Page 11

Chapter Eleven

Colbie

“Y ou need to take us to that shifter,” Gryff blurts all of a sudden. “He shouldn’t have to be alone anymore.”

My heart melts. The prince is such a softie. I remember him being like that when we were small as well. He hated seeing me cry and would do anything to fix it. The throb inside me now that the bond has been acknowledged is constant. All I want to do is run my hands over their bodies and grind against them, but I need to focus on other things first, so I shake the fog of lust out of my mind and try to concentrate on what everyone is talking about.

“First, Colbie needs to get a handle on her shift. If she can’t control it, then we can’t allow her to go into the human only zone. We are going to reach out to the human authorities to get permission for her to visit her grandparents as a cover story, and then you can find that shifter,” Lucas explains. “Gracelin already sent the message when you went to change.” He turns his attention to me. “It might be a couple of days before we get a response, so you six can take the time you need to work on your shift.”

“We can also tell the council about this so it will get them off your back.” Layla sounds thrilled by this. “Man, are they going to be shocked. I can’t wait to see Sophia’s and Vallen’s faces when they learn you are mated to the group they both wanted for their daughters.”

“Pfft, if you thought Gianna was bad before, she’s going to be livid that all of her dreams have gone up in smoke.” Gracelin sounds gleeful as well. I would kind of feel sorry for the girl if I didn’t know she’s had her hands all over one of my mates. I can’t control the glare I aim in Liam’s direction.

“Hey, if you think they are the only two who are going to be disappointed, then you’re sadly mistaken.” He gestures to the rest of my mates. “None of us were angels in the past.” He sounds defensive.

“You know what? I think we should give you some privacy,” Sable announces, pushing her chair back from the table, and the other parents follow suit. “You all have a lot to work out. Shall we continue these plans at dinner?” She looks at the king and queens for approval.

“Yes indeed. Come on, girls,” Lucas says to Gretchin, Gracelin, and Violet. “Let’s leave them to bond.” The king grabs onto Sable’s suggestion like it’s a life preserver and he’s drowning in an endless sea. His wives laugh, and the girls grumble.

“But this was just starting to get good,” Gracelin complains, but she does as Sable suggested, taking her plate of food with her.

“Violet and I are going to the shift room. She needs to shift and fly off some energy. We’ll be there if you need us,” Gretchin tells me, her eyes serious.

“I’ll be fine. Go shake out those wings,” I tell my friend, who is watching us with unrestrained interest.

“I’ll see you later?” she asks, and I know she’s going to grill me for every gory detail, but I nod my agreement. She takes her plate, then she and Gretchin follow the parents out.

“Ugh, we miss all the good stuff.” Gracelin stomps her foot but hurries after everyone else, and then there are only the six of us left in the dining room.

The silence is slightly strained for the moment, but then Gem turns his attention back to Liam.

“We might have enjoyed our freedom, but you’re the only one who fucked where you slept,” Gem points out. “The rest of us were sensible enough to keep that shit out of the palace.” He turns to me, his eyes pleading. “Shifters are highly sexual creatures, all supes are, but now that we’re mates, none of us will look anywhere but at you.” He side-eyes Gryffin, and I see the dismay in his eyes. I know I have to assure them that whatever they have going on is fine with me. I could see it the moment I approached the table, and thoughts of being the jelly in their sandwich make my panties damp.

“I’m not going to stop you and Gryff, if that’s what you’re worried about. Hell, there’s only one of me, and there’s going to be eight of you. I would say you are taking one for the team if you two are together.” I wink at him, and they both relax. “In fact, I’m pretty sure Nox is bi as well. He kind of implied he was,” I offer. “He’s very pretty.” I see intrigue in both of their eyes, but it’s the only thing I’m going to say on the subject. “What about the rest of you? Are you going to be fucking as well? I don’t care, I’m just trying to work out the dynamic here.”

They all stare at me with shock, and it’s all I can do not to giggle.

“Ah, no, the rest of us are very much hetero, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to share.” Brodie recovers first and gives me a sly wink.

“Good to know.” I give him my own wink back, and his mouth drops open in surprise. I think he was trying to shock me, but I assumed that’s how things worked in a group dynamic. I’m kind of excited, to be honest. The thought of being shared by two or more of these men is exhilarating, albeit nerve-racking. I hope I’m enough for them. It doesn’t seem fair that I get to have all of them, but they only have me. A frown creases my brows as I think about this.

“What are you worried about, pretty girl?” Hunter asks, and I turn my attention to the gorgeous dragon shifter. “The key to a healthy bond group is communication. You need to tell us how you are feeling, because despite our animal instincts, we are not mind readers.”

“Not yet anyway.” Liam smirks at me.

“What do you mean, not yet?” I ask him, and he shrugs.

“We can all mind speak, and once the bond is sealed, you will be able to as well.”

“But that doesn’t mean we can read your mind.” Gem scowls at Liam. “You have to actively send your thoughts to us.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. I don’t want them to learn about all my insecurities, and being able to keep my thoughts private is essential to me.

