Page 9

P andora watched her mates drive up and smiled. Hey. How has your night been? Mine was eventful.

Knur and Zhin looked at her through the open window. Zhin got out and opened the car door for her. She eased into the back seat and buckled in. He returned to the passenger seat, and Knur took off.

Pandora sighed. Her mates were grumpy.

When they got to the house, she waited for Zhin to let her out of the car. He did so with a grimace.

She put her hands in the front of her hoodie and walked between them to the house. Knur opened the door and let her enter the space before he and Zhin followed her in.

She smelled new fabric. Uh-oh. The new furniture arrived.

Knur nodded. Yes, the new furniture arrived, and you promised to help us break it in in every corner of the house.

Zhin grumbled. And then you left to go play at the palace.

Yeah. About that. I didn t go to visit Ira. Today was the raid on the Stronghold.

Knur froze. That was today?

Yeah. Did you guys return to full power about three hours ago?

Zhin nodded. We did. It was why we were eager to have you here.

She sighed. Well, I missed the moment because I was out making the moment, but I am here now. How did you want to celebrate?

Knur shuddered, and his horns and hooves were now obvious. A dark sparkle moved down his body, and he sprouted fur from the waist down to his shiny black hooves.

Pandora turned to ask Zhin if her vision was correct, but he was the dark green of the shadows in the forest with a crown of leaves. Oh. Good colour for you.

His red eyes were tinged with black and gold. Thank you.

She smiled and touched his arm. You are cool.

Knur snorted. And I am warm. So, are you at your full power as well, Pandora?

No. My full power is when I am mist. For what I believe you have in mind, I need to be solid.

Knur grinned and stepped forward to stroke her cheek. I think you are right. I am fascinated by the ability to touch you.

Well, it s a good thing that the Stronghold was dealt with. Now I don t have to dodge more intimate contact anymore. She smiled up at him. Last chance to have your puppet take my place.

Zhin chuckled. No more projections. You are with us again, and we are sticking to it.

She felt Zhin s cool presence at her back as Knur cupped her face. She whispered, So, how exactly did you want to mark the room?

Knur chuckled. I thought we might mark things organically.

If those things include me, we all know that a simple braid would suffice.

Zhin chuckled and scraped his teeth along her shoulder. But this is so much more fun.

I would have thought you would be a vegetarian with leaves like those, she muttered. They each took a side of her neck, and she shivered as her knees gave way. Knur caught her by the arms with a chuckle.

Cool air suddenly caressed all of her. Really? I liked that outfit.

Zhin murmured, It is folded on the couch.

Oh. Good. She reached behind her and ran her fingers through Zhin s hair and leaves. Knur took her free hand and placed it on the curve of one of his horns. The uneven ridges made it easy to grip and steer. She just had to figure out where she wanted him.

She murmured, I can t decide.

Knur chuckled. We will give you a list of experiences to choose from. Are you good with that?

Zhin nipped her shoulder. That sounds like fun. May we begin?

Pandora chuckled. Sure.

The maelstrom of contact kicked off, and Pandora felt like she was melting into them. Her senses took snapshots of hands, mouths, and the feeling of heat and safety that she got from them.

At some point, the fireplace came to life, and Knur was outlined in flickering light. Her spine and back were lit with heat as Zhin covered her skin with kisses and scrapes. The drag of his teeth against her caused a particular shiver.

Knur seemed to have no trouble being the mattress, as long as he could move her where he wanted her. Zhin s fingers teased her sex slowly, and when he parted her, there was ample proof that she was enjoying herself. He offered his slicked hand to Knur, and her satyr grunted and took the sample. She s close.

She understood that tasting now. I have some time. I can delay it if I fog out.

Knur murmured, Don t. Please.

Pandora looked down at his earnest face and whispered, Convince me.

Zhin slid two fingers into her and then a third. He muttered, Challenge accepted.

She spent the next two hours clutching whoever was in front of her until frustration caused her to claw at Knur. He lined his cock up against her opening and pushed his hips up. His fingers gripped her thighs, and he pushed himself into her in one long, slow stroke.

