Deaton, as always, had been a wealth of information. Being an emissary, he knew all of the ins and outs of a werewolf bonding ceremony. They knew what they had to do. There was just one part of it that made Liam wary.
"During the chase, people might try to interfere and stop the bondmates from meeting, and if you don't meet, then you can't close the bond."
Everyone from his own pack had accepted the bond, but there was still Scott. Scott had been a friend to him in the past. but Liam didn't know if he wanted to risk telling him about the ceremony. Things had become even more frosty between them since Scott hadn't responded to his cry for help when Theo had been kidnapped. Would the other alpha try to stop their ceremony?
"What should I do?" Liam asked Mason at school the next day.
"I think you should tell him dude. It's like that fairy tale with Sleeping Beauty with the spurned fairy. She was so offended not to be included that she cast a curse on the whole castle," Mason said.
Liam considered this and reluctantly nodded. Hurting Scott's feelings wouldn't make the situation any better. He had to take the risk.
They had set the chase for that night and Liam tried all day to talk to Scott. He called him, left him messages begging him to call, even drove by his place after school, but he wasn't home. Melissa had promised to pass on that he'd dropped by. Depressed, Liam trudged in the front door, a sense of foreboding making his chest feel tight.
"Hey, you tried," Theo said, pulling him into a hug.
"I know," Liam sighed, "but still, I'm worried."
"It will be fine, Liam," Brett said. "We'll get to you no matter what."
The chase was an important part of the bonding ceremony. Liam would be given a head start and run into the preserve. After a few minutes, Brett and Theo would follow, would have to catch him so that they could consummate their bond. Liam was determined to make them work for it, had already mentally mapped out his route. Obviously, there were parts of the preserve that he wanted to avoid at all costs. The rest of their pack would follow and observe, would try to stop any interference. Liam prayed there would be none. And then, once his mates had caught him, they would consummate their bond. They would be married in the eyes of the pack, of all supernatural creatures, an unbreakable bond.
The afternoon passed quickly, and soon night had set, and Liam stood at the edge of the preserve with Brett and Theo, waiting for the rest of the pack to arrive. A car pulled up, and Mason and Corey got out, along with Nolan and Lori.
"Finally," Liam sighed, some of the tension leaving him at the sight of his pack.
"Hey," Mason said, walking over and giving him a quick hug. "You guys ready?"
"Yep," Liam nodded. "I mean, I was sort of hoping that Scott and the other pack would come too, but he didn't answer his phone and he wasn't home."
"Really?" Corey asked. "That's weird."
"Why is it weird?" Brett asked, frowning.
"For him to not answer," Corey shrugged. "He normally does."
"He's still pissed that Liam isn't in his pack, I guess," Theo scowled. "It's childish."
"Maybe," Corey said with a frown. Liam sighed. He had no idea why Scott was avoiding him but he agreed that it was ridiculous.
Liam glanced up at the sky. The moon would be rising soon. If they fucked this up tonight, there would be no more chances. The Night Wolf had been clear that if their bond wasn't closed by the end of tonight, that something bad would happen. He sent a silent prayer and then turned back to his pack. "We should get started," he said.
"Okay," Mason said. "Deaton taught me the words. We have to stand in a ring around you three."
The pack did so, and Liam waited, heart fluttering nervously in his chest.
"The pack is here on the full moon to recognise the bond of Liam to Theo and Brett. The alpha's mates will lead and guide the pack at his side and must prove their worth to the alpha, and to the pack as a whole. As the emissary, I stand witness," he said solemnly.
He looked to the other pack members, nodding at them. "I stand witness," they echoed.
Mason looked up at the sky and then took a deep breath. "The moon has risen. It is time."
They unlinked their hands and Liam looked at his mates. Both of them gave him a reassuring smile. He smiled back and then turned, sprinting into the trees.
A few hundred metres in, Liam ripped off his clothes and chucked them into a pile, before bounding into his wolf shape, letting his primal side take over. The speed, the agility, the power behind every step made his heart pound in his chest. He could feel the pull of the moon, and the pull of his bond and he howled, inviting them, goading them. Catch me if you can.
He felt more then heard them give chase and he gave a wolfy grin as he increased his pace, miles disappearing under his fleet paws. Excitement thrilled through him.
