A death I would not mind experiencing.
Caius’s peppermint essence tickles my nose next.
Followed by the strong fragrance of pine and male.
Tieran is suddenly there, taking me from Volt’s hold and hugging me with a fierceness that makes it hard to breathe. “Ours,” he growls, taking off in a run that has me wrapping my arms around his neck to hold on for the ride.
I almost repeat my ability to walk, but midnight air touches my neck, causing me to curl further into Tieran’s heat.
I breathe him in, relishing his existence.
He takes me to the den, running through the cave with purpose and not stopping until he reaches the main bedroom.
Caius is already there, warming the shower. Apparently, the underground generators aren’t impacted by the power outage on the island.
It’s something I almost ask about, but I’m distracted by the onslaught of testosterone and strong male scents.
My shirt disappears to the floor and Tieran’s intense blue eyes meet mine.
“We’re going to bathe you. Dress you. Then claim you before the pack.” His palm cups my cheek. “You’reours, Clove. Never again will we be without you. Never again will you be alone. The ceremony is set. We’re biting you at three beneath the moon.”
34
TIERAN
The shock in Clove’s gaze tells me how badly I’ve fucked this up.
She’s surprised we’re going to claim her.
She shouldn’t be surprised.
She should beexpectant.
Instead she’s gaping at me.
I slowly lower her to her feet. Caius is immediately there behind her, grabbing her hips to provide balance. Not that she needs it. She’s fully healed, just has a bit of dry blood on her.
And Alpha Kin’s saliva.
My wolf growls inside at that.
He had no right to touch her, let alonelickher. If he wasn’t already dead, I would kill him again.
I cradle Clove’s face between my hands as Volt enters the shower last. I walk her backward into Caius, trapping her between us. “I should have bitten you the moment I knotted you,” I tell her. “You’ve been ours from the moment that Volt pulled you out of the water.”
“But… but we don’t know if…” She trails off, swallowing. Then her brow furrows as her gaze drifts to the side. “Well, my mom did. So maybe…” She blinks back at me. “Is that what you’re basing your claim on? That Alpha Kin’s father was able to impregnate my mother?”
My eyes widen. “What?No.” Just the notion of it infuriates me. She thinks we only want to claim her now that we know how she was conceived?
That’s… that’s so beyond wrong it makes my wolf snarl in fury.
Not at her.
But atme.
He’s pissed that I let it go this far, that she thinks the only reason I would actually claim her is to procreate.
“Do I need an heir?” I ask rhetorically. “Yes. But you know what I want more, Clove?” My palm slides from her cheek to the back of her neck. “You.” I press myself fully against her, aligning us from our knees all the way up. She’s officially trapped between me and Caius without any escape. Because Volt is blocking the only exit.
