Claiming Emma [Novikov Clan 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (13 page)

“After I eat, I can see Chayton, right?”

“Of course. I did promise didn’t I?”

“Yes, I–I uh just wanted to remind you.” She hoped she hadn’t offended him. Mahkah had been very kind to her. He seemed to be able to read her so easily.

“I will always follow through on my promises, Emma.” He guided her out of the room and back down the stairs. A lot of the people from earlier were gone. The house was almost empty.

Emma strode into the kitchen still holding Mahkah’s arm when she noticed two older gentlemen that Chayton, Takoda, and Mahkah resembled. Emma suddenly stopped. Mahkah seemed to understand. She wasn’t ready to meet his parents. Not after Chayton being shot. She somehow felt responsible. If there was a hole, she would have crawled in it. Under different circumstances, she would love to meet his parents. Would they blame her for what happened to their son? Emma took a deep breath, trying to gather her courage.

“Poor girl, are you feeling okay?” A sweet-looking lady came over, wrapped her arm around Emma’s waist, and pulled her into the kitchen. Trying to smile, Emma nodded her head, unsure of what to say. “I’m Beverly, but everyone calls me Bev. I’ve got some soup for you.”

She ushered Emma around Mahkah, bumping him aside with her hip. She looked over her shoulder and made eye contact with him. He shrugged and followed behind, pulling out her chair before seating himself next to her. Emma folded her hands in her lap and let her gaze fall on the group in the room. She studied them under lowered lashes. The family resemblance was amazing.

She could almost visualize what Chayton and his brother would like when they grew older. She smiled to herself, imagining a much older Chayton. Her smile faltered when she imagined him somewhere in this house having a bullet removed. Her stomach dropped, and she twisted her fingers together to keep them from shaking. She couldn’t think of the future, not yet, not when his life was in jeopardy.

“Smells great, Mom. Thank you.” Mahkah’s smooth voice reined in her train of thought. Looking down, she saw that Bev put a large bowl of soup and breadsticks down in front of her.

“Thank you.” Emma picked up her spoon and took small, quiet sips of her soup.

It was difficult for her to sit here and eat, when her mind wouldn’t stop displaying images of Chayton bleeding out in the back of that truck. The wolf at her throat. Takoda’s anger on the ride back.
Takoda.
The more she thought about the way she’d acted toward him, the worse she felt. She wondered where he was but couldn’t bring herself to ask.

Mahkah spoke to his parents in a hushed tone, his voice a calming salve that washed over her. Emma closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She called on every energy source she could think of, to no avail. She laid her head on her hand and rubbed her tired eyes. This couldn’t be happening.

“Emma? Hello, Emma?” Jerking her head up, she looked into Mahkah’s concerned face. She wondered how long he had been trying to get her attention. “Are you okay?” She nodded, cleared her throat, and looked around. His parents were sitting at the table, eating, but it was obvious they were all looking at her, studying her.

“I’m sorry. My mind is focused on Chayton right now.”

“Maybe you should get a good night sleep and then check in on him. You look like you’re about to pass out, honey.” Emma shook her head, rejecting that idea right away.

“Thank you, Mrs. Youngblood, but I just want to see Chayton.”

“Call me Bev,” the older woman chided her.

“Bev.” Emma gave a weak smile. There was no way she was going to miss seeing Chayton. She would never be able to sleep. She glanced at Mahkah and pleaded with her eyes.

“I want you to eat a little more, and I’ll take you to him.” He seemed to understand her need to see his brother. His tone was stern, but his eyes were full of understanding and compassion. Her heart did a little flip.

Emma made a show of eating soup. The last thing she wanted was to offend Chayton’s parents. She did have questions for them, but now was not the time. Not when her love was fighting for his life.
Chayton.
Emma blinked rapidly, trying to hold the tears back. They lodged in her throat until the effort to hold them back became painful. A couple escaped to slide down her face and drip off her chin. She prayed desperately they wouldn’t notice.