Liam ran and ran and ran, leading his mates on a merry chase through the woods, always staying just ahead of them, just out of sight. He could hear their hearts pounding, hear their growls, hear their paws striking the ground. He yipped playfully and they howled. We're gonna catch you.
He slowed for half a step, letting them catch sight of him, smirking as they moved even faster, starting to catch him. But he wasn't quite done yet. His wolf wasn't quite satisfied.
Over the year or two since he had become a werewolf, Liam had patrolled these woods many times. He knew them like the back of his hand. And he knew exactly where to go to find it. The gorge. And he knew exactly when to let his paws leave the ground to leap it, landing easily on the other side. A step or two more and then he turned, waiting.
Theo and Brett paused at the edge, their eyes glowing gold in the darkness. Liam gave them a wolfy grin. Would they be willing to take the leap? Could they prove their worth?
They paced along the edge, considering, looking at where he'd taken off from and glancing back up at him. And then they moved back, giving themselves plenty of room.
Liam moved away to the edge of the trees, watching them both leap into the air, waiting only as long as it took to see them make the distance before he was off again. It was a race now. He wanted to reach the clearing. It felt... right.
The other two were much closer now, only a hundred metres behind him. He could feel them closing the distance bit by bit. But he didn't have far to go. The trees were already getting closer together.
Their scent teased him. Excitement and arousal rolled into a heady mixture. Liam's scent was the same but also a bit of fear, a sneaking tendril, only goading the other wolves to run faster. He wanted to be caught, but he wasn't quite sure what would happen when they did. It was a forbidden kind of thrill. Dangerous and exciting.
He was nearly there when he heard a yelp and skidded to a stop, paws digging into the soft earth as he whirled, red eyes flashing, fangs bared.
Scott stood with his back to him, claws extended, dripping blood. Liam looked past him to where Theo was hunched over, blood dripping from his side. In front of him stood Brett, teeth bared and hackles raised.
"Stay away from Liam," Scott snarled.
Liam let his wolf shape go, standing, rage boiling in his blood. How dare he? How dare he interfere? How dare he hurt his mate?
His voice was cold. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"
"I won't allow it," Scott said, still not looking at him. His second mistake.
"You must be confused," Liam said, unsheathing his claws one by one. He needed the control right now. "You are not in this pack. You do not get to decide my mate."
As a beta, Liam had nearly killed Scott. Would have, probably, if not for Mason. And now he was an alpha, and much stronger, and much much angrier. This wasn't about a high school girlfriend. This was his pack. This was his mate. It was unforgivable.
"Liam," Scott said, his voice shaking, eyes still on Brett and Theo. "You can't do this. You're my beta."
"Not anymore," Liam said, leaping forwards.
Scott was too slow to dodge him, crying out as Liam's claws raked down his back. In front of him, Brett lunged, fangs gripping onto Scott's leg and biting down, backing away as soon as Scott tried to swipe at him.
Liam circled around, placing himself between Scott and Theo, Brett by his side. He stared at Scott, seeing a stranger, seeing a threat.
Do you challenge this bond? The Night Wolf asked, looming over Scott. This bond that has been foretold, has been written in the stars?
Scott whirled around, eyes widening as he stared up at the huge wolf, shrinking back.
"You're not welcome here anymore, Scott," Liam said, claws dripping blood, red eyes flaring, his soulmark shining bright.
Scott whirled around again, stupidly turning his back on the Night Wolf. "Choose me," he begged. "Liam. Choose our pack."
Liam stepped forward, rage dying down, leaving behind an eerie calm. Scott stared at him, hope shining in his eyes as Liam cupped his face.
"You're not worthy," Liam said in a quiet, but firm, voice. "You don't hold a candle to my mates, either of them. And if you don't leave, right now, I will name you an enemy of my pack. If you want to one day be called ally again, you'll go."
He released Scott and turned his back, walking away, leaving a dumbstruck alpha staring after him, blood smeared over his chin. The Night Wolf growled, and slowly, smelling of anguish and shame and fear, tail firmly tucked between his legs, Scott walked away.
Liam dropped to his knees beside Theo, gently touching his side. Thankfully, the cuts were shallow and hadn't done that much damage.
