Page 48

I could hear Caden’s purr from across the room. Logan was barely visible, wrapped up in his arms.

Caden huffed a sigh. “I was ready to take Haru hostage and force them to show me where Yelena had taken you.”

“How long was I gone?” Logan asked.

“Almost three hours.” My voice sounded croaky in my ears.

I’d felt her the entire time, like a steady second heartbeat in my chest. I wasn’t sure what all had happened while she was gone.

The flares of warmth and magic had been almost constant at a certain point, and the pulses of lust and confusion had offered some clues, but not enough to craft a narrative for myself.

I couldn’t tell if the lust was because Logan was scared of Yelena or if she was into her—neither of which I blamed her for.

The alpha lioness oozed authority and power, so it stood to reason Logan’s feelings could go either way, or in both directions.

The wolf was no different, but Haru’s authority was quieter, softer.

Betas tended to slip under the radar like that with less in-your-face power, but it was still effective.

“The doctor came up to check on me while you were gone.” Haru had taken a keen interest in me while the doctor did my treatments, focusing their warm gaze on me the entire time. He was just as attentive and sweet as I remembered from our time in Orlando.

Logan slid out of Caden’s grip and jogged over to me. My heart leapt when she leaned down to kiss me and I lifted a shaky arm to slide my fingers into her hair. I breathed in her jasmine and forest scent as she pulled away to let her forehead rest on mine.

“What did the doctor say?”

“Bed rest for a couple of days. They did a blood transfusion to replace what that thing took and I’m starting to feel better already, but she’s not sure about my shifting.”

“What do you mean?” Logan stood up, her eyes scanning over me.

“I got into this form because of your magic. When I’ve been hurt before, I’ve still been able to sense that inner spark of power even if it wasn’t strong enough to use. Now, it’s like it’s been…snuffed out. Nothing’s there when I reach for it.”

Tears welled in Logan’s eyes. “Oh gods. Seth. I’m so sorry. This happened because of me.”

“Hey, no.” I snatched her hands in mine. “There was no way I was going to let that thing take you. I’d pay the same price tomorrow or any other day if it means I get to be here with you.”

She sniffled, a sob sneaking through. “I don’t suppose there’s room for two in this bed?”

“We’ll borrow Yelena’s,” Caden said. “At least until they get us something of our own.”

“I’ll need help getting there.”

“Your bed has wheels,” Caden pointed out. “That’s not an issue.”

He and Logan flipped off the wheel locks and rolled my hospital bed across the suite.

They unlocked and lowered the guard on one side, pressing it against the bed.

Logan stretched out next to me, snuggling as close as she could get—tossing a leg over mine and draping an arm over my chest—and Caden took up her other side.

We lay there quietly, just enjoying the warmth and closeness for a while, before Logan broke the silence.

“I kissed Yelena.”

I tensed so hard it sent a shooting pain through my ribs and made me hiss. Caden sat up sharply, and Logan squeaked at the brisk movement.

“ What? ” Caden stared down at her. “If she forced you, I’ll toss her out a window, consequences be damned.”

Logan curled tighter against me, not looking at either of us. “She didn’t. I don’t know why I did it.” Logan sighed. “I was a little loopy from charging the artifact and she held me for a really long time until I kinda came to properly. I just felt a pull for a second there and?—”

“Like with Seth?” Caden asked quietly.

Logan nodded, but kept her face tucked.

Caden pulled in a deep breath and let it out as a sigh. “Do you think it’s because Yelena’s an alpha and you’re reacting as a new omega? Or do you think she’s one of the ones Hecate told us about? I didn’t expect them to show up this fast.”

“You and me, both,” Logan mumbled against my skin. “I don’t know which it is.”

I wasn’t entirely certain how to process this development. It had only been a few days since I’d been accepted by the two of them and now I already had another person to contend with—one who held a considerable amount of power over all of us.

I hadn’t been awake long enough to form a proper opinion about Yelena, but I trusted Haru.

He’d made Orlando bearable and he’d been open about his experience here while we’d waited for Logan and Yelena to return.

He’d also held my hand through a lot of the procedures, drawing my focus when I was lucid enough to be bothered by what the doctor had to do to get me functional again.

It was hard to be suspicious of them after that.

“I don’t like her and I don’t trust her,” said Caden.

No surprise there. Caden didn’t trust most people and I probably trusted too many.

“To be fair,” I said, “you didn’t like or trust me either. Things could change.”

Caden’s brow pinched. “She’d be a strong ally, but she’s going to have to prove herself first.”

“How is she supposed to do that?” I asked.

“I don’t know yet.”

“Are you mad?” Logan whispered.

Caden lay back down and curled around her. “I’d appreciate a heads-up before kissing but I—” He paused. “She has a particular energy about her. I understand why you’d have been swayed by it.”

I absorbed his words, processing them slowly.

Logan tapped my chest and looked up at me. “And you?”

“I’m still getting used to the idea that I get to have an opinion on that.” I laughed softly even though it hurt my ribs. “I’m not in any position to offer commentary on someone lusting after anyone when they shouldn’t.”

Caden’s words rolled around in my head a little more, stumbling onto a moment of clarity.

