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STORY EXCERPT

Deep in the astral realm, G’aladon watched the two men he’d come to know better than he knew himself. He could see them so clearly, through each other’s eyes. When they came together to kiss, his vision was cut off, but sensation exploded inside him instead, giving the energy he needed to speak to them once more.

“I’m sorry,” he sent to the feral. “I just wanted you.”

There was so much more to it than that. He yearned to touch the two men, to feel their flesh under his fingertips. But he also regretted the hurt he’d unwillingly caused Roarke. He’d wanted to tell the feral that, to explain who he was and answer all of his questions.

Ever since he’d first felt Roarke, his prison’s hold on him had grown weaker, and then, once Quinn had appeared as well, G’aladon had been filled with such emotion that not even the astral realm could beat back. It was why he’d managed to escape in the first place.

But he’d failed them both. While he’d had every intention of seeking them out once outside, that hardly earned freedom had destroyed what little balance he’d succeeded in earning. Here in the astral realm, he was separated from his flesh and from his original powers, but outside, his magic returned, and with it, so did the madness that had once urged G’aladon to create the sickening, twisted form of life of the Oriakai. And so, he had sought out Hewitt, the descendant of the child he’d long ago tried to kill, aiming to fully free himself from the chains still binding him and to return to the mortal world.

He was glad he’d failed. If he hadn’t, he might have been out there now, and the gods only knew who else he’d have hurt. Quinn and Roarke could have become his targets, something that made G’aladon nauseous. Just the thought that he could deprive the world of Quinn’s gentleness and Roarke’s quiet strength almost urged him to retire in the deepest corner of the astral realm and lose himself in the pain. However, he didn’t. He needed to face what he had done. He was just so tired. The only thing that kept him going through the torment was his strange link to Quinn and Roarke, but he still remained trapped here, and it didn’t seem like he’d get out anytime soon.

It wasn’t fair for Quinn and Roarke to be forever haunted by his presence. G’aladon had never truly given a damn about the welfare of others, but he found that he wanted the two of them to be happy. In a sense, he had expected them to be a good match for each other, and it was one of the reasons why he’d urged Roarke to visit the Tanners in the first place.

The second reason wasn’t so pleasant. In fact, G’aladon didn’t know how to approach it, since he suspected the two men wouldn’t take his suggestion well.

Seeing that both Roarke and Quinn were shocked, G’aladon quickly proceeded to explain. The strength he’d received from the outburst of emotion was already abandoning him, and he needed to make haste. “I will not ask anything suspicious of you,” he told them. “The only thing I need is to be free of the astral realm. Free of everything.”

It was just a part of the story, but G’aladon couldn’t tell them everything, not yet. He first needed to reach Hewitt and maybe contact Shaiyta through Hewitt’s mates. She would know if what he planned to do was possible.

“Free,” Roarke repeated. “To do what you did with Hewitt and Devon?”

He sounded angry, the betrayal burning in his heart cutting G’aladon deep. Quinn seemed just as upset and confused. They had befriended him and were having real trouble dealing with the fact that he was, essentially, a monster.

“It’s not like that,” G’aladon argued. Roarke’s fury was getting to him, but it remained an emotion and it anchored him to Roarke’s reality. “I merely want to disappear.”

“What do you mean?” Quinn asked softly. Through Roarke’s eyes, G’aladon could see the sadness in his blue eyes. It touched the little spark of G’aladon’s soul that remained within him. “Disappear where?”

“To wherever people go when they move on,” G’aladon replied. “I’ve been trapped here for centuries. If you let me out, I’ll go on a rampage. But there must be a way to simply eliminate me, to wipe away my existence.”

That wasn’t exactly what G’aladon had in mind, but he wouldn’t get into that. He wasn’t sure they would believe him anyway. They were still having trouble processing the truth about G’aladon. Detailing his plan would just hurt them more.

“You mean… kill you?” Roarke choked out. “No. There has to be another way.”

“There isn’t,” G’aladon insisted. “Please. You must ask Hewitt for me. He is the only one who saw inside me when we fought. He and his mates will understand.”

Roarke and Quinn shared a desperate look, and G’aladon saw their every emotion. He hated that he had to put them in this position, but it would be better in the long run. He couldn’t separate himself from them otherwise. Some things never changed, and his selfishness prevented him from pulling away.

Through Quinn, he looked at Roarke’s handsome face, staring into those deep gray eyes. In Roarke’s gaze, he saw a storm, but he also knew that Roarke was strong enough to deal with any decision that needed to be made. It would then be up to Quinn to help Roarke recover. They could do this, together, and perhaps one day, they’d even remember G’aladon fondly. Then again, that was unlikely, since G’aladon hadn’t shared any kind or beautiful moments with them. He wished…But no, he couldn’t afford to focus on any wishes beyond the one that was his only way out of this situation.

ADULT EXCERPT

Sensation engulfed G’aladon, sweet and true, like a feast to a starving man. After being denied any sort of touch for centuries, after having a reality where only pain existed, his body was oversensitive, deprived, and needful for the affection and lust the other two men showered him with.