"Turn back," Liam said quietly.
Moments later, he held Theo in his arms, black lines snaking from Theo's body to his as he pulled away the pain. The Night Wolf moved over to them, examining the wound.
If I heal it now, it will leave a mark , the Night Wolf said with a low growl.
"It's okay," Theo said. "I don't care if it scars. Closing the bond is too important."
"If you're sure," Liam said, smoothing Theo's hair away from his face.
"I am," Theo said, giving him a pained smile. Liam leaned down and kissed him, before pulling away and nodding at the Night Wolf.
A huff of his breath was all it took for the claw marks to knit together, leaving a raised angry looking red scar behind. Brett shook off his wolf form and stepped closer, fingers running over it and making Theo shiver.
"It will be a reminder," Brett said, his anger making his voice shake.
"Yes," Liam agreed, his own anger still simmering just below the surface.
It is time , the Night Wolf said, looking at Liam.
"Thank you," Liam replied, getting to his feet and helping Theo up. He held his hand tightly, and Brett moved to his left side, taking the other. The three of them followed the Night Wolf to the clearing.
At the edge of it, the Night Wolf paused, turning to look back at them. I stand witness.
And then he was gone.
Liam let their hands drop and walked over to the tree he'd left his clothes at last time. At the base was a bag with a few supplies. Some water, a towel, a really big bottle of lube. Next to it was Theo's bed roll. He'd brought all of this out here after school in preparation. Just because they were having sex in the forest didn't mean they had to be uncomfortable.
Liam heard the rest of the pack coming long before he could see them. Theo and Brett had already crossed into the clearing, kissing and preening under Liam's watchful eye. He turned his head as the others approached.
"Hey, what happened?" Mason asked, indicating the blood on his hand.
"Scott," Liam said, his lips a thin line.
Mason sighed. "I hoped he would just stay away." He walked closer and dropped their clothes by the tree. His eyes widened as he glanced into the clearing. "Holy shit."
"Eyes up here," Liam said, hitting his arm.
"Um, incorrect," Mason said, his gaze unwavering. "I have to stand witness, remember?"
"I don't think that's what Deaton meant," Liam rolled his eyes.
"Nope, it definitely was," Corey said firmly, moving to stand next to Mason. His eyes darkened and he wrapped an arm around his boyfriend, fingers trailing over his hip.
"Well, I'm not fucking watching," Lori snapped from a few metres away, a pained look on her face. "I'll just go stand watch or some shit."
"That's fair," Liam smiled. She nodded and walked off. "And you?" Liam asked, glancing at Nolan.
"I'll stay," he whispered, a deep blush on his cheeks. He glanced down Liam's body and flushed even deeper. His heart was racing so fast that Liam was afraid he might pass out.
"That's fine, maybe just sit down?" He suggested. Nolan plopped down onto the ground, arms wrapped around his knees, shuddering. Liam watched him for a moment before turning away, watching his mates once more.
He stepped closer, hovering just at the edge. "Remember, this is a sacred place," he said over his shoulder. "No one can interrupt."
"We know," Mason nodded. "We'll keep watch."
"Not just on my mates, I hope," Liam grumbled as he stepped into the clearing.
The rest of the world fell away, immediately unimportant. His whole world was here in front of him, both gazing at him, hands wrapped loosely around each other's hips. Liam walked up to them, stepping in between them, kissing first Theo and then turning, kissing Brett. Hands slowly trailed over his skin, igniting a simmering heat in their path. There was no urgency to their movements, just passion and love and trust.
Theo held him against his chest, fingers rubbing over his hips, kissing his neck and shoulders as Brett dropped to his knees in front of him, gazing up at him adoringly as he took Liam's cock into his mouth.
"Oh fuck," Liam breathed, melting back against Theo. "That feels so good."
His hands smoothed through Brett's hair, lightly tugging. Brett moaned around his cock and Liam whimpered. Theo reached up, turning Liam's head and kissing him, swallowing the needy noises he was making as Brett licked him from base to tip, sucking lightly at the head before doing it again. It was a sweet kind of torture, and Liam loved it.
