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S eth went gorgeously limp, overwhelmed by all three of us. In all my years here I had never once considered sharing a lover with Kendrick, and certainly not at the same time, but Seth liked him and I was willing to experiment.

The stag seemed in awe of everything. I supposed that was to be expected when his only experience was with prey shifters, specifically women.

A whole buffet of flavors was suddenly open to him.

I might have preferred that his first new taste wasn’t Seth, but I could adapt.

Watching Seth ruin Kendrick’s control only for the tables to be turned was more intoxicating than I had anticipated.

He was like Seth, playing with dominance and submission as the mood struck him.

I was the same. Most often I submitted to Yelena’s dominance, and I loved it, though it was fun to mix it up on occasion.

Are you too deep to hear me?

Seth didn’t respond, resting quietly with his head on Kendrick’s lap, his body relaxed across the mats.

No matter. I knew how to deal with this.

I tipped my body over Seth’s, letting my warmth press against his back, my hands wandering in soft strokes. You did so well. My perfect panther. You should be proud of your body, taking both of us, showing the stag exactly what he’s been missing.

I fed gentle praise into Seth’s mind while he floated. Sooner or later he would rise from the depths.

Is he okay? Kendrick asked me.

He’s just having a little float in subspace. He’ll be back. We overloaded him a bit with all three of us going at him.

And that’s not bad?

Depends on the person. As long as you take care of them correctly and it’s something they enjoy experiencing, it’s not bad.

Kendrick looked relieved at that. He gently pet Seth’s hair. Their affection might be new, but I hoped Kendrick was a quick study. Seth had a tender heart he often covered with humor, and I would do worse to Kendrick than Yelena had planned if he hurt anyone in my pack.

Could you maybe not look at me like that? It’s making me nervous.

I blinked, not realizing how easily I had been broadcasting my thoughts on my face. Sorry .

How do I take care of him?

I stared at Kendrick for a long moment. Are you being genuine?

Why wouldn’t I be? You think I don’t take care of lovers?

That was the impression I’ve been under for some time.

The stag frowned but didn’t fight me on my opinion.

Let’s move him somewhere quieter , I suggested .

Kendrick scooped Seth up and we traded places with Caden and Velda, the two of them immediately moving in to tend to Logan while we settled against the wall. Desire was a steady thrum in the bond, pouring from Logan through Yelena to me.

We arranged Seth comfortably in Kendrick’s lap, his legs over mine, and my arm pressed to Kendrick. I was fairly certain I had never been this close to him before.

“I don’t think this counts as quieter,” Kendrick said. “Fewer eyes, but that’s about it.”

I don’t want to take him away from Logan. At least he’s not on display here.

“Fair enough.”

I watched the way Kendrick touched Seth, one arm around his waist, the other cupping his head, thumb softly stroking his cheek.

I didn’t love the idea that my perceptions of Kendrick had been wrong, but I could accept that they were.

Keeping a healthy skepticism was a protective measure.

Presumably he would eventually convince me in full.

In the meantime I would continue my observations.

Do you like Seth or the witch better?

Kendrick turned toward me, confusion knitting his brows. “Am I supposed to have an internal hierarchy?”

No, that’s why I’m asking.

“You’re saying you don’t play favorites? Because I would have to call bullshit on that.”

It’s more complicated for me.

Kendrick rolled his eyes.

You get both of them brand-new. I have history and habits to contend with, and I don’t even know if Logan is meant to be mine.

Do you want her to be?

I stared at the witch spread out between Caden, Velda, and Yelena, her skin aglow with power infusing the symbols covering her. I don’t know how to answer that. Both of my lovers are in the bond with her, and I struggle with separating my own feelings from theirs when it comes to her.

“Don’t make it so complicated. Did you want her before the bond?”

Yes .

“There you go, then. What does fate matter? You can pursue someone without that driving you. If you want the witch, ask for her.”

I tapped out a pattern against Seth’s skin, willing myself to focus. She has more than enough lovers already.

So she won’t turn up her nose at one more.

I let out as near of a laugh as I could create. I don’t want to be tacked onto the pile for the sake of it.

“You and I both know that’s not how she operates. Give her a chance.”

I wanted to, but how could I realistically compare to all the others who wanted her too?

Kendrick nudged my shoulder. What’s going on in that head?

How honest did I want to be with him? Truthfully, not at all, but that wouldn’t be taking any steps to bridge a relationship. Even if Logan and I weren’t officially together, we had lovers in common, a shared mate, and were inextricably bound. If Logan chose Kendrick, he would be too.

Fighting my perceptions of self-worth.

“If it helps at all, just remind yourself how many people Yelena turned down because she only wanted you. There’s nothing quite like a rejection from her to spike self-worth into the ground.”

