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My fathers had never behaved like this. They were protective, sure, but guarding the door and barricading the window? This was new. The proximity of these mates was really making them crazy.

Even as I thought it, I knew that wasn’t all it. I was sure that attributed to it, but it was the unknown too. When would the attack happen? It wasn’t clear.

I undressed quickly and pulled on my pajamas before sliding into bed. If I slept, maybe I’d have another vision. Something to tell me more about the beginning of the war and the deaths.

They’d warned me the visions would drive me crazy with their vagueness. They were right.

I needed answers.

If you chose Calen to be a part of your harem, please continue reading.

If you refused him, please skip to Chapter Four or Location 358.

Chapter Three

The sun streamed in through the window. My eyes opened lazily as the brightness became too much. I blinked, working the sleep away as I prepared for another day. I reached for the covers to pull them off when my hand clasped a piece of paper. Pulling it up, I noticed it was a phone number written neatly on a small strip. The arrangement of numbers wasn’t something I recognized. It wasn’t the usual three, three, four combination from a U. S. Number, which made me wonder…

I grabbed my cell phone from the desk and eagerly typed the number in, deciding to send a text instead of calling in case it wasn’t who I thought it was.

He wrote back right away.Good morning, my lady.

His words filled me with lip-biting pleasure. I eyed the door, worried Papa Nic was still out there and that he’d stayed awake all night on my account. He really didn’t have to. I believed these potential mates, and one mate, to be respectful.

Even though I’d already pledged myself to him, a trickle of nerves emptied in my stomach when I thought of what to write back. We’d spent about an hour at the pond last night before I returned home. It wasn’t near enough time to get to know him much more than when he first arrived. Now I had direct access to him whenever I wanted though.Did you sleep well?

Yes, apart from dreams of you that kept my mind busy all night.

I couldn’t help myself. I giggled.

Thinking about the sleep I had last night, I confirmed I had not one dream, nightmare, or vision. In fact, when I woke, it felt as if I’d just laid my head down. I was exhausted.

We were a few hours from any training happening, but I didn’t want to wait that long before seeing Calen again. I texted him that I was going for a run and asked him if he wanted to come.

His response took longer than the others he’d sent.I will, my lady. But I’m not the best runner. I’m afraid I would hold you back.

I don’t care about that. Meet me at the front entrance in fifteen minutes.

I sent the text and hurried to the bathroom to get ready for the day. I threw my dark hair up in a pony tail and pulled on some athletic clothes before making my way to the dorm room door. Pulling it open inch-by-inch, I waited for Papa Nic to say something. Finally, I pulled it all the way open and stepped out into the hallway. He was in the same position, only moving when I walked out. He looked up, then down, taking in my athletic attire.

He shook his head, a pleased smile framing his face. “You’re just like your mom.”

I beamed and dropped low to kiss him on the top of the head. “Thank you.” After I stood, I said, “Well, you’re off duty now. My virtue is intact, safe in a stuffy room.”

Papa Nic narrowed his gaze at me. “That’s not the whole reason I stayed outside your door.”

I cocked my head, but only smiled. “I know, Papa. I was only joking.”

He stood, stretching out his body as he went. “Are you running alone?”

“Actually—”

“Excuse me, King Nicolai,” the strong, Scottish accent rose up from behind us.

Papa Nic spun, his hands coming up and out to a fighting position. When he registered it was Calen MacDougall, he relaxed, blowing out a breath in the process.

Papa Nic took in Calen’s appearance. His legs covered in jogging pants while he wore a t-shirt that just barely covered his muscles. No kilt.

“I’ll be running with her, King Nicolai. As long as you approve.”