MatingCall Read online

  She pushed back against Shaw, the move letting Jordan’s cock slip out of her body.

  Shaw grunted, but Jordan helped her up, letting her go when she flailed a little. His expression was sympathetic, which she just couldn’t bear.

  “I’m going to hit the head, get cleaned up. You two grab a drink and put yourselves together and I’ll be right back.”

  She didn’t look at either one of them, why would she? She locked the door of her bedroom and yanked her clothes off, threw her sundress in the garbage. It was covered in Shaw’s seed. She didn’t want to wear it again.

  Asking her to work? Really? While Jordan was still inside her?

  Fuck that.

  Fuck this.

  It only took seconds before she was in a blisteringly hot shower, her nails scrubbing at her skin, making sure that she only smelled like her. They were supposed to be friends, damn it. Good friends. Best friends. Friends would never do what those boys had just done to her.

  A little voice in the back of her head whispered, Just friends, Steph. They’re wolves. They want to mate, you knew that.

  “I know, but…”

  That part of her—lots of her peers called it her spirit guide, she chose to believe it was her family’s renowned good sense—sighed. No. No buts. You wanted a good time. You got it. It’s over now.

  Over.

  Right.

  She could give up one evening of hot sex and good fun a month. No worries.

  She could. Even if it felt as if she was losing a lot more.

  The knock on the door made her realize she was crying, made her jump near out of her skin. “Steph? Honey?”

  Shaw. It was always Shaw.

  “I’m in the shower. I’ll be out in a minute. Get the steaks out.” Go away.

  She needed to put on her work clothes, some essence of sandalwood and rose to keep her strong and her amber necklace for self-assurance.

  “Sure. Okay.”

  She could hear them, Jordan’s voice a low growl. That usually made her shivery. Not today. Not anymore. They were looking for another wolf, not her. She was just convenient.

  Damn it.

  She got another five minutes before Jordan was banging on the door, his knock much more urgent. “Come on, lady. Come talk to us.”

  “Are the steaks out?” She turned the water off, grabbed a towel then opened her medicine cabinet to find her protective oils.

  “Resting.”

  Which meant theirs were out and hers was still on for a few more minutes. She didn’t like it as rare.

  “I’ll be right there. Let me throw some clothes on.” She needed panties, a bra. Jeans. A big sweatshirt.

  “Well, come on.” He stomped off. She heard the floorboards squeaking.

  “Yeah, yeah.” She slipped out of the bathroom and found her oldest jeans and her Jeep Naked t-shirt, then she tied her hair back, slipped on the chakra necklace that Wendy had given her for Samhain last year and her favorite, most comfy pair of Birks. Okay. Time for business.

  She headed out into the kitchen and grabbed the salad out of the fridge. “You boys get the steaks to the table. I’ll get my laptop to take notes while we eat.”

  They both turned to stare at her—Shaw looking hurt, Jordan just looking resigned. He was the practical one, the one who always kept Shaw anchored to the earth.

  “You want beer?” She was drinking iced tea. She had the feeling there’d be more than beer in her future, after she did her thing and sent their asses home.

  “Sure.” Shaw tried a grin. It fell flat.

  “Good deal.” She grabbed two beers, took them and the salad bowl to her tiny kitchen table. Then she went and grabbed her laptop, steak knives, the ranch dressing and a glass of tea. “Thanks for cooking the steaks. They smell great.”

  She was never going to be able to eat a bite.

  “They’re nice steaks.” Jordan sat, hands flat on the table. “Shaw’s sorry he sprang that on you when he did, honey.”

  “Yeah. It was awkward. So, you want to do this tonight?” She popped her laptop open. How the hell did a girl research love spells for weres? Diana would be a good goddess; she was the moon…wait, maybe Hekate…or Lupa.

  “We don’t want to do it at all,” Jordan grumbled. “Alpha’s talking banishment. Says we have to get settled or move on. Too many males in the pack.”

  “Well, do you have a girl in mind? Or do you just want to ask that she show up, that you find her? Because I’m not magicking some poor unsuspecting wolfy chick.” Her sympathy level was low.

  “No, no, nothing that complicated. We just need to know which way to look.” Shaw munched his steak, talking around the mouthful. Asshole.

