Page 45

“She is the future queen…”

I don’t recognize the voice, nor do I know who this future queen is, although something about it seems familiar. Did Wolf say something about it when Seven first arrived?

There is a little crack where the door meets the frame. I position myself so I can peek through it. I catch a blur of movement and hear the sound of footsteps as Wolf paces past.He is dressed in the pants and boots we brought in the satchel. His big body radiates edgy energy.

I move a little to the left, and the dark-haired stag, Nox, comes into view.

His eyes shift and lock with mine. A slow smile tugs at his lips before he smooths his expression and turns to his left. I move further over, trying to see what he is looking at, and find him sharing a look with Eiden, the herd omega.

I thought omegas were always female and feel a little thrown by Seven’s announcement that they are common among stags.

“It’s done now,” Seven says, his deep voice calm. “And as Nox has pointed out, she’s destined to be our queen.”

I clamp my hand over my mouth when I nearly squeak. Why do I feel like they are talking about me?

Eiden leans in to say something to Nox, and then he turns and strides toward the door I hide behind.

I gulp and turn a full circle as panic grips me before I dart for the bed like a thief caught in the act, giving serious consideration to throwing the covers over my head, which is ridiculous, I know.

The urge is too strong. But Eiden’s footsteps are drawing closer, and I dive for the bed.

A strong arm snags me around the waist and a hand closes over my mouth.

“Hush, little doe. It is only I, Eiden.”

The silk dressing gown I wear is sheer; he is wearing only pants and boots, leaving his lean chest naked. I can feel every delectable inch of his hard body where it presses up against mine. His scent reminds me of cherry blossoms and rain, pure and sweet all at once—a flush sweeps through me, triggering a tingling sensation in my core.

He eases his hold, releases me, and steps back, allowing me to settle my pounding heart and turn around.

He smiles. I get a little lost in his pretty, warm brown eyes. He is the most beautiful male I have ever met, and his scent, unlike that of Wolf and Seven, has a sweet, enticing note.

“There, we do not have much time before your mate realizes I’m doing more than merely checking on you sleeping. He is protective of you, which is admirable.” He shrugs. “But also possessive, which is not, especially given your nature as an omega and a doe.”

I blink a few times, trying to stir myself from the daze I’ve fallen into. Being close to him calms me and makes me want to nestle in his arms. “Are you really an omega?”

“I am. Most herds have one, although some have none. We are unusual, much like yourself. Not all does are omegas, just as not all humans are.”

His ears seem slightly more pointed and elongated than Seven’s, and I immediately want to pet them. I wonder what his antlers look like… if he has any.

“Do you have antlers?” I blurt.

He chuckles, seems to catch himself, and glances over his shoulder.

When no one comes, he turns back and dares to run his fingertips down my cheek. “Yes, I have antlers.” His lips twitch. “I am still a male in all the usual ways.”

“What the fuck is going on?!” At Wolf’s roar, Eiden steps aside with a wink for my benefit.

“The doe is only curious,” Seven says, following in after Wolf, who is stalking me down. “A perfectly natural reaction to meeting some of her kind.”

Reaction?

“I think she might enjoy a bath,” Eiden says as Wolf snatches me into his arms, putting his body between me and the other occupants of the room. “It would help with her scent, which entrances us all. I am somewhat skilled in the art of bathingfemales—relaxing them. I would consider it an honor to be able to tend to her thus.”

“I’ll just bet you fucking would,” Wolf growls.

I peer over his shoulder, trying to process everything Eiden just said. My legs and arms wrap around Wolf. I snuggle him, calmed by his familiar scent even as I peep over his shoulder at the three other men.

Eiden is smiling kindly. Nox has folded his arm with one hand rubbing his jaw and radiating brooding interest. Seven has narrowed his eyes on me, and his antlers have fully formed.