Alpha's Deja Vu Read online

Xavier sat on his bed, staring at the phone in his hands.

  “I trust you.”

  He took a deep breath and pulled out the card Tara had given him, quickly dialing her number. After three rings, her sweet voice filled his ear.

  “Hello? This is Tara Giles. Who’s this?”

  “I-I…” He gulped. “It’s Xavier Brady. I… We met—”

  She giggled, the sound light and flirty. It did things to his body he didn’t know were possible. He felt a shudder run down his spine as the longing hit him hard. “I know who you are, sweetie. I admit, I was starting to worry you wouldn’t call.”

  “I-I’m sorry. I just… I didn’t want to bother you.”

  “Xavier, you’re my mate. You’re not a bother.” She paused. “Is this your number? Should I keep it?”

  “I…” He gulped. This was where it was going to get complicated. “It’s not my number. I… Umm…”

  “What is it, sweetie? You sound nervous.”

  “I am,” he admitted quietly. “I… Would you like to meet somewhere? Or I could go to your house. Or you could come here.” He winced. “I’m sorry. I’m rambling.”

  Again she gave a light laugh. “A little bit, but it’s cute. I don’t mind going to your place. I think you’ll feel more at ease there.”

  He let out a breath of relief. “Maybe a little. It’s not really my place, but… I’ll explain more when you get here. I promise.”

  “I know you will.”

  He told her the address, listening to her explain that she actually knew the area. That was good at least. She wouldn’t be lost.

  At least that made one of them.

  He slowly made his way out of the room, jolting when he heard Liam behind him.

  “What’d she say?”

  “Sh-she’ll be here tomorrow.” He winced. “I forgot to mention you again.” Xavier darted his gaze to the floor. It was an old habit of submission and one he couldn’t seem to break no matter how hard he tried. “Sorry.”

  He heard a sigh and then the scuff of boots on the floor. Before he knew it, Liam tilted his chin up with a strong hand. “Little wolf, you don’t have to apologize. Just talk to me. What happened?”

  “I’m still trying to process that. Can you…” He blew out a breath. “Can you give me a bit more time? I promise I’m not running away. I just don’t want to talk about everything until I’m ready.”

  Liam narrowed his eyes before giving a slow nod. “All right. We can do that.” He smirked, the quirk of his lips surprising Xavier. “I’m going to kiss you now, okay?”

  “Wh-what?”

  He opened his mouth to protest a little, but Liam quickly swooped in and pressed their lips together. The large wolf’s hand tangled in Xavier’s hair and he couldn’t resist. The kiss ended far too soon, both men panting as Liam pulled away. When he spoke again, his lips were barely hovering over Xavier’s.

  “I swear I’ll go slow, little wolf. I know you need time, and until you’re ready, we won’t do anything.” That intense yellow gaze centered on him. “But you’re mine. And I want you to know that.”

  Xavier could only nod. He nuzzled into Liam’s chest, taking in his scent. The large man stiffened before letting out a ragged laugh.

  “Damn, you surprise the hell out of me, little wolf.”

  “Heh. I surprise myself, honestly.” He sighed, pulling away even as his wolf whined inside his mind. “Look, I know you’re my mate. I do. It’s just all…jumbled in my brain right now.”

  Liam kissed his forehead. “I’ll give you time to sort it out, Xavier. Whatever you need.”

  All Xavier could think was that he hoped he was ready for what Liam needed. For what Tara would need.

  And that he wanted to be.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Tara adjusted her purse as she made her way down the street, almost to the address Xavier had given her. Apparently her wolf wanted some privacy, because he had a cozy little cabin near the forest. She could understand that. Wolves needed to shift more than other shifters, so he probably needed the room. She frowned slightly, her grip on her purse strap tightening just a bit too much.

  She was nervous. She was so nervous. She was a rabbit walking into a wolf’s den. Even with the fact that he was her mate, he was still a wolf and she was prey. She could hope and pray it would be fine, but it was hard. Years of instinct didn’t just go away. Her rabbit was excited, yes, but she was also afraid.

