Buried and Shadowed (Branded Packs #3)

“I hope I can do something to help at least,” Gibson added. “But you’re right, this feels like it’s someone we’re missing, someone in the center of the Pack that might feel ignored.”

Oliver reached out and gripped Gibson’s other hand. He sucked in a breath, his wolf content for the first time in his memory. He pushed that aside, though, knowing his Pack needed him to think about what had happened, instead of what could happen between the three of them.

“I think…I think we need to look at the Pack as a single unit, instead of three. There are three sections now forced to live as one.” Oliver tilted his head. “I think this might be something we haven’t thought of.”

“A vision?” Mandy asked.

“Not this time,” Oliver answered. “A sense of knowing.”

“We’ll be on alert,” Gibson said. “We all will be. And we’ll figure it out. Because we’re too close to the end of the SAU for us to fall apart from within.” He paused. “And while we’re doing that, we’re going to take a chance.” He met their gazes. “And see what we can have between the three of us, because my wolf knows what you’re feeling, at least part of it, and I don’t think I can keep to myself anymore.”

Mandy narrowed her eyes. “Between Oliver’s visions and your emotional seeking, I’m at a disadvantage here.”

Oliver stood then and walked around the table to cup her face. “No, you never will be. Because you’re the center. You’re the one who came here, who opened up to us first. You’re the one with true bravery. Never forget that.” And as he finished, he lowered his mouth to hers. Gibson stood up, aching for those in front of him, his wolf so damn pleased at the turn of events.

Oliver finished the kiss, and before Mandy could get her bearings, Gibson slid his palm over her cheek and kissed her soundly. She tasted of sweetness and the future. He wanted to hold her, be with her, have her, and yet he knew this was just the beginning. This was what they were fighting for, what they had sought to protect all those years ago. And now, instead of being on the outside looking in, he was a part of this. Part of them.

He pulled away, leaving Mandy breathless as well as himself.

“Okay, then,” she whispered, her lips swollen and her eyes wide. “Okay.”

“We’re not finished yet,” Gibson said and turned to Oliver. The big bear titled his head. Oliver was a good three inches or so taller than him, but he didn’t care. He leaned over Mandy, gripped the back of Oliver’s head, and brought him in for a kiss of his own.

The other man’s lips were different, more firm and supple. Their kiss was harsher, a clash of dominance and teeth. He nipped at Oliver’s bottom lip before licking the sting away and deepening the kiss. When he pulled back, the two of them faced off and Oliver grinned.

“This is going to be fun,” Oliver said softly. They both looked down at Mandy, whose eyes were even wider, her mouth open.

“That was so freaking hot,” Mandy said with a grin. “We need to do that again. Often.”

Gibson smiled fully then, aware he hadn’t done that in far too long. “Yeah, we do. But right now, I need to go to Holden’s. I have a meeting.”

Mandy nodded, and Oliver slid his hand over Gibson’s shoulder.

“I’ll be back, though,” Gibson said quickly. “I mean, if that’s okay.”

Oliver squeezed. “It’s okay. In fact, I think you need to. We’re not done talking about the three of us yet. Nor are we finished discussing what led you here.”

Gibson sobered. “I’ll come back when I can.” He looked at Mandy. “Are you staying here?”

She shook her head, biting her lip. “I need to go home and change and do a few things for the maternals.” She looked over at Oliver. “But I can be back for lunch. Will that do?”

Oliver smiled softly at her and cupped her face. “Yes, that will do.” He looked up. “Be safe today.”

Gibson nodded before turning and heading out of the house. If he didn’t go now, he was afraid he wouldn’t leave at all. His wolf rode him, and yet he knew it wasn’t just his beast. He wanted them both as a man also, and he knew he would have them soon. There was no denying that. Not anymore.

He’d pushed himself away from anything that might bring him comfort, might bring him pleasure for so long, and now that he’d had a taste of what he could have, he knew he couldn’t let go.

Not now. Maybe not ever.



He ran toward his Alpha’s house, aware he wasn’t fully dressed nor showered, but he wasn’t in the mood for niceties. He wanted to get back to Oliver and Mandy. The fact that they were the ones at the forefront of his mind even with everything else going on in his life spoke volumes.

When he got to Holden and Ariel’s, it was Soren he saw on the porch. The Beta of the Pack stood there, his hands crossed over his chest and his brows raised.

“Is it me, or do I scent a bear and a certain pretty wolf on you this morning?”

Gibson showed off his teeth as if he were in wolf form baring fang. “None of your business, cat lover.”