The Succubus and her two Mates

12| Wistful moments

Ronnie objectively assessed that their emotions were the same where she was concerned, but she thought about how they felt for each other and how she could twist and turn others' feelings. She had done it before without meaning to, making her feel she loved someone when it had just been their love for her. Maybe she could do more and twist others to what she felt in a deep way and not surface temporary ones like what she projected at the demon. She thought about it while the two men whispered to each other, not to exclude her but to soothe each other. Brock apologising and Brand responded that there was plenty of time for them to make up for lost time.

She sighed wistfully. Brock and Brand returned their attention to her.

"It's very beautiful," she explained, "I remember when I first heard about mates, I had thought it was terribly romantic. But it does sound like it can cause a lot of heartache."

They both nodded. Brand's hand remained in Brock's as he continued, "It was really tough the first few years, and then I guess we kind of settled into the companionship part of it. Brock needed his partner for his duties, and I was able to attend to the majority of them, without being his official-”

Ronnie snorted in disgust, seeing where this was going. She had felt Brands reservations. He was trying to be diplomatic with how he explained he'd put all the work into their relationship without any of the reward. It sounded like he had just given and received little in return.

Brock looked shamed. "I never publicly declared I had found my mate."

"So what's changed now?" Ronnie asked. She felt angry. Brand was putting on a brave face, but she could sense this had not been a fair relationship.

"You," Brock said. He continued quickly, "It was like meeting you, being in the same room with the two of you- it- I-" He struggled to find the right words.

Neither she nor Brand interrupted him. Brand in particular wanted to hear this.

"It was like I didn't let myself believe Brand was really my mate. But when I sensed our matebond." He motioned to Ronnie. "Feeling it again with someone else, I just know now there has been no mistake. Brand had proved far more worthy than I, for years. I had no right to him… I felt I couldn't give him what he needed… I couldn't love him the right way…" he trailed off. Afraid to make eye contact with Brand again. "But it isn't just me, it is both of us." He motioned to her again. "And I just feel like it's okay to want him now…"

Brand absorbed his words. He had always known that Brock wanted and loved him, despite the distance Brock created and nurtured between them. He thought about their time together the previous morning. Brock had been cautious but he was ready to try.

"That's a lot of pressure," Ronnie mumbled. "I can't be the lynchpin of your guys' relationship."

Brock looked startled. "That's not what I mean. I don't mean that if you reject us today, I'll reject Brand. Never. Neither of us ever wanted to do that. Brand is my mate. I won't be making excuses anymore," he addressed Brand more than Ronnie.

Brand kissed him. Just quickly. He was overcome and didn't trust himself to talk.

Ronnie could see how his eyes glistened. These two need to f**k. Ronnie thought.

"Maybe it would be good for the two of you to go home and explore this," Ronnie suggested.

Brand shook his head. "At this time, it's more important that we are with you."

Brock agreed. "And I'm concerned about that demon last night. I wish I hadn't killed him, so we could find out what his plans were."

Ronnie pulled a face. "It's kind of obvious if you think about it."

Brock and Brand responded with shock at the same time.

"Is that-"

"What-"

"Look. It's okay. We get undesirables all the time. And you might be surprised to know that demons and half demons are really common around here. We're not in the nicest of neighborhoods. I can take care of myself. I wouldn't have even gone out the back way if…" she trailed off.

"We hadn't found you," Brand stated.

She nodded. She wasn't trying to make them feel guilty. "Most demons are fine, harmless if they want to be."

Brock didn't look convinced in the slightest. "Demons can be formidable. I didn't know they had become so prevalent here."

Ronnie shook her head. "Scum is scum. I don't think it matters what species you are."

Brand chuckled at her philosophical standpoint. "I have to admit that's an apt way to put it. For us, demons have been a constant bane. The armies of the Netherrealm have marched against us for centuries."

"Really?" She hadn't known that. She knew that demons were not well liked there but had not known the reason why.

"It's been quiet for a while now. The King of Hell was brought down around two decades ago - his own people helped overthrow him. There is so much infighting there now, but there are many loyal to him still." Brock shook his head. "Constant squirmishes."

Calling the Netherrealm hell was hyperbole - it wasn't a place for the dead to be tortured for centuries, but it surely had inspired the notion. It had many names, as did whoever ruled over it.

"Wow. I hadn't heard anyone talk of what it's like now. I had heard of the Great Turbulence."

Both men nodded. Brock spoke, "That was the time before the Unification." Ronnie had heard of that. Bobby had grumbled about it more than once. "There was a lot of infighting in the land of the Wolves, and fighting across many of the different Kingdoms of Therien. The great Alpha King rose to power and brokered peace with the other Kingdoms. The dragons, led by my grandfather, and the wolves formed a formidable alliance, and others soon followed."

