Bearing Secrets (11 page)

With speed and precision, Trey
moved through the grounds toward the final destination: Mason’s cabin. He
didn’t like the fact his mate was set on finding out if Mason was against her
now too, but he’d do anything she asked. If, in the end, it broke her heart
further, Turi and he would be there to put it back together. To help her move
on and rebuild her life…no, not rebuild, but to make it better. Now with the
proposal and the forum, she’d have a new purpose in her life. No one would look
down on her because she was human, or treat her the way Chad did. Not on his
watch. She was his now, and Heaven have mercy on the next asshole that hurt
her.

The scent of Chad drifted
through the air, bringing the bear to the surface and full of anger. The beast
within him wanted to go after Chad, to beat the shit out of him for hurting Ivy
the way he had. Ivy had been worried sick about him, and instead of showing a
care, he degraded her about mating with bears, as if she had a choice.

Unable to hold it back, Trey
tipped his head back and roared. After his bear was finished letting off a
little steam, he was able to relax a little. The muscles in his shoulders were
still tight, and anger pulsed within him, but at least he wasn’t on the verge
of killing his brother-in-law.

“Trey? Or are you Turi?” A man
asked as Trey neared one of the two guest cabins.

“Trey.” He held his hand out
to the other man, the scent of the tiger and the air of authority letting him
know he’d found the right person. “You must be Mason.”

“That I am.” With a firm grip,
he shook Trey’s hand. “I believe you’ve already had a run-in with the Captain
of my Guards, Chad.”

“You could say that. He seems
to have a real hatred toward bears, or maybe it’s just the ones his sister
mated with.”

“Chad’s out for a run but if
you have a few minutes we could sit and I could give you a little insight to
your mate’s brother.” Mason tipped his head to the porch.

“I don’t know how that will
help, but okay.” Trey led the way to the porch, scanning the island to check to
see if Chad was returning.

Mason took a seat in one of
the rockers Theodore custom built. “Chad’s been very protective of Ivy all her
life. To just stop doing it because she’s mated is hard, but even harder
because of who she’s mated to.”

“You mean bears.” Trey’s top
lip curved up on one side and he couldn’t stop from growling.

“Yes, but not for the reason
you think. Chad’s anger stems from the fact that his mother was killed by a
bear, not a shifter but an actual bear. Now all he can see is anger. I don’t
even think Ivy knows the full details of what happened, only that she was
killed while she went on a hunting trip with a group of clan members.”

“How does something like that
happen? She should have sensed the bear long before he was able to get close
enough to endanger her life.” Trey leaned against the porch railing, watching
Mason.

“It was mostly women on the
trip, kind of a getaway from the mates and kids. Alcohol and drugs played a
part, and she was attacked while she was unaware. The others took off leaving her
behind, and she was killed.”

Trey silently sat there for a
moment with many things running through his head. Even after hearing what had
happened to Chad’s mother, it didn’t give him a valid excuse to treat Ivy the
way he did. “I understand, but Ivy deserved better than being the target of
Chad’s anger. He knows she had no control over who she mated. Wishing her dead
was a dagger through the heart for her.”

“I’ve already spoken to him
about it, but all he can see is his belief that she’ll end up dead like his
mother.” Mason ran a hand over the leg of his jeans. “Due to that, Chad and I
will be leaving this afternoon. It will give him time to cool off, and
hopefully he can come to his senses.”

“That might be for the best.”
Trey nodded. Without Chad on the island, he wouldn’t have to worry about Ivy
getting hurt by his nasty comments. “I came to find you because Ivy would like
to speak to you. She needs to know if you’ve turned against her as well.”

“I’ll speak with her.” Mason
rose from the chair and came to stand next to Trey, looking out on the land and
water. “She’s had a rough time. Some of the clan questioned her reasoning
behind this proposal, and now this. It’s good she’s found you and your brother,
she needs the love and protection.”

“Trust me, she has it. We’ll
protect her, even from the one she thinks is family if that’s what it comes
to.” He turned to face Mason. “If Chad can’t get past this anger over who she’s
mated to, then I’ll have to ask that he has no contact with her. She doesn’t
deserve to be treated like she’s less than him.”

“Human or not, Ivy has always
been a valued member of my clan. She was never put in areas of danger. Doing
administration work kept her among the trusted of the clan and overall a
cherished member. She will be missed.” Mason took a moment to look at Trey
before nodding. “I suspect you’ll encourage her to finish the proposal. It’s
something that could be useful to our kind and if anyone can put together a
strong case for it, she can. Know there will be opposition, most likely that
stems from her being a human, but in the end it will be worth it.”

“We’re behind her in that, and
actually we’ve added some suggestions. One of them being a forum where shifters
can be kept updated, communicate with other clans, and more. We’re still
working out the details but it will be kept tightly guarded and monitored to
ensure no additional dangers or threats are recorded.”

“It seems she’s found the perfect
mates.” Mason smiled before tipping his head. “What do you say we go find Ivy
and put some of her fears to rest?”

