“ D id you see them?” I stroked a hand over Haru’s mottled gray fur, scratching behind their ears.
Gold eyes looked back at me. Two panthers and an omega witch. I remember one of them.
“Oh?”
He was in Orlando.
Tension shot up my spine. “If he’s the one who ripped your throat out, I’ll have him dead before nightfall.”
Not him. He was treated as badly as I was, and we were…close. I’d like to keep him. They’re all exactly as I dreamed.
I mused, twirling patterns in Haru’s fur to focus.
My wolf had always had a touch of prophecy, though it didn’t show up all that often.
I hadn’t a clue why these new arrivals were important, but Haru had been insistent that they were coming.
I’d felt them the moment they came through the wards of the nest and sent Haru to investigate.
They were in the temporary suite at the moment to prepare for being presented to the Protectors.
The panther I recognized is close to death. No visible injuries.
Curious. “Poison?”
Haru snorted and shoved their head onto my lap. Not by the smell of him. He’s freshly matebonded to the witch.
“I suppose we’ll find out soon enough. We’ll go down early. Kendrick’s been looking for a new toy and I’d rather not let him have any of them before we figure out why your dreams wanted us to know about them.”
Haru growled in my lap and lifted their head to lick my chin. Fuck Kendrick and his toys. These ones are ours.
I laughed and held their face in my hands. “I know, you’ve been eager for someone to play with too. You’ll have to train them. Show them exactly what it means to be mine.”
Amusement flared in his gaze. If we didn’t have places to be, I would request a reminder .
I hooked a finger under his muzzle. “I’ll remind you soon enough. Come.” I nudged them off of my lap and rose, checking my hair and dress in the mirror, arranging the wine-red fabric to perfectly display the expanse of skin from throat to navel.
The hallways were bustling, but the occupants parted to let Haru and me pass. The nest was active at all hours, though we’d luckily invested in good insulation so I didn’t have to listen to it.
I wasn’t used to waiting, but it was my own fault for arriving early.
Anyone coming in would be presented to us, though we typically continued whatever we were doing before our nest manager, Cora, collected us in the throne room for the presentation.
I settled on my throne in the center of the dais.
The plush cushion made it somewhat comfortable, but these seats were designed to display power, not to keep my ass from going numb.
Find yourself a good spot to watch .
Haru nodded and slipped across the room, settling himself next to the thick metal ring embedded in the floor. Kendrick was the first to arrive, his eyebrows climbing up when he saw I was already there.
“Bored?” he asked, sliding into his own seat. He crossed muscled arms over his chest, his dark blond hair tied in a low ponytail. “Thinking of claiming one before they’ve even been presented?”
His green eyes flashed with power, a subtle challenge. He didn’t scare me. If it came down to it, I’d eat that goddamn stag for breakfast and shit out his bones.
“What would you care if I did?” I examined my nails, refusing to look at him. “You’ve got a dozen playthings already.”
“They get boring. Good to add some new blood to the mix.” Kendrick sighed and stretched his legs out, trying to catch my attention.
He’d never gotten accustomed to my indifference, or my very clear and immediate preference for Haru.
“I heard one of them is half-dead already. Don’t imagine he’ll be all that entertaining.
The omega should be fun, though. Can’t wait to get my cock in her. ”
My nails bit into my palms. If Kendrick laid a fucking hand on her, I’d chop them off myself.
Shakti came running in, her long, black hair bound up in a braid, brown eyes glowing. “Oh, you’re both here already.”
Kendrick snorted. “Didn’t realize the newbies were going to be so exciting for everyone.”
Shakti eyed us both before taking her spot between Kendrick and me. “Have you seen them? I heard the one male is quite choice. I wouldn’t mind taking him.”
I bit back a growl. They had both claimed more than enough. So fucking greedy. I couldn’t stake a legitimate claim without all the active Protectors present.
Velda joined us a moment later, her cheeks flushed pink, blonde hair falling softly around her face. She hastily smoothed the strands, but it didn’t make her look any less like she’d been recently fucked. “Am I late? I was…occupied.”
“Not late, Vel.” I waved her over. “We’re just early.”
“Why early? Did I miss something?”
I bit my tongue, unwilling to betray anything. “No, the rest of us just didn’t have a charming gargoyle between our thighs when we were informed.”
Velda blushed.
