and Kyro hung in the air. What happened since last night that would have best friends on edge with each other?
Xeon knew Kyro was pissed off at him. He sensed Kyro’s anger coming through their pack link. He knew Kyro wanted Mara, but Xeon also knew she was his mate. Shifters couldn’t fight it when they found their mate. It was a pull that drew them in like a magnet.
Xeon pulled Mara into his arms and pressed his lips against hers. She was his, and that’s all that mattered. He couldn’t let her go. His wolf would never be satisfied with anyone else. It had to be Mara. Her skin wasn’t as warm as it was last night. As he pulled away from their kiss, he rubbed his hands up and down her arms.
“Are you feeling okay? You feel a little cold,” Xeon asked Mara, looking into her eyes.
“I’m all right. Just tired, I think.” She leaned in and kissed him again.
“I hate leaving you,” he confessed. She didn’t seem normal to him.
“I’ll be fine. Go, do your alpha thing. Dinner will be done when you two get back.” She stepped out of his embrace. “I’ll see you later. Bye, Kyro. You two be careful.”
Her eyes lingered on Kyro a little longer than Xeon liked. Xeon headed out the door, Kyro behind him. They walked in silence to Xeon’s SUV, tension thick between them.
“What the hell, man?” Kyro asked when they got in.
“What? You can’t be mad that I bonded with my mate.”
“No, but I sure as fuck can be pissed about you bonding with my mate,” Kyro said through gritted teeth.
“I know you like her. Hell, what’s not to like? That does not mean she’s your mate.” Xeon shook his head and started the engine.
“I’m telling you. She was meant to be mine.”
Xeon knew Kyro believed his claim of Mara being his mate. No lies were coming from him. Yet how could Mara have two mates? It wasn’t impossible. He’d heard of trios happening, but he didn’t know of anyone with two mates. He eyed Kyro as he pulled out of the driveway. His best friend had never been mad at him like this. When they were younger, they vowed never to let a female come between them. In all their years, they stuck by that, until now.
“I don’t know what to say.” He sighed. “We can let her choose.”
“You have the advantage. You already bonded with her.”
“But if she’s to be mated to us both, then she would feel your connection pull too.”
“So, we just ask her if she feels it? Are you willing to share her if she does?” Kyro gave him a questionable look.
“Share? I don’t know about all that. Let’s just see what she says. Sharing may not even be an issue.” Xeon knew he didn’t want to share Mara, but he also knew he would give his mate anything she wanted in order to make her happy.
That was the best solution, sharing her. They’d shared women before, just not a mate. Mara was the only one who knew how she truly felt. If she felt the connection with Kyro too, then he would have no choice but to share her with him. No one came between mates, even if it was your own mate, mated to another. Could he really share Mara with another man?
“We’ll have to figure something out. I damn sure do not want to fight your big ass, even though I’m bigger.” Kyro laughed.
“You won’t win anyway, no matter how big your ass is.” This time Xeon laughed.
Xeon had taken down men bigger than Kyro. The alpha he fought had to be twice his size. It had been a fight to the death. Neither would submit to the other. That fight left him with a reminder, a scar across his chest. He never hid it, a trophy all on its own. The proof of his alpha fight. It signified his power.
“Then it’s agreed. No fighting, we’ll let Mara decide,” Kyro confirmed.
Xeon didn’t like it, but it was the only way to ensure Mara’s happiness. He sighed as he turned onto the parking lot of the meeting house. It was customary to consult with the pack elders when issues arose, which would possibly result in a violent attack. Being a sign of respect more than necessity. They went inside to wait for the elders to show up.
Twenty minutes later, the meeting was in full swing. Xeon had explained Mara calling him with