Trey nodded, and pushed off
the railing. “She needs to know where Chad’s anger comes from.”

“Once we leave, you can tell
her that. I only want to relieve her doubts when it comes to me and any of the
Arizona Tigers who are left.” Mason followed Trey down the steps. “Over the
years she has become like a daughter to me, she needs to know nothing has
changed. I’m happy she’s found mates who don’t think less of her because she’s
human and who can protect her from whatever the future holds.”

As they made their way back to
Ivy, Trey was relieved about Mason’s stance. Knowing there wasn’t yet more
opposition against Ivy made it easier for him to allow another man close to his
mate. There was no doubt in his mind that if Mason had been as full of hatred
as Chad, he wouldn’t allow him within a hundred yards of her. She was his mate
and he’d protect her, even if she didn’t want him to.

Taber stepped out of the cabin
he used when on the island and waved to them. “Mason, wheels up in thirty.”

“We’ll be there. Thanks.”
Mason nodded.

“You and the others leaving?”
Trey hoped that Kallie and Courtney might be around a little longer in case Ivy
needed a woman to talk to after what she went through with Chad.

Taber shook his head. “I’m
flying them to the Alaskan Tigers’ compound, but I’ll be back by dinner.
Something up?”

“Just thought before you leave
a family dinner would be beneficial to Ivy, especially having the women there.
Maybe tomorrow?” Trey shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

“Sure.” Taber nodded and
leaned against the porch pillar. “We could grill out, have some steaks, Mom’s
delicious macaroni salad, and the works.”

“Tomorrow it is. I better get
back to Ivy.” Trey continued leading Mason the short distance to Turi’s cabin,
the one that had become theirs now that they’d found Ivy.

“Ivy’s going to need the
support of not only you and Turi but your whole family,” Mason said, his brow
furrowed in thought. “Having two sisters-in-law instead of just more men, might
be what she needs. The only close female friend she had turned against her at
the very end. Hopefully, Kallie and Courtney can help her learn to trust
again.”

Trey caught an expression of
sadness rushing over Mason’s face before he tucked it away and turned to look
toward the woods.

“Don’t worry about her, we’ll
take good care of her.” He smirked, knowing the tiger had good motives, but
Turi couldn’t wait for him to be gone. With the last visual reminder of her
past life departed, maybe she could embrace her new life and the possibilities
it held.

Snuggled on the sofa with a
blanket around her shoulders and a mug of tea Trey had so thoughtfully brought
her, Ivy let the stress of the day roll away from her. Mason’s visit had left
her full of conflicting emotions but also gave her peace knowing he hadn’t
turned against her too. The thought of her former Alpha without his clan pained
her almost as much as the loss of them. For the first time in her life, she
felt like an orphan. No one was left now that Chad had turned on her. No one
except her mates, and Mason.

She was her own woman, one who’d
always been strong, but now her real strength was emerging. Tomorrow the sun
would come up and she’d embrace a new life, with new goals and desires. She’d
dive back into the proposal and make it better than ever. Maybe in time Chad
would come around, but even then she knew things would never be the same
between them. There would always be the tension and painful memories of his
anger toward her and her mates. That concern was for another day. Tonight she
would seek comfort in the arms of her men.

“Anything I can get you?” Turi
asked, coming back from the kitchen where the twins had been starting dinner.

“You.” She held out her hand
to him. “Will you join me?”

“I’d do anything for you.” He
crossed the room in three quick strides, and sank down next to her on the sofa.
“I’m sorry for everything…”

Setting her mug aside, she
snuggled into his chest, wrapping her arm around his waist and holding him
close. The spicy aroma of cologne and his beast teased along her senses, making
her want to press her face against him. “None of it’s your fault.”

“That might be the case, but
when one mate is hurting we all feel it.” He wrapped his arm around her, his
finger playing gently down her arm. “I know you’re still hurting after Chad’s
words, but maybe he’ll come around. He just needs time to adjust to this.”

“My brother has never come
around for anything. It’s always been his way or no way, but I can’t think
about that now. Instead, I need to focus on us. This is a time for us to grow
as a trio, to move forward, and for me to start a new life. Having you, Trey,
and your family, I couldn’t ask for more.”

Trey popped his head around
the corner and glanced at them. “I heard my name.”

“Come join us.” She slipped
her legs off the sofa so that he could come and sit on the other side of her.
“I want you both.”

He came to her, the jeans
riding low on his hips, with the tight T-shirt just barely meeting them. “What
did you have in mind, my angel?”

“Wicked things.” When he sat
down next to her, she looped her leg over his.

“A woman after my own heart,”
he teased, pressing his body along hers.

“Tonight I want to forget
everything and just enjoy us. Right now, this mating is what matters. The
proposal, the forum, and everything else can wait until tomorrow. Tonight, make
me forget all that’s wrong in the world.”

“That, my angel, we can do.”
Trey turned enough to plant soft kisses along her shoulder and up toward her
ear.

