STORY EXCERPT

Sitting cross legged on the middle of the bed, Barclay cuddled the duck close. “I’m sorry, little one. I know I’ve asked much of you, but you can’t shift into your human form, not yet.”

Clay ran his chin over the duck’s downy head. “We both know I wouldn’t be able to stop from mating with you. It’s all I long for, but the scientists said I would transfer the poison to you and our union would cause both of us to die within minutes.” Clay closed his eyes, trying to withstand the constant agony pushing through his insides. “I will die soon anyway, but I will not take you with me.”

Clay smiled as the duck nibbled at the tips of his finger. The bird was the only thing keeping him sane over the last few months. He was the only one Clay could talk to.

“At least my idea to find companions for my brothers has finally paid off.” Clay lightly scratched under the duck’s eye and was rewarded by a dreamy look covering its sweet face. “I had hoped by exposing them to paranormals in the lab rescues that somehow they would find someone to help elevate their heartache when I’m gone. How wonderful it is that they found real mates. At first, I was sure it was a trick of the scientists, but they have proved to be true mates of the soul.”

The duck turned his head and took one of Clay’s fingers into his bill before tugging on it. “What is it, little one?”

The moment Clay loosened his embrace, the duck launched into the air and landed by the door. When he began jabbing at the door with his bill, Clay knew what he wanted.

“You’re feeling it, too, aren’t you?”

The duck looked at Clay and waited.

“What if it is a trick? Their deceptions know no bounds.” The scientist’s tricks were Clay’s greatest fear. As a child, he had fallen for so many while imprisoned in the labs. “What if this urge to go to that lab is a trap to capture us so they can do something despicable to both of us?”

The duck continued to stare at Clay.

Clay rubbed his forehead trying to cope with the constant ache. If it grew any worse he wouldn’t be able to think anymore. Looking back at the duck, he gave in. “Alright, I will go check out this lab and see what’s going on, but you are staying here where it’s safe.”

The duck responded by plopping down on the floor in front of the door.

Clay raised one eyebrow. “I can easily move you out of the way, little one.”

The duck tipped his head to the side and Clay swore it raised both of its nonexistent eyebrows. Without saying a word, the ten pounds of feathers could do something no one else could get away with.

Change Clay’s mind.

Sighing, Clay left the bed and suited up in his tactical gear. Once he was ready, he looked at the duck. “Alright, let’s go, but be extra quiet,” he warned. “We don’t want anyone to know we’re gone.”

As he slipped out of the room, Clay wondered why he couldn’t resist the overpowering need to go to this lab. An unbreakable, heavy chain around his soul was drawing him in. He could do nothing about it

What was waiting for him? He only sensed it was big and overwhelming. Somehow he knew that much. Well, so be it. He had nothing to lose in this life but the nonstop, debilitating, excruciating pain. With the duck waddling behind, Clay went to meet his fate.

Getting out of the mansion with a duck in tow was a little easier than he had anticipated. Clay expected one of his brothers to come around the corner at any moment. One of Dario's soldiers at the very least.

He didn't see anyone.

At the front door, Clay leaned down and picked up the duck. From here on out, he would be in too much of a hurry to wait for his feathered mate to follow him with his less than graceful walk. They would need to move as fast as possible if they wanted to avoid being seen.

And they wanted to avoid being seen. Clay didn't think any of his brothers would understand his need to investigate a building he had never told them about. In fact, they would be seriously pissed. Clay didn't have time to deal with them right now, or their mates. The need growing in his gut was getting bigger and more painful.

Clay knew he didn't have much longer before the pain overwhelmed him. He had done what he had set out to do and found mates for three of his four brothers. He just needed to hang on long enough to help Basil find his mate.

And discover what was drawing him to this new facility. Trepidation made his heart beat a little faster. As much as he was being drawn to the place, he was also afraid to go. What would he find there? Who would he find there?

ADULT EXCERPT

Wide eyes stared at Tavarus for a moment before Elliot obeyed his order. Soon there would be no hesitation as trust between them grew stronger.

“Lift your knees, little duck.” Tavarus pulled down the sheet covering Clay, leaving it hanging off the end of the bed.

For the first time, Tavarus surveyed his gorgeous mates together and in all their naked glory. Sweet Elliot’s legs were braced high and spread wide to accompany Clay’s gauze covered torso. Tavarus reached out and fingered the tempting sac peeking out between his slim legs. Oh, the things he could do with that soft bag of fun.

