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L ust and affection pounded through my body. I shivered, trying desperately to focus on my nighttime routine and not the ghosts of sensations on my skin. My brush stilled as Caden hopped up onto my lap.

What’s wrong? What’s happening?

“It’s the matebond,” Yelena said.

“The what now? What are you talking about?”

Yelena’s eyes were bright with amusement. “Precious, we discussed this. Did you think a bite was all there was to it? You and the more amenable panther are inextricably tied now.”

“I’m what ? To Seth?”

Caden looked away when I turned to him for answers.

“Did you know about this?”

He nodded, still not looking at me.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I was sort of pretending that it hadn’t happened. Seth never said anything to you, so I wasn’t sure if it had actually taken.

Yelena set her hand on my shoulder and a spike of lust shot up my spine, goosebumps breaking over my skin.

“How exactly did it happen?”

When you saved his life in the car. The two of you exchanged bites and blood, and a very focused intent to keep each other in your lives.

I absorbed the information slowly, trying to think past the feelings I was pretty sure weren’t mine. “So Seth is mine? Forever?”

“Bonding is rather permanent, precious.” Yelena sat down on the edge of the vanity, her eyes searching my face. “Does that bother you?”

“I mean, I would have liked to be able to plan it, at least know that’s what would have happened, but I’m not upset.

It feels…good? Kinda. Weird, but I’ve thought since the beginning that Seth belonged with us.

” I stroked a hand over Caden’s fur. “Does that mean that you and I can bond now, too? You always said that I wouldn’t survive it, but I did. ”

Caden’s cat eyes turned into saucers. We could, yes. If you still wanted me. Your unbound magic probably makes it possible.

A fresh wave of desire cascaded over me. All those times I had begged him to bite me, to claim me…He didn’t have to say no anymore.

“Precious, as happy as I am for you with these revelations, it is very late and all of us should be getting some sleep.”

Yelena was right. I couldn’t bond Caden in a room full of people, even though the idea of it did send my stomach fluttering.

“I have to formally introduce you to the other Protectors tomorrow.”

Caden growled. That’s not safe.

“I’ve pushed it back as long as I can.” Yelena sighed and picked up the brush I’d set down, pulling it over my hair.

“Kendrick and Shakti might have a conniption if I push it any further. Calliope is no threat to any of you, with or without the factor of her being on bed rest. Velda is friendly as well. She’s very eager to meet you to find out why I claimed everyone. ”

I absolutely wasn’t prepared to meet the Protectors, but if I had no option, I would have to. Being tucked away in Yelena’s suite had been a blessing while we recovered, but I should have known that it wasn’t possible for it to go on forever.

“What do they want out of the meeting?”

Yelena shrugged. “Mostly to be nosy. They can’t have you, but they want to know what they’re missing out on.” She drew me to the bed, comfortably stretching out with all the grace of the feline form I knew she possessed. I wanted to see it. “Lie down, precious.”

I settled in next to her with Caden loafing on my chest so he could keep watch.

Seth and Haru emerged a few minutes later, and my whole body buzzed with warmth when Seth and I made eye contact.

Haru helped him back to the bed and Seth wedged himself next to me, shyly patting the space next to him for Haru.

They looked at me over Seth, a soft smile gracing their mouth.

Thank you for sharing him with me.

I nodded slowly, not entirely certain what it would mean to share Seth, but Caden was sharing me, and Yelena would be sharing Haru, so we’d have to all figure it out.

Morning came far too quickly, with a shriek from the monster to pierce the quiet hours of dawn.

All of us jolted. Caden was puffed up and hissing before he realized we were still safe inside the nest. Yelena shushed him and scooped him right into her arms. He let out a little mrp of protest, but didn’t struggle away like I thought he would.

Sliding out of bed, I scoped out the boundaries of the nest from the window, but nothing seemed amiss. Maybe it was simply a cry of frustration? Regardless, I hadn’t slept nearly enough and startled when Haru’s fur brushed against my legs.

Anything?

“Not that I can tell.”

He hopped up, standing on his back legs next to me, his muzzle turning to nose my cheek. My hand reached out automatically to stroke his fur. It was such a neat texture with the coarse guard hairs and the plush undercoat, making it both cool and warm to the touch at the same time.

You do that a lot.

“Sorry,” I said, withdrawing my hand. “I should get permission first. Do you not like it?”

I never said that. Just an observation. You don’t do it to our human forms. Only animal.

