The enforcers smirked. I didn’t hear their muttered words, but Blake did. “Enough!” They were silent.
“Roan is your mate, too. Hiroshi as well.” The muttering and glances began again, quelled with another look from Blake. “Why would it matter who Tate smelled of?”
“Not my mates.” Asher’s words came out clipped as he clenched his jaw, his claws extending in a partial shift.
“Since when?” Blake looked confused.
Ívarr looked at Tate as if asking for permission. My omega mate gave a small head nod. “Tate came to me for testing just the other day. He expressed concerns about the bond fading. Unfortunately, due to the unusual shifter bond, there was nothing we could suggest that hadn’t already been tried. The group would settle or break up.”
I heard gasps as Ívarr mentioned our group mating. The enforcers muttered to each other. Then they shot looks of confusion our way.
“Yes, we were together as a group.” I finally snapped, sick of their judgment. “Roan agreed to bond with Asher and Tate. We all agreed.”
“How’d that work out for you?” One meathead called back, clearly thinking he was the shit. He was not.
Hiro, please.Roan begged.
I ignored him, sick of hiding my joy. “Pretty great for me. I have two mates!” I smirked at him. His face fell and there was more whispering among the enforcers.
“Roan, do you have more than one mate?” Larken had approached unseen or heard by the group that still covered the lawn of our little house.
There was silence for a full minute. I could tell that it cost Roan something when he finally admitted. “Not anymore. Just my fated, Hiroshi.”
“What happened?” Larken asked, gently. He wrapped an arm around Roan, and I felt the first flash of jealousy that I’d ever felt. I didn’t get jealous, but here I was, wanting to rip that arm off my man.
Roan leaned into the touch. Stupid, needy wolves always wanting to be touched. I coughed and Larken took the hint. Smart lizard.
“Asher, who are you mated to now?” Blake asked.
“Just Tate.” His claws were still extended, his jaw tight.
“Tate?” Blake turned to my omega.
“Asher and Hiro.”
Blake seemed to mull this over. “So Roan is only with his fated. Roan, how do you feel about Asher and Tate now?”
Roan chose his words carefully. I felt his vulnerability over the bond and wrapped myself around him. Larken placed a hand on his shoulder. I let that one slide.
“I care about Asher and Tate. A lot. We tried to make it work, but almost straight away it didn’t with me and Ash. Look, Ash. I want you and Tate to be happy. I’d never get involved with that.”
“So the attraction? Is it still there?” Blake was leading Roan to a point. Making it clear for all.
“No. There’s nothing but friendship there. I only see Hiro like that.”
I saw the pained twist of Larken’s lips. Part of me felt sorry for him. The other was a tad smug.
“Hiro?” Blake’s eyes met mine.
“I’m bonded to both Roan and Tate. Asher and I have always had a unique relationship, and then bond to the one with Tate.” Everyone could smell the sex on us. So I pushed past my discomfort. “Tate marked me again last night and put me into heat.”
Chatter exploded. Roan’s arms tightened around me as I cringed over the chaos my words had caused.
“Enough!” Blake growled. He didn’t have to raise his voice. That little shot of alpha power did all the work. Once everyone was calm, he tried speaking to Asher again. “I don’t see the issue. Roan can’t be anything to Tate now but a pack mate and friend.”
Asher took several gulping breaths before he could speak. I’d never been so scared of anyone in my life! How could I cope with knowing Tate was with Asher? My tiger would never let me sleep. “He’s still there.” He pointed to Roan, fire in his eyes. “His scent drives my lion crazy! He knows Tate’s been with him. He doubts the bond —” Asher’s words were cut off as he roared, stepping closer to Tate. “We can’t stand him in those clothes.”
He shook with the effort it took to keep back from Tate. I wanted to believe that he wouldn’t harm my omega mate, but my confidence shrank with each tiny step he took closer to him.