “I-I deserve it.”

“That’s better,” Knox says, then he starts spanking me in earnest.

Knox’s hand lands hard against my ass, jarring me forward so much I’d fall if Gideon wasn’t supporting my weight. I bury my face in his chest. Partially because I need the support and partially to hide the tears that are dangerously close to falling.

The sounds of skin-on-skin ring out as the punishment continues. The impact of each handprint sizzles across my bottom like fire licking at already raw flesh. I steady myself against Gideon, and try to keep quiet, but my gasps are too loud.

“This is what secrets earn you, little girl,” Knox says firmly. “When I’m done with you, you’ll need redwort before you can walk back to the den.”

Another strike. Then another. My legs tremble and I blink rapidly, trying to will away the tears burning the edges of my eyes. I deserve this. I know I do. They know it. But it doesn’t make it hurt any less. Physically or emotionally.

“Hurry up, Knox,” Jace mutters impatiently. “I know you can smell it. She’s ready for so much more than a spanking.”

“I’m not rushing it,” Knox snaps, slapping my ass again.

His hand falls again and again. Punishing and patient. Each slap sends heat spiraling through me. The slaps sting my skin. The remorse stings the festering guilt. A harder slap makes me cry out, and it isn’t just the pain. Something inside me snaps. I suck in a sharp breath against Gideon’s chest, then my throat tightens and my eyes blur. Tears start to run down my cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. The words come out in hiccups that mix with my tears. “I should’ve told you. I know that now.”

Knox pauses. Just long enough for the quiet to settle. Then his hand comes again, harder than any of the others, like he’s searing the acceptance of my apology into my skin. I whimper and cry into Gideon’s chest. He wraps his large, powerful arms around me, pulling me tight against him.

“You’re forgiven, Calla. You’re our mate, so we’ll always forgive you, even if we have to punish you,” Gideon murmurs softly.

“I was just scared,” I sob. “Scared of what it meant. Scared of… being claimed. Silas said his brothers would come for me. I didn’t believe it would actually happen until I stepped out of the bunker and saw five wolves staring at me.”

Gideon holds me close, his comfort helping me recover from the punishment, and also amplifying the heat building between my legs.

“You’re not scared of being claimed now, are you?” Jace asks, his lips pressing down on the mark he left.

“No, I’m not scared,” I whisper, pushing against Gideon’s embrace and leaning against Jace and feeling his throbbing manhood. “I’m not scared at all.”

Jace squeezes my ass and parts my cheeks. His finger rubs against my bottom hole, which is still sore from Caleb. I can’t help but whimper.

“Now that Caleb broke the seal, you can take two of us at once,” Jace murmurs, pushing a finger into my ass. “Such a nice, tight little asshole. I can’t wait to fuck it.”

Gideon pulls me toward a pile of old blankets on the floor. He kicks them around until they form a makeshift bed, then sinks into them. He’s on his back. His cock is hard and thick. It isn’t until he pulls me down that I realize he wants me to straddle him.

“You rode Caleb across Haven North,” Gideon growls. “Now you can ride my dick.”

A tingle shoots through me, and I’m already so wet I’m practically dripping. I’ve never been on top before. Usually, I’m tied down, held down, or on all fours. I carefully straddle Gideon and kneel, rubbing his cock as I line it up with my entrance.

My mouth opens wider with each inch that fills me until our bodies are pressed together. I push up and let my weight carry me back down. It feels incredible.

“Lean forward,” Jace commands, kneeling behind me. “This won’t breed you, but I’m damn sure going to enjoy it.”

Jace plunges a finger into my bottom hole, making my sore walls flutter and twitch. I get used to it just in time for a second finger to join in. It feels a lot different with Gideon inside me. Not only do I feel him throb every time I shudder, but it shoots pleasure through my body without even moving on his dick.

“Now you’re ready for me,” Jace says, slowly removing his fingers.

Jace’s thick cock slips between my almost blistered cheeks and he’s not gentle when he pushes into my ass. But that’s okay. I’m so turned on I don’t mind a little roughness. I’ve gotten to the point where I like it. Jace goes deep into my depths and starts thrusting. The motion causes me to bounce on Gideon’s length, the combination making me practically scream before they even settle into a rhythm.

