“I’ll try Rem. It hurt when you said that. Don’t you think I blame myself enough

  for all of this? If it weren’t for my actions, our other child would be alive. Hell, Pierre and your other brother would be alive. Sometimes I just feel that if I wasn’t around, your families would be better off.” Amber whispered into his chest and laid her head down.

  “Oh, baby, none of that was your fault. Where do you think we would be if we didn’t have you? We would be lost. We love you,” Lux whispered, his lips traced hers and his tongue pushed slowly into her mouth. His hand caressed her breast.

  “I want you, baby,” Lux whispered, wrapping his muscular arms under her legs, then lifting and carrying her to the bed, placing her in the middle of it. Lux ripped out of his pants and crawled slowly up her body, his cock finding her secret haven. He pulled her legs up onto his shoulders, stared down at her face, his thick, long cock slid into her slowly, stretching her. He watched her pussy suck his cock in.

  Liam and Otis stood in the back of the room, stroking their cocks. Lux pulled her body up, his cock still inside her. Sitting back on his legs, he pushed his cock further into her. His eyes never left hers.

  Amber wrapped her arms around his neck, her tongue licked along his chin and slipped into his waiting mouth. Her small hands traced his back, scratching him.

  “God, you’re beautiful, baby!” Lux whispered, leaning her back and sucking on her nipples.

  Amber loved every moment he made love to her. His hands and mouth traced everywhere they could; his cock locked onto her g-spot and sent her body into tremors.

  His seed gushed into her, his muscles tensed up and he slammed into her hard.

  “Mine! I’ll never let you go!” He growled, and gave her one last passion-filled kiss. He pulled back, smiling down at her.

  “I’m going to go hop in the shower. I believe you have two other mates who want to show you how sorry we all are.” Lux kissed her nose and slipped out of her.

  Liam crawled on the bed next to her and pulled her onto him, his shaft slid into her already hot pussy. Otis crawled up behind her and opened her butt cheeks, sliding into her ass slowly.

  “You have been through so much. I want to lock you up in our room and never let you out of my sight again,” Liam whispered into her neck and bit it.

  Liam and Otis proceeded to show her how sorry they were for the next half hour.

  Amber smiled up at her mates as they walked around getting dressed. Getting up, Amber looked at the clock and yelled. “Damn it, you guys. We’re going to be late again! I hate being late! Otis get that list of houses and grab Liam’s laptop.”

  Amber ran for the bathroom, taking her dress with her. After washing up and brushing her hair, Amber slipped on her dress again and her shoes. When she came out of the bathroom, all three of her mates stood dressed in dark blue suits. Amber sucked in her breath, looking at them. “God, you guys could be models for the stories I write. Man are you hot!” Amber fanned her face as they laughed, circling her.

  “And you’re even hotter, baby! Wow, how are we supposed to behave with you looking so good?” Liam whispered, as he rubbed his hands on her ass.

  “Hey, stop. We have to get going.” Amber laughed as she walked to the elevator with her mates following, their hands rubbing all over her. By the time they were down in the lobby, Amber’s face was hot, along with her body.

  “I can’t believe you guys did this to me. Now what am I going to do? I can’t concentrate on anything.” Amber looked up and stopped mid stride. Standing next to the front desk stood one of the snake people. Amber shivered as he stared at her.

  Chapter Ten

  “Baby, what is it?” Lux asked, stepping up close and looking around. Then he spotted the man.

  “What the hell?” Lux growled.

  Amber watched as her father walked up to the man, shook his hand and led him towards the dining room. “Lux, I can’t eat with them. They give me the creeps.” Amber hugged herself again.

  “Otis, why don’t you take Amber to the lounge with her guards while Liam and I find out what’s going on.” Lux looked down at Amber, cupping her face. “Let us take care of this, baby.”

  Otis stepped up, pulling her body to his and walking her to the lounge. Cassy and Helena were already sitting there with their guards. They looked up, smiling at her as she and Otis made their way to the table.

