Loving Lachlyn (Ashland Pride Two) Read Online Free PDF Page A

hunter.  I remember some things about her, but it’s fuzzy, distant.”
    “Your mother was in a tri-mating.”
    “What?  I never heard that before.”
    Brio chuckled mirthlessly.  “Of course not, your dad engineered it that way.  Detroit had a half-brother named Farris.  They both met your mom at the same time, and the tri-bond was formed.  But Farris was older than your dad by a few months, and Detroit knew that when their father stepped down as king, Farris would take over.  If Farris took over, he could dissolve the tri-bond and ekscluhde your dad from the den.  So Detroit conspired to have him killed and make it look like an accident.  It was shortly after he died that Detroit’s father stepped down as king and Detroit took over.  He made it clear that if anyone challenged the accidental nature of Farris’ death, they’d be joining him in the grave, so we all looked the other way.  But your mom…she never got over it.  She wanted to leave your dad and take you away, and then she was killed.”
    Jericho’s breath froze in his chest.  “Did he kill my mother?”
    Brio’s face hardened, his gray eyes turning to steel.  “I never had any proof.  I wanted to avenge her death, but Detroit ekscluhded me from the den.”
    “But you still helped me.”
    “It was what your mom would have wanted.”  He cleared his throat and then said, “I think that the reason things didn’t ever feel right between you and Lachlyn is because you’re meant for a tri-mating.  You’re mates, Jericho, that much is clear to me.  But if the relationship between you never got out of that fuck-buddy stage, then it’s because you haven’t met her other mate.”
    Jericho squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.  “Another mate?”
    “Two males for one female.  Somewhere out there is the male that is meant to be her mate, the third part of your tri-mating.  When you find him, I’m betting that things will feel right between you all.”
    Brio left him and opened a narrow closet, pulling out clothing and bags.  Jericho looked at Lachlyn’s still form, watching the rise and fall of her chest.  Was it possible?  Was the reason that he and Lachlyn had never connected more than they had because she needed two mates?  His bear rumbled in his mind, not caring as long as Lachlyn was his.  Theirs.  He’d never considered sharing a mate before, but looking down at Lachlyn’s beautiful face, he knew that he’d rather share her than never be part of her life.  If it was what she needed to be happy, then he would find a way to be okay with sharing her with another man.
    Brio put a duffel bag on the Formica table and began shoving clothing into it.  “I don’t have any girl’s clothes, but some of this stuff should fit her.  Open the pantry and grab some snacks and drinks.”
    Unsure of what Brio was doing, Jericho kissed Lachlyn on the forehead and did as requested.  Brio closed the duffel and handed Jericho a cell phone.  “This is prepaid, and no one has the number.  I picked it up awhile back but the damn thing doesn’t get service out here.  So take it and call me on my landline when you get where you’re going.  Take my camper.”  He flipped over an old receipt and scribbled on a piece of paper.  “There’s a campsite called Old Pirate Campgrounds about four hours from here, outside of Cincinnati.  Their office is open twenty-four hours.  I’ll call now and make a reservation.  Stay for the day, rest up, and then get back on the road.”
    Jericho looked at the address of the campground in confusion.  “Get back on the road to where?”
    Brio smacked him on the side of the head.  “To her uncle’s in Bracks, Indiana.  I’ll keep your truck stashed in the shed, and when the heat dies down, you can come back and get it.”
    Jericho finally understood.  Picking up the duffel and the grocery bag, he followed his uncle out to the aging RV.  While Jericho loaded up the bags and carried