Marshal Law (10 page)

“Of course not. It’s always been about them. About rightin’ a wrong.” She broke eye contact, the truth settling unforgivingly in her chest. “But it’s not what I thought it’d be.”

Footsteps padded closer before two hands grazed along her cheeks. She raised her gaze, staring at both men as they stood in front of her, expressions fixed. She felt the heat radiating off their bodies, the welcoming scent of their skin as their pale flesh gleamed in the wavering lamplight. Ethan held out his hand, and she reached for him before she could consider the consequences.

His arms wrapped around her, tucking her head into the crook of his shoulder as he drew a deep breath, a low sigh feathering past her ear as he exhaled. “I’ll be honest with you, sweetheart. Does being our mate affect our rationale? Yes. No way in hell we could ever willingly put you in danger. Right or wrong that’s simply the fact. But our wolves wouldn’t be drawn to you if there was nothing inside you but darkness. I’m bettin’ that killing those men, however justified it was in your mind, hasn’t helped bring you any peace. Hasn’t eased the pain, or made that hole inside you any better.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and she closed them before they had a chance to escape. “I made a promise. But it’s killing me. A bit more each time, and I’m not sure if there’ll be anything left when I’m done.”

Jude moved in behind her, his hands landing on her hips. “I think your family would understand if you let it go now. You’ve done more than enough.” He leaned in closer, one of his hands rising to brush her hair back from her face. “You should rest. It’s the middle of the night and you’re not fully healed. Let us tuck you back in bed.”

She glanced at him, cringing when a few tears slipped free. “Once the nightmares start…”

He thumbed her cheek, wiping at her damp skin. “We can stay with you, if it’d help?”

She eased back, looking from Jude up to Ethan. “You’d do that, even though I’m not sure I’m ready to…”

“Darlin’. I’d like to think Ethan and I are capable of loving you for more than just sex. Wouldn’t speak much to our characters if we couldn’t. We’re bound to you, for life. Whether you ever want more than this—than simple contact that brings you comfort—won’t change that. We’ll still be your mates. Now climb into bed.”

Ethan released her, snagging her hand instead and leading her to the bed. He lifted her onto the mattress, waiting until she’d scooted into the middle before claiming the edge. He gave her a devastating smile, shuffling over then turning on his side, his back to her.

Jude motioned to Ethan. “Curl up into him.”

She bit her bottom lip, uncertainty prickling her skin before she rolled, wrapping one arm around Ethan’s ribs, her hand resting against his chest. Warmth spread through her, coiling tight in her belly as his heartbeat echoed inside her head. She closed her eyes, inhaling sharply when Jude pressed into her back, his hand mimicking her hold on Ethan.

“This okay? Not too much?”

Her chest tightened at the sincerity in his voice. “Just right.”

“Good. Now sleep.”

She glanced back at Jude. “Will you be here when I wake up?”

“Promise.”

She gave him a genuine smile, sinking into his embrace.

He chuckled, nuzzling her neck. “Stop thinkin’ and just sleep. You’ll know what to do when the time comes. Until then, we’ll keep you safe. That is if you don’t kill us first.”

She closed her eyes.
Safe
. She wasn’t sure such a place existed, but she liked the idea of it. Even more so if they kept their promise and stayed.

Chapter Six

Jude loped along the parched dirt, skirting in and out of the scrubby bushes dotting the landscape. Thunder rumbled overhead, the scent of rain heavy in the air. He’d been running for nearly two hours, doing laps around the surrounding area, checking scent markers for any sign Bret had discovered their location. But other than some hare and a couple of coyotes, nothing had crossed within miles of the homestead since they’d arrived.

His wolf slowed to a trot, sniffing the ground as he headed back toward the house. This was the third time today he’d ventured out, using the guise of protection to give his other half the freedom it needed to keep from breaking through his hold every time McKenna so much as glanced at him. They’d been holed up in the abandoned home for four days, and the constant pull was starting to take a toll. And not just on him. Ethan had been disappearing for longer runs with each passing day, and Jude knew the cost of being so close to their mate without being able to bond with her the way they needed was driving his friend mad.

His wolf snorted, stopping to paw at the ground in frustration. The poor animal didn’t understand the human part of loving. All it knew was that its mate was within reach, and Jude wasn’t doing a damn thing to satisfy his wolf’s desires.