He spoke with pride. Brand was just nodding along. She imagined this was something they learned in whatever kind of education they'd received. "And those that didn't want to be unified?" Ronnie asked.

Brock answered, "Join or leave. The times before were too dark for too many people. Not everyone was going to be happy, Ronnie. Wars and revolutions don't work like that."

He didn't speak down to her, just started a fact from his perspective.

"History is written by the victors," she said.

"Indeed it is," he agreed.

They sat in companionable silence. Ronnie was thinking through what they had shared. They had such a different life than her. So much more responsibility.

"You mentioned duties, is that why you are in town?"

"Yes," Brock responded. "We don't often come to the human realm but it's considered neutral territory."

"You guys said you were going home yesterday."

"That was the plan," Brand said. "But we needed to make sure we didn't lose complete contact with you."

"So, you still need to go?"

Brock nodded. "There are some final parts of our business here I need to wrap up. I have to do it back at home."

"Okay. When are you leaving?"

Brand looked thoughtful and Brock failed to hide his hurt feelings. She hadn't meant to be quite so blunt. Brock seemed a lot more sensitive than Brand, despite his size.

"We haven't spoken about that yet," Brand spoke slowly, looking at Brock. "I would think no later than tomorrow."

Brock nodded slowly. "And I can come back after a few days."

Ronnie thought that may be good for them. Let them have some proper time away from her. Surely they'd realise their mistake.

"Is there anything else you want to know?" Brand asked.

Ronnie shook her head. "Not right now. You?"

"Everything." He grinned. It was infectious and she grinned back at him.

"That's a bit broad." She laughed. "Grew up here. Left school early. Worked at the club for years now. Just hanging out and having fun. There's not much else," she lied easily.

Brand could tell there was more but didn't push it.

"Well." She looked at the time. It was close to eleven. She had planned to get to the club early today, so she could finish early. "My shift starts soon. We can meet up again after that."

"Do you need to-" Brock started, but Brand cut him off.

"Of course. In saying that, we'd be more comfortable if we could stay and keep an eye on you."

Ronnie blushed despite herself at the idea of the boys seeing her perform. She wasn't sure she was ready for that. "I don't think that'll be necessary. I'll let Bobby know, and she'll work it out. That demon must have been off on his own. They know not to mess around Bobby's place."

"At least let us send Jon with you?"

She made a face at them. "You do know what I do, right?"

Brand smiled. "Yeah." But Brock was frowning slightly. Oh boy, she thought.

"We're not worried about Jon," Brand explained.

"Okay," she exhaled. What would it matter? The man had already seen her dance. "I'll be finishing up at seven. I don't need to leave just yet. Take a shower if you want," she rushed. She had not been completely oblivious to the fact that the men had been in a state of undress, to full nudity in Brand's case, this whole time.

Brand stood. "I'll jump in first."

Ronnie stopped him. "I actually don't have enough towels." She thought for a second. "I can run out and-"

Brock stopped her. "I can take care of that."

Ronnie thought he meant to go and buy towels, so he continued, noticing the confused look on her face. "My fire element," he explained, "I can dry us off."

Brand kissed Brock's mouth and then lent down to do the same to Ronnie. Ronnie kissed him back without any thought, enjoying his tongue- the planned quick kiss building to something more. He pulled back quickly, exhaling sharply. "I might need a cold one."

She giggled at him, noticing his erection as he stood back up and headed to the bathroom.

"He really is very sexy," she said to Brock as the shower turned on. Brand had left the bathroom door open, so she could see him in the little shower cubicle. He tilted his head forward to wet the back of his head. She could see the riverlets of water travel down his muscular back. The looping thought of wondering what she should do about these two guys stopped and left her completely - her gaze was fixed in the way Brand's back muscles moved as he raised his arms to wash his hair.

She shifted in her seat. Her eyes went to Brock. He was watching her with lust in his eyes.

"Can you tell when I'm aroused?" She asked in a whisper.

He nodded.

"How?"

"I can smell you." His voice was the growl of his dragon. His eyes were darkening.

She felt a vibration deep within her at the sound of his voice. He watched her intently, taking deep breaths in and out. She saw the bulge in his boxers and felt his desire for her. She looked back at the bathroom. Brand was looking at her from the shower. She could see he was breathing heavily.

It seemed like time slowed down. She recognised the core of the feeling she had since she first met Brand- when she met Brock soon after. She felt a pull. It could just be what they felt for each other. But they couldn't see each other. From the couch, the shower was hidden. She felt such a laser focus in that moment - unequivocally she wanted the two men more than anything. It went beyond more than a physical need. She undid her jeans and shuffled out of them, reaching down to touch herself.

Her eyes swung back to Brock. The click. That moment when she had known they would f**k condensed to this moment. This moment where her body buzzed for them and they for her, and she felt it all.

~*~