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“You guys didn’t like any of my group name suggestions. Not Fangs and Company. Not the Rebel and Her Dashing Animals. Not Sexy Beasts. Not even the Rebel Safari. We need a name.” Ryker brushed back his silky blonde hair, wearing a cape that fluttered in the wind.

He’d insisted he needed one despite the fact that he’d be naked after shifting. I couldn’t argue that it was easy to remove and covered his bits in a pinch. But unlike Tometi, Ryker preferred to be in wolf form when he fought. The snarling beast who tore a room of enemies apart never matched the fun-loving blonde I’d gotten to know until it strutted around and huffed cutely at me. Then it was all Ryker.

“Why are they all referencing animals, though?” Lev asked with a sly grin. “Only two of us are.”

Tometi grunted his agreement.

Ryker narrowed his eyes on all of us. “You’re not fooling anyone. You’re all animals. Well, maybe everyone except Dugan.”

The man in question popped his head in and grinned at me. “Don’t know how I’m supposed to take that, but you have my thanks, Ryker.”

I’d been so worried about losing Dugan. We’d left on a weird note and what I thought was a goodbye, but Silas tracked him down later. I was surprised to see my father’s lover when the man I loved brought him back. For all the complaining the mercenary did, he’d gone out of his way to keep every person I cared about as close as possible.

I didn’t think I could love Silas more than I already did, but when I realized he’d gone to great lengths to make sure I was never alone, that I never had to worry about any of them, my love overflowed. He was exactly who I needed and wanted every day, and I couldn’t thank Fate enough for leading me to him.

Lev smirked and eyed the compound we were about to infiltrate. “I’d also like to add I’m not a mercenary in this group. I’m here to make sure the feral few stay in line.”

Silas landed a strong hand on my friend’s shoulder. “No sense in lying to yourself, lad. We’re all feral here.”

I sighed, hoping the fight we found inside the building would keep them from bickering more than they already had. “We’re wasting time. Each of you has a task. Make sure you complete it in the fifteen minutes that communications are down. I’d rather not be stuck searching for my own team when time runs out.”

The guys ran ahead, and before I could go after them, Silas caught my hand. He took his mask off and waggled his eyebrows at me. “Oi, Rebel. Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Oh?” I pretended to forget, removing my mask as well. “What’s that, Silver?”

His laughter was so full of affection I couldn’t hide my smile. He stepped in close and cradled my face. “I need my goddess to bless me before battle, yeah? Very serious business, this.”

Returning the gesture, I cradled his face and smirked. “Oh no. I wouldn’t want my mercenary to go in without protection.”

“Oh, aye. Leave that to the bedroom where it belongs,” he murmured against my lips.

It was a promise we made before every moment that could go awry. No matter what, we’d find each other. Wherever he went, I’d go too.

The End.