Claiming Emma [Novikov Clan 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (14 page)

Slowly, taking his time, he pressed two fingers into her, and Emma stayed still, panting.

“You’re so wet for me.” He groaned.

“Yes…take me, please,” she begged him.

“You don’t have to beg,
ciqala
. We’re all going to claim you.” Hearing him call her Chayton’s pet name gave her pause. She knew it wasn’t him though. It wasn’t just the voice, it was the way he touched her.

She felt the head of his cock touch her pussy, and Emma held her breath, preparing for the invasion. She knew he was huge, and although she was wet and ready, she was a little scared that he might hurt her.

“Calm yourself. I’m going to go real slow.” With that last sentence, he pushed his cock into her, giving her time to adjust to each inch.

Emma came awake slowly. She stretched and rubbed her eyes, amazed she’d woken up before her annoying alarm clock. She blinked slowly and stared at the ceiling, waiting for the energy to move. After the dream she’d just had, she wanted nothing more than to stay in bed all day with Chayton. That thought brought a smile to her lips. Emma rolled toward him in the hopes of doing just that.

Her hand landed on his chest. She gasped and jerked back before realizing he was still in his bear form. Everything came flooding back in a kaleidoscope of images. Emma rolled to her back and lay perfectly still. He was breathing easy and wasn’t hot to the touch. Relieved, she closed her eyes and relaxed her body. She was determined she’d lay there with him until he opened his eyes.

“Emma? Are you okay, baby?” Mahkah’s hand touched her shoulder, and she jumped. She opened her eyes and stared at him. His voice took her back to her earlier dream, and she couldn’t help but picture him taking her on the ground. Embarrassed at her thoughts, she felt her cheeks flush with heat.

“Think he will wake up soon?” Emma fidgeted, hoping he couldn’t read her thoughts. She tried to concentrate on Chayton getting better.

“When he’s strong and healthy enough to shift back. His body needs time.”

“Oh.” That was all she could manage.

“You need to eat, Emma.”

“I’m not going to leave him.”

“You don’t have to. Takoda is bringing you something right now. As long as you eat and take care of yourself, you can stay with him, okay? You’re not doing him any good if you fall ill. You have been through an ordeal yourself. Don’t forget that. We can’t afford you getting sick also. Do you understand?” She hated his authoritative tone, but she grudgingly agreed.

“You’re right.”

“Good. Come over here and sit down. Takoda will be here in a minute with breakfast.”

She hated walking away from Chayton even for a moment, but at least they weren’t asking her to leave the room. She knew she shouldn’t be angry with Mahkah or Takoda. It wasn’t their fault they were in this position. She blamed herself. That was the real issue. She should’ve headed right home after work. Instead, she was feeling sorry for herself. Chayton had gotten shot because of her. With a heavy heart, she climbed out of bed and went to the small makeshift table that Mahkah had obviously set up for her.

Takoda walked through the bedroom door carrying a heavy tray full of food, and Emma pulled out a chair and sat down. He sat the tray on the table and began pulling plates off before he sat down as well. The room was relatively silent, except for the clattering of silverware. Emma picked up her knife.
I could cut the tension with this.
She wondered if they felt it as well.

“Thank you, Takoda. It’s been a long time since I’ve been served breakfast in bed, I mean in a bedroom.” She smiled slightly, and he only nodded in acknowledgement.

Exhaling a bit, she picked up her fork and began nibbling on small bites of egg, pancake, and sausage. It was easy to deal with the silence when she was eating. She could pretend to be focused only on her food instead of the obvious tension in the room. She wanted to say something, but she was lost for the right words. It seemed that Takoda was upset with her, and she knew why. It was her fault that his twin had been shot. Guilt choked her, and Emma found it hard to even swallow her food.

