I carry our precious mate across the threshold into the hotel suite. My wolf's lip curls when he inhales the scent of our former alpha as we walk inside.

I'm sure the place is nice, especially because Alpha Alex booked it for us, but I'm too entranced with my angel to enjoy it. Her grey eyes are bright and happy. Her she-wolf is an adorable ball of wriggling fur, cavorting just out of reach of her males. Teasing us, the little stinker.

My angel's mouth has the slightest curl at the ends. I stare at the spot where pink lips meet fine, smooth skin. Did her mouth always curl up or is she happier now? I make a mental note to ask the Brat, later.

I want to devour that hint of curl, along with the rest of her, but, I want her to have time to appreciate the view and all the work our Brat has put into making this Solstice a good one, more. "Look, Angel," I whisper to her. I nod to the wall of glass overlooking the city.

She turns her head and gasps. Brat bounds ahead of us to show her the Solstice presents stacked from floor to ceiling on one corner. Framed in one of the windows next to it is a sparkling green tree with decorations gleaming on every branch. Looking closer, I see little miniature wolves and other animals, along with shiny balls in every shade of purple. It's a human decoration. Ridiculous, but cute, I guess.

"It's so beautiful," Ili breathes.

"I did it," Brat brags. "With Bailey's help," he adds in a soft mutter, unable to lie to her. He darts back to us and kisses Ili quickly. "Open this one, first." He presses a thin, white box into her hands. It's a bracelet and earrings to match the insanely pricey necklace he got for her months ago. Of course, he goes for the big gift, first. He's got no patience when it comes to our mate.

Ili opens it and gasps again, "oh, Brax."

He kisses her. Hot, open mouth, tongue. I hold her steady for him while he feasts on her mouth. I haven't kissed her yet. Not properly. I won't do it until she's fed and bathed and opened all the Brat's gifts. The wait makes my wolf tremble in anticipation. She'll taste all the sweeter when she's ready.

"Here. Open this one next, Doll," Brat lets our mate breathe while he grabs up another package.

"Before you do that, I'd like to talk to you all."

We all look over at the male emerging from another room in the suite. Alpha Alex. He walks in with his hands tucked into his suit pants, a rumpled jacket, and tired eyes, but he musters up a smile for us.

"Alpha," I greet him respectfully.

"Uncle Alex."

I bristle a little, my wolf flashing fang. This is our den for Ili's mating-moon. She wants alone time with us. We want alone time with her. Iliana reaches up to cup my cheek. Her other hand finds Brat's. Her comfort is instantaneous and instinctive. It soothes my wolf.

My wolf curls his lip at the alpha, but back down for his mate and pouts, shoulders slumped. I gently set my angel down on her feet, but don't take my hands away from her waist.

"I'd like to have some pictures taken of the three of you. For the press," Alpha Alex says without preamble. Guilt shakes my angel a little. She didn't know about letting the triple-mating cat out of the bag tonight but feels guilty anyway.

I growl and kiss her head. "Not your fault, angel." To the alpha, I say, "We agreed to propose publicly. Iliana isn't a sideshow, Alpha." Brat agrees, his mouth set firmly.

Alpha Alex smiles wryly before walking over to a large t.v. hung on the wall. He turns it on and starts flipping through the channels. It takes almost no time at all to see a video of the three of us. Braxton and I are kneeling in front of a stunned Iliana.

The Brat snarls a little at the multitude of males watching her with envy and lust in their eyes. You can practically smell them through the t.v. screen. I hit his shoulder lightly with the back of my hand to snap him out of it.

"Even the regular news cycle picked up the story," Alpha Alex says quietly. "It's all over all the media streams."

Iliana pales a little. I tighten my hands on her waist. "What do we do?" she asks as she watches the picture of us in horror. On-screen, she looks like a dainty fairy queen being stalked by two rough and ready giants. No resemblance to reality at all...

I scowl at the alpha. Brat and I told him he had to tell Iliana the rest of the plan. He takes a deep breath and nods. "Right now, everyone seems split, 50/50. This is important, Iliana. People need to love you," Alpha Alex says softly.

"Why?" she asks him. "Can't it be Bailey? Or Innie? Maybe not Innie," she amends. She is so bewildered and afraid. I hate it. It makes my skin crawl. My wolf snarls and starts to pace. She is the best one for this job because she's... She's Ili, but we hate seeing her upset.

I hold back my growl and cup her cheek to draw her eyes to me. "Angel," I rasp, "you have no idea how you appear to others, do you?" One lone tear drifts down my cheek. "I fucked up and it screwed with you."

She frowns, her pretty pink lips turn down into a pout. "I know you think I'm beautiful," she reassures me. She still doesn't understand.

I take in a deep breath and look over her shoulder at Brat with a helpless plea in my eyes. I hate that she doesn't see her own appeal. Brat walks up behind us, pressing her between us without crushing her as tightly as I know he wants to, and kisses her nape softly. "You are like a dream, Ili. A gorgeous doll, a goddess who can't be touched by mortal hands. Talented, smart, loving, not just beautiful even though you're smoking."