  There was also something odd about everything. She and Xavier took longer than normal to feel that pull, that almost-magical feeling shifters got when they met their mate. It had been there, she wouldn’t lie, but it felt muted and that worried her more than she wanted to admit. She was excited, but she was also scared. She could only hope she was worrying about nothing. Xavier seemed sweet and she hadn’t picked up any odd vibes. Her rabbit could pick up a creep from miles away and it hadn’t warned her at all.

  Maybe she was imagining it, but—

  She blinked when the door opened and a giant filled the frame. He looked down at her, his lips quirking in a lazy smirk.

  “I’m gonna assume you’re Tara.”

  Her rabbit perked up, jumping around excitedly in her mind. Oh, hello. His lazy accent surrounded her, his voice smooth and deep. And he was gorgeous too. Hell, were her mates just-

  She took a step back and he cocked an eyebrow. “You are Tara, right? Xavier’s expectin’ ya.”

  She nodded slowly. “I am. Who are you?”

  “Liam Dewitt.” He tilted his head. “You feel it too, though, don’t you?”

  She placed a hand over her rapidly beating heart. “That pull? Yeah. I felt it for Xavier already, but with you here too…” She shook her head and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What’s going on?”

  He turned on his heel, heading back into the apartment. “We’re gonna talk and explain that. Come on in, doll. Lock the door behind you.”

  She hurried inside and locked the door with an angry huff. Who the hell did this guy think he was?

  Your mate, her rabbit chittered at her irritably. Tara ignored it. She wasn’t so sure about that. “You know you could just answer the question instead of being cagey, right?”

  He gave a lazy shrug, bulky shoulders barely showing any movement. “I could, but this is far more entertaining.” He plopped onto a large leather sofa, crossing his legs at the ankles as his arms rested on the back. “Besides, you’re cute when you’re angry, doll.”

  She would show him angry. “Excuse you, who do you think—”

  “Sh-she’s cute all the time.”

  Tara jumped, surprised to hear Xavier’s voice behind her. She turned to look at him. He fidgeted with his hands, giving a weak smile.

  “H-hi, Tara.”

  She walked over to him, lightly touching his cheek. He leaned into the caress, closing his eyes in bliss. She calmed a bit in his presence, his nerves triggering her rabbit’s need to soothe and keep the peace. “Hello, Xavier. Wanna tell me what’s going on?”

  * * *

  Liam grimaced. Here came the fun part. “Xavier decided I should explain this.” Might as well just come out with it. “I’m your other mate.”

  She spun on her heels to face him, crossing her arms over her chest. Crystal-blue eyes narrowed under her glasses. Her nose twitched in irritation. “Xavier is my mate.”

  He wanted to smile at the protective stance she had between him and Xavier. The little rabbit was ready to kick his ass if she needed to. It was kinda adorable, and he could respect it. She wouldn’t make this easy, prey or not.

  “And yet you admitted you felt the same pull to me.” Her mouth opened and closed as she tried to come up with a retort. He snorted when she pursed her lips angrily. “Yeah, you don’t have an argument for that one, do you?” He stood slowly before walking toward his mates. “I’m an alpha and Xavier is an omega. With you, we form a mating triad. Luckily, this seems to be one where we’re all drawn to each other equally.”

  Her a
rms fell to her side, but her gaze was still wary. “What do you mean?”

  He sighed. “Sometimes, not everyone feels the pull to the entire triad. I’ve seen ones where the third is pulled toward both, but the alpha and omega couldn’t stand each other. We don’t have that problem.”

  Tara bit her lip, worrying the piece of flesh under her teeth. “What does this mean, though?” She looked between him and Xavier. “You’re both my mates?”

  Xavier’s face darkened as he nodded. “I-I know it’s a lot to take in, but—”

  Liam nodded, moving a bit closer to the two of them. Damn the pull was strong. He closed his eyes, trying to regulate his breathing. A light touch on his cheek made him open them again, looking into her stunning blue eyes. With that look, he got it. He understood why she was their mate. Why she completed their triad. She was there to balance them, to be the center and heart they needed. She could help him heal Xavier. Maybe, if he was lucky, she could heal him too.

  Matings outside of a species weren’t rare. Hell, Derren and Greg were proof of that. But those men were both predators and had known each other a long damn time. This was different. This was three people finding something they needed in each other. He didn’t know what his rabbit needed, but he’d find out and go through hell to give it to her if she kept looking at him like that.