  “Okay.” So, apples, honey, cinnamon. She’d use one of the éclairs too, to represent creamy goodness. She could do this. She could. “Well, it shouldn’t take too long. I’ll go clean up my space and get ready.”

  Jordan grabbed her arm before she could escape. “You don’t have to, Steph. I know it ain’t fair.”

  “It’s what I do. It’s my job.” She shrugged, refusing to look at the disappointment she felt about losing her boys. “Finish eating. I’ll need you two to get it on. You probably should have not wasted good orgasms on me.”

  Their magic wasn’t hers, after all.

  “Never a waste.” Shaw smiled at her, this time looking more sad than hopeful.

  She was so not letting him make her feel bad for him, no matter how good his puppy-dog eyes were. Could green eyes be puppy-dog eyes?

  “Finish your food. I need to get my space cleared, gather supplies.” She left them her steak, grabbed an apple, honey, spices and one of the éclairs for the offering.

  Maybe she should put in a Milk-Bone.

  Pyewacket snarled as she walked into the workroom and she met those bright green eyes. “Yeah, I know. You told me. I should have listened.” She shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. It’s over now.”

  It was funny, how you never knew that the last time was really the last time so that you could focus and remember every second.

  Maybe sad was a better word than funny.

  She picked up her broom and started sweeping.

  * * * * *

  “Well, that went well.” Jordan glared at Shaw, who was such a fucking puppy. “You couldn’t wait until after supper?”

  “I’m sorry. It just popped out. I didn’t want to lie to her.” Shaw’s eyes were huge, sad. Sorry.

  “I know, baby. I’m not mad at you. I’m pissed at the whole thing.”

  “Yeah.” Shaw sighed. “It’ll be cool, after, right? I mean, she only has us here once a month, and she’ll find someone else and we’ll all be happier?”

  “Sure.” It came out as an unhappy growl and Jordan cleared his throat. “Free her up to find a mate of her own.”

  “Humans don’t do that. They just…get married.” Shaw’s nose wrinkled. “They can get out of that.”

  “We get out of long-term hook-ups with friends too. We’re creepy that way. Are you two finished eating?” Steph’s whole body was covered in a ceremonial red robe, hiding her, but Jordan could still smell her skin.

  “Yeah.” The steak would keep. She wanted this over with and he couldn’t blame her. They’d been royal assholes.

  “Okay.” She looked out the window. “The sun’s going down. Strip down and come in when you’re ready. There will be pillows in the middle of the circle, just settle in. I’ll be waiting for you.”

  They watched her go and Jordan turned to Shaw. “Can you do this, baby?”

  “I guess I have to.” Shaw took his fingers and Jordan was so fucking proud of his boy and so fucking pissed at the pack. This was wrong, and he hated more than anything that they’d hurt Steph. “As long as we’re together, yeah? It has to be our mate that comes?”

  “That’s the way it’s supposed to work, yeah?” They went in, both of them settling on the big cushion.

  The room made his nose twitch with the scent of incense and Step
h and something old. There was a plate with a bowl of honey, an apple, one of the éclairs they’d brought her. A sharp, wicked-looking knife.

  “I’m going to cast a circle. I want you to think about what you want in a mate, okay? Focus on each other.”

  Jordan nodded, but that was silly. He had Shaw. Always. Forever. They needed a female. Someone like Steph, really. Someone strong, who loved to fuck. Who could growl back and who loved the mountains and laughing and had an amazing ass. Someone who could whack Shaw in the ass without getting her head bitten off. She had to have long hair…

  Shaw looked at him, smiled.

  She needed to love babies and dogs and steak.

  Chocolate.

  Shaw stared at him, nostrils flaring.

  He heard Steph talking, her voice soft, sweet. “Hail to the Watchtowers of the North…”

  Mmm. Chocolate. Yeah. She had to like two guys together too. He and Shaw were not going to not touch. It was a tough situation for a lot of women, but Steph had always loved them together.

  Shaw moved toward him as Steph called the East, the South. The sun was gone, the room dark except the candles, the flash of light on Steph’s blade.

