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his. She couldn’t walk away, but Declan could. For all their sakes, he couldn’t allow that to happen. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, filling his lungs with air that smelled of the wolf. He didn’t move when he sensed the coming attack. Didn’t struggle when Declan spun him around, pushing his front against the rough bark.
    The aggression made his cock hard. And Declan’s. He felt it hard and pushing at his ass. He let the sensual nature of the cat rise and take over, could hear the coaxing purr in his voice. “What? I don’t even get a kiss first?” he teased.
    Declan growled, but the sound was more turned on than pissed off. “I haven’t decided yet.”
     
     
     
    Declan continued to grind his cock against his ass. It took all his control not to make room between Carlos and the tree to grip his cock. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to give him pain or pleasure. So often the two were mixed. Damn, it was hard to concentrate with temptation so close. So accessible. He squeezed his eyes shut a minute and counted to ten, tried to slow his racing heart. He was going to fuck Carlos, but first he wanted answers. He got the feeling Carlos did too.
    “How does this work, cat? All of us together.”
    He couldn’t resist pushing his cock against Carlos, groaned when it slid between his cheeks. Carlos thrust back against him with a demanding snarl, and Declan twisted his hand in his hair. Tugged. “Answers first. How does it work?” he asked before nipping the male’s neck.
    “Pride law,” Carlos panted. “There are never enough women. Anyone who finds a mate is expected to share her with his best friends. Or lovers.”
    “So I won’t be forced out?”
    Carlos stilled, and Declan wondered what about the question had triggered the response.
    “Are you going to be able to stay?”
    This time his growl was low and menacing. “Why wouldn’t I?”
    “You mentioned a mate.”
    And they both knew how debilitating losing a mate was. “We were too young.” He paused. “A bond can be created.”
    Carlos froze. “If you make that kind of commitment to her, you’re also making it to me. Can you live with that?”
    He shrugged. “I love her.” He’d do anything for her, anything to stay close to her. He’d worry about his growing confusion over the werelion later. “Can you say the same?”
    Carlos took a long time to respond, and Declan used it to explore the man’s skin with his lips and teeth. He wondered if the bond would function three ways, if he could mark Sunny and then Carlos. No, it wouldn’t work on males. He’d drawn enough blood over the years to know that. Even so, he wasn’t willing to let either go, even if the cat infuriated him half the time.
    “What about Asa?” Carlos finally asked.
    “We’re not together anymore. He’s still searching for his mate.”
    Carlos nodded. “So it’s the three of us. We’ll have to take a fourth, but it can wait.”
    He didn’t want to hear that. That he’d have to share either one of them. “A cat?”
    “Some traditions can’t be broken.”
    Declan considered the words. Taking a wolf into the group was probably pushing it. “When the time comes, Sunny gets a voice in the decision.”
    “Of course.”
    The next stretch of silence seemed filled with heat and tension. Carlos groaned. “Ah, Dec, would you fuck me already?”
    He hadn’t realized he’d been grinding his cock against Carlos, and he was damn tempted to take up the invitation. “No lube,” he reminded him gently, then realized just how much the cat had been holding back when he shoved away from the tree, throwing Declan back with him.
    “The house isn’t far,” he practically snarled, and they raced back in human form, together.
    Declan entered first, found the lube on the nightstand table. Carlos was breathing hard when he turned to face him and gave him no warning when he jumped, taking them both to the floor. Chest pressed to chest. Cocks rubbing against each other.