“Mm, she loves it,” Gideon says. “Just listen to those moans and gasps.”

“We’ll make her come so many times we’ll have to carry her back to the tunnel,” Jace growls.

Knox walks over, already naked, rubbing his twitching cock. “If you can take two of us, you can take three. Open your mouth, little girl.”

My eyes get wide for a moment. I’ve heard about it, sure. I’ve heard more than I’d care treating the Unassigned that make their way to the Academic Medical Center. But actually doing it? Taking Knox’s thickness in my mouth? I hesitate, looking up at him with concern—concern I’m barely able to process because simultaneous thrusts from the brothers inside me force my mouth to open with a loud gasp.

“Good girl,” Knox says, taking advantage of my gasp and shoving his cock into my mouth.

I gurgle around his girth, but he’s already moving. Driving his dick into my throat while I struggle to get used to the way it feels. I take it because I want to, but it still takes me a moment to adjust.

“Swallow it, Calla,” Gideon demands, while his hands roam across my body. “You’ll have to make all three of us come before Caleb gets his turn.”

Caleb doesn’t reply. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him in the corner, just watching. Waiting until he can have me again. The thought makes my pussy flutter, and Gideon certainly loves the way it feels.

“Such a hot little mouth,” Knox grumbles, letting out a moan of satisfaction. “All three of your holes will be dripping with our seed when we leave Haven North. Full belly, full pussy, and a full ass. You might even have a baby growing inside you by the time we get back to the den.”

I whimper my response and start slurping on Knox’s length, finally getting the hang of it while Gideon and Jace slam hard thrusts into my body. This is my future. Being claimed, marked, and taken by my mates. One… Two… Possibly all five of them at the same time, although I won’t have anything left for them to claim.

An experience I would have found mortifying, even when I was dreaming of being a Bride, fills me with a strange sense of contentment. Like the world doesn’t matter while I’m experiencing this kind of pleasure. The way Gideon keeps me bouncing on his cock. The way Jace uses that momentum to deliver harder thrusts into my ass. Even the taste of Knox on my tongue, his pre-cum mixing with my saliva. It’s a little overwhelming, but it’s euphoric.

And it doesn’t take long for my first orgasm to rip through me. I’m not sure if it is Gideon, Jace, or the combination of all three that pushes me over the edge, but once I’m there, I feel like I’m in heaven. Maybe this is what it’s like in the Eternal Paradise. Just constant pleasure while the craving for more radiates from my shaking core.

“Seriously,” Knox mutters, putting both hands behind my head and pushing his cock into my throat. “Just wait until you feel this.”

“I’ve got the best spot of them all,” Gideon rasps. “There’s nothing sweeter than her tight pussy.”

“Then hurry up,” Caleb growls, finally speaking up. “I haven’t had a chance to fuck it yet.”

“You’ll get your turn, brother,” Gideon says. “Everyone will.”

“Except the one in the basement,” Jace chuckles. “But he’ll get her scent soon enough.”

I recover from my first orgasm just in time for another. This one is definitely Jace’s fault. He hammers his length into my ass at the perfect angle. Perfect speed. Perfect mixture of firmness and desire. I slump forward, feeling Knox’s cock push past the ring in the back of my throat. I swallow a gasp from my orgasm and Knox at the same time.

“Fuck, yeah,” Knox groans. “Oh, fuck, I’m not going to make it much longer.”

Knox speeds up in my mouth. Jace keeps hammering away. I’m bounced relentlessly on Gideon’s hardness, every stroke against my g-spot bringing me dangerously close to my third orgasm while my body trembles with the aftershocks of the first two, muscles fluttering around the brothers inside me.

Their rhythm doesn’t falter. If anything, it intensifies. I’ve felt this before, the way they react to the scent of my release. All I can do is gasp around Knox’s cock. I’m struggling enough to breathe between the pleasure and fullness, but I don’t want them to stop. I don’t want any of it to stop.

