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“ W hat do you think about Kendrick?”

Haru tilted their head, looking back at me. He’s an ass. Why?

“Hmm. I don’t think it’s as simple as that.”

Sure seems that simple after more than four years of knowing him.

I didn’t want to give away that I was pretty sure Logan liked him when I was also pretty sure she didn’t want anyone to know.

Haru’s reaction gave me a pretty good idea as to why.

She had shoved down her reactions to me for years to keep Caden comfortable, and I had a sneaking suspicion she was doing the same thing again now with Kendrick.

Logan was a peacekeeper, and pushing for more when she was already content with what she had wasn’t really part of her nature.

If everyone hated Kendrick, she would smother that part of herself to keep everyone happy.

He hadn’t been on his best behavior in the few interactions I’d had with him.

Maybe the dislike was for a good reason.

It was also possible he was reacting to that energy in a sick sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.

They expected him to be shit, so he was.

All I knew for sure was that he had Logan in a very vulnerable position and he hadn’t gotten anywhere near taking advantage of it.

I was fully aware that the bar was in hell to consider that a good quality, but honestly a lot of people would have taken advantage, and it boded well that he made the right choice.

Why are you asking about the stag?

I almost tripped right over Haru when he paused. “Shit, sorry. Head in the clouds today. I’m just musing on the dynamics.”

He gave a quick nod, nosing my hand and walking beneath my touch.

We passed a young wolf shifter on our way to our task, the poor thing curled in a corner, crying. I’ve got them. Go finish our work and I’ll be along.

Haru lay down next to them, blocking them from view. Logan’s games had been helping, but tension was still high in the air. Better crying than fighting, at least.

Logan had been in the library all day, running activities for some of the nest children. If she hadn’t touched the tray she’d been brought earlier, my job was to carry her ass out of there for a break.

I found her stretched out on the floor in front of a long roll of paper spread out for everyone to color, a handful of children surrounding her. “How’s everyone doing?”

An owlet climbed to her feet, dragging me over to see her drawing.

A bit gruesome, and I was sure the little squirrel shifter across from her didn’t appreciate the owl drawing her being eaten, but at least it was keeping them occupied.

The squirrel in question squeaked, shifting, squirming out of their pile of clothing and running up to hide in Logan’s hair.

“It’s okay, Tilly. Seth is a friend.”

“Your lunch tray is full,” I pointed out.

“I was preoccupied,” Logan defended.

“You need to eat. This is not the time to be wasting food.”

She sighed, shoulders dropping. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

Logan parked herself in front of her tray and patted the table, encouraging me to sit with her where she could still watch the kids. Tilly peeked out below Logan’s ear, accepting a tiny piece of apple Logan broke off from her stash.

Pretty sure if I had ovaries they would be exploding right now.

Logan laughed. I’ve been dying of cuteness all day.

Do you wanna tell me what’s going on with Kendrick?

She sucked in a sharp breath, her cheeks flushing pink. Not really. Mostly because I don’t know what’s going on.

I sliced up her meatballs for her while she nibbled her fruit salad. I’m not saying you have to do anything, but I am going to point out that you don’t have to stop yourself from figuring it out.

No one likes him. It wouldn’t be fair.

But you like him. And I don’t dis like him.

He’s not as bad as the others think, she insisted. I’ve seen him when they’re not around.

The owlet swooped over, Tilly giving a shriek and darting down Logan’s shirt.

“Moira, that’s not kind.” Logan sighed, cupping her hands over the little Tilly ball in her clothes. It’s like this with him and the other Protectors.

I stared at her for a long moment, trying to parse exactly what she meant before it occurred to me that in the wild Tilly would be prey for Moira. Holy shit. Every Protector was a predator except for Kendrick. No wonder he was a twitchy bitch.

I never considered that.

I don’t think any of them have. Logan gave Moira a little strip of ham from her sandwich, still running her thumb softly over Tilly. “Moira, honey, can you please give Tilly some space? You can sit with me later, okay?”

The little owl fluffed up all of her feathers, looking adorably indignant.

“It’s not special treatment,” Logan said softly. “Everyone needs different levels of care and there’s nothing wrong with that. Why don’t you finish your drawing and when I’m done eating we can have a cuddle?”

Moira huffed and hopped back down. She shifted back, briefly pulled her dress on again and resumed her coloring.

She’s a little troublemaker, Logan said with an affectionate smile. Cute, though.

Very. So how are we supposed to get Kendrick to chill out if part of his problem is that he’s surrounded by predators?

Fuck if I know.

With no answers forthcoming, I opted to make sure Logan ate every bite, besides the few she offered to the little shifters who came to paw at her ankles.

They all got in their cuddles for a while, Tilly eventually regaining her courage and emerging from Logan’s shirt. Margaret and a few of the shifter parents took over, sending Logan away for a proper break.

