Authors: Dixie Lynn Dwyer
Shit!
Maximus rubbed his eyes.
“Too many thoughts are going through my head, brother.”
Luther sighed then shifted in his seat.
“I understand, but remember, you cannot bombard her with questions when she awakes. She is our mate, and we are to protect her and care for her whether she needs us or not.”
“How can she need us? She has the powers and abilities we have only read or heard stories about. She is the Chosen One. Why would she need three werewolves? No, brother. I am afraid we will merely be her servants. We will be at her command.”
“Maximus! I can’t believe you are being so self-centered and power hungry. Don’t you realize what an honor it is to be the mate of the Chosen One, Princess Mossano of Milan? The knowledge of her existence alone will bring battles of all kinds to our doorsteps. We are warriors with the blood of centuries of fighters before us. The spirits have chosen us to protect her and be her mates.” Luther glanced at Charity. “I am honored to be chosen by her, by the spirits. Our connection is strong and getting stronger by the moment. She is so beautiful, Maximus. She is ours,” he whispered.
“Will you two shut up so I can get some sleep? I was nearly mauled to death, you know.” Dante spoke then cleared his throat. Both Luther and Maximus stood up from their chairs.
Dante rolled his head to the side and nearly knocked into Charity He smiled then snuggled closer.
“Ahhh, now this is more like it.”
Maximus growled low in his throat. “Let her rest, you moron.”
“You’re just jealous because you’re out there and I’m in bed with our goddess,” Dante snuggled closer to Charity.
The sound of the door creaking open sent the brothers on guard. Luther and Maximus stood prepared to attack.
Dravo entered the room.
* * * *
Dravo was very concerned for his princess. He heard the whole conversation between the Venificus brothers. Maximus would be the most difficult to deal with. Despite his mother’s assurance that Dravo was on their side, the largest brother was untrusting. Charity would have her hands full with him.
Eyeing each brother, he walked closer to the bed, hardly acknowledging their fierce, low growls.
“I am not the enemy. You will be dealing with plenty very soon.”
Dravo walked beside the bed and watched as Dante held Charity more snugly. His one arm lay protectively over her stomach.
He glared at Dravo, obviously distrusting him around his mate. Dravo could tell the weres were having difficulty allowing a vampire in their home, never mind this close to their mate.
Perhaps these weres will be worthy of their positions.
“She is doing better. I can feel her power increasing. She has much healing to do.” Dravo raised his eyebrows at Dante. “He didn’t ask to be attacked,” Luther stated.
“No, however, he should be dead. My princess risked too much to save you.”
Dravo placed his hand against Charity’s cheek.
“Why do you keep referring to her as your princess?” Dante asked, sounding possessive of Charity.
Dravo moved away from the bed and stood at the end of it where he could watch all three brothers.
“Charity is the Princess of all realms and all those human, magical, and beast. The Venificus have been chosen to lead this realm and fight against those who want to destroy the Circle. Brutas is aware that the Princess is here with you. However, he does not know that the three of you are her chosen mates. It is quite shocking that the spirits have done this.”
“Why is that?” Luther asked.
“The evil that is preparing to destroy the Circle and take over the power of the realms must be of the darkest kind. Charity alone cannot defeat it. She must need the power of your combined efforts as one.”
“You mean the power we felt when we all held hands with Dante?” Maximus asked.
“Not quite. She risked death for Dante. Fighting the powers of fate and bringing a dead man back to life has its consequences.”
“How so?” Luther asked.
“What consequences?” Dante asked, holding Charity with a look of shear concern.
“It is difficult to say for sure. She may stay asleep like this for quite some time, she may show the scars of your injuries on her body, or perhaps she may have more power and magic within her than even the spirits of fate are aware of. All we can do is wait and see.”
“My god. Why didn’t she just let me die?” Dante asked.
Dravo chuckled.
“The Princess is privy to information and events no others would ever know of. I can tell you that she is very strong in her will to protect the Venificus family. She has been in hiding for a very long time. We had discussed the risks, but she was compelled to be here for the three of you and your family. She had little to go by except that an attack on the Venificus family was growing near.”
“She came out of hiding? Who was she hiding from?” Maximus asked.
“It is not for me to say. That is up to the Princess. But I can tell you that she has saved many lives. In the last few years she has fought hard to wipe out numerous attempts at destroying your race as well as other races.”
“That’s why she created Caliber,” Maximus stated.
“Yes. She had to remain anonymous. There were pack members who have not remained loyal to Venificus. She risked much to ensure your family’s continued growth and superiority. I am certain she will explain it all to you if and when she recovers.”
“Are you saying that we have traitors in our pack?” Luther inquired.
Dravo stared at him then nodded.
They all looked at Dravo then looked back at Charity.
Chapter 9
Charity ran through fields of wildflowers. The long white gown she wore danced in the breeze as she laughed and giggled. She kept glancing over her shoulder, smiling angelically as if someone was running with her.
She tried to see who they were, but the dream would not let her.
Looking ahead toward a line of trees and the forest, she saw darkness.
She stopped short just at the beginning of the entrance, sensing the danger. Death and evil so powerful she shook with fear lay through the trees just ahead.
She heard the men call her name and she yelled, “Stop!”
Dante, Luther, and Maximus ran straight into the forest.
Charity cried in pain and fear for their lives.
The spirits appeared around her.
“Why are you so upset? You do not need them”
Charity cried, “I do…I do need them.”
“Then take what is yours. Protect them from the evil.”