  “So, why are you two here? I know why I’m here,” Amber said, shivering again.

  “I think it’s the same reaction we had when we found out about the snake shifters being here. I couldn’t believe your father asked them to come to talk to the National Council after what they did,” Helena replied, shaking.

  Amber heard Otis growl behind her, pulling a chair out for her. “If he did this, Lux and Liam are going to have a fit!” Otis growled, just as Lux and Liam stormed in.

  “Come on, baby, we’re going out to eat tonight. I’ve called the steakhouse down the street and made the reservations. I will be damned if I sit at the same table with those fools,” Lux stated, and pulled Amber up into his arms, walking her out of the lounge.

  “Thank you, Lux. I hate to be prejudiced, but they give me the creeps,” Amber whispered, leaning into his body. Liam on the other side of her held her hand and squeezed it.

  Then Amber stopped dead in her shoes, “God, Lux he wouldn’t invite them to move near us, or tell them where we live, would he?” Amber’s voice shook with fright.

  “No, baby, I told your father under no circumstances were they to let them, or anyone, know where we live. If anyone does reveal that information, I will personally hunt that person down and destroy him. They don’t want a war started, baby.”

  “Lux, wait a minute!” They heard her father shout at them, stopping them again. Amber curled up next to Lux, not letting go.

  “What do you want, Guy? We have dinner reservations,” Lux growled, and held Amber tight against his chest.

  “We didn’t invite them to your town. We need to know if we could just set up a meeting with their leader, get a feel for how many there are, and where they stand towards other shifters.” Guy said, staring down at Amber. “Amber, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, but I won’t go near those men, Dad. Lux, can we go? I don’t want to see him again.” Amber looked up into his face.

  “Let’s go, baby.” Lux picked her up, cradling her against him. A white limo pulled up, and Liam’s brother Ralph stuck his head out of the door.

  “Are you coming? We’re going to be late.” He smiled.

  Amber laughed. “You are so bad!”

  “What? I came to the rescue, didn’t I? When Lux called, telling me about those creepy snake guys, I could see why they give you the creeps because they sure as hell do me.” Ralph shook his head and crawled back inside, helping Amber into the limo.

  “Let’s not talk about them, shall we. I want to be able to eat tonight, and the babies need food,” Amber replied.

  Ralph tried to pull her into his lap, but Lux growled and pulled her away from him.

  “Get your own mate and leave ours alone,” he said, slapping Ralph’s head.

  “See how he is with me when I bail him out all the time? He was even this mean when we were small.” Ralph pouted, looking at Amber.

  Amber busted out laughing, and the others followed.

  “Teddy and Cassy are coming,” Lux stated.

  Cassy crawled into the limo, followed by Teddy. Cassy smiled at Amber and sat next to her and Lux. Teddy pulled Cassy into his lap, sitting in her seat.

  Cassy rolled her eyes, smiling at Amber, and they both laughed. “I kind of feel guilty leaving Helena there alone to deal with this. I asked her to come with us, but she said she couldn’t. She said she had to stand next to your father even though she doesn’t agree with it.” Cassy shook her head.

  “I don’t know why Dad is acting so stupid. He’s going to lose Helena and

  Sam if he keeps this up.” Amber frowned. “It’s like he’s not thinking straight.”

  “Hush, baby, there’s nothing you can do now. We have to just wait and see what happens.” Lux and Liam rubbed her arms. When Amber’s stomach grumbled, they all burst out laughing, and Amber buried her head in his chest.

  “God, that’s embarrassing,” Amber mumbled.

  “Well, you don’t have to wait any longer, baby. We’re here.” Amber looked out of the window and, sure enough, they’d pulled up to the restaurant.

  “You guys go ahead. We need to talk to our mate alone for a few minutes,” Liam stated, staring down at Amber.

  She heard Ralph’s laugh and Cassy’s giggle in the background. Liam and Otis kneeled in front of her and Lux. Each one placed a hand on one of her knees and stared up at her.

