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“ T hat was very stupid,” Shakti snapped, but after a breath, her expression softened. “And very brave.”

I stared at her, not sure how to respond. “Thank you?”

“Getting between shifters fighting is dangerous. You’re too delicate to be doing that.”

I bristled. “I’m not that delicate.”

Shakti leveled a deadpan expression at me. “And yet look how easily someone got their claws into you.”

“It’s a risk I was willing to take. More people could’ve gotten hurt if we hadn’t calmed her down. How is Courtney doing?”

“Better. For now, anyway. It was a good reminder for everyone how tenuous the balance of things is here, how easily it can be upset.”

“How many times do you want me to apologize for coming here?”

Shakti surveyed me carefully. “I don’t know yet. The number could very well be infinite depending on the outcomes.”

“I’ll apologize for putting everyone in danger, but I will not apologize for doing what I had to to protect my mate.”

Precious.

I jolted at Yelena’s voice in my head. Yes?

When you’re finished with Shakti, we should recharge the wards. I suspect that will have to be a daily occurrence, if not more often.

I’ll set up camp down there if I have to.

A brief silence followed, the bond with Yelena shivering in anticipation. That might actually be a brilliant idea. There would be enough space for your nest, and if your heat is coming, you would be close enough to supercharge everything

Shakti glared at me. “Whoever you’re talking to, tell them this is my time with you.”

Shakti doesn’t like the interruption.

I could practically feel Yelena’s eye roll through the bond. I’ll leave you be for now. Let me know as soon as you’re done.

Will do. I turned to Shakti. “Sorry, that was Yelena.”

“She’s very good at monopolizing you.”

“We are mated. I’m pretty sure she’s allowed.”

Ignoring the statement completely, Shakti moved on to a new topic. “You worked in finance before coming here?”

“I did.”

“Good. I would hate to leave the nest with someone incompetent when I go.”

“Go? You’re leaving?”

“Assuming we all survive, yes. I’ve been intending to for some time, though this has hit pause on everything. The nest will have to reevaluate its finances once I withdraw.”

“Why?”

“Kendrick and I have the most generational wealth of all the Protectors. I won’t be continuing to support this nest when I join another one.”

I looked her over carefully. She was immaculate in an orange sari, her hair braided and glossy, and makeup flawless.

It would be obvious to anyone how much she liked control just from how tidy every inch of her was—from the sharpness of her eyeliner to every sari pleat perfectly arranged—and how difficult this whole situation probably was for her.

“I’m sure we’ll figure it out, but I’m equally sure the nest will miss you.”

She blinked at me, clearly surprised. “It sure doesn’t feel like it sometimes.”

“We don’t have to be besties for me to know you helped this place thrive.”

“Focus,” she said, ignoring my words and turning the computer screen toward me.

She took me through the nest finances in the program they used.

We had updated to a different one at my job a couple of years ago, but I still remembered how the old one worked.

Shakti was a wiz with numbers and retained a brain-numbing amount of information.

No matter what question I had, she had the answer tucked away in there.

“I’m surprised you haven’t taken the world by storm as the CFO of a Fortune 500 somewhere.”

Shakti laughed. “I have more modest ambitions than that.”

“You shouldn’t. If it’s something you want, I have no doubt you would succeed.”

“No need to try buttering me up.”

“I’m not. I’m pretty sure you’re the smartest person I’ve ever worked with. The head of accounting at my job would crumple at your feet.”

She stared at me for a long moment, as if trying to discern how truthful I was being with her. “Really?”

“One hundred percent. It’s one thing to know how to work the programs to your advantage, but another thing entirely to know the sources of those numbers so intimately. You should be really proud.”

I caught a brief second of her preening before she schooled her features. “Thank you.”

We’re ready for you, precious .

“Yelena is asking for me,” I told Shakti.

“Go.” She waved her hand dismissively.

“Do you want to come with me? I can charge your artifact.”

“Later. I need to speak with Kendrick.”

I frowned but didn’t say anything more. Yelena had given me the code to get all the way down to the basement where she, Caden, Seth, Haru, and Velda waited. The tent they’d set up for me in Yelena’s suite had been moved down here. I hadn’t had a chance to use it yet.

“Come on in, precious. See if this is comfortable for you.”

I crawled inside, noting the plush mattresses, and a few of Yelena’s dresses draped from the ceiling so it didn’t look so utilitarian.

Sprawling out in the blankets was cozy, scratching an itch deep in my soul I hadn’t even noticed was bothering me until it was satisfied.

The nest was too empty. “I need more people in here.”

Seth and Haru were first, the others following more carefully so no one got stepped on.

They filled the space, the air practically dripping with affection. “Much better.”

“Can I be part of your heat, little witch?” Velda asked.

Warmth zipped through me. “I don’t see why not.”

“Is five people enough for an omega’s first heat?” she asked.

“I suppose we’ll find out,” replied Yelena.

Velda beamed. “You’ll have to come by and pick your favorite strap. I have ones to match any shifter peen you want.”

Embarrassment flooded me. “Oh gods.”

“I think we still have some stock to do cloning of specific individuals if you would prefer that.”

I squeaked, burying my face in the blankets. “Can it be a discussion for when not everyone is staring at me?”