  He pulled Shaw up against his chest, kissing that well-loved mouth. They had to do this. They would find someone to love, someone who wanted them all the time, not just once a month. Someone who didn’t want their “own space”, whatever the hell that meant.

  “Take the apple and cut it, Jordan. Shaw, pour the honey over the apple.” Her voice was soft, but somehow still ringing out, echoing in his head.

  He cut the apple and the sharpness, the sweetness, hit his nose in a rush. When Shaw dribbled the honey over the fruit, his entire body tightened, his muscles shaking. Fuck.

  “Keep thinking now, about your mate. Call to her.” Steph walked around them, her bare legs exposed when the bottom of the robe opened. She had the prettiest calves. They were a little muscular for a girl, but Jordan liked that. She could kick ass.

  Shaw’s eyes were on her too, gaze sliding up as if he could see more.

  Horn dog. Jordan chuffed. They so needed someone who could challenge them. Who could make macaroni and cheese.

  Shaw nodded, moaned into his lips.

  Someone who tasted like tangerines. Someone with sensitive nipples and sure fingers that was hungry enough for two.

  Shaw clung to him, kissing him, and Jordan reached down, finding Shaw’s cock. He stroked the tip, feeling a few early drops of need there.

  Steph was dancing around them, sort of, singing softly. He could feel her magick, like a deep itch, the best sort of ache. She was so much stronger than she thought. So much more talented. He loved the way she moved.

  “Focus on what you want, boys. Call to her.”

  Jordan tried, but all he could see was her and all he could feel was Shaw. This was what he wanted. What he had right here and now. He wanted Steph, his girl, with them. Making them laugh, making them both whole. Happy. Damn it.

  Shaw moaned softly, nodded. “Please, yes.” The words were whispered against his lips.

  He knew what Shaw meant. He knew exactly. God. The thought of them keeping Steph for their own made him grunt, his balls going tight, his cock almost aching.

  Shaw crawled into his lap, wet-tipped cock rubbing his stomach. “Yes.”

  His cock slipped under Shaw’s balls, knowing exactly what it wanted. Jordan lifted up, his hips rocking, his prick pressing against Shaw’s hole.

  Jordan heard Steph’s soft moan and smiled. He wanted her to want them, need them.

  He needed Shaw to take his cock. Shaw was open, ready. Little slut, always ready for him. Jordan slid home in a single thrust, his whole body shuddering.

  “Mate!” Shaw’s happy cry filled the air, and Jordan fought his howl with everything he was. He channeled the sound into making magic instead, just like Steph had taught them. Then he moved faster. Stephanie helped, he could feel her in every single second, in every ounce of the magick surrounding them. She was building power, the air around them shimmering.

  Jordan grunted, grabbing Shaw’s hips to slam his mate down against him. They couldn’t make magick without her. She was their girl.

  “Ours.” Shaw nodded, teeth on his jaw, his jaw, the sweet submissive act making his gut tight. “Mate. Please.”

  “What do you want, baby?” He knew what Shaw wanted. He could feel it in the pulse of Shaw’s body around him, in the heavy heartbeat that filled his palm where it held Shaw’s cock. Jordan wanted the same damn thing.

  “For both of us to be yours,” Shaw said, and Jordan didn’t have to ask who both of us were.

  “Yeah. Fuck, yeah.” He could picture it so fucking clearly. It was so good that his ass clenched, his balls full to bursting.

  “Yes.” Shaw sounded so happy. “Mate! Touch me!”

  “Oh fuck, baby.” He pulled on Shaw’s cock, slamming up into that amazing, tight hole.

  Steph’s fingers touched his lips—coating them with honey and cinnamon—then touched Shaw’s. “Wish for her. Call to her.”

  Jordan could scent her need. He wanted to reach for her, but she was so far apart from them. Jordan wished as hard as he could.

  Shaw howled softly, calling to her, to Steph. To him.

  He bit down on Shaw’s skin, sucking hard, needing his mark to show. He could see it—him and Shaw and Steph, together, tails tangled in bed, their pups growing inside her. The thought made him buck, made his balls draw up. He squeezed Shaw’s cock. All he needed was for Shaw to come.

  Shaw’s sharp bark proved that he had it, that Shaw needed too, so much.