Seth adjusted, drawing in a long breath and releasing it slowly, eyes still closed.

“Does that mean he’s waking up?”

Coming around to it.

Logan cried out, pleasure rippling down to my toes.

Do you think we should shower in case her heat kicks off? Kendrick asked.

Not a terrible idea. My suite or yours?

I don’t think Yelena wants me in her room.

That settled it, then.

We took Seth up to Kendrick’s suite. All of his claimants were down at the orgy or elsewhere.

I explored while he got the shower going, taking note of the line of single beds, many with decorative canopies to create enclosed spaces.

One section of the living room contained climbing structures and hiding spots for the smaller forms of his claimants.

Another section was obviously for birds, with a perch and a scattering of seed casings all over the carpet, vacuum propped next to it as if that was a regular issue to contend with.

“If you’re done snooping, I need help making sure Seth doesn’t slide away.”

My cheeks warmed. He knew exactly what I was doing out here.

Partway through washing Seth’s hair, our panther woke up. A blessing since I needed to diligently soap up his cock, making sure he was all clean to rail the witch.

It was a curious intimacy, bathing Seth with Kendrick, gently drying our panther and laying him down in Kendrick’s bed before we quickly washed ourselves and lay on each side of Seth.

“Bet you never thought you’d be in this bed,” Kendrick said lightly.

It wasn’t on my top ten list of places to visit .

Seth laughed between us. “Are you two just going to sass each other for the rest of time?”

“Maybe.” Kendrick dipped down, giving Seth a slow kiss that made me both hot and envious.

I didn’t give Seth a moment to breathe when Kendrick pulled away, claiming his mouth for myself.

Our panther was still a bit dazed when I let him go. “I don’t think I’m going to survive if you two are going to have a competition.”

“Hardly a competition,” Kendrick said.

Before I could get offended, I realized he was teasing. His smile was soft, his eyes practically glittering with mischief.

I don’t like you like this .

Kendrick barked a laugh. “Why not?”

Feels like I’m in the twilight zone. I don’t know what to do with this version of you.

“Enjoy it?” Seth suggested. “Where are we?”

“My room,” Kendrick replied.

“Shouldn’t we be back with Logan?”

I assure you she is thoroughly occupied. You need to rest.

“Just for a few minutes.”

You know it’s important after leaving subspace.

“It would be a lot easier to rest if I couldn’t feel Logan getting railed right now,” he said with a laugh.

I rolled on top of him, using my body weight as an anchor. Problem solved. No choice but to rest now.

“I don’t know if I like you like this either,” Kendrick mused. “Playful Haru is breaking my brain. You’re always such a stick in the mud.”

We both have layers the other wasn’t privy to.

“I get all the layers.” Seth grinned, looking impossibly smug.

Hush. I shifted into my largest wolf form, knocking Kendrick off the bed, and securely trapping Seth beneath me. Rest.

“Can’t even breathe,” Seth gasped out.

I rolled to the side, keeping my legs across him and my head wedged against his. Better?

Kendrick stayed on the floor, staring at me with wide eyes.

“You’re okay,” Seth cooed. “Haru isn’t going to bite you.”

“You mean he’s not going to bite you .”

I had almost forgotten that about Kendrick. Not planning to bite anyone.

“I’ll let you have the room.” He didn’t even try to grab clothing on his way to the door.

I tossed myself off the bed, shifting from wolf to human and catching Kendrick by the wrist. I’m sorry. I forgot.

He took a few seconds before he turned to me, stiff and nervous. “I don’t expect any of you to avoid your shifted forms for me.”

I know. If you did, I think you would’ve made that clear by now.

Seth followed us off the bed, moving somewhat steadily, planting himself against Kendrick’s back, and wrapping his arms around his waist. The stag’s panic held him for only a half second before he relaxed in Seth’s embrace.

“Rest with us,” Seth pleaded.

When Kendrick hesitated, I squeezed his wrist. You sent him into subspace with me. You can’t leave him. I’ll go if you don’t want me here.

With a soft sigh, Kendrick bundled all three of us back to the bed, tucking Seth between him and me. Our panther purred, relaxing onto the verge of sleep.

Kendrick looked at me over him. I can’t let my fear control me. Logan asked me to be part of her heat. No one can leave her for long during that, so I should get used to it, right?

More comfortable for everyone if you do , I agreed. Don’t make yourself miserable, though. You have to take care of your well-being too.

He nodded, closing his eyes slowly, a display of trust whether he meant it to be that or not.

A surge of her power cascaded down the bond and Seth shuddered. I didn’t get quite as much potency since Logan was filtered through Yelena, but it still primed every cell in my body.

The surge from her didn’t taper off the way I expected, settling enough to notice but certainly not going away.

Seth shivered. “I think she’s going into heat.”