“Hey, Caden.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you have a crush on Yelena?”

“What the fuck kind of question is that?” he snapped, but his cheeks held a faint hint of color.

“Hey, you’re the one talking about her energy , not me.”

Logan giggled between us and tipped her head to look at Caden. “Just to clear up anything for the future, if I’m allowed to kiss people who aren’t you, you’re allowed to kiss people who aren’t me.”

Caden growled, but his cheeks were still flushed. “That’s not an issue.”

“Not right this second,” she said, “but I don’t want you to feel like you can’t if it ever comes up. Just keep me posted.”

He growled low again and didn’t respond so she turned back to me.

“Same applies for you. But for right now you’re both mine and I desperately need a nap and cuddles.”

A giant grin spread across my face at her words.

I’d grown pretty damn fond of the idea of being hers.

Years of pining and now I got to have her stretched out half on top of me as she drifted to sleep.

My purr rumbled quietly and her lips quirked at the corners, though I could tell by her breathing that she’d passed out almost as soon as she’d closed her eyes.

I dipped in and out of consciousness, waking finally to a gentle hand on my chest and Haru looking down at me. How are you feeling?

I lifted one hand, moving it in a so-so gesture.

We’ve found clothing and toiletries that should work for everyone. The dresser is on its way up, along with a mattress and bedding. No bed frame with the lockdown, but everyone should be comfortable enough.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Logan stirred, her hand reaching out blindly and locking around Haru’s wrist where his palm rested against my chest. We both froze, watching her come into full wakefulness with slow blinks and a yawn. “Oh, Haru, hi.”

Haru nodded, acknowledging her greeting.

“Where’s Yelena?”

“Right here, precious.” Yelena emerged from the en suite with her mane of curls corralled under a brightly patterned scarf, every trace of makeup removed from her face. She still had that aura of power, but looked much softer now. “How’re you all settling in?”

Caden snorted, fully awake now. “As well as can be expected.”

Someone knocked on the door and Haru let whoever it was in, two shifters dropping off the dresser, mattress, and bedding that had been promised. They left without another word, eyes to the floor as they backed out of the room. That was some real monarch shit right there.

Yelena sat down on the foot of the bed, thoroughly ignoring Caden, one hand on Logan’s knee, her gaze focused on me. “Dr. Atling tells me you’re stable, but that I should keep you in here and avoid stress this week.”

“Can’t argue with that.” I wasn’t feeling up to going anywhere anyway.

“Once you’re well enough, I’ll have Haru take you around the nest so you can get acquainted with your new home.”

I nodded.

Haru returned to my side, crouching down to rest their chin on the edge of the bed guard rail. Yelena’s whole face softened as she looked at him. We needed more Protectors who actually gave a shit. Power went to their heads too often.

“Mistress.” Logan drew her attention and Yelena gave her knee a squeeze.

“Yes, precious?”

“Do you know of a witch named Anya?”

“I’m not familiar, but we can ask the residents if anyone has any connections. Why?”

“I was told to try to find her, that she might be able to help me figure out some ancestral stuff. I don’t really know enough to be useful and I haven’t had a chance to look over the information Melinda left me yet.”

“I’ll look into it. In the meantime, I’m assigning you the task of learning everything you can about your magic. That is how you will be most valuable to the nest. Panther—” She turned to Caden. “—what skills do you have that might benefit us?”

Caden bristled. “Why can’t I help Logan?”

“I never said you couldn’t, but that wasn’t the question I asked.”

It was kind of fun watching them interact. Caden cared so much and Yelena seemed like she couldn’t be bothered when it came to him.

“I don’t have formal training in anything,” he replied.

“Again, not the question I asked.” Yelena’s smirk only made Caden bristle harder.

“The only place I'd feel confident is the kitchens,” Caden finally replied, “but I would really prefer if you’d put me in a role that can keep Logan safe.”

“There, now, was that so difficult? I ask such simple questions and you run around them like a child on the playground.”

Caden’s growl was low and threatening, matched instantly by Haru’s from the other side of me.

“Okay, let’s all relax,” insisted Logan.

“I’m perfectly relaxed.” Yelena crossed her legs and patted Logan’s again. “What will you need to complete your education?”

“I don't really know. I guess I’ll see what knowledge gaps I have once I’m done with Melinda’s book.”

Yelena nodded. “Fair enough. I’ll gather a list of people who might prove helpful in the future.”

“Thank you, mistress.” Logan’s fingers curled into mine and Caden’s hands.

“You’re quite welcome, precious.”

“What does Haru do all day? What’s his role?” Caden asked.

Haru glared at him and took up my hand. I help run the nest . You don’t have to be snippy about it.

“Exactly, darling.” Yelena trailed a reverent hand down Haru’s arm. “Haru is…I suppose the title executive assistant would be applicable. Their skills are varied and they are all used in service of the residents here. The sooner you get on board with the concept for yourself, the better.”

“My loyalty is only to Logan and Seth.”

Yelena’s eyes flashed golden and Caden shrank away. Damn, she was impressive. “Panther, we are all on the same gods-forsaken boat since you all brought a monster to our door. If we go down, we go down together, and I will not allow your stubbornness to be what sinks us.”