“But how? How can I help them?”
“Do you love them?”
Charity thought for a moment. How could she love three men, three wolves at the same time?
“Think with your heart, Princess, with your soul and all that is part of you.”
Charity felt the bond, the love she had for the triplets as waves of energy and desire filled her to her core.
“I love them.”
“Then use your gifts. Save them and let them claim you as their mate.”
Charity gazed back toward the darkness, hearing her men screaming in pain and anguish. Through teary eyes she raised her hands above her and cried out their names “Dante, Luther, Maximus, I love you!”
“I love you.”
* * * *
Maximus, Luther, and Dante all gathered around Charity on the bed. She had been tossing and turning, fighting some sort of dream or nightmare. They tried to console her, but it seemed as if she couldn’t hear them.
They were each worried, and they began to caress her arms, her legs, and her hair to soothe her pain. Then they heard her words. “Dante, Luther, Maximus, I love you.”
They locked gazes then took her hands and joined them in a circle with their own.
“I love yo—”
* * * *
Charity awoke, finding all three brothers holding her stare. They were connected so deeply at the moment that her whole body felt warm and tingly. It felt right, and for once in her life, she felt whole.
“We love you, too, our princess.” Dante broke the silence then leaned down and kissed her cheek. Luther followed, but Maximus was silent.
Charity shifted her body and instantly felt the pain. She closed her eyes, held her breath as she cringed.
“Don’t move, Charity. Just lie here and rest. We will take care of you,” Dante ordered.
Charity sighed as she readjusted her head on the pillow, waiting for the pain to subside.
“Are you okay?” Charity asked Dante, trying to hold his gaze, and he smiled.
“Thanks to you.” Dante caressed her cheek then scooted closer to her.
Her heart lifted with joy at the sight of his dimples. His coloring was back to normal, and he looked so handsome and sexy. A warm tingling coated her body on the inside. With his body close against hers, she felt compelled to sink against him and relish in his embrace.
“Let her rest.” The firm voice of Maximus stirred panic inside Charity’s stomach.
She slowly turned her head to capture his gaze and was surprised by the angry facial expression. Was he angry with her still? Did he not understand the reasoning behind her secrecy? She was shocked by the feelings of betrayal and distrust he projected. Charity also felt compelled to retaliate and challenge his authority. This was becoming second nature to their relationship.
“Are you still upset with me, Alpha?” she asked in a shaky breath. She wasn’t feeling a hundred percent yet.
“You need rest,” he answered firmly.
Charity turned her head in response to his verbal demand. Why was he so bossy? Then she looked back at Maximus, her anger getting the better of her.
“I’m fine,” she stated in between clenched teeth.
“You’re not fine. You can barely move. Give her space, Dante.” Maximus crossed his arms in front of his chest. From her lying down position, Maximus appeared gigantic and powerful. He was used to being in charge and giving orders. Their personalities would surely continue to clash.
His black shirt stretched across his pectoral muscles, and his forearms were bulging with muscles as well. She saw his tattoos which only added to his appeal. He had a look about him that surely made most back away in fear or intimidation. With the expression he held at the moment, the word “beware” should be flashing like a neon sign. She swallowed hard. Man, was he intense. Even though he wore a loose fitting pair of dark jeans, he looked mouthwatering. She remembered the way his firm buttocks felt in her hands. The way his iron-clad thighs pressed against her body and his thick, long fingers pulled orgasm after orgasm from her needy body.
Oh my.
The stern expression, along with the two gold hoops and superior demeanor, gave her the chills. Add in the fact that Luther now caressed her hair and being surrounded by three sexually charismatic wolves aroused every erogenous zone of her body. Did nearly losing one of her mates to black magic cause her hormones to run amuck?
All she kept envisioning was their touch, their embrace, and what it would be like to be made love to by them.
Dante locked gazes with Maximus, and Luther stepped in to assist before a real argument took place.
“I think we’re all still on edge after everything that happened last night. You and Dante rest, and I’ll go see if we can get some food up here for you.” Luther crouched down beside the bed and placed a kiss on Charity’s forehead.
“I’m not hungry,” Charity stated with an annoyed expression directed toward Maximus.
“You will eat!” Maximus commanded, and before Charity could respond, he was walking away from them.
“I’ll go see about supper.” Maximus stated firmly.
With that, Maximus left the room.
Charity was hurt by his treatment and annoyed at his commanding tone. Alphas were such dominating creatures.
Dante pulled Charity gently into his arms and laid her head against his chest.
Rubbing her hair, he whispered to her.
“He thought he had lost you or that you would have suffered scars from saving me,” Dante whispered.
“He doesn’t need to be so bossy,” she stated then exhaled.
“Getting upset with his reaction is not going to help you heal faster. Rest, darling.”
Charity was suddenly so tense and on edge. The pain of her injuries was coated with annoyance toward Maximus.
“She’s all tense, Luther. Maximus has got to control that temper of his.”
Luther sat down on the edge of the bed, his hip warm against Charity’s thigh even though the blanket covered her.
He cupped her cheek and caressed her lower lip with his thumb.
“I was so scared that I lost you. We were scared the other day when you and Alexis had nearly been assaulted and abducted. But this, this was horrible. Maximus and I could have lost our brother and our mate.”
She felt bad for getting angry at Maximus now. Luther was right. More than likely, Maximus was just having a hard time admitting that he was scared. He was an Alpha. He couldn’t show his emotions or any sign of fear. For some reason, his stubbornness and attitude really got to her.