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He’s really not well. We need Dr. Atling.

I reached out and put my hand on the panther’s head. He bristled, but otherwise didn’t respond to the contact. “Haru will stay with you. I’ll have them bring a stretcher from the infirmary. You two, go with Cora. I’ll see you in my suites.”

Neither of them spoke, but I wasn’t here to babysit them in public.

I wove through the crowd and stopped briefly at the infirmary to issue my instructions before hopping on the elevator to my penthouse suite.

I couldn’t let anyone see me waiting. I had to simply trust that my orders would be followed.

I paced my suite. It was massive for just Haru and me. Truthfully, even adding three others, there probably wouldn’t be any space constraints. I’d have to get them to bring in additional beds.

I phoned down to the infirmary and Dr. Atling answered. “I want the panther in my suite, not the infirmary.”

“He is…quite unwell, Mistress Yelena.”

“I’m aware of that. But Kendrick and Shakti weren’t impressed that I claimed them all and I’d like to keep what’s mine where I can see it. Can you leave Sarah in charge while we get him settled?”

She sighed slowly. “We’ll get him ready for transport.”

“Thank you.”

Someone knocked on the door as I hung up and I pulled open the door to reveal Cora with the witch and panther in tow. They had bags with them, so at least they weren’t entirely empty-handed. That made providing for them easier.

“Cora, can you have someone bring up a king-sized bed?”

“Of course, Mistress.” She tapped away on her phone. “It’ll be up in a few minutes. Do you need anything else?”

“You’ve done plenty. I’ll handle them from here.”

Cora nodded and slipped out the door, leaving me with my newly acquired companions.

They looked at me uncertainly, presumably waiting for me to tell them what was happening.

“Remind me of your names.”

The witch spoke first. “Logan. This is Caden.”

“And the other panther?”

“Seth,” Logan said. “Where is he? Can we see him?”

I held up a finger and she fell silent. “Our doctor is bringing him up as we speak. You can put your bags down. We’ll arrange for some furniture to store your things. Come.”

I turned and walked deeper into my suite, toward the living space where plush leather couches sat in a semicircle. I settled on one, pleased to find that they’d followed quickly. I gestured to the large ottoman in front of me, and they sat.

“I imagine you have questions.”

Logan nodded.

“Have you been in a nest before?”

She shook her head, as did Caden, before she added, “Seth has.”

“The rules are simple. You belong to me while you remain here. Obey the other Protectors within reason, meaning if I give you an order they do not have the authority to supersede it. You will be given jobs once we’ve assessed your skills and determined where you’ll best fit.

Everyone contributes to the well-being of the nest unless they are ill or otherwise unable to do so.

All amenities are free for you to use, but for now you are to remain with me unless I tell you otherwise. ”

They both eyed me warily.

“The nest rules apply outside these doors. In here you may make whatever complaints you like, but if you disobey me in public or undermine my authority, I will either have you punished, incarcerated, or removed depending on the severity of your transgression. I will have no one compromise my position as Protector here. Is that clear?”

Logan swallowed. “Yes.”

I stared at her, letting my power flash for her to see.

“Mistress,” she added.

I reached out and stroked her cheek. “Good girl.”

Her spine snapped straight and her eyes widened, that alluring spike of arousal in her scent bursting forward. She was going to be delightful. I flicked my gaze to Caden. “And you? Is that clear as well?”

A tic worked in his jaw, discomfort clear in his posture. “Yes, Mistress .”

I could only laugh. “Used to being in charge, are you?” I crossed my legs and leaned back on the couch, watching him curiously. Not many alphas came easily to heel, but he would have no choice in the matter if he wanted to stay.

“I can follow the rules, but I’m not obligated to be happy about it.”

Conceding the truth of his statement, I nodded. “Fair enough. As long as you act better in public. You’re lucky I got you before the others.”

“Um, why?” Logan asked, hastily adding, “Mistress.”

“Learning quickly, kitten.” I gave her an approving smile and enjoyed the flush of her cheeks in response.

“For one, Kendrick would have fucked you up against a wall before you even made it to his suite and I doubt very much that your panther would have stood by and watched. He’d be locked up in the basement and you’d be number thirteen of Kendrick’s toys. ”

Fury wafted off Caden, though I couldn’t blame him. Kendrick was trying at the best of times, let alone when he was eyeballing someone to add to his collection.

“Shakti only likes men,” I continued, “so you’d have been separated in the best case. Velda wouldn’t be too bad, but she never expressed interest in any of you. I suspect neither of you would have been happy to be claimed by Kendrick or Shakti. Am I correct in that assumption?”

“Yes,” said Caden. I stared silently at him until he sighed. “Mistress.”

“There’s a good boy. I knew you were smart.” I chuckled at the way he bristled.

Before I could say more, someone else knocked on the door.

“That will likely be your missing companion. Logan, precious, get the door.”

She hopped up, crossing the distance with an excitable step.

Dr. Atling pushed a hospital bed through the doors with the panther sprawled across it. An IV was hooked up to a bald patch on his foreleg. “Where am I putting him?”

“Doctor’s choice. The other furniture can navigate him.”

Dr. Atling grumbled as she got Seth set up, Logan and Caden hovering as she did so. Haru slipped inside and trotted over to me, lifting his face up so I could stroke his head.

Change back so you can properly greet our new friends .

Haru nosed my palm and melted into their human form.

My gaze raked over their body—the lean plains of muscle decorated in countless tattoos, straight black hair, and gorgeous brown eyes—before they pulled on a simple black robe.

They slipped closer to me, looping an arm around my waist, burying their face against my throat to breathe me in.

Heat rose in me at every point they touched and I turned to capture their lips, snaring their hair in eager fingers. They went pliant in my arms—perfect, sweet, willing—and it took a considerable amount of self-control not to drag them to bed while I was supposed to be getting everyone settled.

Dr. Atling cleared her throat. “Protector Yelena.”

I pulled away from Haru. “Hmm?”

“We’ll have to monitor the panther closely. I’ll check in until I go to bed and change out the medication to last until morning, but someone will have to check on him overnight.”

“I can watch him,” said Logan. She tentatively looked at me. “Is…that okay?”

“If you feel like forgoing sleep, it is.” I stepped away from Haru and up to the hospital bed. “How is he?”

“Stable.” Dr. Atling didn’t offer anything else. “By your leave.”

I dismissed the doctor and focused on Logan and Caden. “Now, where were we?”