  “Your eyes are beautiful, you know,” she said quietly, dragging his thoughts back to the present.

  He gave a ragged laugh. “We’ll have to agree to disagree there.”

  He hated his yellow eyes so damn much. It was the one thing that always told a pack he was different. That his wolf was close to the surface at all times.

  She hummed, patting his cheek before pulling away her touch. He already missed it. “I’m beginning to understand a little more, I think.” She sighed softly, the sound tired. He actually felt an ache in his soul. He didn’t think he’d survive if she denied them. “Next time I come over, we’ll see what happens. I just need a little time to think, okay?”

  Liam nodded, letting out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding in. “We can do that.”

  But now that he’d found her, he wasn’t going to wait long.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Xavier slowly closed the cabin door behind him, watching Tara leave. That had gone better than he’d expected at least. He blew out a breath of relief, turning the corner.

  And running smack into Liam’s chest. He stumbled back with a squeak. He almost fell, but Liam grabbed his wrist, pulling him to his feet.

  “S-Sorry—”

  “Shh,” Liam soothed quietly. “You all right, little wolf?”

  Xavier gulped, nodding slowly. “Y-yeah. I’m fine.” He totally wasn’t distracted by Liam’s large hand around his wrist. Nope. Not at all.

  “Hmm…” The sexy bastard’s lips quirked as he gently rubbed his thumb on Xavier’s wrist. “You sure?”

  “Of course.” He blew out a breath. “Thank you for talking to her, by the way.”

  Liam shrugged. “It’s not like it was a hardship. But why did you want me to?”

  “I’d just stumble over the words,” Xavier responded quietly, annoyed at himself.

  “Yeah, but it’s cute when you do that.”

  “It’s not cute,” Xavier muttered, getting increasingly frustrated. “It’s annoying and I hate it.” He glared up at Liam. “I wasn’t always like this. I didn’t always stutter. I didn’t always question every move I made or act so submissive. He did this.”

  “And they’ll pay for it in spades, little wolf.”

  “I’d like to believe that. I really would.” He shook his head. “But it doesn’t matter right now.” He hesitated, risking meeting Liam’s gaze again. “Did you like her?”

  Liam blinked for a second. “Like her? Oh, Tara?” He laughed. “Of course I did. She’s a little firecracker.”

  Xavier smiled. He was glad they’d gotten along. It just reminded him, though… “You’re a good person, Liam.”

  Liam grabbed Xavier’s face, his gaze suddenly serious. “I’m not a good man, Xavier. I’m gonna do something to piss you two off. But I’m keeping you anyway.”

  “I think you’re a good man,” Xavier whispered. “You wouldn’t put up with me otherwise.”

  Liam snorted. “That’s just me being possessive, I promise you. I’ve done horrible things, little wolf. Some I regret. Most I don’t.” He shrugged, trying to look relaxed, though Xavier could tell it was forced. “But at the end of the day, I’m still yours and Tara’s. And nothing will change that.”

  Xavier couldn’t help it. He leaned up and kissed Liam.

  * * *

  Liam moaned when he felt Xavier’s lips on his. He never would’ve expected his little wolf to take the lead, but he wasn’t going to complain. This kiss was clumsy and inexperienced, but filled with so much enthusiasm—and an emotion he was terrified to identify—that he gave in, slowly pushing Xavier against the wall.

  Xavier whimpered, opening yellow eyes. “Mate me.”

  Liam groaned. “Are you sure? Do you want this?”

  “Wh-what?” Xavier panted, his cheeks reddening with arousal.

  He lightly rubbed Xavier’s cock through his pants, nibbling at the smaller man’s neck. “Do you want that? Do you want my mark?”

  Xavier nodded and pulled on Liam’s hand. The two hurried to Liam’s bedroom. He pushed Xavier to the bed, pinning the little wolf’s arms over his head with one large hand. The other opened the man’s pants, pushing his free hand inside with a groan that Xavier echoed.

  “F-fuck,” Xavier moaned, arching into the touch.

  Liam nibbled on Xavier’s neck, lapping at the salty skin. “You’ll take my bite, little wolf?”