  “Come on, baby. We can call her.” He flicked the tip of Shaw’s cock with his thumb. He knew it now, as he knew the moon would be full again. Shaw met his gaze and howled as seed sprayed, splashed on his wrist.

  Jordan grinned wildly, feeling the magick pulse through him. He came hard, deep in Shaw’s body, and Shaw pushed down, took his lips in a hard, happy kiss.

  God, that felt good. Now if Steph would just come to them…

  The candles went out, one after another, the tingle of magick fading. Steph was so quiet, as if she wasn’t really there.

  “It’s done.” The room was dark, the fat moon laughing through the window. “Take as long as you need, boys. Just lock up when you leave.”

  Wait. Leave? No. No, that wasn’t… He reached for her, got nothing but her robe.

  She slipped from his fingers, dark eyes shining with unshed tears as she looked back over her shoulder. “Goodbye, boys.”

  Just like that, she was gone. Which sucked some heavy-duty hairy donkey balls, because all he’d been able to see as a result of her spell was her. Her face, her body, her being their mate.

  He looked at Shaw. “I think we fucked up, baby. Big time.”

  * * * * *

  Steph pulled up into Wendy’s driveway, managing to keep it together as she climbed up the stone stairs of the little, skinny house that her best friend leased. She knew Mr. Rosen, that old man across the street, watched everything that Wendy did, which made the Wendy absolutely crazy, and she wouldn’t make a scene where he could see.

  But when Wendy opened up, wearing an old terrycloth robe, her thick blonde hair piled on top of her head, took one look at her and said, “Oh, Jesus. What happened? Come in.”

  Stephanie lost her shit and sobbed.

  “Oh, man.” Wendy grabbed her in a bear hug, the door smacking shut behind them. “Oh, honey.”

  “They… I…” She gulped in air, shoulders shaking.

  “What? What happened? I can go arrest them, whoever they are.” Wendy was always willing to kick ass for her.

  “No. No, the boys, they… They asked me to help them find a mate.”

  “Wait. What?” Wendy’s light-blue eyes narrowed. “You mean those mangy mutts you sleep with sometimes dumped you?”

  She nodded. “We… They came over and we…you know. And we hadn’t even finished when they asked me to find
them another girl.”

  Wendy growled. Actually growled. “Those rat bastards. I will kick their sorry asses.”

  “I just…I know we hadn’t made any…I mean, how could we? They’re wolves and I’m a human and we’ve laughed about that over and over, but…” Steph shook herself, slapped her tears away. “With my luck they’ll come after you.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so.” Wendy let her step back, but her friend was all outrage, hands on those curvy hips. “I will beat them down with a rock.”

  “Promise?”

  “God, yes.” Wendy led her into the chaos that was her best friend’s house—guns and magazines, dog beds and the biggest German Shepherd on Earth. “Hey, Mongo.”

  Mongo looked up from his bone, wagged once, then went back to chewing.

  “We could always let Mongo eat them,” Wendy said, grabbing a bottle of Kahlua out of the liquor cabinet.

  “Mongo has better taste.” Way better taste than she did, obviously. “What was I thinking, Wendy?”

  Wendy grabbed the half-and-half and two glasses from the kitchen. “You were thinking that you could handle the whole thing and not get hooked up. I told you to date around. You’ve been exclusive for what? Two years?”

  She nodded, “Almost.”

  “Well, they suck. So, now you cry and tomorrow we get pedicures.”

  “Can there be chocolate too? I left them at my house.”

  “Call the cops. Oh, wait. I am one…” Wendy tried a smile, even if it looked more grimace-y. “Drink up and I’ll get the cake. I got one yesterday at the store.”

  “You’re the best friend ever.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” She got a wink. “Tell me what your obsession with wolves is, exactly?”

  “Hey, I didn’t know you were one until after we were friends!”

  “Yeah, and that’s only because I trust you.” Wendy was lying low, trying to avoid the local pack.

  Why, she didn’t know, not really. Wendy said lots of things—from not wanting to deal with the drama to having a bad experience. There was something Wendy was hiding, but Steph didn’t push. Whatever the reason was, she’d never betray Wendy’s secret.