Pandora gasped, and when he lifted her and brought her down hard, her climax started. His eyes glowed as his hands picked up the pace, and the slapping of her thighs against his took over the room. She could feel her body clenching around his, over and over, fighting to hold him still. When he finally held her tight and grunted, she felt the swelling and the lock of the knot.

She felt her body fluttering around him, and his eyes were glowing bright gold. She gasped as she shifted to get comfortable and slowly leaned down to fold her arms on his chest with her head pillowed comfortably.

She heard Zhin groan and mutter, If this weren t our first time together, I would be inside you right now.

Knur chuckled. I am there right now. Ten out of ten, do recommend. She s still gripping me.

She s right here, and her ears work.

Zhin s cooler hand stroked down her back all the way to her butt and back up again. She sighed and wiggled, turning to look at him. He smiled. How are you doing, Pandora?

She smiled. Good. He s fuzzy. Does he shed?

Zhin laughed. No, but his face is astonished that you asked.

Fingers stroked through her hair and then gently turned her head toward his. I don t shed.

But you have a waggy, little tail. I saw it.

He looked embarrassed. I might not take this form again if it elicits commentary.

Oh, come on, Zhin has taken the comments on his little twigs and hanging vines with good humour. Your cute, little waggy tail is going to have to deal with my skewed admiration.

His hand clenched.

Although, if we have kids, you are going to have to wear your other form for more public displays of affection. Or whatever this is.

His hand clenched again. You doubt our affection?

This is sex. The rest is courtship. I don t know you and don t know much about you. She blinked slowly. I have my life, and you have yours. We live together and have kids together. Like roommates with benefits.

He frowned.

Zhin said softly, We picked this house for you.

Ira s images picked this place. She didn t know why she was being crabby; it was a perfectly nice house.

She felt Knur s knot loosen up, and she eased off him. Pandora fell to one side and wrapped her arms around her bent knees. She tried to think of why she was acting this way but wasn t sure. She thought about some of the books she had read on the history of omegas, and as Zhin and Knur were both rubbing her back in concern, it snapped into her. Mate rejection.

Zhin paused. Oh. So, you feel...

Dark, hollow, depressed, suicidal. She wiped her cheeks on her knees. Can we just bond first before I am played with like a toy again?

Zhin began to comb her hair and said, A bond is why we were here. We just didn t think you would want us all tangled together before it started.

I think I would prefer that over the urge to throw myself into the fireplace.

Knur was kneeling next to her. Which lock do you want?

She sniffled and reached behind her for one on the back left. Zhin combed it out quickly and grabbed one of her hands, and she felt a sharp puncture. He pulled a section along her finger, and then she smelled other blood in the air as they did the same while Zhin got to work. Knur was sitting nearby and working on Zhin s hair, so she reached for Knur.

She combed out the lock and smeared blood on one out of three. Knur reached back and held his finger out. The blood was added, then Zhin s, and then they all sat there braiding.

The moment she finished Knur s braid, there was a click in her mind. Then another when Zhin s was done. She felt better. Less like she was in the middle of a panic attack.

The moment Zhin finished, there was a thunderclap to her senses. The spiral of despair cut off in an instant. Oh, that s better.

Knur pressed his forehead to her shoulder. I am sorry to have given you such distress. I know the pain of that kind of loss.

Except I never had the hope of it in my thoughts, and then it was gone. What kind of a stupid adaptation is that?

It must have been useful at one point, Knur murmured.

Zhin nodded and stroked her braid. Possibly. It could also be the grief of centuries of omegas past. Used and discarded.

Pandora winced. That leaves a horrible mental image.

Zhin hugged her. It does. Sorry.

Knur stroked her cheek.

She could feel them now. Thick golden bands swirled in her mind, and their emotions coursed along them. Knur was relieved, concerned, and there was a simmering lust in his thoughts. Zhin was bright energy, tense lust, and healing concern.

