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Before I could process that statement, Marcus caught up to us. His arm wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me against his chest while Caleb’s mouth found mine again. I was trapped between them, Marcus’ solid heat at my back while Caleb pressed against my front. The water made everything slick and heated, and when Derek joined us, boxing me in completely, I thought I might combust on the spot.

“Teasing little mate,” Marcus growled, his mouth finding that sensitive spot below my ear that made my knees weak. His tongue traced patterns on my wet skin while Caleb’s kisses grew deeper, more demanding. Derek’s hands slid over my ribs, thumbs brushing just under my nipples in a way that had me arching and gasping into Caleb’s mouth.

“Please,” I whimpered, though I wasn’t sure what I was begging for. My body felt like it was on fire despite the cool water, every touch sending new waves of pleasure coursing through me. When Derek’s thumb finally brushed across my nipple, the jolt of sensation had me crying out.

“So responsive,” Derek murmured, his voice rough. “Every little touch makes you shake.” As if to prove his point, he rolled my nipple between his fingers while Marcus sucked hard at my neck, marking me.

Caleb swallowed my moans with another kiss, his tongue tangling with mine as his hands slid lower, tracing patterns on my hip bones that made me squirm. I was drowning in sensation, surrounded by three powerful alphas who seemed determined to drive me crazy.

A particularly sharp nip from Marcus had me gasping, breaking away from Caleb’s kiss. “We… we should…” I tried to form coherent thoughts, but Derek chose that moment to pinch both nipples while Caleb’s hands tightened on my hips.

“Should what, little mate?” Marcus purred against my neck, his voice dark with promise. “Stop?”

“Don’t you dare,” I managed, reaching back to tangle my fingers in his wet hair. The action pressed me harder against him, and the growl that rumbled through his chest sent new shivers racing down my spine.

“Dangerous words,” Caleb warned, but his smile was wicked as he leaned in to trace my collarbone with his tongue. “Very dangerous words.”

Marcus’ grip tightened, his control visibly slipping. “Kai,” he warned, voice rough. “We can’t…”

“Then don’t stop,” I challenged, feeling reckless and desperate. I rolled my hips back against him, drawing a sound that was more wolf than human. Derek’s fingers tightened on my nipples in response, the sharp pleasure-pain making me gasp.

“Baby wants to play,” Caleb murmured against my throat, his usual playfulness replaced with something darker, hungrier. “Even though he knows we can’t claim him yet. Not until his wolf awakens fully.”

A wave of pure need crashed through me at his words, making my body arch helplessly between them. Derek’s mouth found my other nipple, his tongue circling the sensitive peak while Marcus’ teeth scraped along my shoulder. Every touch felt amplified, like my skin was too sensitive, too reactive.

“Please,” I begged again, even knowing it was futile. My fingers tightened in Marcus’ hair while my other hand gripped Caleb’s shoulder for support. The cool lake water did nothing to soothe the fire building under my skin.

Marcus growled, the sound vibrating through my back. “You know we can’t. Not yet. Not until?—”

“Until I can shift, until I can tap into my power fully, until the stars align and Mercury isn’t in retrograde,” I finished for him, frustration clear in my voice. “I know. But you three keep… keep doing this. Getting me all worked up when you know we can’t…”

“Can’t help ourselves,” Derek’s voice was strained as he lifted his head, his eyes molten silver. “Your scent, your reactions… you drive us crazy, little mate.”

“The feeling’s mutual,” I said, then gasped as Caleb’s teeth found my pulse point. “And you three are definitely not helping by—oh God—doing that when you know we have to stop.”

“Maybe we like seeing you like this,” Caleb murmured against my skin. “All desperate and needy for us.”

“Cruel,” I accused, even as my body betrayed me by arching into their touches. “You’re all cruel, terrible wolves.”

A howl echoed through the trees—Derek’s security team, probably reporting something that needed attention. The sound broke through the heated haze, reminding us we were very much in the open.

“I hate everything,” I announced as they slowly pulled away, my body practically screaming in protest. “This is torture. You know that, right? Actual torture. And you three are doing it on purpose.”

Caleb’s laugh was slightly strained. “Guilty as charged, baby.”

“Can’t resist teasing you,” Derek added, his eyes still silver-bright with need.

“Even though we know we should,” Marcus confirmed, though he managed to sound slightly more controlled than his brothers. “We should head back. Before this gets even more out of hand.”

I watched them shift back to wolf form, their transformations slightly less graceful than usual—probably due to their… distracted state. As Marcus lowered himself for me to climb onto his back, I made a silent promise to myself.

They wanted to torture me with almost-moments and heated touches, knowing full well we couldn’t go further yet? Fine. Two couldplay that game. And I was pretty sure I knew exactly how to drive three alphas completely crazy.

“Just wait,” I muttered, settling onto Marcus’ back. “You think you can tease me without consequences? You have no idea what you’re in for.”

The wolves exchanged glances that might have been worried, but it was too late. They’d created this little monster, and now they’d have to deal with the consequences.

Game on.