* * * *

Mahkah looked from Takoda to Emma and shook his head. What was happening with the two of them? He really needed both his brothers to be on the same page where their mate was concerned. Instead, Chayton was lying in bed unconscious and Takoda was giving Emma the cold shoulder. This was not working out the way he’d hoped. Mahkah ran a hand down his face and stood. He glanced at the two of them with more than a little agitation and walked to the bed. At least Chayton was being reasonable, like he had a choice.

Mahkah placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder and willed him to wake. He sighed in his sleep but didn’t stir.
Come on, Brother. Open your eyes.
Mahkah understood Emma loved Chayton. He had no doubt she would come to love him as well. Takoda was a different story. There may have to be some intervention before the ice cracked.

Mahkah strode back to the table and kissed Emma on the forehead. She looked up at him for a brief second before ducking her head. Something flickered in her eyes before she masked it. He wondered if he’d imagined it. He met Takoda’s eyes over her head. No words passed between them, but his brother’s nod was evidence he got the point. Takoda needed to be the bigger person here. He had been conditioned for this his entire life. This was all new to Emma. They couldn’t expect her to take all this in without some resistance. He dropped another kiss on top of her head and left the room.

Mahkah went down the stairs with no particular destination in mind. His thoughts were consumed with Emma. The silence that greeted him was deafening. He paced the room in sure quick steps. It felt strange not to have a full house. His parents and other clan members were usually in and out at random times, daily. They were obviously giving them time alone with Emma, to assure them privacy to bond with her. A lot of good that was doing. She didn’t seem to be showing any interest.

Mahkah had felt an instant connection to her when she’d first arrived. It was immediate, and he knew that she’d felt it, too. He also understood she needed time to adjust, but damned if he wanted to wait. If Emma was a shifter, she would recognize them as her mate and come to them on her own. His skin began to itch. He needed to get out of here before he marched back up there and let his alpha take control.

Mahkah threw the door open and took a deep, cleansing breath before stripping out of his clothes. He needed to run. If he didn’t get himself under control, he would possibly do something he’d regret later. He walked slowly forward and growled low in his throat. He threw his head back as the shift took over. Power surged through his body. It felt good to let the bear take over.

He liked taking the change slowly, feeling his muscles grow and lengthen. Fully a bear now, Mahkah headed toward the tree line. Once out of view, he broke into a run. He could feel the tension pouring out of him in waves. Life was so much easier in bear form. You were free to roam, hunt, and live the best of both worlds. When you reached adulthood, you searched for the one who completes you. Your mate.

Hearing that Chayton found Emma was the most amazing news. He’d experienced several emotions in the same breath. It was a bit overwhelming. Riding on the tail of that, was fear. It was acceptance of changes to come. He couldn’t forget she was human. They were delicate, fragile creatures who needed to be treated with infinite care. His mother being human was of little consolation, but it helped.

Mahkah had so many unanswered questions. He hated the unknown and wasn’t the most patient man in his clan. Perhaps he would leave her with Chayton. Maybe in time, his brother could soften her heart toward them. Once again it was a waiting game. Who knew how long that could take, and Chayton was healing at a snail’s pace. Worry for his brother caused his heart to squeeze. He would be okay. He had to be.

Mahkah forced everything from his mind and pushed himself harder. He ran until his lungs burned and his thoughts became a blur.

* * * *

Emma ate quickly without tasting her food. Her thoughts were on Chayton and his comfort. The sound of the front door closing caught her attention. She wiped her mouth on the white, starched napkin and pushed her chair back. Takoda glanced up at her but didn’t say anything. He picked up his fork and resumed eating. Emma strode to the window and lifted the curtain back.

Her mouth fell open, and she dropped the material quickly, but not before the sight of Mahkah’s naked body burned in her brain forever. Her heart pounded. She inched the curtain back once more. He was beautiful. She stared openmouthed at the smooth, muscular, tanned man striding toward the trees. He was sin personified. Absolute perfection.