Emma was so exhausted. Her life had completely changed over the last twenty-four hours. Her entire relationship with Chayton changed the moment he told her about shifters and his desire to have her in a ménage with his brothers. She should hate the idea, should be upset that he could even suggest such a thing, but she wasn’t. She just kept wondering how it would work. Would she be with each of them on different designated nights? Would she be expected to move from bed to bed, or would all three of them want her together?

Taking a deep breath, she counted to ten before letting it out. She braved a glance up. His parents were no longer in the room. She was left alone with Mahkah. He was watching her closely, concern etched on his handsome face.

“Emma?” She waited for him to say more, but he only shook his head. Pushing out his chair, he stood and held out his hand to her.

Emma grabbed ahold of him like a lifeline, and Mahkah pulled her to her feet. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her along beside him. No words were said, and she was grateful. She didn’t feel like talking with the lump in her throat. The house was empty as they walked through the huge family room, and she wondered briefly where all their friends and family were. On shaky legs, she walked up the stairs leaning into Mahkah’s side. She felt weak, and she hated herself for that.

Once they finally reached the door where she assumed Chayton was, Mahkah stopped her and turned. Looking up into his beautiful eyes, she waited.

“The doctor was able to remove the bullet from Chayton’s chest. There was a lot of blood, and he shifted back into his human form.” Nodding, Emma hung onto every word. “I’m hoping that when we open this door, he’ll be in bear form. When we are injured, it’s important to shift. It helps with the healing process. The longer he stays in human form, the worse off he’ll be. I just wanted to warn you.”

“Thank you.” Emma swallowed hard and half turned toward the door. Her heart began to pound, and she could feel her pulse beating frantically in her neck. Blood rushed through her body, and she felt a bit light-headed as Mahkah put his hand on the doorknob and turned it. His moves seemed to be happening in slow motion.

The door finally swung open. Only one light was on, and it highlighted Chayton on the bed. To her absolute relief, he was in his bear form. Walking away from Mahkah’s embrace, she went to the bed and stared down at him. His chest rose and fell, and a bandage covered his chest, a huge, white reminder of their horrible day.

Emma took hold of his paw, needing contact. He looked so peaceful and comfortable. She ran her fingers gently through his fur. He growled, and she shivered. It wasn’t a scary sound, more of a sound of contentment. Emma climbed on the huge bed with her bear, her heart. She curled up to him and smiled. Within minutes she was yawning. She was home.

* * * *

Mahkah watched Emma with mixed emotions. Part of him wanted to pull her out of the bed and take her to his room. The other part wanted her happy and comfortable in her new home. She’d seemed so lost and sad during dinner, and although his parents tried to engage her in conversation, she was in her own world, closed off to them all. Leaning against the doorframe, Mahkah watched her interact with Chayton.

She wasn’t afraid. Instead, she cuddled close and stroked him. He couldn’t wait to get to know her better. The joy he was feeling in his heart was becoming overwhelming with her, his mate, finally in the same house. It seemed the hardest part was over. Chayton had actually helped them all a great deal. He had told Emma everything, and she didn’t seem afraid. Maybe after she had a good night sleep, she would be more talkative and open with him and Takoda. His brother seemed to be having some difficulty, but this was a stressful time for them all.

Her breathing changed, and he knew she slept. He eased over to the bed and peered down at her face. She looked like an innocent angel. He noticed under her eyes was purple from exhaustion. She had been through such an emotional ordeal. He really wanted to take care of her and comfort her, but he pushed those thoughts away. They had nothing but time now that she was home.

He contemplated moving her to another room but decided to leave her next to Chayton. They needed each other. Mahkah looked around the room and spotted a comfortable chair. Pulling it to the side of the bed, he sat down and pushed the footrest up. It wasn’t an ideal place to sleep, but he wanted to be close to his brother and mate if either of them needed him.