He mentally told the creature to fuck off, looking up at the porch when the door to the homestead opened, McKenna’s lithe form silhouetted in the doorway. She padded out onto the wooden stoop, watching him in a way he hadn’t noticed before, and he couldn’t tell if she was nervous or excited. Ethan followed her out, standing several feet off as he leaned against a post, hands stuffed in his pockets, his mouth drawn tight. Jude could sense his tension, the constant battle to maintain their distance, as he stared at his mate, his obvious need etched in the fine lines on his face.

Jude stopped at the bottom of the steps, uncertain what move to make next. Though McKenna had seen him in wolf form that first night, she’d never witnessed either of them shift from one being to another, and he wasn’t sure whether to change or turn tail and run.

A gentle hum drew his attention as she walked to the stairs, slowly making her way to the bottom. He backed up slightly, giving her room as he looked at Ethan. The man shrugged, still rooted to the same spot as their mate lowered onto the steps, sitting directly across from Jude.

She smiled, and his wolf yipped, inching forward before Jude could rein the animal in. The last thing he needed was to scare her in this form, not when they were doing everything humanly possible to gain her trust.

She sighed, tilting her head as she gazed at him. “Ethan told me you can understand me, even when you’re…” She waved her hand at him. “Like this.”

He cocked his head to the side, answering her with another yip.

“I realize I’ve been distant these past few days, it’s just…” She glanced at Ethan over her shoulder. “I’m not used to being around people…men, really. Especially two men that make me feel…” She snorted, looking as if she was searching for the correct word. “Off kilter. I’d never considered settlin’ down. Didn’t think I’d live long enough to have to worry about it. But you two…”

Ethan walked down the stairs, joining Jude at the bottom. “You don’t have to explain. We promised you we’d give you as much time as you need. We’ll keep that promise.”

“At what cost?” She stood, carding a hand through her hair. “You think I don’t notice how tense you two are? You look at me as if I’m hurtin’ you by simply being in the same room.”

Ethan glanced at him, shuffling his feet before staring back at McKenna. “It’s…fine. We’re…managing.”

“You’re in pain. I see it. Hell, I
feel
it. A burning ache that never goes away.” She closed her eyes as she kicked at the dirt before glancing up again. “I need… Damn.” She waved at Jude again. “Can I watch you both shift?”

“Are you sure you’re ready for that? It’s extremely intimate.”

She furrowed her brow. “Intimate?”

“Other than the obvious fact that we’re naked when we change, those first few moments after are when we’re closest to our animal as men. When we have the least amount of control over our more basic instincts. You standing here, watching, your scent hangin’ on the breeze, your body noticeably aroused…”

A hint of a smile curved her lips. “You know that?”

“Wolf, sweetheart. Just because I’m not wearin’ the fur doesn’t mean I don’t retain my enhanced senses. We’ve been surrounded by that heady aroma since the saloon.”

She frowned a bit, her lips pursing into a delightful pout. “Will either of you hurt me?”

“Fuck, no. But holdin’ back the urge to kiss you, to touch…”

She snagged her bottom lip, worrying it between her teeth as she looked from Jude to Ethan then back again. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Jude growled as Ethan glanced at him, scratching at the dirt in a show of dominance. Ethan nodded, kicking off his boots before reaching for his shirt. McKenna stood there, gaze fixed on the other man as he undressed, pausing with only his pants left. He raised a brow at her, but she simply crossed her arms, hiding the tight press of her nipples against her shirt. She’d forgone wearing her corset since she’d awakened, and there was no hiding how strongly they affected her.

Ethan sighed. “I’ll have to slow it down for you to see anything. After all this time, it happens in the space of a heartbeat.”

She nodded, and he gave Jude one last look before shoving his pants over his hips, his shaft bobbing free. McKenna’s eyes widened, a whiff of sweet musk lighting the air as the other man removed his last piece of clothing, tossing the worn breeches onto the porch. Then Ethan lowered his head.