Brett kissed his way slowly up Liam's body, lips dragging over his stomach and chest, until he was standing upright and kissing his neck, nibbling at the skin. Liam turned, catching his mouth with his, deepening their kiss immediately. They clung to each other, tongues stroking and massaging, sighing.
Pressed between his two mates, Liam felt treasured. Nothing in the world could possibly compare to the emotion welling in his chest.
Liam turned again, kissing Theo and then sliding down to his knees, worshipping his cock with his hands and lips and tongue, looking up Theo's body and watching as he had Brett kissed. Theo had one hand on Liam's shoulder, twitching with every long lick over his slit, while the other slowly pumped Brett's cock. Liam was beginning to feel lust drunk, his head swimming with lust, and he closed his eyes, focussing on the feel of Theo's cock in his mouth.
He felt Brett's cock nudge against his cheek and released Theo's cock with a wet pop, turning and taking in Brett's, swallowing it down. He bobbed up and down, drawing a loud moan from above. Liam reached up, one hand on each boys thigh as he alternated between their cocks, loving the way their hands smoothed through his hair and across his shoulders, guiding him, caressing him. It was perfect.
Liam looked up at Brett as he deepthroated his cock, throat closing in around his tip. He pulled off slowly and Brett gasped, moving away, hand gripping around his base. "Fuck," he groaned, shuddering, only just holding back his orgasm. Liam smirked at him, turning his attention back to Theo as Brett recovered.
His hands slipped up Theo's sides as he sucked lightly on the tip before hungrily swallowing him down, nose pressed against his pubes. Theo moaned, hands tight in his hair, hips twitching. Liam hummed, his whole throat vibrating around Theo's cock, making him curse and pull Liam off his cock, panting for breath. He pulled Liam up his body, kissing him deeply.
When he finally broke the kiss, he looked down at Brett, who was lying on the bed roll, watching them with dark eyes, hand moving slowly over his cock, thumb rubbing his slit. Liam moved over to him, crawling into his lap, kissing him passionately as he rubbed his ass against Brett's hard cock.
Theo knelt at Brett's head, watching them, hands tenderly running through Brett's hair. "You two look so good together," he said huskily.
Liam winked at him, undulating his body, his cock brushing against Brett's. the taller boy pulled away to moan and Liam attacked his neck, licking his pulse. His hands were suddenly grabbed and pulled back by Brett, locked in against his back, and used as leverage to rut against him. Liam threw his head back, groaning Brett's name.
Theo leaned over, grabbing his hair and kissing him, smothering his sounds with his lips and tongue. Brett kissed up Liam's chest, sucking at his nipple. Liam's hips stuttered and he whimpered in Theo's mouth. He was needy and desperate now. He needed something inside him. "Please," he whispered. "Fuck, please."
He heard Brett chuckle, his hands clutching at the cheeks of his ass, kneading and massaging the flesh. Liams' pre-cum dripped down his cock, lubricating Brett's stomach and making their cocks glide as he rutted against him. Theo pressed a kiss to his lips and then moved away, getting up and grabbing the lube, before positioning himself behind Liam. He pulled Liam back, spreading his cheeks, and Liam nuzzled at Brett's stomach, shuddering as Theo dribbled some of the lube onto the crack of his ass. It was cold against his burning skin.
Brett shifted up a bit further, his cock nudging against Liam's cheek, and he took the hint, mouthing at his cock, tongue dipping around the head and gathering the bitter liquid. The taller boy groaned, hand gripping at his hair, the muscles of his stomach rippling as Liam brought him close with a few hard sucks.
Behind him, Theo circled a finger around his hole and then slipped it inside, making him groan and pull off from Brett's cock, leaning his head against his thigh as he moved back against Theo's finger, feeling it press deep inside of him. Idly, he remembered that Mason, Corey and Nolan were watching and here he was, mouthing at Brett's cock while wantonly presenting his ass to Theo as he begged for another finger. His wolf growled impatiently, shaking off the thought, and Liam whined as Theo's second finger sunk inside of him.
He could feel Brett shaking underneath him and looked up his body. "Okay?" He whispered.
His silvery eyes were almost black, the clearing lit with the glow of his soulmark. "I need you," he groaned. "Fuck, I need to be inside you now."
