Page 99 of Scavenger's Oath

The only thing I feel is Phoenix’s arms around me, Myles’s grip on my thighs. Guarded. Safe. Treasured.

They say I’m theirs. But in this moment… I feel like I own them.

Chapter 33

Zane

The cold morning air whips against my cheeks as I jog down the main street toward the police station.

My fingers tighten around the straps of the hunting sack slung over my shoulder. It's lighter than I want it to be. Another two squirrels—barely worth my time, let alone the ammo.

I don’t want to do over-night hunts anymore. The longer I'm gone, the more I hate leaving her behind. But I can’t keep neglecting my duty. I need to keep us fed.

She’s been with us for six weeks now, out of the cell for two. Even though I’ve never jerked off so much in my life, I’ve also never slept better.

But I’m glad I decided to head back when I did.

I knew something was different the second my boots hit the field. The air smelt unfamiliar.

Then I saw two figures on the ridge looking over our town. They looked to be avoiding our town border, but something about them made my skin crawl.

So I ran. Nearly forgetting about the new bear trap on my way through our rigged perimeter.

Pushing through the front door, I pause. The air inside smells different, more feminine. Something sharp and territorialclaws beneath my ribs.

Dropping the sack beside the door, I head toward the stairs.

But once I’m in the hallway I hear the murmur of low voices. Following the sound, I find them.

Phoenix and Ivy. Back near the storage room.

Her back’s pressed to the wall, his hand braced above her head, caging her in. Their bodies are inches apart. His hand coming up to cup her cheek like a lover.

He pulls away the second he hears me. But it's too late, I've already seen it.

She’s blushing. And his eyes are heavy with lust. The air between them is charged with heat.

I know how Phoenix handles Myles, but Ivy could never handle that kind of domination.Surely Phoenix knows that. She’s too innocent, a gentle soul. A princess who deserves nothing but gentleness and worship.

That’s exactly why I can never have her like I want. Because I can’t trust myself not to lose control and ruin her. She deserves softness. Not all the ways my intrusive thoughts cry to wreck her.

Burying my envy, I shove those thoughts down where they won’t mess with my aim. There’s a more pressing matter right now.

My jaw locks as I stalk forward, voice tense. “Phoenix.”

He turns, tension radiating off his shoulders like heat off asphalt. “What?”

I glance at Ivy. But she won't meet my eyes.

“Two men,” I say, getting back to the issue at hand. “Near the town perimeter. Saw them from the ridge on the way back… theyweren'tscavengers.”

Ivy’s face goes pale.

Phoenix straightens, all that heat bleeding out of him as reality slams back in. “Not scavengers?”

I shake my head. “Didn’t look like it. They were moving with purpose. Traders, maybe.”

Her breath hitches. I catch every goddamn flicker of panic on her face. And that's when I know… this isn't just coincidence.