Jude watched as his friend gave himself over to his wolf, his body stiffening as creaks and groans filled the air. Ethan’s limbs shook, dropping him to his hands and knees as a wave seemed to undulate down his body from the inside out. Hair followed the rippling motion, spreading out across his torso as his arms and legs altered to suit his wolf form, the click of his claws on the dirt rising above the other sounds. His head changed last, elongating into ears and a snout on a shake of the man’s head. A tail swooshed through the air, the hairs swirling up dust off the ground.

McKenna’s hand covered her mouth as she stared at Ethan’s wolf, her gaze finally landing on Jude. He waited, wondering if watching them change would kill whatever spark had grown between them, but it wasn’t fear or disgust he saw in her eyes. Love. Desire. Understanding. She went to her knees, tentatively reaching out her hand to stroke Ethan’s coat. Her fingers disappeared in the thick fur, a sharp gasp breaking the silence.

“Oh, god. It’s really you. Both of you. You’re really wolves.”

She laughed, petting Jude when he ventured closer. Her fingers scratched across his skin, the innocent touch spiking the need coiling inside him.

She brushed her fingers along the sides of their ears. “I knew you’d be beautiful.”

Tears pooled then fell, creating dark circles along the ground. Jude stared at the small, black spots, the man inside the wolf bleeding through. He lowered his head, allowing the shift to twist his body back into a man, the change happening seamlessly. He raised his head, his gaze clashing with hers. She held her ground, shifting her eyes as Ethan reappeared beside him, the man’s skin beaded with sweat.

The heady scent of her desire hit him, his instincts seizing control before he could do more than growl out a warning. He reached for her shoulders, taking them both to their feet. Ethan jumped up beside him, moving in behind her as Jude backed her against the other man, trapping her between them. She swallowed, the strangled sound making his chest constrict. He pressed against her, resting his forehead on hers as he took several quick breaths, trying to regain some semblance of control.

McKenna’s hands landed on his chest, her small fingers like fiery brands. His wolf howled in his head, his teeth lengthening as he lost ground. He scraped the tips across her neck, his wolf demanding he reassert his claim when her body trembled. The man inside cursed, and he clenched his jaw in an effort to hold back. A soft moan breezed across his skin then one of her hands cupped his chin.

“Jude. Look at me.”

He shook his head, still battling against the images flashing through his head—the three of them, entwined. Her body moving above him as Ethan held her from behind. He could feel it, taste it, and he knew if he so much as glanced at her he’d have her pinned hard against Ethan’s chest with his shaft deep inside her.

She sighed. “Please. Just look at me.”

He eased away, forcing his gaze to meet hers.

She frowned, smoothing her fingers along the bridge of his nose. “It’s okay. I can’t fight this anymore, either. The need. The hunger. I look at you two, and I can’t breathe. Can’t think beyond the color of your skin, or the feel of your hands against my flesh.” She leaned into Ethan as her other hand caressed Jude’s jaw. “I won’t lie. I’m scared, but not that you’ll hurt me. That I’m not ready for the next step. I’m scared that once I love you, I’ll never be free. That men like Bret will take you from me. And I can’t…” Her brow furrowed as she glanced away.

Jude looked at Ethan over her shoulder, giving the man a nod. Ethan wrapped his arms around her, picking her up before taking her inside. The man headed straight for the bedroom, stopping just inside the doorway. He placed her gently on her feet, holding her close as Jude claimed his position behind her. She leaned into him, tilting her head to the side, granting him access to the small scars he’d left as proof of his claim. He couldn’t stop from lowering his mouth to her neck and licking her soft skin. She moaned in response, the throaty sound going straight to his cock.

He repeated the slide of his teeth across her muscle. Only this time, the shudder that trembled through her was followed by a hushed, “yes”. He smiled against her neck, some of the tension easing from his body.

He raised his head enough to nip at her earlobe, savoring her rough intake of air. “Do you know what you do to us? The brush of your hand? The sound of your voice? Nothing more than a fucking smile?” He inhaled, allowing her scent to infuse his senses. “Hard to believe you’re really here, between us. Are you sure this is what you want? That you’re ready? After all you’ve been through…”

She smiled her reply and he growled, dragging her body against him as his hands held her tight, one threading through her hair, anchoring her. Ethan helped turn her into Jude’s arms, the flash of red in Ethan’s eyes a telltale sign the man’s wolf was at its limits.