Pandora straightened, gripped the back of each of their necks and whispered, So, which room is next?

Joy sparked in their minds, and Zhin lifted her in his arms. Apparently, next up was the kitchen. If she was on the counter with tilted hips, Zhin was perfectly set up to access all of her. She was sweaty and slipping around on the counter by the time they locked up, but the giggles in her mind matched the satisfaction in his.

Knor was grinning when Zhin s knot reduced, and he scooped her up and carried her to the second floor.

I think our bedroom will be an excellent starting place for the second floor, Knur murmured.

She sighed. But what about the first floor?

He chuckled. Let s start things in the bedroom and work from there.

I thought we started things on the main floor. She chuckled and leaned her head against his shoulder.

This isn t your heat. We don t need to keep at you until we are exhausted. You have things to do tomorrow, and walking normally is one of them, Knur said softly.

Zhin added behind her, We have bonded, now we are going to cuddle as our minds settle into the links.

Knur carried her to the bedroom and then the bathroom. His hooves clicked on the tile.

Don t you slip with those? She looked down at the hard feet.

No. Knur sighed as he got the water running and started the spray while holding her away from the coursing water.

Zhin walked in with an armload of shampoos, conditioners, scrubs, puffs, and body wash. The shower was populated in no time.

Being bathed as an adult was a distinctly strange feeling. She ended up being slippery, pinned between the two while they either rinsed or aroused her. Both were actually happening.

Isn t it a problem to wash out the blood from the braids?

Zhin chuckled. No, the link is forged. We know the other members of our link, and we are closed. No others are invited to join.

So, you two aren t going to die?

No, Pandora, and you aren t either. Knur growled.

She looked up at him. Are you going to continue brooding in strip clubs?

He smiled. No. I can confidently say that the brooding is over.

Zhin chuckled. And I have all kinds of energy left over now that I am not keeping his puppet animated. That was exhausting.

Yeah, I would have given you different advice on costuming. That gal needed support.

Knur cupped her breasts. Yes, you do.

She snorted. I am an adult, so I made sure I look like one.

Zhin nipped the back of her neck. Thank you.

Knur asked, Did you want to meet with your ex-team members?

Only if they want to meet me. I am guessing that my abduction was tense at the least. I do remember that I was a helluva acrobat before I was snagged.

Zhin murmured, You were very brave and very ferocious. While we were being held back and stabbed, you clawed your tormentor until he tried to shake you loose, and then, you took him with you.

Knur murmured, We tried to get to you, but they wanted to watch us while you died. Twelve of the bastards held us back in cages lined with knives.

She shuddered. Oh. I didn t know.

Zhin continued to massage her back. You had other things on your mind.

I was really glad my manicure survived until that point. It came in handy. She could feel the waves of trauma moving through all three of them, and she sighed. Let s get dry and then cuddle. I think we deserve it.

Knur nodded. They rinsed off, and she felt sunshine and warm air drying her. Zhin carried her to bed, Knur pulled the top sheet back, and she was snuggled between them a moment later. They held each other desperately as their minds wove together.

Pandora woke herself crying and didn t know whose grief it was. Zhin turned her to him and wiped her tears, kissing her forehead and breathing raggedly. It was him. She held him tight while Knur held her hips in his wide grip.

She kissed Zhin and stroked his head, drawing the braid through her fingers. He breathed in raggedly and returned the kiss. She fell asleep with him once again.

Waking up in bed with her clothing folded and waiting for her made her smile. They all had jobs to get to, and while wallowing in bed would be fun, it would have to wait until after the fashion show. She had shit to do.

Pandora got dressed and headed downstairs, where Knur was sitting at his computer and Zhin was putting groceries away. So, where s my phone?

Zhin grinned. Living room. You left it there last night before things got interesting.

Knur smiled. Interesting is the way to describe it.

She snorted and headed to the sound of her phone s desperate attempts to summon her. She used some energy and replenished the charge before checking the messages.