  “There is one thing we need to do before we go any further. It won’t hurt the babies, but we want to join our lifeline with yours.” Lux pushed aside her hair and kissed her neck. “We want our souls to merge, to be connected as one. It’s only done, when mates are sure there is no mistake and are willing to commit their lives to each other.” Lux’s hands slipped under her blouse and stroked her breasts.

  “How come I haven’t heard of this before?” Amber asked, and rested her head back against his chest. She glanced at Liam and Otis.

  “It is only talked about in the higher circles of Council. Only mates with extreme power can do this. It would enhance our life span and join our powers when there is need,” Liam said and slipped his hand up her thigh, tracing her nether lips with his fingers.

  Otis lifted one of her legs and placed it over Lux’s thigh, spreading her open for their view. His gaze intensified as he stared at her mound. He pushed her skirt up around her waist.

  Lux lifted her so her ass, and her pussy hung open, spread between his thighs.

  “What are you doing?” Her heart raced, juices leaked out of her, dripping down her thigh to land on the leather seat.

  “The only way for us to join is for you to be the throes of an orgasm. And then we will drink from you. I will drink from your neck.” Lux scraped his teeth against her neck, sending chills down her spine.

  “I will drink from your pussy lips,” Liam whispered, his fingers traced her clit, making her squirm.

  “And I will drink from one of your large, beautiful breasts.” Lux lowered the straps of her dress, exposing her breasts to him.

  Amber’s breath hitched under their heated scrutiny.

  “Will you let us join with you?” Lux’s hot breath whispered into her ear.

  “There’s something you’re not telling me ... something, I can feel it.” Her gaze lifted to Lux’s. “This joining would give you complete control over me, wouldn’t it?” She felt the heat of anger rise in her and pushed her legs closed, pulled her dress down and her straps up.

  “Amber, we already control you. You’re ours.” Lux growled. When she moved,

  she slipped out of his arms and onto the seat away from them.

  “You do this out of control, not to be connected. You still don’t trust me.” Hurt vibrated in her words. She slipped out of the limo and slammed the door in their faces. The woods in the back of the restaurant called to her. Taking one last look at the limo door, and making sure no one was around, she shifted. Her wolf sniffed the air and took off.

  Amber, get back here, now! Lux demanded.

  You lied earlier! You told me that you trusted me. Amber slowed down to a trot, tree limbs hung low and glittered bright with ice. The cool air soothed her muscles, but nothing eased the hurt that pounded through her mind and heart. The crunch of snow behind and around her signaled her mate’s presence. She crawled under a big tree and waited, knowing they could out run her if she took off. She wouldn’t risk the health of her babies.

  Sitting down, she listened to the night, Lux slipped behind her and growled.

  Liam and Otis appeared in front of her and all three wolves glared at her.

  Tell me something? What does being a mate mean to you shifters? Do you know what it means to me? To me, it means someone who holds me when I’m scared, someone who is there, to talk to. She glanced up at Lux, tears slipped down her muzzle. To trust and love a person no matter what they have done. Do you know why I run?

  All three men shifted back to their human form and crouched down next to her. Liam’s black jeans hugged his muscular thighs. Lux’s chest was bare and his black chest hair glistened with sweat, and Otis’s long hair blew in the wind.

  Amber shifted, covering her body in jeans, a sweater and a warm down coat. A thick waterproof blanket lay under her.

  “I did a lot of thinking last night. Did you know I first started running when I was three years old? My mom and dad were fighting about who would watch me. Both of them were too busy and didn’t have the time. I can still remember it.” Leaning back against the tree, she stared down at her hands.

  “All my life I’ve had trust issues.” She laughed. “So, you see nothing you do, even this connection thing, will stop me from running.” Her stomach grumbled and she looked up. “We better go eat before our babies have a fit.”

  Lux extended his hand to her. She stared at it for a minute. She knew she had to trust someone sometime, but could they trust her? Her small hand slipped into his larger one, and he pulled her up into his arms. His big black eyes gazed down at her. Liam and Otis surrounded them from behind, hands stroking her. She knew they were trying to calm her, but she felt so trapped.