Calliope wouldn’t be joining us while she was on bed rest for her pregnancy, so everyone whom I needed to be here was here.
I took a deep breath, preparing to piss off Kendrick and Shakti. “I’m claiming all of them.”
Shakti looked at me disapprovingly. “ All three? That doesn’t seem fair.”
“I said all, and I mean all. I’ve made no claims since Haru four years ago. It is my right to claim them.”
“Yay!” Velda beamed. “It’s about time you added some new meat to your pride.” She glanced briefly at Haru, who sat patiently a short distance away. “No offense, Haru.”
None taken. Their tail thumped against the floor. I’m looking forward to it as well.
Kendrick leapt up from his seat, his face red with fury.
He didn’t challenge me, though. We all knew I had the authority.
Kendrick had his dirty dozen, Velda had four claimed companions already, and Shakti had seven herself.
I only claimed ones I felt compelled to, and none brought into the nest had called to me like Haru had.
I would trust his dreams that these new three were who I was meant to claim.
“Kendrick, sit down. ” I growled, turning my gaze on him. “They’ll be here soon and it won’t do for the nestlings to see you looking like a pissed-off strawberry.”
It was a shame that so few of us had the power to actually keep a nest safe. A nest this size needed multiple Protectors, which meant we got stuck with dipshits like Kendrick.
Everyone put on their partial forms—Kendrick grew his antlers, and our fangs and golden eyes came out, claws tipping our fingers.
It was mostly just a flex on our power and control of our forms, but it did make an impression.
The others knew the difficulty in maintaining any partway transformation when the natural inclination was to slide into the next form immediately.
Inhabitants from the nest filtered into the throne room a few minutes before Cora led the three new arrivals in by the chains at their throats. They weren’t permanent by any means, but it was humbling for arrivals and set the tone for their place here.
They were safe at our leisure.
Exhaustion slowed their steps. I wasn’t sure what they’d been through, but whatever it was, it wasn’t cured by a meal and a shower.
I’d have to dig into it once I got them out of here.
The panther in his animal form looked ready to fall over, but it didn’t stop his fiery glare from sweeping over me.
Cora attached their chains to the loop in the floor and stepped back.
The panther lay down in front of his omega, his black fur gleaming under the lights.
Curious that she was bonded to the beta of the pair and not the alpha.
The witch was pretty enough. Her damp brown hair hung in waves around her face, her dark eyes wide and curious.
She worried a plump bottom lip between her teeth and stood close to her companions.
The panther in human form had a strong jaw, stubble coating it nicely.
His black hair was damp but swept back from his face, and his hazel eyes were alight with unease.
He kept his arm protectively around the witch’s waist and stood like he had a stick up his ass.
Being under my power wouldn’t be an easy transition for him, but he would learn.
Cora bowed to us before turning back to the newcomers.
“Welcome to the nest. While you remain within the confines of the wards your lives are under the care of Protectors Kendrick, Shakti, Yelena, Velda, and Calliope. Protectors, may I present the panthers, Caden and Seth Ashford, and the omega witch, Logan Murphy, for your appraisal.”
I slid off my throne and walked toward them.
The witch’s sweet mouth dropped open as I approached.
The panther at her feet let out a growl.
I smirked down at him. Even on death’s door he was still trying to protect his omega.
Noble. I grabbed her chain and tugged it, catching her by the collar as she tipped into me.
Her earthy scent spiked with arousal.
Interesting.
“Hello, little kitten.” I purred and leaned closer, pressing my nose to her cheek. Oh, she smelled good . I pulled in a deep breath, the jasmine and forest scent mixing with the spice of her response was heady. “My, what an interesting treat you’ve brought me.”
The panther on the floor growled again. Neither panther liked me being so close to their witch. The human one looked like he’d rather bite my head off than stand quiet, but he held himself in check.
Good.
They were going to be fun.
I was keenly aware of the gaze of the other Protectors on me. Perhaps they needed a reminder. I picked up the chains with a laugh. “You’re mine now.”
Cora glanced from me to the other Protectors. “Mistress?”
“Bring them to my suite.” I stepped closer to her. “If Kendrick gives you any trouble, you come directly to me. Is that clear?”
Cora’s eyes widened and she nodded. “Yes, Mistress.”
“Haru.” I didn’t have to turn to get their attention. They were always watching. Haru trotted to my side and I stroked their ears while they sniffed at the panther.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41 (Reading here)
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62