Her lips part as the curl comes back, her eyes wide on my face as I stare down into her serene grey eyes. "You just think that because-" she starts to protest.

"We don't think you're beautiful because we love you. You are beautiful," I cut her off softly, my lips inches away from hers.

A camera flash goes off, breaking the mood. We all spin around to see a small camera with a female with caramel blonde hair tamed into a shoulder-length bob, her makeup carefully applied, her smile dazzlingly-white, behind it. She smells like gasoline and new clothes. "It's perfect," she enthuses. "Hello, I'm your PR manager, Diana."

"I've hired Diana to represent you and Will," Alpha Alex explains. He's muted the t.v., but the news is carrying on behind us.

The female adds, "they'll love this. A pretty New Year's release? Pure gold. It's time to strike. Get this out and rolling." As if her words conjured them up, two males enter the room loaded down with photography equipment.

"As you do, I'll explain what happens next," Alpha Alex offers.

—

Uncle Alex clasps me on my shoulder. "Remember, America has more guns per capita than any other nation on earth."

"Yup. That's very reassuring, Unc. Thanks for that."

He glares at me. "This is why," he says with exaggerated patience, "you have to allow Iliana to win over hearts and minds. It's vital. Even the alpha-king can't fight against guns and bombs."

"Don't we own most of the fucking military?" I point out.

He smacks me upside the head. I think he got the violence from Dad... "We don't need nutjobs with guns hunting us down. And we don't own the navy, remember that."

"We've got it," I say impatiently. "Can we get back to our mating-moon, please?"

Uncle Alex rolls his eyes, "yeah. If you need me, I'm in the suite just down the hall. 1121. You three will have breakfast with Lyall and me at 8, alright?"

"Yup. See you later. Love you. Bye." I shut the door on his shit-eating grin and turn with relief to see my mates curled up in front of the big picture window, playing one of the board games I bought for Sean for Solstice.

"Hey, ready to go to bed?" I jog over eagerly.

Two pairs of eyes look up at me, shining with mischief. I groan internally. Yeah, poor choice of words.

"Are you tired, Brat?" Sean asks me. "Need a nap?"

"Will we be too loud if we finish the game?" Ili's words end on a shriek as I bend over, pick her up, and toss her over my shoulder.

Fireworks light up the sky at just that moment.

"Oh, wow!" Iliana gasps, dangling upside down. Sean pauses, too, remarking casually, "I think it's for the New Year or something."

"Yeah," I say hoarsely. "Here works." I put Iliana back down on her feet and steady her before ripping the cream button-down shirt the PR female insisted I wear open and off.

Ili's eyes me hungrily. Smirking, I shuck my pants and kick them, my shoes, and a few empty boxes to the side. Sean undresses behind me, slowly, quietly, with his small smile in place as he looks me over.

"Oh, wow," Iliana says again, this time reverently. Stepping forward, I press my mouth to hers, my fingers finding the zipper on her dress and tugging it down gently.

I step back and stare at her nearly-nude body in amazement. "So pretty," I tell her, "you are like a mirage. Are we here, Sean?"

"Yeah," he rasps.

"You sure she's real?"

"An angel," he replies.

"If she's an angel, then we've stolen her and we're not giving her back," I whisper. Ili is wearing only a pair of white, lacy panties.

"Fine by me," Iliana sasses us. She's caught between giggling at our idiocy and devouring us with her eyes. I can't handle her gaze on me. It's been so long... I'm gonna go off like those damn fireworks without her even touching me.

"Turn around," I command. When her eyes widen on me, not understanding, I spin her around. "Hands flat on the glass, Doll." I place her palms where I want them to be, then slide my hands down her arms to her waist, my mouth on her cheek, my cock nudging her painty-clad ass. I meet her eyes in the window. "Watch the fireworks, Babydoll." Her eyes dart away, then to Sean, before returning to me.

"She's not watching them," Sean points out huskily, clicking his tongue in faux disapproval. Her eyes dart back to the fireworks, her shoulders stiffen, and her back arches, which pushes her creamy, tight little ass even harder into me. Only her thin lacy panties stand between my cock and heaven.

I take a step back, immediately barking, "stay still." Ili freezes, her body quivering with anticipation.

Sean flicks her hair over her shoulders, then runs one finger down her bared spine. Iliana shivers, biting her lip. Sean takes his free hand and slips her teeth free from that soft, lush lip, then smacks her ass.

Ili yelps and jolts away. Her right hand comes off the glass as she turns to shoot a glare at Sean.

"The fireworks," I warn her.

Her eyes dart back to the sky, awash in sparkle as the city celebrates. Sean rubs her ass soothingly, then his hand drops lower and very lightly traces her panties.

"Soaked," he says with dark satisfaction.

Ili's cheeks turn pink.

"Is it?" I ask, pretending to be surprised. "I should check." I drop to my knees. Ili spreads her legs wider until Sean smacks her again. "No moving," I chide her gently.

She huffs audibly, but she can't hide how turned on she is. Leaning forward, I sink my teeth into one lush ass cheek. She squeals and jumps. I give him room, and Sean immediately spanks her again.

