Page 68 of Undying
“Absolutely,” Tobias responds instantly.
“Yes,” Castle says almost at the same time, displaying no hint of doubt. He leans in close, as if worried I will run. “You’re definitely our mate. Most of the time, two alphas would fight for possession of you, but our wolves are content to share, almost like they know you’ll need us both to keep you safe.”
Tobias immediately nods in agreement. “We are a pack of sorts, the four of us. You are the glue to bond us together. We don’t feel any jealousy, if that’s what worries you. Our wolves don’t want to fight each other. We just want to claim you before you come to your senses and try to leave.”
I crack a smile at his words, then realize that he’s actually serious.
Castle cups the side of my face, his palm warm against my cheek as he turns me toward him, then brushes his thumb over my bottom lip. “Who you mate is totally your choice. We’re just letting you know that we’re yours, whether you want us or not. It’s an honor to be selected as your mate. You’re the other half of our souls. We’re not going anywhere.
“Being a mate not only allows us to protect you better, but it keeps our wolves stable. The longer our wolves are alone, the stronger they get, and the less control our human selves have over them. We eventually turn feral. The only reason Tobias and I have lasted this long is by sheer force of will and pure stubbornness.
“I’m not trying to influence you, but before you decide anything, you need to know you are everything to us. Maybe it’s different for other races, but you’re our sole reason for existing.” Castle leans down and kisses me almost reverently. He pulls away almost reluctantly, bumping his nose against mine once more in an affectionate gesture I’ve seen used by canines, then gives me a soft smile that has my stomach fluttering. “Before you make any more decisions, we’ll go over the questions you have about knots.”
My stomach does a series of backflips at the change in subject matter. Reassured that I’m not coming between them, I blow out a relieved breath and turn to face Tobias…and nearly swallow my tongue when I see he’s been busy while I was distracted. His pants are pulled down his thighs, his cock on full display, his wolf not showing even a smidge of shyness at his nakedness.
Not that he has anything to be ashamed of, because holy shit, the man is packing. I’m not sure if it’s a shifter thing, but the man is very well endowed, his cock standing tall and proud, twitching under my attention.
Normally, I would say cocks aren’t the prettiest of creatures, but his is a work of art that has my mouth watering for a taste. It’s thick and hard, a heavy vein running down the side. He’s speaking, but I’m unable to hear anything as I stare at the monster that would most definitely destroy my vagina, and damn if my core doesn’t clench at the thought.
I’m jolting out of my inappropriate musings when he grabs my hand, threads our fingers together, then wraps our joint fingers around his erection. It’s like touching warm steel. My brain fills with static when I realize that my fingers are unable to even come close to wrapping around it.
It takes Castle snapping his fingers in front of my face to gain my attention. Amusement twinkles in his green eyes, and his lips twitch at my expense. “Stop stroking him like a puppy and slip your hand lower. You’ll be able to feel his knot, even though it’s not fully expanded.”
Heat fills my cheeks, and I nearly jerk away, mortified that I’ve unintentionally been petting him.
And Tobias just allowed it.
He shoots a glare at Castle for the interruption but dutifully guides my hand lower.
That’s when I feel it.
A hard swelling at the base of his cock. It’s barely visible, felt more than seen. I tighten my grip, curiosity getting the best of me. A guttural groan rumbles in his chest, and I freeze, unaware that I’ve been stroking him again.
And I swear the swelling increases.
Tobias’ grip tightens on my hand, holding me still, and his chest heaves for a few minutes. And not once does he take his eyes off me. “What you feel is our knot. It’s not noticeable until we get closer to release. Then it swells. It locks us inside you.”
Maybe I should be repulsed, but the opposite is true—I’m totally fascinated. My voice is hushed as I ask my next question. “Does it hurt?”
Both males snort, not really answering. Before I can ask one of the million questions on the tip of my tongue, Tobias continues, “The swelling will go down in time, locking us together for twenty or thirty minutes, or another release will ease it immediately.”
I shiver at his husky tone, my core clenching around nothing, and it takes all my control not to climb onto his lap and impale myself. Being a vampire has enhanced all my senses…including my sex drive, it seems.
Tobias peels his hands off of mine, but I can’t seem to stop touching him. He grabs the back of my neck, dragging me closer until he presses his forehead against mine. “You need to make a choice, little kitten. I won’t settle for anything less than all of you. If you want me, you’ll have to mate me.”
My heartbeat hiccups in my chest at his ultimatum. Almost like he’s bargaining with me by withholding sex, afraid I won’t choose him otherwise, and I can only imagine how skilled he must be in the sack if he’s using his prowess to entice me.
And if what they said is true, because I’m his mate, I’ll be extra susceptible to this underhanded tactic.
Maybe I should be offended, but there is something about the rigid way he’s holding himself that shows he’s barely keeping himself from completely losing his shit.
That he would take such drastic measures makes my heart ache.
“You want me to make an honest man out of you?” I whisper softly, my voice husky, every atom of my being craving his closeness, and I’m not sure I’ll survive without him in my life. It’s like he’s become a vital part of me, and denying him is like cutting off a limb.
“Yes,” Tobias says in a gruff voice, not even bothering to deny it, never once looking away from me. As if frozen in time, he doesn’t even dare breathe as he awaits my answer.
His intensity is intimidating as fuck, making me feel like I’m his sole reason for existing. It’s an almost addictive sensation. As much as I want him, I need to be sure. I’ve never had anyone want me for me, and I’m not sure I trust it. “Why would you want to tie yourself to someone like me? From what I gathered, I didn’t think vampires and werewolves were exactly friendly.”
