Page 55

I woke to a soft body curling around me. When I opened my eyes, expecting it to be Logan, I blinked a few times when it was Yelena instead. Everyone else was still passed out.

“Can we talk?” she whispered.

Out loud?

Telepathy is fine. Yelena sighed softly and wrapped her arm over my waist. I’ve been thinking a lot.

About what?

She felt so nervous in the bond, which wasn’t particularly like her. We’ve been friends for a long time.

Where was she going with this? We have.

Have you ever thought about things being different with us?

I froze. She wasn’t usually one to skirt meanings when talking to me, and it was making me nervous in return. Different how? Spit it out, woman.

Yelena laughed softly. Sorry. You’ve always been such a good friend to me, and I hope I’ve been that for you too .

I nodded.

Getting to share the bond with you, learning you on a whole new level, and then almost losing you in all this chaos made me realize how much you mean to me.

And I don’t want things to be weird between us, but I figure it’s only a matter of time before you notice my feelings now that things have settled.

I wiggled around so I could face her. Are you saying you’ve got a crush on me? Because I wouldn’t blame you. I am pretty fabulous.

Yelena laughed and swatted me on the ass. That’s exactly what I’m saying.

I thought it was obvious Kendrick wasn’t the only Protector moon-eyeing over you, but maybe I hid it better than I thought. You’re just so fucking beautiful and it’s kind of unfair. I gave up hope on it ages ago.

Why?

Because you were obsessed with Haru and I thought if it hadn’t happened between us yet, it probably never would. Haru and I are pretty fucking different people. I kind of assumed I wasn’t your type, at least personality-wise.

Yelena’s golden eyes gleamed. I’ve evolved. So what do you think? Will you have me?

I scoffed, the sound rustling Logan from sleep. Will I have you? What the fuck kind of question is that? Of course I will. Now bring your beautiful face over here.

Yelena’s mouth was sweet velvet against mine.

I let her cage me against the mattress, drowning in the taste and texture of a woman I had coveted for years and fully given up on in a romantic capacity.

She wouldn’t get to keep her dominance forever; that wasn’t how I rolled, but I was happy to trade off.

If anyone could bring me to heel, it would be Yelena.

Logan’s curiosity was like a spotlight in the bond. I laughed as I turned toward her. “See something you like, my darling omega?”

Her cheeks flushed pink. “Yep.”

Why don’t you leave the boys over there and come have some girl time?

Logan wiggled free of the cuddle pile and sprawled out next to us. She kissed Yelena first, squeaking when I dipped to suck her nipple into my mouth.

Her whispered “ fuck” made me want to eat her out ’til she cried, but with the way Yelena dipped her fingers between my thighs, it was clear she had other ideas. Goosebumps decorated my skin at her touch.

Logan nodded, presumably some conversation between her and Yelena I wasn’t privy to, though I quickly found out their plan.

Want me to ruin you, V?

Can’t believe you even have to ask.

Logan pulled my face up so she could kiss me soundly, Yelena tugging my clothing away until I was bare between them. The heat of their bodies warmed me.

Our omega wriggled lower, capturing one of my nipples between her lips before Yelena hooked my knee over Logan’s waist to spread me open.

Are we allowed to play with you?

Pretty sure I might die if you don’t.

Logan eased her fingers into my already slippery cunt, pumping slowly.

Her sheer delight over getting to touch me eased all of my nerves.

Yelena stole my mouth, kissing me fucking breathless, and she slid her hand down my body to tease my clit.

Logan giggled at the squeeze of my pussy around her fingers.

She was way too cute, and Yelena was a damn goddess at my back.

I wasn’t sure I was going to make it between the head rush of Yelena finally wanting me and Logan having the time of her life getting to play with me after our little solo session was cut short from her torching my couch.

They worked me slowly until I was desperate and bucking, whining against Yelena’s lips.

Be a good girl for me, V. Ask me to make you come.

Fucking hell. I’d never felt the desire to yield before, but gods-damn if my body wasn’t begging me to give in right now. Please.

You can do better than that.

Pretty please?

Yelena chuckled and dropped her mouth to nip my throat. That filled my head with all sorts of things.

No one had ever really wanted to keep me.

I skirted the surface, waiting for them to get tired of me.

Yelena had been obligated to stay for the nest. She worked her way into knowing me over the years of our shared responsibilities, taking time to figure out who I was, and turned me into an ally.

I’d always been a sucker for a pretty face, and Yelena was no exception.

Logan, too. She’d rolled into the nest, grabbed me by the ankles and pulled me out of the shallows.

Now we had a lifetime to learn the intricacies of each other.

I had a whole pack because of her, and Yelena had finally figured out she liked me with the danger Logan had brought.

If that was what it took, I wasn’t going to complain.

Sometimes you had to risk losing everything to figure out what was really important.

Do you want me enough to claim me? We’ve been besties for years, and I just…

I do. If you want me to bury my teeth in that beautiful throat, I am more than happy to.

You really want to keep me forever? Even though I’m a hot mess express?

You’re my hot mess express.

Ours , Logan amended, not slowing or ceasing her gentle finger-fuck that was turning me feral.

Yelena licked over my skin. Ours , she agreed.

Bite, bite, bite , I chanted. Make it real so I know I’m not dreaming next time I wake up.

I’m sorry it took me so long to realize.

Better late than never .

Indeed .

Yelena bit down and I came so hard I scared everyone from sleep before silencing myself by sinking my own teeth into Yelena’s arm.

Fuck . Yelena trembled against me, riding the tide of a new bond settling in, and setting off our omega. Logan squirmed next to me and I dragged her closer.

I needed the two of them to hold me together so I didn’t fall apart. Yelena’s affection wrapped around me like a blanket. The sheer amount of it blazing in my direction unlocked a well of anxiety in my chest that tumbled out as tears.

She actually wanted me, actually loved me, and I’d been laboring under the assumption we would never be more than the equivalent of work besties.

Gods, it felt fucking good. I didn’t care that we had gone from revelation to mates in a heartbeat.

I wanted forever.

I deserved forever.

My pack had done a lot of things in a strange order, in a way survival required, but I had no regrets.

People did things differently all the time and it worked out fine.

We would be no exception. Fate knew we were supposed to be together.

Sure, we still had plenty of learning to do, tons of things to figure out for the future, but for the first time in a long time I didn’t dread that expanse of time.

Fate knew what we needed.

Each other.