The shower allowed me time to think, which is a dangerous thing. Dark memories linger at the back of my mind, but I refuse to let them haunt me any longer. If the wolves taught me anything, it’s that I want to live, and I can’t do that while stuck in the past.
It’s progress.
I step out of the bathroom, and the dark thoughts of my past vanish when I find Castle and Tobias waiting. They both straighten to attention, pushing away from the wall they were leaning against. Their intense gaze is focused on me like the rest of the world doesn’t exist.
Both men stalk closer, towering over my petite form. The sheer size of them should intimidate me, but it’s like my body knows they’re mine, and I shiver when I remember how they so easily brought me to pleasure over and over.
I soon find myself surrounded, each of them pressing in closer until I’m sandwiched between them. Tobias is in front of me, and I relax against his massive chest, settling against him with a sigh. Castle doesn’t hesitate to snuggle against my back, not the least put off by me touching another man.
I melt at their closeness, tiredness hitting me hard all of a sudden, and my eyes flutter closed. With them touching me, I feel safe.
Protected.
Loved and adored.
Instead of questioning it, I just accept it. After the hell I survived, I deserve happiness. I snuggle closer to Tobias, smiling when he kisses the top of my head. I reach back toward Castle, needing to feel him close, and my hand settles on his hip, staking my claim. He leans down and nuzzles my neck.
A little growl rumbles from his chest, and my nipples instantly harden. But instead of taking advantage, he scoops me up in his arms. “You’re tired. You need to rest.”
I pout a little but don’t put much effort into it, because he’s right. Castle freezes, looking slightly panicked at the sight of my pout, shooting a wide-eyed look at Tobias.
I almost snort at his reaction, but then my attention is captured when Tobias sinks his fingers into my hair, cups the back of my neck, and turns my face toward him. He nips at my bottom lip hard enough to sting, then pulls back only far enough to touch his nose to mine.
“Don’t be naughty,” he reprimands me, his amusement barely contained. “You need rest, and believe me, you don’t want to deal with a panicked Castle.”
Shocked by the open affection and obvious amusement from this brutal man, I can only give a meek nod. I peer up at Castle, wanting to apologize, but he strides down the hallway, avoiding my gaze. When he eventually peers down at me from the corner of his eyes, almost cautiously, I realize that the thought of me being upset totally terrifies him.
His reaction is like an elephant being afraid of a mouse.
I’m charmed and silently promise to only use my powers for good.
I flash him a reassuring smile, then snuggle against his chest, my eyes fluttering shut when I’m no longer able to keep them open. “Don’t worry, big man. You’re an amazing mate. I’m sure between you and Tobias, you’ll be able to keep me out of trouble.”
Both men snort in amusement, and some of the tension leaves Castle at the reminder that he’s not solely responsible for my safety and happiness. A door opens, but I’m too tired to care where they put me. For the first time in my life, I actually trust someone completely.
When I feel myself being lowered, my eyes crack open, and I stiffen when I see Stanton stretched out asleep on the couch just inches away. Even in repose, his handsome face is intimidating, the man so still that he doesn’t even look alive.
Well, alive-ish.
Because of course, he’s a vampire.
And vampires are dead.
So that makes complete sense why he looks so still.
And dead.
I shut off my nervous internal rambling, then whisper-shout, “You can’t put me next to Stanton. Sleeping vampires don’t like to be disturbed. He already doesn’t like me. He’ll probably kill me without a second thought.”
I jolt in surprise when Stanton’s eyes snap open, then I hold myself perfectly still, like he won’t be able to see that I’m hovering only a few inches from his face.
He blinks once in my direction, then reaches for me. Completely ignoring the way I try to crawl back into Castle’s arms, he plucks me away from the wolf. He wraps his arms around me, tucks me against his chest, then promptly closes his eyes and falls back to sleep.
Castle kisses the top of my head, whispering his goodbye. “Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake.”
Before I can beg him to rescue me, he backs away, and Tobias takes his place. “Stanton might be a giant ass, but he’s a good man. He’ll protect you with his life and keep you safe while we get things settled around the mansion.”
Another kiss is pressed to the top of my head, and the fucker leaves, even as I whisper in my loudest voice to get his ass back here right this instant.