Gideon teases my nipple with his tongue, then leans back with a needy groan of pleasure. His hands grip my hips, guiding my movements as he thrusts upward. Jace’s fingers dig into my waist, hard enough to bruise, grunting as he pushes into me from behind. Every nerve in my body is on fire. My limbs are aching from exertion. But I still can’t stop moaning, sending vibrations through Knox’s shaft that make him throb more insistently. It’s only a matter of time before my mouth is full of his seed.

“I can feel her shaking,” Jace rasps. “So, so fucking close again.”

Another orgasm tears through me, so vicious my ignited nerve endings scream as loudly as I scream around Knox’s girth. His hands tighten behind my head and his hips jerk. His breathing gets heavier and a second later, he lets out a guttural moan.

Knox’s release spills into my mouth and I taste him before harder pulses of semen hit the back of my throat. I swallow instinctively and every muscle clenches. I grip Gideon and Jace like a vise as the pleasure radiates from my core, but it doesn’t slow them down at all. They just keep driving their length into me, and they’re in perfect harmony, pulling back and slamming forward in unison.

“Good little girl,” Knox praises, stroking my cheek as he empties the last of his seed in my mouth. “Never had a girl come from sucking my dick before.”

“I think we might have something to do with that,” Jace chuckles, then his hips buck. “Oh, fuck! I’m about to come too!”

Jace barely gets the words out of his mouth before the erratic thrusts plow into me with reckless abandon, each one deeper and harder than the last. I gasp around Knox’s softening length, feeling the pressure building again. I’m ragged, but I’m not spent, and my body wants it too much. Jace’s nails dig into my flesh, his teeth sink into the mark he left on my neck, and he erupts inside me.

I choke on Knox as he pulls out of my mouth, but then Jace buries himself to the hilt in my ass and roars with the force of his climax. His hot load is pumped deep in my depths, and his throbbing makes my pussy ache around my g-spot. An ache Gideon quickly quells with hard thrusts of his own.

“Oh… I…” I spit out, some of Knox’s un-swallowed essence drizzling down my chin.

“I can already feel it,” Gideon growls.

“Fuck, I feel it too,” Jace grunts, his dick getting thicker. “I need at least one more.”

Gideon and Jace hammer lengths in unison once more. It’s more than I can stand. Everything comes unraveled and multiple orgasms tear through my body. Gideon grits his teeth, holds onto my waist, and drives himself into my spasming pussy. His hips lock against mine, the raw, primal need radiating from him even before I feel the warmth of his release.

“Gideon!” I cry out, falling back against Jace, who bites my neck again while he chases another climax. “Jace!”

The final shudders of Gideon’s lust radiate inside me, orgasms coming in a constant flurry while Jace fucks my ass. Just when it seems like I won’t be able to come again, Jace forces another one out, and I scream his name while he finishes inside me.

The room falls quiet, except for our heavy breathing. The sounds tangle together, strangled by the euphoria settling in my core. I finally collapse forward into Gideon’s chest, boneless and gasping, spent and used, but completely satisfied. I’m surrounded, claimed, and I’ve been thoroughly punished, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now, except for their den—so they could do it all over again as soon as they regain their strength.

“I can’t feel my knees,” I mutter, my thighs going limp against Gideon as Jace pulls out of me.

“Then Gideon will just have to support your weight,” Caleb growls, moving from where he’s watching to take Jace’s place. “Because I’m going to fuck your tight little pussy just like I fucked your ass earlier.”

I groan, but don’t protest. I’ve got five mates, and four have my scent. I can’t stop until they’ve all been satisfied. Gideon raises my hips, sliding his cock out of me, and I barely get steady on jelly-like legs before Caleb pushes in.

“Oh, shit,” Caleb sighs. “This is so much better. I forgot how good a tight pussy feels.”

“It’s been a long time, brother,” Jace says, standing up and moving away from us. “Enjoy it as long as you’d like.”

“I’ll let Caleb have his turn,” Knox says, stroking his length. “But that means you need to open that sweet mouth again, little girl. I’m not done yet.”

My eyelids flutter as I look up at him.

He’s hard and ready for me again.

I have no choice but to open my mouth and let him fill it.