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“Does she have it?” Chawni asked.

“I’m not sure. If she does, she hasn’t left it out. The old man doesn’t have it,” he replied.

“Monitor the situation. If she has one of those cylinders, we need to retrieve it before anyone discovers how to open it. Keep me advised on your progress.”

“Yes, Commander,” Axios replied.

After ending the call, Axios put the satellite phone back in the bag containing a single change of clothes and concealed the bag in the barn’s wall cavity. The marking on his arm was a raised scar, and he felt the ridges with his fingertips, the memory of its creation distorted. The snowy-owl shifter had had a marking just like this when he shifted. It was the only time he had ever seen another with the marking before.

Looking toward the house, he knew that there would be no chance of him searching for the device any time soon. He turned, his eyes moving to the west. He could return to the human compound. Perhaps the old man would let slip where the cylinder had been hidden.

He strode forward, his muscles shifting and flexing as he prepared to take flight. He would return to the human settlement, driven by the need to find the cylinder, certainly not his yearning to see the delicate human woman with the gentle touch.

A faint blush of pink was spreading across the eastern sky as Jayden woke, signaling the arrival of a new day. A sense of contentment, like a warm, soothing melody, pulsed through her body. Van and Peterson had shown her pleasure in ways that were both unexpected and exhilarating. Every inch of her body had been explored with such fervor that she felt weak and trembling, a delightful sensation that left her yearning for more.

The warmth of their embrace and the love in their eyes enveloped her completely. Peterson lay on his back, his face turned towards her, one arm thrown over his head in a relaxed pose. Her fingers had run through his hair, leaving it in a tangled mess, and the scent of him lingered on her fingertips. She longed to run her fingers through his soft, thick hair and pull his lips down for a kiss, feeling the warmth of his skin against hers. The memory of his lips against hers, the way he had given her pleasure, sent shivers down her spine.

On the other side of her, Van lay completely relaxed on his stomach, his face pressed into her pillow, his hair tousled and his body radiating warmth. He reveled in her complete surrender, taking pleasure in both giving and receiving. He was more demanding than Peterson, constantly pushing for more and not afraid to speak up about his wants. Her body flushed as she thought of some of his requests.

“That’s it, baby,” Van murmured in his sleep.

She felt a jolt of electricity run through her body as his hand slid over her stomach, the warmth of his touch and the husky sound of his voice making her heart race. Her lips parted on a gasp when she felt his desire nudging her to open for him.

When she looked to Peterson, she was captivated by the intense blue of his eyes, feeling as though she was being pulled into their depths. A knowing smile curved his lips, revealing a glint of mischievous amusement. Her hand stretched out, seeking his, as Van pressed forward, his body tense with purpose.

“I love you, Jayden,” Peterson murmured.

“Show me how much.”

“Head, tails, or buffalo nickel,” he teased, kissing her fingers.

“All of the above,” she said, tangling her hands in his hair.

To Be Continued…