When Roarke kissed him for the first time, G’aladon almost thought he truly had died and gone to heaven. That was impossible, however, so G’aladon surmised this must be real. Roarke’s mouth pressed against his, at first gentle, but then, more possessive, more demanding. G’aladon wrapped his arms around Roarke, pulling the wolf closer and parting his lips for Roarke’s assault.

Roarke’s tongue slipped into the wet cavern, claiming him, exploring him, taking G’aladon’s breath away. In the meantime, Quinn licked down G’aladon’s chest, his gentle, more innocent touches making a striking contrast with Roarke’s assault. He stopped over G’aladon’s nipple, sucking it into his hot mouth. G’aladon’s moan was swallowed into Roarke’s kiss. He forgot about his questions and his misgivings and lost himself in the passion.

He would have liked to keep kissing Roarke forever, to hold onto the moment and never let go. But the touches of the two men were too good, too addicting. Their scents, their warmth, and just the thought that they cared about him mingled in a cocktail of emotion and sensation that G’aladon couldn’t hope to resist.

When Quinn’s caresses grew bolder, finally venturing beyond G’aladon’s waist, G’aladon could feel his climax approaching. And then, the human slowly crawled down his body and tentatively lowered his mouth over G’aladon’s cock. He was obviously inexperienced and shy about it, but that only aroused G’aladon more. One flick of that sweet, pink tongue, and G’aladon lost it.

His first orgasm in centuries washed over him, so intense it almost brought tears to G’aladon’s eyes. It was only by some miracle that he managed not to lose consciousness. Or perhaps it was the astral realm. It had always prevented him from falling asleep and finding solace in the oblivion of slumber. This time, G’aladon felt thankful for it, and not even the memories that lingered at the back of his mind could ruin the absolute bliss.

Roarke broke their kiss while Quinn pulled away, looking shocked and a bit embarrassed. G’aladon’s spunk had landed all over his cheeks and his hair. He was the most beautiful sight G’aladon had ever seen in his life, a ravaged angel there to grant him salvation.

Even so, G’aladon surmised the other men might be disappointed that he’d ended the moment too soon. “Sorry about that,” he apologized. “It was just too much.”

Roarke smiled at him, and in spite of the heat lingering in his gaze, his voice was gentle. “We’re the ones who should be sorry. We shouldn’t have pushed you, not right now. You’re probably not ready.”

G’aladon might have argued with the other man, but then, Roarke pulled Quinn close and started licking the cum from the human’s face. G’aladon’s mind just about melted. The feral seemed to be enjoying the taste of G’aladon’s spunk a lot, and Quinn was responding quite beautifully to Roarke’s ministrations. Small whimpers of pleasure escaped him, and every sound had a direct effect on G’aladon’s cock. Yes, he had always boasted great stamina in bed, and it came as no surprise that, in spite of the earth-shattering orgasm he’d just experienced, he yearned for more.

Roarke immediately noticed his excitement, and G’aladon arched a brow at him. “I think you’re underestimating my need for you. I’ve wanted both of you forever.”

“Well, I wouldn’t dream of disappointing you,” Roarke replied. He shared a look with Quinn. “Isn’t that right, baby?”

“Oh, God, yes.” Quinn’s voice was breathless. “I just…Fuck…”

G’aladon realized that for a human, the attraction between the three of them must be confusing. As a feral, Roarke might have a different mindset, but Quinn had been brought up with the idea of a slow dating process. G’aladon was fairly certain Quinn’s family had warned him away from romantic entanglements with paranormal creatures.

His heart warm with affection for the courageous human, G’aladon cupped Quinn’s cheek. Throwing all caution to the wind, he pressed his mouth to that of the younger man’s.

Whatever uncertainties Quinn might have had paled when faced with the passion between true mates. Much like Roarke had done earlier for him, G’aladon took possession of Quinn’s mouth, his tongue twining with that of the human.

Quinn climbed into his lap, rubbing his body against G’aladon’s. The clothes covering the human created a frustrating barrier, preventing G’aladon from touching Quinn. His hands tore at the buttons of Quinn’s shirt, pulling on the material, not caring in the slightest when he heard seams rip and cotton tear.

Thankfully, Quinn had a more efficient method to disrobe. Briefly breaking the kiss, he took a few deep breaths and closed his eyes. G’aladon’s hands itched to grab Quinn again, but he could tell the human was attempting to focus.

His patience paid off, as a few moments later, Quinn’s clothes disappeared, and so did Roarke’s. G’aladon could have sobbed in relief. He massaged Quinn’s ass, running his fingers over the crease and reaching between the tempting cheeks to tease at Quinn’s hole.

Alas, Roarke stopped him before he could get any further.  The feral pulled Quinn and G’aladon apart, his gray eyes having gone almost black with lust. “Enough,” Roarke growled. “If I watch you two touch for much longer, I’m gonna come.” He slapped G’aladon’s naked ass. “I don’t want to do that until I’m inside you.”