“Compulsion, I guess. You’re all friend-shaped in animal form.”

Haru let out a muffled snort, their shoulders shaking in silent laughter. Touch me all you want, witchling.

Yelena appeared at my other side with Caden in her arms. “He’s being very amenable today.”

Shut up.

Yelena laughed and passed Caden over to me so I could kiss his perfect little head.

“If anything interesting happens, can we tell me too?” Seth asked from the bed, where he was still comfortably nestled in the blankets.

“Nothing of note,” I replied.

Yelena stepped closer, the warmth of her body pressed along the length of mine. Her hand settled on my waist, and I didn’t pull away.

“We should get ready. We’re going to have breakfast in Calliope’s suite so she can attend.”

I was definitely interested in meeting the elusive Protector. I hadn’t gotten the best vibes off the others when we’d briefly seen them at the introduction ceremony, but maybe they would be different in private. “Caden and Seth get to come too, right?”

“Yes. You’re all the talk of the nest and they want to meet everyone. Haru, please arrange a wheelchair for Seth so he can travel easier.”

Haru nodded, hopping down to all fours and venturing out of Yelena’s suite to complete the task while the rest of us got dressed. I didn’t have anything remotely fancy enough to be meeting anyone important.

While I was sorting through the suitcase I’d packed, Yelena smoothed a hand over my head. “Would you like to borrow something? We also have a selection of clothing on hand for anyone that needs it. You’re not as tall as I am, but I have some shorter dresses that might work well.”

“Sure, that would be fine. I packed for comfort, which doesn’t always translate well to formal breakfasts.”

“We’ll get you outfitted appropriately.” I followed Yelena to her expansive closet, standing while she hemmed and hawed over what to choose. She settled on an emerald-green dress that came to my knees and showed off a lot more cleavage than what I typically wore.

“You think this is the best choice? It’s not too revealing?”

“It is revealing, but I’m hoping it’ll keep Kendrick quiet. He’s easily distracted, but if you’d prefer to stay covered, that’s also fine.”

Was I bold enough for that? Did I want to be ogled to keep the peace?

“Here.” Yelena passed me a slinky satin coat-like garment. “You can do it up if you get uncomfortable.”

“Thank you.” I slipped the smooth fabric over my shoulders.

Caden and Seth were put in dark jeans from our suitcases and borrowed blue button-ups, both looking dapper, if not how they usually looked.

Yelena was in a black maxi dress with a wrap top and plunging neckline, and a gold chain that hung between her breasts.

“I see the same applies to you.” Yelena laughed as I whipped my gaze away from her chest. “Don’t be embarrassed, precious.

If I didn’t want people to look, I wouldn’t put them out there.

Every time Kendrick gets on my nerves, I play with the jewelry, the glint catches the light, draws his attention, and he usually shuts up. It’s a very effective method.”

Haru returned with the nurse we had met the first day. She pushed a wheelchair ahead of her and gave Seth a quick rundown on how it worked. It wasn’t especially complicated, just the most basic standard issue, and once Seth had gotten settled in it, Sarah took her leave of us.

“Come on now. Let’s get you introduced and have some breakfast,” Yelena said.

The five of us headed into the communal hallway that connected all the Protector suites, moving down to the next door. After a quick series of knocks, the door opened, a towering man with dark brown skin, a bald head, and a royal blue button-up answered, ushering us inside.

“Logan, Caden, Seth, this is Murdoch, Calliope’s mate. Murdoch, these are my new acquisitions.”

A smile broke over his face and I accepted his offered hand to shake. “Welcome. Calliope has been itching to meet everyone.”

“Are the others here yet?” Yelena asked.

“Not yet. Have a seat. Pastries and drinks are here and the hot food will be sent up in about fifteen minutes.”

Caden pushed Seth along behind me, each of them shaking Murdoch’s hand in turn.

Further into the suite, we found the Protector in question: a very pretty woman with warm tawny skin, and a head full of spiral curls resting comfortably in a black leather recliner.

The soft pink day dress she wore was a perfect complement to her complexion and showed off her prominent baby bump.

“You’re here! Come, come.” Calliope waved us over, and we all went, Yelena introducing each of us to a beaming Calliope.

“Lovely to meet you, little witch. Every person that’s come into my suite has had something to say about the three of you.

Yelena’s updated us on the necessity for the lockdown, and while I’m not pleased about that portion, I do appreciate you helping to boost the wards to keep us safe from whatever you brought here. ”