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“Thank you for the offer,” Dev said. “I know it’s extended to any member of the coterie as part of our ally agreement, but this feels as if it’s a bit more.”

“By supernatural law,” Brain said, speaking carefully, “we can’t offer someone with slave status protection from their rightful owner. By ethical standards, however, we can, and the RTMC is kind of known for following our own morals over both human and supernatural law.”

Genie smiled. “And it’s one of the many reasons you guys have my oath and my fealty. Brooke is doing right by my cats. They’ve never been free and need to learn how. In many ways, it’s kind of like going from preschooler through the teen yearsafteryou’ve become an adult, and it’s a rocky road, but they’re traversing quickly, in my estimation, though I’m not an expert on the subject.”

“I am an expert on the subject,” Dev said, “and Genie is correct. There is no need to rescue them from the coterie. Our cats are a handful, but they’re worth every moment.”

“Can anyone join your group?” Elijah asked.

“Only shapeshifters who don’t have a supernatural monarch,” Mad Dog told him. “No one can have two masters.”

“So, no cats?” Elijah sounded disappointed, and Genie rested her head on his shoulder.

“No, ’Lijah, which is too bad because I think you’d be a bad-assed biker.”

“Owls have a king,” Ezra pointed out.

“I was long ago excommunicated by the Owl King,” Frost answered. “The Amakhosi exterminates, sells into enslavement, or trades to Hell those cats who don’t follow his orders, so excommunication isn’t an option for you.”

“Dev,” Mad Dog said, and Genie thought his voice sounded more official than it usually did, “Once you’ve properly taken Genie for your own, so the four of you are an official unit, we’d be happy to invite your little family to our parties. If the three of you have motorcycles and learn to ride safely, I will put it to a vote to allow your group to ride with us on our longer trips, wherefriends of the club are welcome. And, of course, Genie could ride bitch behind any of you.”

Dev bowed. He actually, fuckingbowed. Genie tried not to let the surprise show on her face.

“That is truly an honor. Thank you for making the offer; it gives our cats something to strive for. They’re already pestering me about learning to drive, and it appears we’ll need motorcycle lessons as well. It may be years before I feel they’re skilled enough to ride safely with your group. When I feel they are, I will, indeed, have that discussion with you.”

Duke walked to them, offered his hand to Dev, who shook it. Duke then shook Elijah and Ezra’s hands, hugged Genie, and told them, “I need to get back to my family. Take care of each other.” He cupped Genie’s cheek in the palm of his hand. “You don’t need my blessing, but you have it.”

Duke left, Brain stepped forward and shook hands with the men, hugged Genie, and left without saying anything.

And then Dawg walked to them, and Genie stepped forward. “Oh no. Whatever you’re thinking of saying, just keep it to yourself.”

He hugged her, and she felt him shaking the hands of her men with his right hand while he held her.

“Genie’s special. Don’t take advantage of the gift she’s offering ya’ll.”

When he stepped back, he looked at her boobs and back up to her. She rolled her eyes at him, kissed his cheek, and told him, “Yes, yes. I adore you, but I never loved you, nor did you love me. Still, thank you for everything.”

“It’s what I do. I mean it when I say you’re special. Being part of a couple isn’t in the cards for me, but you have a chance at more than a mere couple’s relationship. I’m a little envious, but I’m also happy for you.”

Dawg kissed her forehead and left, and the rest of the Chattanooga bikers filed out after him.

When it was only the Birmingham people left in the room, Frost told her, “Okay, tiny owl. Go forth and be happy, but keep us in the loop, yes?”

“Yes. Thanks guys. Really.”

The three of them left, and Elijah said, “That was intense. You’ve fucked all of them?”

“Not all of them. Wolves mate for life, and they’re pretty damned serious about it. I like sex. A lot. The bikers filled that need for me, so I didn’t keep getting into bad relationships because it made the sex convenient. I haven’t been in a relationship in a long time because I didn’tneedone. I was happy being single, and stopping in the clubhouse a few nights a week to get all the sex I wanted, and then some, most nights. With ya’ll, I’m not just in it for the sex, which is great, but I’m with ya’ll because I like being around all of you.”

“You felt something for Dawg?” Ezra asked.

“Dawg treated me…” she shrugged. “He has this way about him, so he treats nearly everyone he’s with as if they’re special. I understood it wasn’t meant as anything, it’s just the way he is. Horse is with Gabby, but a rabbit and a bear I guess aren’t monogamous even when they’re committed to each other, and Horse could be kind, too. Razor was rough with me, but it was…” She shuddered at the memory, but it was a good shudder. “Ya’ll really don’t want a rundown of them, do you?”

“No,” Dev said. “I can’t remember ever feeling this kind of jealousy before, but when I saw you in Dawg’s arms, for a split second I considered ripping his arms off so he could never touch you with his hands again.”

On the one hand, that was more than a little extreme, but on the other? It felt a little good.

“Please don’t, but thank you for the…” She shook her head. “Thank you. I like having you think of me as yours.” She met his gaze. “Right now, it’s as if I’m yours, and you’re sharing me with Ezra and Elijah. I think, eventually, it’s going to need to be different, so we all belong to each other. I understand why that has to be the energy now, though.”