What’s our web up to now? I asked as we walked arm in arm down the hall. Do you think you’ll pursue more with Haru, or keep it to a group playtime?

Definitely not opposed to more. I feel like I need twice as many hours in the day.

With how many people want a piece of you, that’s pretty accurate. So you’ve been with Yelena, Velda, and Haru, plus Caden and me. Have you been with Kendrick?

No. Just the one kiss and getting close while charging wards. Her uncertainty blended with desire and flickered through the bond.

Fair. Is Velda with anyone?

I think so. She has four claimants, so I can only assume she’s got something going on with at least one of them. Caden and Yelena have been getting closer.

You okay with that?

Yes. Her grip on me tightened. It’s a little different on my side of things since I’m bonded to Yelena. The two of them aren’t going anywhere no matter what happens between them. I can definitely see how it could be an uncomfortable adjustment, though.

Pack formation was always a little odd unless most of them came as an established thing an omega could slide right into.

Logan was building hers, so naturally there would be some friction as everyone figured out where they stood with everyone else.

I was happy with Logan and Haru. I didn’t envy Logan having to balance so many relationships.

Do you mind how close Haru and I are?

Not at all. She glanced over at me, joy sparkling in her gaze. I love that you have someone here to support you. I know I haven’t been a very good mate with everything going on.

I can sacrifice a little attention for the fate of the nest. Now that your magic is unbound, if we survive everything, you’ll live as long as us, so we’ll have plenty of time to spend together.

Her mood dropped.

Stupid. That was the wrong thing to say.

I pulled her into an alcove, tucking her out of sight before claiming her mouth. We’re both learning how to be mates. I love you so fucking much and I’m still getting used to the fact that you’re mine.

Logan melted. Her fingers laced into my hair, her mouth ravenous against mine, sparks dancing beneath my hands. This is the only thing I know how to do right.

You do have a very particular skill of being the most delicious thing in every room.

She giggled against my lips and boosted herself onto her toes, wrapping both arms around my neck. I don’t know that I can take that award when you’re right here.

I dipped down to her throat and gently closed my fingers over her mouth when her first moan escaped. Her power erupted, ghosting over me in heated tendrils.

That was one of my favorite things about playing with Logan.

I didn’t even have to get down and dirty to get her squirming.

Sometimes just looking at her the right way did the job, but it was infinitely more fun to get my hands and mouth on her whenever I could.

Her muffled whimper did wicked things to my body.

It was unfortunate this alcove wasn’t completely private; otherwise I could’ve taken advantage and fucked my perfect mate up against the wall.

She planted her palm over the amulet hanging from my chest, the metal quickly warming against my skin.

How am I supposed to maintain control when every inch of you tastes like dessert? Maybe that was more of her omega nature coming through? I had caught snippets of the discussions about Logan potentially having a heat while we were stuck here. Was the sweetening of her skin a sign of that coming in?

Speculation wasn’t particularly helpful when I didn’t know a damn thing about the process.

I reached out to Yelena. Do we know anything about the signs of an omega heat?

Margaret left me a book on it, but I haven’t had a chance to read. You’re welcome to flip through.

Okay. Thanks. I pulled away to look at Logan, taking in the flush of her cheeks and the dilation of her pupils. “Why don’t we go upstairs?”

“Nest?”

“Sure thing.”

Reading would have to wait. We slipped away into the elevators, heading straight down to the basement and into Logan’s nest. We tumbled down, my mate wrestling out of her shirt before tugging at mine.

I fell right back into her kiss. This time when I worked down her body, we had no need to keep quiet.

I could get high on her whimpers. Stripping her down quickly, I spread her thighs and bent to feast. Logan curled her fingers over a few of the many gemstones that had been scattered around the edge of the nest to absorb her excess power.

She panted my name as I sucked her clit and thrust my fingers into her. Logan arched up with a groan.

You are so fucking beautiful.

My girl wasn’t coherent enough to respond, instead tumbling over the edge with a rush of heat, all the little hairs on my body rising as if lightning was about to strike. One of the stones in her hands shattered. Sharp bits of it grazed over my skin and I hissed, flinching back.

Logan moaned, body still twitching in the last dregs of pleasure before beginning to settle now that I wasn’t touching her anymore. “Shit. I’m sorry.”

I helped her sit up, plucking amethyst shards from her hand.

“That’s never happened before.”

“We should get you up to the infirmary, make sure this gets cleaned properly.”

I sent a brief thought to Yelena and Caden to let them know where we were going before gathering Logan into my arms.

“Are you okay?” she asked, tracing one of the grazes on my arm.

“I’ll heal fast,” I promised. I needed that damn book. If power flares were a symptom, we needed everyone on the lookout for her heat to trigger. Maybe it was something entirely different, but it seemed like a terrible idea to take exploding rocks as a good sign.