"Yes," Liam hissed. He glanced back at Theo, who removed his fingers. He stood up and held a hand to Liam, who took it. He sighed as he pressed against Theo's chest, leaning his head up for a kiss, which Theo immediately granted him.
"Turn around," Theo said.
Liam did so, finding Brett standing in front of him. The taller boy pulled him in for a sizzling kiss, claiming his mouth. He moaned, and Liam pulled away, glancing down to see that Theo had reached around him and slicked up Brett's cock with lube.
Suddenly he was sandwiched in between them, Theo's hands trailing his skin while he pressed soft kisses to his neck and shoulder, while Brett was lifting him up, supporting him against Theo's chest and thrusting inside him.
He moaned, throwing his head back against Theo's shoulder as Brett plunged into him again and again. He had one leg being held up by Brett, while the other was just brushing the ground. His two mates held him firmly between them, supporting his weight. It was so sexy. He felt so cared for.
"Liam," Brett whined. "God, you're so tight." Normally, Theo prepared him a lot more before fucking him, but they'd been too impatient. It hurt, a little, but in a good way, a pleasurable ache that spread up his belly, only adding to the heat building in his groin. They'd barely touched his cock and yet he was already ready to explode, mindless with need. He whispered Brett's name again and again, choking, sobbing. He could feel the connection building, strengthening, the light burning brighter and brighter behind his closed eyes. Brett buried his face in Liam's neck, fangs biting down on his pulse, not yet hard enough to break the skin.
"Yes," Liam begged, "yes, do it."
Brett was growling now, his thrusts getting harder, cock thickening. Liam shuddered, his own fangs biting into his lip as bounced with every thrust. He could feel Brett's knot growing, and soon Brett was grinding into him, his cock massaging tortuously against Liam's prostate. Theo reached around him, tugging at his cock at the same time that Brett sunk his fangs deeper into his neck. With a roar, Liam came, splattering both of their stomachs with his cum, pulsing and shuddering through one of the most intense orgasms of his life. His ass squeezed around Brett's knot, greedily sucking him deeper and milking him. Liam slumped back against Theo, drowsily staring up at the forest canopy, his mind drifting aimlessly, fogged over with pleasure.
At the back of his mind, he could feel a foreign presence. He poked at it, feeling curiousity. His eyes drifted back down, seeing Brett looking at him, head tilted. Brett?
This is so weird. Brett thought back, blinking at him, mouth gaping open.
"What's wrong?" Theo asked, sensing their confusion.
"There's like, a link between us now," Liam said, awed. "Like, a mind link."
"Woah," Theo said.
Brett's cock slipped from inside Liam, cum dribbling down his leg. The taller boy picked him up, Liam's legs wrapping around his waist as they kissed passionately. He could feel Brett's love resonating in his mind. His contentment. His awe. His pleasure. It only enhanced his own emotions, intensifying them, a constant feedback loop that made him feel dizzy. The only thing grounding him was Theo's mouth on his neck, his hands drifting down his sides.
"Now, Theo," Liam whispered. "Please."
He clung to Brett as Theo impaled him on his cock. He was thicker than Brett was, but Liam had been stretched by Brett's knot. There was no pain, only pleasure.
Every thrust sent him higher, making him shake and sob, his second orgasm approaching like an oncoming train. It was almost too much, his cock sensitive as it rubbed between him and Brett. He stared into Brett's shining gold eyes, sharing the pleasure with him, feeling Brett's cock rutting against his own as Theo brought them both closer and closer to the edge. He could feel Brett under his skin, shivering, breaking apart, howling their pleasure to the moon.
Theo's knot shocked him, filling him to the brim. He squeezed around it, mouth gaping open, tears welling in his eyes. He closed them, shuddering. God, he was so full. Brett moaned, nipping at Liam's jaw, panting against his flushed skin. His hands tightened on Liam's ass, spreading him wider, allowing Theo to slip in that little bit further, making Liam see stars. His eyes flew open and he stared up at the moon, directly overhead. He could feel its pull. Feel it calling him. He felt like he could fly, like he could reach it, as The ground into him one last time, biting down into his neck, all three of them roaring in defiance as they came, the salty scent filling the whole clearing.
And just like that, they could feel Theo as well. His awe and longing. His deep love. His shuddering pleasure as his knot emptied inside of Liam.