With a soft moan, she arched
her neck into his caresses. “Not yet. I want to change first. When I get back,
you’d better be ready.” She slipped from between them, giving them a saucy look
before she moved down the hall toward their bedroom.

Once out of their sight, she
jogged to the bedroom, unzipping the suitcase she had yet to unpack, and lifted
the package from Kallie. The handwritten note attached caught her attention
again.

This will stop those twins in
their tracks.

Inside the thick brown paper was
a creamy white baby-doll nighty with light blue trim. Never seeing a reason for
anything sexy before, she felt a rush of excitement course through her. She
stripped her clothes off quickly and pulled the nighty over her head.

A glance in the mirror, a
fluff of her blonde hair, and she was ready. She took a deep breath and made
her way back to the men waiting for her. They’d make her forget her troubles.

“My angel, we’re ready for you,”
Trey called.

“I’m coming.” She sped up her
pace. “You better be naked and ready.”

“Oh, we are,” they replied
just as she came around the corner.

Ivy skidded to a stop. Her
lungs squeezed against her heart as she took in the sight before her. A bed of
blankets and makeshift pillows had been laid out before the fireplace, with
candles adding to the glow from the roaring fire.

“It’s beautiful.” When they
didn’t reply or even move toward her she met their gaze. “What?”

“Damn, woman. You’re
beautiful.”

“My sweet angel, you’re
gorgeous.” Trey echoed Turi’s sentiments in his own words.

“You like it, then?” She
teased as if she’d been worried about it.

“Yes would be an
understatement.” Trey nodded, his shaft standing at attention.

“I love it, but want you
naked. I want to see the fire dancing off your body as your face tightens and
your body convulses around my dick.” Turi advanced to her, his fingers grabbing
the hem of the nighty and sliding it up past her hips.

Trey knelt on the makeshift
bed and held a hand out to her. “Come here.”

Before she could do as he
asked Turi pulled the baby-doll over her head, making her as naked as they
were. “Lie down near the fire so you don’t get chilled, and let us show you how
amazingly sexy we find you.”

Lying in the
middle of the makeshift bed, all her worries disappeared, need and desire
replacing them. “Please…” She reached out, her hand landing firmly on Turi’s
chest, who was kneeling between her legs, his erection pressed tight against
her thigh. Trey laid beside her, his lips claiming her nipple. They had her
captive between their bodies, making her feel safe and wanted.

Turi’s fingers
slipped between her legs and teased her pussy, dragging pleasure from her in
hard, hot waves. His fingers thrust into her as his thumb continued to wring
more pleasure from her core. He quickly eased down her body, replacing his
fingers with his mouth. His tongue did all the work, flicking gently across her
mound until she was wiggling beneath him, her climax nearing.

Trey moved up her
body, claiming her mouth; her moans died on her lips as he thrust his tongue
deep inside. Their tongues danced, mixing the spiciness of his coffee with the
sweetness of her tea. He pulled back enough to graze his teeth over her lower
lip and let her cries of frustration escape.

“I need one of you
inside me. Please…”

Without
hesitation, Turi gave one last kiss to her most sensitive area and pulled back.
He angled himself between her legs, his fingers digging into her thighs as he shoved
his shaft into her. There was no teasing, no easing in slowly. Instead, he
slammed his length into her in one hard pump. Her body took him in, throbbing
against his erection as darts of pleasure spiraled outward from their
connection. Breathing became difficult as he retreated only to thrust into her
again, harder this time. As he picked up the rhythm, he drove into her again
and again, rigid and powerful, sending the outside world far away from her
thoughts. This wasn’t the loving of a man; it was the claiming by a mate.

Trey scooted up
until he could kneel before her, his hard length jutting toward her. Without
invitation, she took him into her mouth, working her way to the base. She used
her hand to work the end of the hard shaft, moving her mouth up and down the
length, slowly at the tip.

With a deep groan
he cupped the back of her head and sped her pace. Forcing her to take him
harder and faster, until she was trapped in the tempo of their motions. Working
together, they drove intense pleasure from her body. Rocking together in
perfect harmony, ecstasy began to overwhelm her. Her moans echoed around Trey’s
shaft as he pumped faster, his own climax near detonation. Digging her nails
into the back of Trey’s thighs, she held on to him as every pump sent pulses
exploding through her. She came apart at the seams, her inner muscles clenching
around Turi as he continued to drive his shaft into her.

Turi slammed home
one last time before his orgasm filled her and he tipped his head back and
roared. Trey hadn’t finished yet. He slammed into her mouth, forcing her to
take all of him. Soft grunts escaped him as he worked to find his own release.
He pushed deep within her mouth one final time, forcing her to swallow his
juices, as another wild climax spiraled through her.

Trey slipped from
her lips and leaned against the sofa, his eyes closed. Still reeling, she
tugged his hand until he scooted down to lay next to her.

Eventually, her breathing
returned to normal, and she cuddled against both of her mates, contented. She
let the thoughts of having them by her sides always play through her mind. It
was different from what she had expected, but it was just what she needed and
never knew she wanted.