  “Yes!” Xavier writhed under his attentions as Liam gripped that sweet cock tighter. “Bite me! Mate me! Please!”

  Liam licked his bottom lip. Oh hell yeah, he could do all of that. But for right now, he simply wanted to taste his mate.

  “Lift your hips, little wolf.”

  Xavier whined but complied, his hips lifting off the bed. Liam pulled his pants and boxers off, throwing them somewhere in the room. He groaned in appreciation at seeing that perfect, thick cock revealed. Eventually he’d have Xavier fuck him. He wanted that badly. He licked Xavier’s cock from his balls to the head, loving the loud, surprised moan that escaped the man’s mouth. His mate was so vocal and he loved it. The sounds that surrounded him made his cock ache and twitch in his jeans.

  He’d get inside his mate soon. But first, he wanted him to come.

  * * *

  Xavier was about to lose his mind.

  “Oh, God!”

  Liam sucked and laved at the head of his cock, soft moans coming from the large man’s mouth. Xavier echoed the sounds, his hands moving to Liam’s head. He clutched the man’s shaved head, pumping his hips against the hot, wet mouth.

  “Liam!”

  The large wolf’s movements paused as he looked up, his eyes getting an eerie glow. “Say it again.”

  “Wh-what?” He wanted Xavier to talk? To think? That wasn’t going to happen.

  “My name, little wolf.” Liam licked at the tip of his dick again, a shudder running down Xavier’s body. “Say my name again.”

  “Liam,” Xavier whined, surprised at how much like a wolf his voice sounded.

  “Yes,” Liam hissed before swallowing Xavier’s cock again. His eyes closed in pleasure, and Xavier could feel the prick of claws on his hips. Liam buried his nose in the red curls surrounding Xavier’s cock, taking his cock as deep as he could. He gave a hard suck and moaned.

  Xavier came. Harder than he ever had in his entire life. Cum spurted from his cock, and Liam swallowed every drop. It was by far the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. Not that he had much for comparison, but still.

  The large wolf pulled away with a satisfied look on his face, licking the last drops of Xavier’s cum away. “I knew you’d taste delicious, little wolf.” Liam stood and mad
e sure Xavier was fully on the bed before moving his hand to Xavier’s ass. He caressed it gently. “So beautiful.”

  Xavier felt his cheeks heat as Liam lightly rubbed his ass, a finger circling his hole.

  “Wh-what are you doing?”

  Liam cocked an eyebrow. “I’m going to mate you, remember?”

  “I… But… No one’s…”

  “Hmm,” Liam hummed. “I know.”

  “Wait, what? How do you know?”

  “You admitted you hadn’t done much dating, little wolf. And you’re not the kind for random sex.”

  Xavier narrowed his eyes, trying to look threatening even when Liam pushed the finger inside his ass. God, that felt good. “And you are?”

  Liam shrugged. “I’m not going to lie and say I’m a virgin, Xavier. You deserve more than that. I never thought I’d find a mate.” He shook his head. “Or that’s not true. I knew I’d find you. I just thought you’d reject me.”

  “You are kinda an asshole,” Xavier muttered.

  Liam sputtered out a laugh and pushed another finger into Xavier’s ass. Xavier writhed under the attention as Liam spoke.

  “I like this attitude, little wolf. But we have more important things to worry about.”

  He pulled away and Xavier whined. Liam gave his ass a little pat as he stood up.

  “I won’t take you without lube, little wolf. Now get on your hands and knees for me.”

  Xavier gulped, but did as he asked, his cheek hitting the soft bed. He heard the rustle of clothes behind him and turned just in time to see Liam finish stripping off his jeans.

  Fuck, the man was gorgeous. He looked even bigger without his clothes on and his dark-skinned body could’ve been carved from granite it was so perfect. Muscled abs that led to a perfect V in his hips. And a black happy trail that led down to his cock, which was long, thick, and hard.

  Xavier licked his lips. “Can I taste you next time?”

  Liam groaned, his hands fumbling with the small bottle of lube. “Hell yeah, you can, little wolf. But I have plans for this ass this time.” He tapped Xavier’s hole before squeezing a bit of lube down his crack.