Page 27

T hat was the best fucking sleep of my entire life.

I woke up refreshed, smushed in the best possible way between my boyfriend and his brother, with hot skin at my back and soft fur at my front.

I made a mental note: I was definitely going to have to repeat that killer combo of ropes, orgasms, and sandwich cuddles.

Seth booped me with his nose when he saw I was awake, and licked his sandpaper tongue up my face.

I cackled and shoved his head away. “Get your gross cat breath off me.”

Mischief flickered in his gaze and he rolled over, going well beyond squishing, and flattened me into the mattress with his giant furry body. Caden pushed his brother right off the bed and scooped me up, blankets and all. He carted me out to the main room before Seth could right himself.

I shrieked with laughter and clung to him as he spun me around and took a paw slap to the ass, protecting me from Seth’s playfulness. Caden set me on the couch and slipped into his panther form to tackle his brother.

I had no idea what the heck had changed while I was asleep, but they were so damn cute wrestling. Seth almost knocked over a lamp with his ass.

“You guys! You’re going to break everything.”

They switched to their small forms, tumbling around with squawks, swats, and playful bites. They tore across the living space, bounding over the couches, over me, and leaping off counters.

Gods, I loved zoomies.

Caden didn’t get them very often, but it was pure delight when they made an appearance.

I guess it made sense after all the stress and lack of movement.

They needed to get it all out of their systems. Seth scaled the curtains with Caden hot on his tail.

He leapt onto the couch and galloped up my body.

Nothing like a paw to the spleen. Caden at least took the floor route and tackled his brother.

They were a mass of flailing paws and whipping tails, getting all their aggression and energy out in the most precious fight in the world.

Caden bolted and careened to a stop as he flew at my chest and Seth crashed into us both a second later.

I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe and they were both headbutting me.

I grabbed them in my arms and hugged them close.

“Gods bless you little weirdos. You’re both too fucking cute.”

It was beyond adorable that their being in cat form came with all the things I loved most about cats.

They lounged against me, purrs vibrating their chests.

It was a quiet pleasure, cuddling both of them in a cabin in the forest. The only way this day could get more perfect would be some fresh lasagna and human-form snuggles.

I put on the TV and indulged myself in some extended kitty love, with them curled up and making biscuits on me. A whisper from the trees had my hair standing on end and both Seth and Caden stiffened in my arm.

What is it? Caden asked.

They both hopped off and I went to go stand on the porch. The forest stretched out around us and had a different vibe than the Appalachians. Both were ominous and old, but the Rockies didn't feel as ancient. Tickling breezes wafted over me.

Call Her .

Who the hell was I supposed to call? How did one get proper answers out of a forest? Maybe I should see if any of the gods were feeling generous with information. I didn’t have my cards, but I did have my pendulum.

Resolved, I stepped back inside, getting myself dressed and ready for some communing.

I sat down on the floor in the middle of the main room with one of the candles from my tote glowing from its spot inside a coffee cup for safety.

Caden and Seth hung back outside of the circle I’d drawn for the ritual.

“Hecate,” I whispered, reaching out to my primary goddess. “Please guide me.”

The candle flame flickered excitedly. I held out my pendulum and prayed for answers.

You don’t need this to speak to me anymore.

The voice filled me up, echoing with the power of millennia that made my blood feel like it was fizzing.

I struggled to breathe and my eyes went unfocused.

The woman from my dream stood in my mind’s eye, smiling softly at me.

The cabin disappeared around me and I stood under the auroras, on the mountaintops as the breeze sang around us and the sky danced with brilliant colors.

Don’t be afraid, Logan. Things have been set in motion. Your only job is to accept the gifts that are given to you.

“What kind of gifts?”

She laughed and I was overwhelmed by her beauty. Her power washed over me like a wave on the sand. You already know what kind of gifts. You keep denying the second one I’ve provided. There will be others. The sooner you accept them, the smoother your path will be.

“Others?” My heart pounded so loudly in my ears I can hardly hear myself think.

Yes. Helpers, guides. Lovers.

“But I have a boyfriend.”

Hecate laughed again. I know. He was the first gift.

She smiled, a soft, motherly expression as she moved closer to me.

I brought them to you and you were meant to have them both from the beginning, but Caden was holding on to his pain.

You were meant to have others already. It couldn’t be helped.

Free will. Hecate shrugged. Now that things have begun, I will bring you the others.

You will not survive without one another.

I have seen the future in which you refuse your gifts.

I shuddered as flashing images of blood and chaos invaded my thoughts.

“Seth is another gift?” I confirmed.

Yes.

“Is my desire for him because of you?”

Your desire is yours. Your choices are yours. I merely provide compatible partners to survive what is coming. United, you stand a chance. Your true nature is coming to light and it will not be denied.

“What if accepting them hurts someone I love?”

Love is not reduced because it is shared. He will see this in time. Your foundation is strong enough to build upon. Trust him.

“What’s coming?”

A chance to make things right. You have the opportunity to correct the mistakes of your ancestors.

My ancestors? “What did they do that needs fixing?”

I’m sorry. I can’t tell you more without compromising your intentions. I have watched you your entire life, Logan. I know you will make the correct choice.

Hecate vanished and I was catapulted back to the cabin.

I tipped back and sprawled on the floor.

Caden was by my side instantly, gathering me up and holding me close.

The candle had snuffed itself out, tendrils of smoke wafting above it in elegant swirls.

A blanket draped over me and I caught sight of Seth out of the corner of my eye, kneeling next to us.

I buried my face against Caden’s chest and reached a hand out to Seth.

The warmth of his touch was like a live wire arcing up my arm. Caden held me tighter as I shivered.

“What happened?” Seth asked, squeezing my hand tighter.

“A visit from a goddess.” I focused on breathing Caden in. He was my anchor.

I turned to Seth.

Mine.

I still didn’t understand, and the idea of trying to bring it all up with Caden made my stomach turn. I trusted him not to be mad, but I didn’t want to hurt him.

“What did she say?” Seth asked.

“We won’t survive without each other, and more are coming to help us.” I kept the rest to myself. I needed the right moment to talk to Caden, and cowardice tasted too sweet on my tongue to tell them anything more.