“Tavy.” Elliot shifted back, pushing his testicles fully into Tavarus’s hand.

Tavarus blinked, surprised at the nickname Elliot called him. He didn’t think anyone in the world other than his tiny mate could get away with calling him Tavy. Tavarus mentally shook his head, wondering what else the little duck would spring on him.

He rewarded Elliot’s reactions to his playing by putting a little more pressure on his sac. Elliot responded by throwing back his head and crying out again. Pretty shivers rippled over Elliot’s golden skin.

“Kiss our sleeping beauty on the corner of his mouth, Elliot,” Tavarus urged. “Show him what he’s missing by hiding from us.”

Tavarus watched as Elliot leaned down and placed a light kiss next to Clay’s mouth. There was no reaction, which didn’t surprise him. It was going to take more than a soft kiss to change the mind of their set-in-his-ways bunny leader.

“Taste our mate’s lips, and then come share with me.” Tavarus trailed his fingertips down the inside of Elliot’s leg and over the top of Clay’s thigh.

Warmth pooled in Tavarus’s lower belly at Elliot’s enthusiasm. His small tongue lapped at Clay’s lips until they glistened before going in for a deep kiss. Satisfaction filled Tavarus when he saw bumps rise along Clay’s arms. Their mate was coming back.

Tavarus brushed his knuckle along the indent of Elliot’s spine until he reached the crack of his ass. Dipping in, Tavarus found Elliot’s hole of pleasure and pressed his finger against it.

Elliot broke the kiss and turned his head toward Tavarus. How delicious he looked with lips shining and eyes begging for more. With quick, efficient movements Tavarus removed his clothing and left them lying in a heap on the floor.

“Come, give me a taste, little duck,” Tavarus ordered and knelt with one knee on the bed, bringing him closer to his mates.

Elliot rose up on his knees and reached for Tavarus. Their lips met and Tavarus pressed his tongue inside. Elliot’s familiar essence was now mixed with a metallic taste and a peppery hint of Clay’s simmering strength. Oh, how much fun Clay was going to be once he regained his strength. Tavarus’s buffalo preened in anticipation of clashing and dominating their mate. He couldn’t wait to give him everything he needed.

Elliot’s tongue darted forward before backing off, teasing Tavarus. He took over and began probing, tasting, and exploring his mate’s mouth. Elliot’s soft whimpers were his reward.

Reaching down, he touched his fingertip to the end of Elliot’s prick. Pre-cum welled out, and his finger easily slid around and under the cap of Elliot’s cockhead. Finding and rubbing the small bundle of nerves sent his little mate into another erotic, undulating dance.

Elliot leaned back and looked up through half closed glittering eyes. “Tavy, I need.”

Tavarus enjoyed the site of his needy mate before saying, “Get back into position so I can prepare you for me.”

After leaning up and giving Tavarus a quick kiss, Elliot smiled before sinking back down onto his hands and knees. Tavarus was trying to figure out that smile when the little imp reached under the pillow and pulled out a bottle lube.

“Do you want to tell me how you used lube when you stayed in your duck form all the time?” Tavarus asked as he took the bottle and opened the cap.

“No.” Elliot spread his knees apart a little wider and looked forward.

His buffalo’s temper spiked at his mate’s denial, but the need building in his loins had him pouring the slippery liquid over his fingers.

Putting a finger to Elliot’s hole, Tavarus ordered, “Love on our mate, Elliot. Bring him back to us.”

Elliot bent his elbows and lowered his face next to Clay’s. This left Elliot’s tight ass open and waiting for Tavarus to prepare him. He wasted no time rubbing and softening the muscle guarding his mate’s opening. A glance up, and he saw Elliot lapping at the crook where Clay’s neck met his shoulder.

Happy that Elliot was doing his part to drag Clay back to the land of the living, Tavarus pushed a finger knuckle deep into Elliot. Lovely, velvety warmth squeezed around his digit. Adding more lube, Tavarus eased his finger out before pressing back in. The sweet man opened so beautifully.

Tavarus added another finger and then a third. Soon he had Elliot’s opening loosened and ready to take his substantial girth. Moving behind Elliot, Tavarus straddled Clay’s legs and greased up his cock. Looking down, Tavarus frowned and paused for a moment. Had he just seen one of Clay’s legs move?

“Tavy, I’m burning up.” Elliot braced his weight on one hand and with the other pulled one butt cheek apart. “I’m so ready. Please, mate.”