  “We’ll wait for the bonding, if it means that much to you. But, talk to us, baby. When you feel the need to run, grab one of us and demand our attention. We’ll listen.” Lux kissed her forehead and placed his head on top of hers.

  “Let’s get some food into you, Then we can go home and plan our wedding,” Liam cooed into her ear.

  She glanced up at his big hazel eyes and smiled. Her knight smiled down at her, Otis nibbled her neck. Their magic and power stroked her body.

  “Where is home, Liam? Will we live at your cabin?” Amber asked while they

  pulled her towards the restaurant.

  “For now, yes, but we want to build a home away from the pack house for you. I think we need time away from the packs. We’re going to turn my cabin into an extension for the pack house,” Liam answered.

  She smiled, keeping her secret. “But what about all your carvings? You can’t leave them there, they’re part of you.” Amber looked up at Liam.

  “Baby, I can do more, plus I think the pack would love to be part of it, learning the old ways, teaching them to the children. You’re more important.” He smiled down at her.

  Amber gulped down the emotion that rose in her throat. They were willing to give up their homes for her. All three of her mates hadn’t pushed her for the bonding. They walked back to the restaurant in silence. Her mind was a whirl of emotions. She’d been running for so long, in fear of life.

  Entering the restaurant, Lux led her towards their table. Cassy scooted a chair out next to her place and smiled. “You know this will be the last time we’ll see each other till your wedding.” Cassy had tears in her eyes. “You’ve been like a sister to me since I first meet you, Amber, and now you are my sister. I’m just sorry we’ll live so far away from each other.”

  Amber grabbed the napkin and wiped the tears that fell. Lux rubbed her back as Teddy did the same for Cassy.

  “Okay, you two, stop it. You can use my jet anytime you want. Just stop crying already. I can’t stand to see two beautiful women cry,” Ralph grumbled.

  She glanced at Lux and then at Ralph, smiling. “Anytime Ralph? Is that a promise?” Ralph’s head shot up and he grinned, gazing at Lux. He knew where she was going, and he played right into it.

  “Yep, so anytime that dickhead near you gives you shit, you just call me, and I’ll get the jet ready for you.”

  Lux growled and reached across the table to grab him, but he scooted back laughing.

  “Not this time big brother, I have to get on the good side of my sister-in-law. She has a mean streak in her, and I sure don’t want to be turned into a toad, thank you.” He shook. “I refuse to eat flies.”

  Amber burst out laughing as Liam grumbled, “I don’t think that’s funny. I still shake when I think about that.”

  Lux’s phone rang and Amber sighed. Just once she would like to not be interrupted by those things. Lux squeezed her leg and answered it.

  The waitress came and Amber ordered the biggest steak they had. Then Lux handed her the phone. She looked at it and frowned.

  “Mom wants to ask you something.” He shrugged.

  “Hello?”

  “Listen, I know you can’t talk, so just listen. I have had the crew working nonstop for the past three days just in case. It’s up, I just wanted to ask about the carpet in living room and family room—dark blue, right?” Lux’s mother asked.

  Amber smiled. “Yep, that would be good.” Amber took a sip of her diet Pepsi as Lux frowned at her.

  “Good. Also, I have had all the pictures hung up and your bedroom set already put in the master room, the appliances are there too. So, when you get home tomorrow, you’ll be all set, except for the final touches. And don’t you worry about your wedding. Helena called me. You’re still going to have it on Christmas Eve. We’ll just have the bonding ceremony early. They can wait for the wedding,” she snapped. “Now, let me talk to my son so I can give him a piece of my mind.”

  Amber laughed and handed Lux the phone. “Your mom wants to talk to you.” She laughed again and glanced at Ralph.

  He glanced at Lux and saw him flinch. Ralph laughed. “Mom’s yelling at him.

  How cool is that?” He laughed so hard that people turned to stare at him.