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“ T hank fucking gods.” I clutched Seth to my chest; he and Caden were the last to recover from the severing.

Sharla and Kyoko had tended to each of us as we’d woken from the agonizing overload. I’d never experienced pain like that before and I never wanted to again.

I snared Seth’s mouth with mine, my panther laughing softly when I pulled away. “Hello there.”

“Kiss later,” Kyoko demanded, wedging herself in and taking Seth’s hand. The gentle sparkle of her magic fizzed against my skin where I touched Seth as she settled his nervous system the way she had done for me when I woke.

Violet moved to where we could see her. “Everything is complete. We’ll be taking Maeve and Godric into custody and departing. Cecily will stay to manage Logan’s education and report back to the Council. I understand that you made a witch a Protector of the nest?”

“We did.” I nodded.

“Curious. In consideration of that, as well as the fact you will be housing my daughter, the Council will offer our support to get the nest up and running again, and I will personally reach out to the Shifter Council and get them to speed things along.”

“Thank you,” I replied. The Councils always dragged their feet, but maybe now that Cecily would be staying with us things could move a little quicker.

“Let us know what you require. Cecily will submit anything to us we can help with. In the meantime we will take our leave. You have our gratitude. Best of luck.”

The Council departed, Maeve and Godric floating in their midst. The three original witches who had arrived with Maeve stayed behind.

“All of you need some serious rest,” Sharla said. “When you’re feeling up to it, you can show us around and in the meantime we’ll head into town for supplies.”

Once my pack was finally alone, we crowded onto my bed, tangled all over one another. I pulled Logan’s mouth to mine, indulging in the sweetness of her lips, the first moment I’d had in too long to reassure myself she was still here. She moaned into my kiss, her skin sparking with heat.

Logan glowed like a little sun in the bond. It almost made up for the emptiness in my chest where my magic core should have been. Her affection spilled over, her power growing with each brush of her mouth, erupting to spill into us when Caden dropped a kiss to her throat.

She broke away with a giggle. “Are we well enough for an orgy? Because I feel like that’s where this is headed.”

“Maybe a short one,” I replied before diving back in. Reaffirming life, and all that jazz.

For a few glorious moments we had no responsibilities, no looming threat, nothing but a bed and a pack grateful to still be together.

“You’d better not all hog our omega,” Velda said, a soft smile on her face. “If we’re going to ruin her, I want my turn.”

“You might have to get in line,” I told her.

Velda only got more comfortable, propping herself on a couple of pillows. “That’s fine. I’m happy to have our girl after you’ve turned her into a mess. I like when she’s all sweet and sleepy.”

We arranged ourselves, Yelena pinning Haru to the bed, Seth pressing against my back, Logan between Caden and me, while Velda settled to be a voyeur.

I hadn’t realized before how heavy the weight of everything was.

Without an impending heat or a monster outside the wards, it felt like pure indulgence to get my hands on Logan.

I was part of a pack, centered on an omega I craved and adored, who understood me and opened up the others to that possibility as well.

Before Logan, I’d been fucking lonely. I was always surrounded, but disconnected, and now I was part of a network of souls.

Seth stole my mouth, letting Caden occupy Logan, my panther’s lips voracious against mine.

His affection tumbled down the bond, washing over me like warm ocean waves.

Seth was an open book, his desire quickly burying his anguish.

He had been through so much and I never wanted him to suffer the way he had again.

Bite me .

Seth stared down at me with wide eyes, excitement bubbling through the bond. That wouldn’t be too fast?

We’re already connected, I said, sweeping my hands over his chest, pulling him down to the bed with me. Maybe I’m greedy for wanting more, but I won’t apologize for it. I want to keep you.

His eyes turned misty. As long as you’re sure, because I’m pretty fucking fond of the idea of keeping you too.

I offered him my throat even as nerves tumbled through me. I’d never thought in a million years I’d have bared my throat to a predator, but here I was, eagerly awaiting his fangs.

Laid out between Caden taking Logan apart and Yelena riding Haru into the mattress while Velda watched all of it, we hit a curious pocket of intimacy.

It made no sense it could feel like it was just Seth and I in this moment, but as he bent to kiss along my throat, his whole body trembling, that was the reality.

Logan was so excited in the bond I thought she might vibrate onto another plane of existence.

You don’t mind? I asked her.

Gods, no. I love love. You and Seth deserve every ounce you can grab. Don’t you dare stop yourself from taking it on my account.

I sucked in a slow breath, tangling one of my hands with hers. You made all of it possible. My omega. I love you.

The crash of affection from her almost drowned me, leaving me momentarily stunned. I love you, too.

I dug my fingers into Seth’s waist, trying to control my own trembling and failing miserably. Seth.

Yes? He nipped my earlobe. You don’t have to say it. I can already feel it.

I turned, forcing us face-to-face. “I’m saying it anyway. I know it’s fast, but I’m never giving you up. You and Logan have made me feel seen for the first time in a long fucking time. I love you.”

Seth’s grin was pure sugar. “I love you too.”

My whole body snapped tight when he sank his fangs into my throat, pleasure searing so bright I couldn’t breathe.

I spilled right there in my pants, unable to stop myself.

Dazed and shaking, I bit down on Seth in return, catching the curve of his shoulder next to Logan’s mark, sending him over the edge right alongside me.

The connection between us through Logan glowed before the fresh bond slammed into place.

I thought he was an open book before, but now it was like he whispered his thoughts in my ear, showed me all of his feelings and fears laid out on a platter.

Seth lapped at his mark, making me shiver with each stroke. I’m sorry you were so afraid before.

I survived. We have our pack now.

Logan’s pleasure cascaded through the bond as Caden tipped her over the edge.

Velda let out a soft whimper. “Still so fucking weird not to need anything to touch me.”

Logan purred like a damn buzzsaw beneath Caden, happy as a clam.

Her contentment met my own. I’d been planning on getting a little more physical with her, but I couldn’t bring myself to move an inch with Seth snuggled on top of me.

Yelena and Haru’s pleasure was like sparklers in my gut, the two of them melting next to us.

“You weren’t lying about it being a short orgy.” Logan giggled. “Feels like a case of our eyes being too big for our tummies, but for sex instead of food.”

“Might be a little more tapped out than expected.” My body and soul were blissed out to have Logan next to me and Seth in my arms. “Just a quick rest.”

Logan rolled over, snuggling against Seth and me, Caden tucking himself at her back. She gave me one smooth kiss before resting her head on my shoulder. “Rest is good. Even though I feel pretty fab after getting charged up.”

The bed was crammed full, all the connections peaceful as we drifted away.

I’d been so alone before and I knew without a doubt I would never feel that way again.