"My mother," he continued hesitantly, "was a Navajo vampire hunter. She met my father, who was a traveling preacher, and somehow, they fell in love. She taught him how to hunt vampires, and they traveled together spreading the word of God and trying to keep people safe whenever an unfriendly vampire or werewolf popped up. Which, especially back then, was just about any vampire or were of any sort."
"How long ago was that?"
"Turn of the century. Um, last century. 1900 or something like that. Anyway, my mother was pregnant with me, just about ready to give birth in fact. Days away. They were attacked, and my mother was bitten and killed. My father managed to kill the vampire that got my mother. He then…" Doc hesitated again, and I put my hand on his arm and squeezed gently. "He cut me out of her. I lived, but I didn't come out completely human. Father still cared for me, raised me, and taught me to hunt vampires."
"So, why so nervous about telling me that?"
"Most people, if I ever get this far in a relationship, bail about now."
"Ah, I see."
He still felt really tense, as if I were going to walk away. I had a feeling the next few minutes were going to change my life forever, one way or another. Did I walk away from a relationship that wasn't quite formed, or did I dive in? I knew something of wolves and their pack bond. Doc had joined himself to Ed and Allan's pack. If I didn't walk away now, would I ever be able to? Would I want to? I thought Victoria was right, if I got one of them, I got all of them. Could I even handle that?
Doc sensed my doubts, though they weren't about him specifically, they were about the situation. He didn't know that.
He sighed, dropping his eyes, and smiled a little sadly.
Before I even really could think about what I was doing–truly decide on an answer to my questions–I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his.
We both froze for a moment. Even though I had initiated the kiss, I hadn't expected it. Doc was obviously even more surprised.
It only took a moment before he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me back. It was a relatively chaste kiss, however, Doc's eyes were shining when I leaned back.
"So, I have another question before we dive into this."
"Only one?" A smile filled his face.
"Well, one that is pressing. What about Ed and Allan?"
"Ah."
"So, Ed has basically been throwing me at you since we met, right? Any time we're alone, he acts like he's interested in me. Honestly, even when I'm around you, he acts that way. I'm getting the same feeling from Allan, though he's less touchy feely."
Doc sighed and glanced at the door. "Damn them anyway."
"Oh?" I didn't think he meant it in the way someone usually would in this circumstance.
"Leaving me alone for this."
"You kicked them out." I grinned.
"Right, after they effectively took themselves out of the conversation for the night." Doc focused on me, and he squirmed a little. I didn't let him up, though.
"They can't change back right away?"
"Yes, but it's pretty hard on them. It's better if they stay as wolves for a few hours at least, get some running in, maybe track down a deer and get their dinner that way. You've seen how much they eat. I'd go broke trying to feed them all the time."
I laughed, and Doc smiled.
His smile turned slightly tentative. "You're really okay with me?"
"Yeah. I mean, I'm sure there will be some things to get used to with all of you. As long as you give me the time to adapt, I'm sure it'll be all right. Are you sure you're okay with me? I kind of destroyed this really important truce and put you in some serious danger."
"It was going to happen one of these days anyway. This just forced the issue. None of us are upset about that. We just need to figure out what to do now."
"You're sure?"
This time he kissed me. He held me tight, one hand on my neck, cupping the back of my head, the other pressed into my waist.
"We're sure," he answered when we came up for air.
"So, Ed and Allan," I reminded him.
"Well, I guess if you're okay with me, I'll see if you're okay with Ed and Allan while I'm at it."
"I already said I was."
His lips twisted slightly. "Ed has this crazy idea that you would be willing to be with all three of us. He wants you to join our pack with all of us. He's been pushing you at me, because he was also worried you would have a harder time accepting me."
"Oh." Holy shit, Victoria was right. They did want to share me! It was one thing to suspect, and another thing to be told that's what was going on.
Doc laughed. "I know it's kind of crazy. He's half convinced us it might work."
"Only half?"
"We can tell you like all of us."
"Yeah, I was getting the idea it's hard to hide anything from you three."
"Werewolf noses, and well, mine is mostly just as good. Super sensitive hearing, being naturally fairly sensitive to things like that. Pretty sure it's a trait for vampires and weres. None of the three of us can really imagine bringing you into our pack without you being with all of us."
"Got it all figured out?" I was teasing him, but I didn't think he realized it.
"Not exactly. We've talked a little."
"So, it's all or nothing?" This wasn't as much of a tease.
"If you chose Ed, I think Allan and I could deal with it. If you chose just me or Allan, I don't think Ed could. He's pretty attached to you already."
"I don't know that I could bring you all home to my parents during the holidays," I said, partially as a joke, but partially just trying