“It could,” Yelena said slowly, walking her fingertips down my body to brush the waistband of my leggings, “though we can all smell it’s making you wet, and that’s exactly what we want when you’re about to charge the wards.”

My breathing shallowed as the energy in the room elevated sharply, desire permeating the air.

“Should I warm you up, precious?”

I let my thighs fall apart, but Caden cupped my face. “Use your words.”

A pathetic whine wasn’t what he was looking for, but I couldn’t stop from making it anyway. “How am I supposed to think when every person in this room has gotten inside me before?”

You don’t have to think. Haru’s voice filled my head. You just have to consent .

“I’ll play with anyone who wants to.” I squawked when Caden wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me right out of the nest and onto the dirt floor next to the artifacts.

He made quick work of my leggings and panties before diving between my thighs.

The strangled sound I made spurred the others into action.

Velda scooped up my hand and thrust it through the barrier with hers, letting my fingertips curl around her painting.

Every sweep of Caden’s tongue was like a wave washing through me and into Velda’s artifact.

Yelena kneeled in front of me and Haru dropped behind her, their lips on her throat sending sparks of pleasure through the bond.

Seth tipped forward, pulling my shirt up and my bra cup down so he could wrap his lips around my nipple.

I cursed under my breath, the artifact drinking down power as quickly as the others provided it to me.

Yelena guided my hand beneath her dress, my fingers sliding easily into her. Haru’s fingers met mine as they worked on her clit, my whole body twitching between the secondhand sensation and my panthers trying to unravel me.

With a few quick adjustments, Caden changed positions, fucking into my dripping core.

I came on the spot when Yelena reached out for my clit.

The warding wavered with an influx of power and Velda withdrew our hands, letting Yelena take over.

Then Velda’s mouth was on mine, stealing what little breath I could manage, until she wedged herself to join Seth at my other breast.

I was nothing but a conduit for pleasure, replenished and drained in equal measure, buffeted constantly by every swell of sensation. My brain clicked off, utterly overwhelmed, letting me ride each wave in a state of relaxed bliss.

Why are you calling me, witchling?

Kendrick’s voice filled in my head and I erupted again.

I didn’t—didn’t mean to.

I know you’re charging the artifacts, and I know how that happens. Are you thinking of me while they touch you?

I arched sharply, another orgasm taking me by surprise. I slammed the connection with Kendrick shut, forcing my floating consciousness to hold tighter to reality.

My lovers were already with me and I didn’t need another.

I almost incinerated when Caden slammed deep and filled me with a growl.

They pulled back one by one, Yelena drawing me away from the artifact. “We need to charge the others. Haru and I were considering an experiment.”

I blinked slowly, trying to hold on to the earth. “Yeah?”

“You can feel me through the bond. Haru and I can go elsewhere to play so the others don’t have to watch you in this vulnerable condition. If it works, we have a solution. Would you like to try?”

I gave one brief nod, my head swimming.

I closed my eyes as Caden gathered me up. My legs were too jelly to stand and put my leggings on so Yelena pulled one of her dresses over me to avoid me being pussy-out when the other Protectors arrived.

Shakti came first, and I kept my eyes closed, absorbing every flicker of delight that flowed down the bond from Yelena. It kept me stable, but it wasn’t the same rush of power as being touched directly. Calliope followed with Murdoch at her side and was rushed away at the first opportunity.

Then Kendrick arrived, getting to his knees before me.

My eyes opened, instantly caught in his gaze.

We hadn’t discussed our kiss, and I hadn’t mentioned it to a single other soul, but seeing him in front of me again…

it was all I could think about. His hand was hot in mine as he wrapped my fingers over the gold torque.

His eyes held me captive, my body alight from Yelena’s pleasure, and still primed from all five of my lovers touching me earlier. It wasn’t fair that I knew Kendrick in a way the others didn’t. And it was doubly unfair that I wanted to know more.

I didn’t dare ask Hecate if Kendrick was meant for me. He had too much friction with the ones I already knew were fated for me, and I just couldn’t risk it.

I don’t even need telepathy to know what’s going on in your head. His voice brushed over my mind like velvet and I leaned harder into Caden. I’m never going to forget the taste of your mouth.

I whimpered. A power surge from his words triggered an orgasm in Yelena that echoed right through the bond into me, my whole body tightening as I breathed through the swell.

Good girl, Caden crooned. You’re doing so well. It’s almost over and then he’ll be gone.

Another whimper fell from my lips, Kendrick’s grip tightening on my hand. Hide from me if you want, but you know where to find me. “I think we’re done for now.” Kendrick unlocked my fingers and drew our hands out of the ward, leaving me shivering in Caden’s arms as he stood.

Reality broke through the quiet bubble, Seth and Velda descending to crowd around me and draw me into my nest. I sank onto the blankets, almost instantly replenished by my lovers’ soft touches and insistent cuddles.

“Sorry you had to endure all of them,” Velda said softly.

“It’s not so bad.”

“Did the experiment work?” Caden asked.

“Mostly,” I replied, covering a yawn. “Not quite as effective as having direct touches, but it should make charging things less awkward if I’m going to have to do it every day now.”

Well, that was probably a lie. Coming in Caden’s arms while Kendrick held my hand was definitely still in that realm. They were going to figure me out if I wasn’t careful, but at least for now I could keep Kendrick at arm’s length.

For the sake of everyone, I had to.