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Sierra's expression was one of wonder as she gazed at them. "They're beautiful," she murmured, her hand moving from my face to reach toward one wing.

The moment her fingers made contact with my feathers, a jolt of electricity shot through me. My wings were incredibly sensitive, rarely touched by anyone. The sensation of her gentle exploration sent shudders down my spine, intensifying the pleasure of being joined with her.

"Sierra," I gasped, my hips jerking forward involuntarily.

She smiled, a surprisingly predatory expression that reminded me this wasn't just any omega in heat—this was Sierra, with all her fierce determination and stubborn will intact beneath the primal need.

"More," she demanded, her inner walls tightening around me deliberately. "I need more, Archer. Harder."

Who was I to deny such a request? I resumed my thrusting, this time with increased force that had the bed frame creaking beneath us. Each powerful stroke drove deeper, hitting that spot inside her that made her cry out with every impact.

I felt my knot beginning to swell at the base of my cock, the telltale sign that my release was approaching. Unlike Rowen's fully demonic knot, mine was smaller, a reflection of my mixed heritage. But it would still bind us together, ensuring my seed remained deep inside her where instinct demanded it belong.

"I'm close," I warned her, my rhythm becoming more erratic as the pressure built. "Going to knot you, Sierra. Going to fill you up."

Her eyes locked with mine, silver meeting ice blue in a moment of perfect understanding. "Yes," she breathed, her hands moving to my shoulders, nails digging in hard enough to draw blood. "Give me your knot, Archer. Mark me. Claim me."

The command in her voice, despite her submissive position beneath me, was impossible to resist. With one final, powerful thrust, I drove deep inside her as my release hit. My knot swelled to its full size, locking us together as pleasure exploded through my body.

Acting on pure instinct, I bent my head and sank my teeth into the soft flesh where her neck met her shoulder, directly over the claiming mark I'd placed during her first heat. The taste of her skin, salt and sweetness mingled with something otherworldly, flooded my mouth as I renewed my claim on her.

Sierra screamed as my bite triggered another orgasm, her body convulsing around my locked knot, milking every drop of my release from me. Through our bond, I felt her pleasure combining with mine in a feedback loop that seemed endless, each wave building on the last until I thought I might lose consciousness from the intensity.

When I finally collapsed against her, careful to keep my weight on my forearms, we were both breathing hard, covered in a fine sheen of sweat. My wings curved forward instinctively, creating a feathered canopy over us both, sheltering her in their protective embrace.

"Archer," she murmured, her voice soft and sated for the moment. Her fingers traced idle patterns on my back, between my wings, each touch sending small aftershocks of pleasure through me.

I nuzzled against her neck, pressing gentle kisses to the bite mark I'd left there. "I'm here," I assured her, feeling our bond pulse with renewed strength. "We're all here."

I felt the bed dip as Rowen and Callum joined us, their hands reaching out to stroke Sierra's hair, her shoulders, anywhere they could reach. We were connected now, all four of us, in a way that transcended the physical. I could feel their desire, their concern, their fierce protectiveness mirroring my own.

Sierra's heat had only just begun. The claiming ritual would need to be completed by all three of us before she found true relief. But for now, locked together in this perfect moment of connection, I allowed myself to simply feel. To bask in the rightness of being joined with my mate, surrounded by our strange, perfect family.

"It seems your wings like to come out to play when I'm in heat." Sierra giggled, clearly her heat was lowering her inhibitions as humor danced over her face.

As Sierra's breathing steadied beneath me, her body temporarily sated by our joining, I met Callum's eyes over her shoulder. The understanding that passed between us was wordless but complete. He would be next, once my knot subsided enough for me to withdraw.

And then Rowen would claim her again, completing the circle, reinforcing the bonds that would see her through this heat and whatever challenges lay beyond.

Together, we would weather this storm. Together, we would protect what was ours.

51

Callum

Iflipped Sierra onto her stomach as soon as Archer's knot had subsided enough for him to withdraw. She whimpered at the sudden emptiness, her body already craving more despite the multiple orgasms she'd just experienced.

"Hands," I commanded, my voice rough with need as I grasped her wrists.

She offered no resistance as I secured them behind her back with one hand, my other hand fisting in her silver hair to pull her head back against me. The position forced her to arch her spine, presenting her ass to me in a way that made my cock throb with anticipation.

"Please," she gasped, her voice breaking on the word. "I need?—"

"I know exactly what you need, little flower," I growled against her ear, feeling her shiver at my tone. "And I'm going to give it to you."

Her scent was intoxicating. Honey and jasmine layered with the musk of her arousal and the lingering evidence of Archer's claim. The combination should have repelled me, should have triggered territorial instincts, but instead it only heightened mydesire. She was ours—all of ours—and the mingling of our scents on her skin felt right in a way I couldn't fully articulate.

I positioned myself at her entrance, the head of my cock sliding easily through her slick folds. She was dripping, a combination of her own arousal and Archer's release, making her ready for me despite the intensity of what she'd just experienced.