"Sean!" she whines. Her hips twist and roll, begging silently for more attention. I obliged as Sean laughs darkly. Using my tongue and teeth, I push her wet panties to one side and bury my face in her pussy.

"Oh, goddess," she moans. I look up at our reflection when the beautiful sound is cut off. Sean has grabbed her hair and pulled her head to one side to feast on her mouth as he masterfully toys with her bare nipples.

Grinning, I return to eating our female, sucking her clit gently, rubbing my day's worth of beard against the sensitive skin on her inner thighs.

My wolf is humping the ground. My dick is so hard that I'm worried that I'll hurt Ili when I finally get inside her.

Faster than I was expecting, I feel her body tense before her back bows. She cums hard, screaming into the fancy suite hard enough that two of the purple balls fall from the tree to the thick carpet.

Sean catches her when she orgasms. I stand, my eyes meeting his, frantic. Pain is reflected back to me, but also determination. He enjoys his own suffering, the sick fuck, but that just means...

"Ili, you ready, babydoll?" I press my cock head against her quivering pussy lips. She hums her approval, her head nestled against Sean's chest, one palm still pressed to the glass.

I pick her up a little higher, then press my hips forward. It's a struggle to get her to accept me at first. "Relax, beautiful. Let me in, Doll." Sean rubs her clit gently, easing my way in.

"Good girl," I croon once I'm halfway in.

"She can take more," Sean says in that low dark voice. A dart of sheer lust and pleasure rushes through us all. Ili's bonds are twining us together while we fuck.

"I can," Ili promises. "Please, Brax? Fill me up?"

With a groan, I look at the coffered ceiling and grit my teeth. I won't hurt her. She's still so much more delicate than us. She's healthy and filled out and so beautiful, but Sean and I have been working out, too, and we're beasts compared to her.

Sean slaps my ass, then grabs my balls and twists. I shout, and thrust, and sink into Ili until I feel like my cock is being strangled. Ili screams, but her body flexes into mine, joining instead of retreating, thank the fucking goddess.

"What about Sean?" she pants.

"He's next," I tell her. "Watch the fireworks show, babydoll." Don't look at me, I chant. My wolf pants, slumping to the ground so he can hump the dirt for relief. Goddess, we just need relief.

"How about now?" she asks slyly.

"Your ass or the Brat's?" Sean murmurs before he kisses her. Watching the beautiful sight in front of me (and I don't mean the human's fireworks) I can't contain the need to thrust.

"Mine," she gasps as she pulls away. "I need you both."

I pause and kiss the nape of her neck. With a deft move, a little spin, and a giggle from Ili, I pull out, then slide down the glass window to the floor. I make sure our female is positioned on top of me, facing the windows. "Fireworks," I grunt, as she mounts me and slides back down, more easily now than before.

Sean hovers over her, a dark shadow. I've got the best view as he gently tilts Ili forward, then leans down and spits on her ass. She shudders, the motion sending pleasurable shockwaves through my dick, when Sean warms her up with one, then two fingers.

"You can just do it, Sean. Please, baby," she begs.

Sean's eyes dilate when she calls him 'baby.' Pretty sure it breaks something in him in the best way. I suck in a breath and hold it, depriving myself of oxygen so that I don't cum too early. It's hard. My balls are screaming, especially since Sean decided to abuse them earlier.

"Easy, angel. Watch the fireworks," Sean growls. "Our dirty angel. Asking to have her ass fucked while her mate is balls-deep in her pussy. Naughty, gorgeous angel."

"Naw," I croak. "Look at how sweet she looks, all needy. She's a good girl. Her pussy is just a little greedy."

"A little cock hungry angel for us to love?" Sean rasps out in that smoked gravy voice. I feel pressure inside Ili. Her eyes go hazy, the grey dark, the light from the fireworks reflected in them. Sean moans as Ili soundlessly gasps.

A bold finger finds my asshole. I groan and start to hump upwards, seeking relief from the lust. Goddess damnit, the fucking feeling. The rapture on Ili's face. The look of the rut on Sean's.

"Perfect. So fucking gorgeous. Stay like this, yeah? Riding me, fucking me. Both of you keep fucking me," I command, babbling as my wolf snarls, adding his two cents in.

Ili whines then screams again. Her body jolts, her muscles seizing. Her claws scrape the glass, then my shoulders, leaving welts the size of Texas on my skin. Sean roars just after her. His words, "Mine! Fucking my mates!" nearly deafens us. His fingers leave me so that he can punch the floor.

I choke out an, "I love you," as my balls explode. It hurts and it's fucking wonderful. My cum keeps flowing, spilling out of Ili's tight pussy, dripping all over my stomach and the floor. My stomach cramps from the force of my orgasm.

I slump over, gathering Ili closer and rubbing Sean's back. He looks at me and smiles before kissing the back of Ili's head softly.

In the distance, we listen to the countdown. Ili murmurs softly, her face aglow with the lights, "the fireworks are spectacular, aren't they? I love you both, so much."