“What about these two new bond mates? Do you really think they are going to be a mer and a fairy? That’s what Violet implied earlier,” Brodie asks and pushes back from the table, bringing his plate down to a chair closer to mine. It sets off a chain reaction, and the other four do the same thing, so we are all closer together. My head swims as their intoxicating scents hit my nose. I know Liam is the frost and pine aroma, but I can’t distinguish the others yet. I’m assuming the smoky scent is from either Hunter or Gem, both of their animals having access to fire. I close my eyes and try to breathe shallower so I’m not overwhelmed by them.

“It makes sense,” I agree, opening my eyes again to find them staring at me with adoration. It’s a lot, but I’m going to have to get used to it. “So how are we going to work out who they are? Do you think they will go to the bond center and register? Should we put out some feelers so we know as soon as it happens?”

“Actually, I think I might know who one of them is.” Gem rubs his chin thoughtfully, but before I can ask, Gryff jumps up.

“Micah!” he exclaims. “That’s why he was rubbing his chest like that and suffered so badly from the wave of magic.”

Gem nods his agreement.

“He will be a good addition to the team. He is one of my father’s fiercest warriors,” Hunter agrees. “And I like him. He’s quiet and focused, but he’s a good guy.”

“That makes sense. Should I go find him?” Brodie also gets to his feet, bouncing up and down with excitement.

“No need.” The deep voice has all six of us turning our attention to the dining room doors, and my mouth drops open in shock. The tallest dude I have ever seen stands there. He has to be close to seven feet tall, and he has broad shoulders and arms that look like they could crush a small car. His torso tapers into a thick waist, and his thighs look like they are one loose stitch from bursting out of his black cargo pants. I’m pretty sure this guy could bench press Hunter without breaking a sweat.

He has long, teal hair that is dark because it’s wet, and his glowing eyes are the same color. He has a strong jaw, and his eyelashes and eyebrows are the same color as the hair on his head, which is a little startling. He’s staring at me like I’m the answer to all his questions.

“Micah! Hey, man, come on over. I’m going to take a wild stab and assume you have a mark on your chest that matches ours now.” Gem waves him over, and the man strides into the room, his attention not leaving me in the least. I scramble out of my chair so he isn’t towering above me when he reaches the table, but it really doesn’t do any good. He’s just that much taller than me, and he has an intense aura that’s almost suffocating when he reaches out and takes one of my hands.

“Your Majesty, I am Micah, and it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he purrs and bends, placing a kiss on my hand. I just about swoon with all of his focus on me. Phew, holy shit, this male is intense.

“Hi, call me Colbie. Do you want to join us for lunch?” I stammer slightly before pushing my shoulders back and trying to look confident.

“I take it you have a brand-new bond mark on your chest?” Liam says dryly as Micah releases my hand, pulls out a chair next to Hunter, and takes a seat. He gives the guys a nod before turning his attention to Liam.

“I do, and I happened to run into King Lucas and the general as they were heading back to the barracks to check on everyone. They explained the situation and sent me this way.” He absently rubs a spot above his heart, which I’m assuming is where his new mark is. He shakes his head. “I can’t believe I was marked. I’m forty years old, so I’d given up on being marked for a mate or bond group years ago and was focused on serving my kingdom, despite my community’s reluctance to get involved in shifter affairs.”

“Well, we can’t really blame them.” Gryff winces. “It isn’t like the shifter nation has given you anything to fight for, but we think that’s going to be different. Colbie is going to bridge the gap my parents were unable to.” He beams at me with pride, and I shift uncomfortably. Everyone has so much faith in me, but I have my doubts. Until recently, I was happy with my lot in life and determined to find a small amount of joy in my career and make new friends. Everything has changed. I’ve made new friends, but that came with a life completely removed from what I planned.

“What are you?” I ask bluntly, giving up on all attempts to be subtle. So much is up in the air, I think the least I deserve is to know what each of my mates shift into. “Actually, can you all share with me what you are? I know that Gryff is a tiger and Hunter is a dragon, and you told me you’re a phoenix, Gem, but what are you?” I look at Brodie and Liam before switching back to Micah. I know it’s not polite to ask, but I figure since we’re mates, I deserve to know.

Micah is still gazing at me, half bewildered and half amazed, like he can’t believe what’s happened, but then he frowns and his eyes take on a look of distrust. “I’m a mer,” he announces like he’s bracing for a reaction.

“Like a mermaid?” I ask carefully, desperately trying to control the squeal inside me that wants to break free.

“Well, merperson or merpeople are the proper terms, but yeah. Is that a problem?” He crosses his arms defensively, and I bounce up and down on my chair in glee and clap my hands.

“Do you have a tail and everything?” I ask, unable to control my excitement anymore.

The distrust in his eyes fades, and he looks at me in wonder. “Uh, yeah, I do.”

“And gills and you can breathe underwater?”