Emma licked her lips and leaned in close. She knew it was wrong to watch him, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of him shifting. The bear emerged slowly as he walked toward the tree line. Emma wondered at herself. She should feel fear, not desire. She took a deep breath, surprised at her body’s reaction. Her arousal was almost instant. Emma jumped back, feeling guilty for lusting after another man other than Chayton. There was no denying what washed over her. She wanted the forbidden. Mahkah. Takoda.

“I can smell your desire from here.” Takoda’s voice cut through her thoughts, and Emma felt heat race up her neck. She’d been caught ogling his brother. Too embarrassed to make eye contact with him, she went back to check on Chayton.

She climbed on the big bed quickly, feeling how damp her panties were when she scooted in. More heat traveled up her face. Damn him for noticing. It was unsettling that they could smell her when she was turned-on. Emma rolled in to Chayton and buried her face against his shoulder. She kept her eyes closed when she heard Takoda move to look out the window. He made a scoffing noise before turning and heading toward the door.

Maybe Chayton was wrong about the bond with his brothers. Mahkah was strong and distant. She had sensed that he cared for her, but Takoda was a different story. He was difficult to read on many levels. It felt as if he went out of his way to make her uncomfortable. What an enigma he was. He looked so much like Chayton yet completely different in other ways.

The bedroom door closed softly, signaling Takoda’s exit. Emma opened her eyes and ran her hands through the bear’s soft fur. “Wake up, baby. I need you. Oh, Chayton, I love you, please open your beautiful eyes.” His breathing was strong and steady, leaving no clue as to why he still slept. Emma reached up and ran her fingers across the bandage on his massive chest. Glancing up at his face for evidence of pain, she slowly peeled it back. The last thing she wanted was to cause him more discomfort. The wound was completely healed. Emma’s brow furrowed in confusion.
Why are you still unconscious?
Were there internal injuries that hadn’t healed?

Emma’s eyes ran over his body, looking for what? She sighed and lay back against him. A sob lodged in her throat, but she held it in. It wouldn’t do anyone any good for her to break down. She’d cried enough to last a lifetime. What to do about Mahkah and Takoda? Her mates. As strange as it sounded, she knew Chayton had been honest with her about that. She had to admit that it had a certain appeal to it, but she wasn’t quite ready. Or was she? She closed her eyes and dropped her arm across Chayton, letting the rise and fall of his chest lull her to sleep.

One Week Later

Mahkah had run out of patience. He’d allowed Emma to stay by Chayton’s bed for days. She was losing weight because she wasn’t eating. The exhaustion and purple circles under her eyes were evident to a blind man. Not to mention she needed to shower. Her hair was lifeless, and her clothes wrinkled. With his mind made up, he took the stairs two as a time en route to Chayton’s room. He would drag her kicking and screaming if need be. She was his mate, and it was damn time she understood that.

He knew she was attracted to him. He could feel it every time he was in the room with her. He was also aware she watched him strip before shifting every evening before his run. He could feel her eyes on him. He smelled her desire for hours after leaving her room. It was killing him, and it was time he did something about it.

After the report from the clan doctor, everyone was made aware of Chayton’s progress. He was in a healing sleep and would wake in his own time, when he was ready. There was no explanation given as to why some took longer to heal than others, only that he would be fine. With that thought in mind, Mahkah was resolved to take care of Emma. Enough was enough. He threw open the door and spotted her sitting in a chair by Chayton’s bed. With determined strides, he marched over to her and threw her over his shoulder.

“Damn it, Mahkah, what are you doing? Put me down this instant!” She sputtered. Her little hands made short work of his back, but he just smiled and kept moving. He could almost taste her outrage.
The little hellcat
.

With one arm anchored across her knees, Mahkah reached up and smacked her on the ass. Emma let out a loud gasp and froze instantly. Mahkah almost apologized for swatting her too hard but decided against it. He wasn’t about to show weakness now. Her silence didn’t last long. No sooner had they cleared the door than she was squirming once again. She cussed and begged, but he didn’t care. He was on a mission, and he would follow through. He smacked her again when she tried to sink her teeth into him. That gained him another round of choice words.