Mahkah watched over them until his eyes grew heavy. It had been a very long day. He ran a hand down his face and yawned. When he woke up and found Takoda gone, he assumed the worst. Nothing was as bad as this. He was living an absolute nightmare. Emma had been attacked and Chayton got shot.

The clan was aware of the wolf pack visiting Anchorage, but they’d never had any trouble before. They usually stayed in their territory in Northern Minnesota. Mahkah wondered what the future held. He wanted his family safe and together in their home, but he had a bad feeling this altercation was only the beginning.

Don’t look back. Keep moving. Don’t stop. Those words played in her mind like a scratched record…never moving forward, just jump and repeat. The forest was dark as she ran, never slowing. Snow littered the ground, causing her to slip, her footing unsure. Large stumps arose from the ground like living things. She tripped over fallen logs, slid on the ice and snow, yet managed to trudge forward…all the while her heart beat frantically in her chest. It was an effort to keep breathing evenly, but she managed somewhat.

The unfamiliar scents flowing through her, her heart beating a staccato in her chest, her breathing coming in gasps…fogging up around her head like a halo…could only be described as heaven. She knew she should be frightened. Somewhere deep inside, she was aware her fear and anxiety were misplaced. After all, someone or something was chasing her, right? Then, why did she feel more alive at this moment than any other time in her life? Everything seemed to slide into place. This is what she was meant to do.

A loud roar sounded from somewhere behind her. Her eyes widened, and she pushed herself harder, moving faster. Anticipation tickled her senses. Her cheeks stung from the frigid air as she sprinted away from the thundering footsteps in the distance. She was aware she would be caught. She also knew that he would chase her forever. She wasn’t sure where this knowledge came from, but it floated deep inside her, from the unknown reaches of her mind. He wanted to claim her. Only he wasn’t alone. There was more than one. Although her body was on board with the idea, her mind rebelled relentlessly.

Her mind whispered something she couldn’t grasp. It was there, just on the edge of her conscience. You belong to them. She shook her head and continued on. She busted through to a clearing and stopped. Slumped over to catch her breath, she put her hands on her knees. Something seemed out of place here. She slowly straightened and glanced around. Something slammed into her from behind. Her scream was cut short when she twisted around only to land on something warm and solid. Air came out in a whoosh, and her hands made contact with hot skin.

“Hold still.” His voice was slightly distorted.

Her body obeyed him instantly, even though her brain rebelled. He flipped them over, and she opened her eyes. He was huge, and her breath caught in her throat. His eyes were solid black, and his breaths were low, rumbling growls. She realized immediately if she were sane, she would be afraid. Some instinct told her this man wouldn’t hurt her. She trusted him.

“Arms above your head,” he grated, and once again, Emma obeyed without question. Loud footsteps moved closer, and she jerked her head to the side, watching as two men stepped into the clearing. She couldn’t see their faces, only their bodies rippling with muscles.

The ripping of clothes got her attention, and Emma stared at the man above her with shock. He’d sliced open her clothes to strip her, snarling and growling while she stared at him in a daze. He stood up for a minute and tore his jeans from his body. For a moment, she wondered why he was wearing only jeans in the cold, but that thought faded when she glanced at his hardening length.

He positioned himself over her, bending down to kiss or lick, moving a hand or a knee. Something was happening that she didn’t understand. This wasn’t just a random act. This was some sort of ritual. The two other men circled them, but they didn’t make a move to touch her.

As he moved above her, she was tempted to go to her hands and knees in front of him. She wanted to tilt her neck, to present it to him and show her submission. He dragged his rough tongue across her nipples and she arched her back, feeling wet.

“Turn over,” he commanded, and Emma immediately obeyed, wanting to please him.

He growled, and she knew that she’d pleased him. Shifting her hips, she waited for him to touch her, anticipation making her slick. She ached. She felt empty, needing to be filled. Large hands caressed her hips, moving up her back, and finally cupped her breasts, tweaking her nipples. With a gentle push, he pressed her shoulders against the ground. She laid her head on her jacket, and relaxed her body. He was going to claim her, mark her.