Theo, Liam sobbed.
I've got you , Theo whispered back.
The clearing filled with light, burning gold, blinding them. The emotions swelled, roaring in his ears. He was overwhelmed, losing himself.
Anchor it, the Night Wolf growled. Anchor it or you'll all be lost.
"How?" Liam sobbed. It was painful now, burning. He could hear Theo and Brett's cries.
Claim them , he snarled.
He scrabbled, blind, for Brett, pulling his neck to the side and sinking his fangs into his neck, pushing and pulling at their link, anchoring it in their blood. Brett dropped to his knees, releasing him and Liam turned, grabbing Theo, biting him on the other side, doing the same. He slumped as well and Liam dropped to his knees between them, the world burning red. Instinctively, he pulled at the feeling it, gathering it up in his hands, and pressing it to his chest, right over his soulmark. It burned red hot, and then faded, and Liam collapsed between his mates, utterly spent.
There was silence.
It is done , the Night Wolf said, sounding pleased, gone once more.
Are you okay? Liam asked them.
No idea, Brett grumbled. Ask me later when I can feel my body again.
Same , Theo agreed.
God, this is so weird, Brett frowned.
Liam smiled. He could feel how confused Brett was.
Did we know this was going to happen? Theo asked Liam.
Deaton didn't mention it, Liam shrugged.
Do you think it would work at a distance? Brett mused.
We'll test it later, Liam rolled his eyes. I'm too exhausted for thinking right now.
No, you're not , Brett said.
Liam, you're literally like glowing with power, Theo pointed out. You could probably run a marathon right now.
He stretched his arms, frowning. His fatigue had vanished. He did feel strong, stronger than normal. Huh.
You can carry me then , Theo smirked.
Liam got to his feet, helping his boys up, frowning a little at the way they swayed. I think you guys gave me your energy , he said, feeling concerned.
It feels that way , Brett said with a wince, rubbing at his arms. I feel cold, too.
Clothes then, Liam said, turning his head to the edge of the clearing.
He was surprised to find all three boys, Mason, Corey and Nolan standing right at the edge, their eyes wide, mouths gaping open, erections clear against their pants.
I think they enjoyed the show , Brett snickered.
"Perverts," Liam scowled, stalking towards them. The three of them scrambled back, looking apprehensive.
"Hey there, Liam," Mason said, hiding behind Corey. "Good job on the ceremony."
Liam just raised an eyebrow at him as he gathered up their clothes, throwing Theo and Brett theirs. He deliberately ignored Nolan's mewl of disappointment as the three of them dressed. He just wanted to get home so he could shower. He felt sticky and gross.
"So, how does it feel?" Corey asked curiously.
"It's intense," Liam said, shrugging. "I can't really describe it."
Corey looked to Brett and Theo, but they just shrugged as well. How could you put such a complicated emotional whirlwind into words? He could just feel them. He couldn't see what they were thinking exactly, just nudge against their minds, getting an impression of their emotions, and their thoughts when they sent them to him. It was instinctive. Liam had no idea how they were doing it.
Can we go home now? Brett sighed, pulling his shirt on. He was almost drooping, his exhaustion seeping into Liam's bones. He took Brett's hand, sending a spike of energy to him. It perked him up slightly, and he raised an eyebrow at Liam, a little bit more colour in his cheeks.
"Yeah, let's go home," Liam said out loud, for the benefit of the rest of their pack.
He took Theo's hand, sending him a little bit of energy as well. It should be enough to get them home and showered and then tucked into bed.
"Liam," Mason said conversationally. "I can't believe that you're like, werewolf married, before you even graduated from high school."
"Me either," Liam admitted. He smiled at Brett, who quirked his lips at him in response. Theo tightened his fingers in his grip. "So worth it though."
I love you, both of you, Liam said, his chest swelling with emotion.
He felt their happiness. I love you too , Theo said fondly. Brett echoed this. Above his heads, he could feel them looking into each other's eyes.
I guess you're alright, Theo smirked.
Love you too, asshole , Brett snickered.
Idiots , he groaned, rolling his eyes. But there were his idiots. And they would be his idiots forever.
He was pulled to a stop as his mates kissed his cheek, soft and tender.
Yeah, forever.
