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He opens his mouth, fully displaying his razor-sharp teeth as if he might scare me, but my Lyle would know better than that.

Almost as if annoyed with me, he whips away, dropping down on all fours, and takes off into the forest, once again leaving me behind to grieve him, but this time is different.

Lyle’s always told me I’m stubborn as a rock, and he’s about to see just how true that is.

With a groan, I fall back on the roof. My tailbone yells in protest, but I ignore it, using every bit of energy I have left to stay conscious this time.

Everyone was exhausted after dealing with the chimeras, but we immediately set to work; the others helped to find housing and gather supplies and food for everyone while I worked on doing more thorough healings now that we were out of danger. That first day felt like it lasted a lifetime, and while I was worried about my people, I couldn’t stop worrying about Serena. She was swaying on her feet even before Lyle left, but she insisted she was fine, demanded she was able to help, and we let her; we just watched her very closely.

The villagers weren’t too happy to see Ryker, which was understandable, and before long, he left. Serena was upset about it, raving about how he was the one that saved them, and while that’s true, he’s also the one who brought the chimeras there. The villagers don’t know what we do. All they see is the face of a man who brings death and destruction with him.

It wasn’t a fight we had the time or energy for, Serena least of all, after all the magic she used. Instead, she stomped around with a frown on her face the whole time.

It was adorable.

Repairs are done faster than it would be if we were without our beasts, and having the guys makes it even faster than before, but it’s still not done overnight and doesn’t stop us from feeling the strain.

We haven’t really gotten a chance to talk about anything. Not about Ryker or Lyle. By the time we hit the pillow every night, we’re out, and when we wake in the morning, there's more than enough shit to be done to keep us busy.

The warmth of the sun wakes me, and I don’t need to open my eyes to feel everyone around me. Serena is buried between Sol and Storm in what she refers to as a twin sandwich. I’m not proud of how long that took me to understand, but the blush on her and Sol’s cheeks made it click.

Nope. Thoughts of sex are a bad idea; my mate might be in the same bed as me, but so are four other guys.

“If you put your dick anywhere near my ass, I’ll break it off.” Blair’s voice is rough with sleep, making him sound even more intimidating than usual.

I almost jump out of my damn skin. How the fuck did he know what I was thinking about? My mental shield is up, not to mention I haven’t even opened my eyes yet.

I feel Serena as she wakes, her mind still an open book. Usually I try to stay out of it, but this early it’s harder to resist, especially right now as the bond all but sings with her happiness.

Facing Lyle last was hard, but even I can’t deny things seem to be looking up. Not only did Ryker push back against his father in a way he didn’t believe possible, but Lyle… he almost seemed like he was there.

For the first time since he was turned, I think he really might be saveable.

Though I still have no idea how.

Ryker. Ugh, I still don’t fucking like the guy, but I saw the results of his training at the village. Serena has more control over her shadows than I’ve ever seen and more confidence.

“Don’t worry, B, I don’t mind sharing.” Serena’s voice is slurred, still half asleep, but her words are impossible to misunderstand.

My eyes fly open as I push up to glare at her over Blair, whose eyes are still closed. I swear if he hadn’t said something, I wouldn’t know he was awake. Guy’s like a damn ninja.

Serena meets my gaze with a sweet smile as if she didn’t just pretty much okay me fucking Blair.

“If watching’s what you're into, talk to Storm and Pike.”

Pike, who I also didn’t know was awake, doesn’t miss a beat as he climbs up the bed toward Serena.

“Oh, you can watch us anytime, Buns. I could even fuck you while Storm fucks me.” He sleeps at the foot of the bed—which is huge because we shoved so many mattresses together—whether he’s shifted or not. The only time he sleeps like a normal person is when he’s cuddling Serena.

And what in thefuckis happening right now?!

“Don’t just go offering shit like that, mutt,” Storm grumbles, kicking his leg out without so much as opening his eyes.

If not for his shifter reflexes, Pike would have taken a swift kick to the jaw.

Storm is confusing. He’s an asshole, but also seems to care about the rest of them. Serena said he doesn’t really like to be touched. At first I thought she was joking because I’d only ever seen him around her and their pack, but it seems they are only the exception to the rule, not the norm.

He’s not exactly controlling like Lyle or as watchful and ninja-like as Blair, but he’s his own brand of asshole; there’s no denying that.