Kay was wondering when she was going to come in or if she was taking the day off. Regis was wishing her good morning and asking if she could bring a delivery of cupcakes to Ira s school later.

Pandora checked the time and wandered back into the kitchen. Can one of you guys get me to my car? I left it at the new palace.

Knur nodded. It s out front. I retrieved it last night. You really need to do some maintenance on it.

That isn t a skill I picked up. I just take it in and pay the nice man.

Zhin blinked. You are kidding.

Nope. I am a Renaissance woman, but it isn t one of my skills.

Knur nodded. I will take a look at it this evening. If it isn t reliable, we are going to see what Ornolf can come up with.

What does he have to do with things?

Zhin smiled. He owns Zotar Motorsports. There are a lot of options in their catalogue, and I am fairly sure you would be high on the list for clientele.

Uh, I just need a light SUV to carry cakes and clothing.

Knur shrugged. In that case, we will find something newer and in better condition. Your vehicle has been through the wars.

Zhin smiled. What would you like for breakfast?

Um, fried egg sandwich?

He cocked his head. Is that a normal breakfast?

I sub in at a bakery a lot. My normal breakfast is whatever came out of the oven.

He nodded and went to work on her breakfast.

She sat next to Knur and asked, Whatcha doing?

Trying to get through some of the investor s questions before I have some coffee and discuss your wardrobe.

My wardrobe is fine for creeping around and doing hems today.

It is geared for your beta form.

Oh. Right. I can grab something at the shop.

Zhin asked over his shoulder, Where is the fashion show being held?

A hotel owned by a guy named Rickart. His is the only one with the outdoor and indoor facilities ready to go. Plus, since he found a mate, he is being all magnanimous.

Knur asked, What is the charity?

It is the school Ira attends. They are going to need a major expansion in four or five years. It s the first private school geared toward pack families specifically. They really understand how things are structured in pack families.

Zhin chuckled as he flipped the egg and then buttered the toast. Is that where you want our children to go?

Wouldn t you prefer they all go to school with others who know exactly how sensitive their ears are?

Knur chuckled. You learn to guard them after a while.

Yeah, I need to pick that skill up.

Zhin smirked as he set her sandwich in front of her, and she grinned at the diagonal cut. Very nice. Thank you, Zhin.

He tapped his lips, and she pulled him down to kiss him. She let him go with a smack and settled in to have her breakfast.

It wasn t yet six in the morning, so she didn t feel guilty lingering over her coffee and the fruit salad that Zhin offered her. He had gotten two kisses for the fruit and coffee, and Knur was growling every time Zhin offered her something.

Pandora kissed Knur on the cheek. Okay, I am heading out now. You have my number, and I can be reached all the time unless I am driving.

What are you doing for lunch? Knur looked at her.

She paused. It feels like a spaghetti kind of day. Oh, damn. I have to contact Myrtle.

Zhin smiled. She s the mate with the spares.

Yeah, I was supposed to eat with her at Denith s restaurant. Apparently, we both have basic eating habits.

Zhin picked up his phone and sent a text. A moment later, he got a ping and sent it on to Pandora. Eleven forty-five. Myrtle will meet us there, and her toes are wiggling, whatever that means.

Oh. Okay. I will set an alarm. She punched two alarms into her phone. Got em. Meet you guys there?

Zhin walked over to her, tipped her head up, and kissed her savagely. She was up on her toes, trying to keep contact when she was pulled away and made a sad sound. Knur lifted her to the counter and parted her knees before kissing her. He tasted like coffee and maple syrup. When she was limp against him and he raised his head, she whispered, Did you have pancakes and not share?

He ran his thumb over her lower lip. I like sweet in the morning.

She blinked at him. Huh.

He grinned. Don t you have to get to work?

I seem to have an elf wedged between my thighs.

He looked down and nodded. Well, look at that. What are the odds?

Zhin commented, Pretty good, actually. I mean, there is a sixty-six percent chance that one of us will be on you, in you, or under you at any given time.