Claiming Their Mate by Morganna Williams Page A

waiting had been torture but now she was close to being well. It was time to talk seriously with Madison about the rule of three.
    He knew they were fated mates but Ethan needed to make sure Madison was happy with the arrangement. He couldn’t live with himself if she felt forced like Simon’s mate Winter.
    Though he knew the situation between Simon, his mate, and their alpha was nothing like his own, he had to be sure.
    Ethan climbed into the oversized tub as Jared scooped a protesting Madison high in his arms.
    “Put me down, I’m still mad at you,” Madison told Jared in no uncertain terms.
    “I know you are, baby-love, but we acted in your best interest and I will not apologize for that. Come, a bath will make you feel better,” Jared told her as he lowered her into Ethan’s waiting arms and climbed into the tub at the opposite end.
    Ethan groaned as Madison settled in his lap, the curves of her luscious bottom wriggling over his groin.
    Madison sighed in pleasure as she sank into the hot water. “A bath might be nice but maybe I didn’t want to share it with you two Neanderthals.”
    Jared laughed and picked up one of her feet and began rubbing it, wringing a moan of pleasure from her.
    Ethan settled her in place between his legs with a smile and soaped up a washcloth. Madison relaxed against his chest as he ran it over her skin in a circular motion. Closing her eyes, she gave herself over to the feel of his hands on her body.
    Jared continued to rub her feet and legs as Ethan washed her and soon their angry little mate was purring again.

Chapter Ten
     
     
    After their bath, Jared and Ethan settled Madison on the sofa in their bedroom between them. She was surprised to find she’d forgiven the enema so quickly but she enjoyed being snuggled between them.
    They might act like cavemen sometimes but they were her cavemen and she loved them.
    “Madison, we want to talk with you about Winter,” Jared said without preamble.
    Madison frowned. “What about her?”
    “We need to know how you feel about being mated to both of us,” Ethan said softly.
    She turned to look at Ethan and found him looking at her earnestly and a little fearfully. “I feel fine about it, why wouldn’t I?”
    “Winter…” Ethan began.
    “Winter wasn’t happy about being mated to wolves and was obviously not in love with her mates. I am, therein lies the difference,” Madison said firmly.
    “Winter wasn’t truly mated to both of them,” Jared told Madison.
    “What do you mean?” she asked, confused.
    “Winter was only truly mated to Simon. Gage lost his second in a fight several years ago and promoted Simon to his second even though he wasn’t an alpha, which made him unsuitable to the position.” Ethan explained.
    “Actually, most alphas don’t replace a second that’s lost in battle because a true second is bonded to the alpha usually from birth. Ethan and I grew up together in the same pack and were always connected, which is why we share a mate. Gage picked Simon because he knew he could control him,” Jared said.
    “Doesn’t the alpha control everyone in the pack?” Madison asked.
    “Yes and no,” Jared told her. “Ethan is submissive to me but I do not control him. He is a very powerful alpha in his own right. An alpha and their second are more of an equal relationship based on respect and shared power. I am the alpha and Ethan backs me up, but if I made a bad decision that would negatively affect the pack, he would stand up to me and call me on it.”
    “Simon didn’t have a chance of standing up to Gage or holding out against his power. Gage forced him to take the position of his second even though he knew he was unsuited and forced him to share his mate. Since it wasn’t a true mating, Winter couldn’t form a bond with Gage and her bond with Simon was damaged beyond repair.”
    “That’s so sad. She felt trapped and betrayed by her mate,” Madison said softly.
    “Yes. She should have been able to