The Succubus and her two Mates

43| Deciding

Not long after Ronnie left, the dinner broke up as the next day was going to be a big day.

Brock held Brand's hand as they walked. "You're the one being weird with Ronnie now. Should I invoke the first rule?"

Brand sighed. "I know. I just don't understand why she won't commit to us. She loves us and agrees she's our mate. It's making me crazy," he growled low in his throat- which he cut off abruptly. He continued sadly, "And I feel really guilty. I don't want to make her feel bad for not being ready, it's just..."

Brock stopped him, making the other man turn to him. "It took me five years, Brand."

Brand laughed. Really laughed. Shaking his head, he fell into his mate's arms. He wanted to cry. He wanted to apologise to Ronnie. Most of all he just wanted to be with the two of them. Taking a couple of big breaths, they separated and headed to their hut.

~*~

Ronnie wasn't there when they arrived.

They entered the large tent, feeling uncertain. Brand sat heavily on the bed. "Should we go look for her?"

Brock sat next to him and shook his head. "I can't feel anything concerning through our mate bond. She probably just needed to blow off steam."

Brand agreed and they got into bed. An hour or so later, Ronnie returned. They heard her shuffling as she undressed, swearing as she tripped on the way to their bed. She climbed up and wedged herself in between them. Brock shifted her up so he could get her under the covers and she mumbled her thanks. They could hear the slurring of her speech.

Brand turned over to face her. She smelt of alcohol and smoke. "You okay?"

She was quiet. He felt her start to cry, not making a sound. He pulled her into his side, Brock spooning behind her. They lay in silence until she drifted off to sleep, the men remaining awake a while longer, both lost in their own thoughts.

~*~

Ronnie was cheering along with the rest of the crowd. She had front row seats to the wrestling match. They had completed the formal matches and were now onto the more exhibition type matches, which included a five on one match- Brock versus five of the clans strongest warriors, which included Brand- still considered top tiered though he technically wasn't part of their clan anymore.

The match had started with each of his five opponents trying to take him down solo. Brock shook the first three men off easily. Mira's mate Finn probably came the closest to bringing his formidable shape down- he was almost as big as Brock. Though Ronnie noticed some cheeky grabs from Brand that were designed to distract Brock during their tussle, they ended with Brock pinning Brand and she'd had to fan herself, a little ripple around her as the two men laughed and got back up. She wasn't the only one tantalized by their behavior.

Mira rolled her eyes, fussing over Sharmi who started to go ballistic as her dad and Brock started to circle each other again. All five were creeping up on him now, some circling as others darted forward, trying to find a weak spot.

Ronnie held her breath.

Mira noticed her concern and laughed. "Have you seen your men fight before?"

"Only once," she said absent-mindedly, wincing as one of the warriors face planted as Brock deflected his advance, "but that had only been one opponent. I haven't seen Brand fight before."

Mira rubbed her arm. "You should see him battle in his cat form. Now Relax. And take Sharmi, this baby is pushing on my bladder."

Ronnie took the young girl with shock. She looked between Mira and the match. "Huh? You aren't going to watch?"