He starts to chuckle. “Yup, that’s usually how it works. It would be pretty bad if we couldn’t breathe underwater.”

“Oh my god, that’s amazing!” I turn to the others. “Do we have a pool so we can go swimming and he can show us?” I feel like a kid whose dreams have come true. I was obsessed with mermaid books when I was a tween.

“Huh?” Micah shakes his head with amazement. “She doesn’t care,” he mutters.

“Shit, man, neither do we. You’ll find that none of us are like those assholes who made you feel worthless. King Lucas and his queens have been trying to stamp out that ridiculous prejudice against humanoid shifters for years,” Hunter tells him. “No one in the service gives you a hard time, do they?”

“No, but General Bryson doesn’t tolerate any of that crap. Anyone who did have issues was dishonorably discharged.”

“That was due to my dad’s orders,” Gryff replies.

“The problem is the voices of the few with issues are basically louder than anyone else’s. Most of us animal shifters don’t give a shit, and our new queen comes with an even blanker slate. Look at her, does she seem disappointed that you’re a mer?” Brodie is laughing. “Hell, I don’t want to tell her what I am now. I bet she’ll be nowhere near as excited.”

“What are you? Hang on, let me guess.” I study Brodie, and if I had to guess, I would put him as a golden retriever. He has happy-go-lucky energy, but I know there are no domesticated animal shifters. “I bet you’re a wolf. I can practically see your tail wagging,” I tease him, and he beams at me, though I remember one of the queens something earlier.

“Yup, you guessed it. Aren’t you a clever girl?” He winks at me, and I can’t help but feel proud of myself and a little turned on by his words of praise, so I turn my attention to Liam in the hope nobody notices it.

“Well, darling, are you going to take a guess at what I am?” He smirks at me, and I smirk right back, deciding I’m going to give him shit.

“Hmm, I know monkeys are especially promiscuous, so I’m going to go with a chimpanzee or maybe a gorilla.”

His mouth drops open in shock, and the rest of the guys burst into laughter at his reaction.

“You think I’m a fucking monkey?” He sounds hurt, and I shrug.

“Well, you all admitted to being manwhores, and they said you were the worst.”

“Oh, so you’re coming to us as a lily white virgin, are you?” He arches an eyebrow and folds his arms across his chest defensively. I feel a little guilty.

“No, but I haven’t had many past relationships. Being a baker is not very family friendly, and the ones I have been with all wanted me to change. I like who I am and don’t feel like I have to change to fit someone else,” I admit, and I see his anger soften. Liam is so bristly on the outside, but there’s an inner softness that occasionally breaks through.

“To be honest, this scares the crap out of me. We’re fated, but what if you don’t actually like the person I am? What if we’re mated, and we all end up completely miserable? I mean, you five have been together for years, but Micah and I are going to change that dynamic. What if it doesn’t work and we end up fractured instead?”

All of my fears come writhing to the surface, and instead of bottling them up, I share them. Hunter did say communication was the key to a healthy and happy bond group.

Liam jumps up, comes around, and takes my hand, pulling me out of my chair. He turns me to face him and cups my cheek, his eyes locked on mine. “Trust in the goddess. Things may be a little rocky while we all adjust to this, but I have no doubt that it’s going to be amazing.” He presses a kiss to my forehead, and I hear someone sigh.

“Well, who the fuck knew he had it in him to be romantic?” Gem mutters to Gryffin.

“His bear has been pushing him for a mate for a long time. It’s no wonder he’s all in,” the prince replies.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving. How about we eat up so we can get to the shifting part of the program? I’m dying to see Colbie’s creatures again,” Brodie suggests, and Liam pulls away, but I grab his hand, and he faces me again.

“So what are you?” I ask, realizing I never got an answer to my question.

“Polar bear,” he replies and growls at me, a deep rumble that comes from his chest. “And he’s dying to meet you.” I let him return to his seat and fan my face, trying to cool down. Holy crap, a polar bear. I’m pretty sure they eat people. Or are those grizzlies? I’m not sure, but sign me up for Liam eating me, I’m just not sure about his bear. My creature is waiting to be let out so she can play with her mates, but I know for sure that’s not a good idea. She’s so much bigger than all of them, except maybe Hunter’s dragon. They are similar in size.

“What are you, if you don’t mind me asking? It seems fair.” Micah smirks at me, dragging my attention away from the bad boy shifter.

I return to my seat and wink at him. “How about I surprise you?”

“Let’s go to the waterfall, and then Micah can be there to help Colbie in the water. Your creature might enjoy a swim,” Hunter suggests, and I widen my eyes in surprise. Do hydras like water? Shit, I know nothing about the creature I house. Maybe I need to go to the archives and ask Sable for some help. Another thing to add to my to-do list.

“You’re a water creature?” Micah sounds surprised. “There aren’t many water shifters. There are a few krakens, sharks, and whales, so are you one of them?”

Brodie laughs and slaps a hand on the table. “Man, you have no idea. You are going to lose your shit, I can promise you that.”