“Is it enough?” Blaze’s voice breaks the silence. “These people we’re up against… they’re ruthless. Once they realize we’re gone they’ll stop at nothing to find where we are staying again. It’s their insurance that I come back.”
Aksel’s gaze meets Blaze’s, unflinching. “It has to be enough. We have no other choice. The only way we ensure our safety is to destroy them.”
“Which means more fighting,” I murmur, my stomach churning at the thought of Blaze risking his life again and again in that brutal place.
“We’ll do it together,” Griffyn reassures me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “No one does it alone.”
If we say it enough times maybe Blaze will believe it.
“Right,” Aksel agrees.
The room falls silent once more, each of us lost in our own thoughts as the shadows grow around us. It’s a quiet born of unease and apprehension.
Three
Anna
“Anna, can we talk?” Blaze’s voice cuts through the quiet.
I know exactly why he wants to talk to me but I’m not sure I’m ready to hear it.
It’s a strange combination: loving someone and wanting them safe while also wanting to strangle them for being such an idiot.
I decide to just ignore him and I can hear his soft sigh from here.
“Isn’t there something you want to say to all of us?” Felix asks, pointedly.
I look around the room to see all of my mates glaring at Blaze. When he remains silent, the tension only rises.
“Fine, then I’m takingmymate upstairs because she needs to rest.” Felix scoops me up in his arms bridal style.
“Our mate,” Griffyn says smugly as he joins us.
I don’t look back at Blaze as we leave the room.
Felix carries me up the stairs, his strong arms wrapped securely around me. His snow leopard form is present in hiseyes, a hint of feline grace coloring his movements. Griffyn follows closely behind, his gaze never leaving us. I can’t help but notice the way their muscles flex and shift with each step, their raw power contained just beneath the surface.
“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
“Your room,” Felix replies, his breath warm against my ear.
As we reach the top of the stairs, Felix presses a soft kiss to my cheek, his lips lingering for a moment before he continues towards my room. Griffyn’s hand brushes against mine briefly, a silent reassurance that he’s here for me. But it’s clear they’re both on edge, and it makes my stomach churn.
The door to my room creaks open, the dim light from the hallway casting eerie shadows across the walls. Felix’s grip on me tightens ever so slightly as he steps inside, his eyes scanning the room before he sets me down gently on the bed. But he doesn’t move away, instead leaning in to capture my lips in a tender kiss.
“Forget about Blaze until he grovels,” Felix murmurs against my mouth.
“Like I had to. You let Aksel off too easy,” Griffyn says quietly, his eyes darkening with a mix of regret and determination.
“I was tired of fighting and I felt like Aksel had been through enough at the hands of his father. Clearly, me being easy on him made Blaze feel like he could keep secrets,” I say.
“Well, I don’t think that’s completely true but I’m mad at him so let’s go with that,” Felix whispers.
“Focus on us for now,” Griffyn whispers, his voice soft and coaxing. He moves closer to the bed as Felix continues kissing me, and I can feel the warmth radiating from both of them.
“Let us take care of you tonight,” Felix murmurs against my lips before pulling away slightly, his eyes locked on mine.His gaze is intense, full of desire, and something deeper, more protective.
Their words are a balm to my anxious heart, and I let myself be swept up in their touch, craving the connection that only they can provide. I reach out to Griffyn, drawing him close as Felix’s kisses grow more insistent, his hands roaming over my body.
