Page 91 of Another Man’s Treasure

“Marcy! Prickly pear margarita or jalapeño?” I call out to Wild’s mama from the depths of the kitchen.

They arrived precisely fifteen minutes after that insane claiming. My neck still burns with the healing wound, but I honestly can’t wait for someone to notice.

She looks up from where she’s got her arm looped through Willa’s, their heads together as they whisper sweet nothings. Or whatever those crazy girls do.

“Prickly pear, sweetheart!”

Smiling, I whip up a prickly pear for her and a jalapeño for Willa. Sailing out the double back doors, I deliver the girls’ drinks on a mustang-shaped tray we found in the pantry. It was a mating gift from Artur and Emmet, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.

Marcy beams up at me. “You are the absolute best, Oz. Thank you, honey.” She takes the margarita and sips delicately at it.

She’s beautiful, totally stunning with dark hair and brilliant green eyes. I see some of her in both Willa and Wilder. Mostly it’s that sassy, can-do attitude she and Willa share.

Marcy moans at the flavor of the drink but flashes me a big smile. “Oz, honey, can we help in the kitchen please? I am truly not accustomed to⁠—”

She’s interrupted by the sound of scales slithering up the wooden staircase from down below. Marcy stops talking, and Willa rises, cheeks flushing a darker green.

Kohdiy pauses at the top of the stairs, hood flaring behind his head. He rattles his tail softly, a sound I’ve come to learn is meant to be calming. I still find it wholly alarming, but Willa tells me it’s his way of saying hello.

Good thing, in a way, because he’s a male of very, very few words. It doesn’t seem to bother her in the slightest.

I smile at him. “Hey, friend. Can I get you a drink?”

He nods. “Water please, Oz.”

Willa looks at me. “Scratch that. Jalapeño marg, please, Oz.”

Kohdiy snorts out an irritated sound but slinks toward her, lips threatening to break into a smile.

Wild’s in front of the fridge, pulling out a tray of cheese and fruit. He grins at me, green eyes dropping to the claiming bite. He reaches up to where I bit him and rubs at it.

Heat shreds through me, and my knees buckle. Slapping a hand on the countertop, I hold back a groan as he grins.

“Oh yeah, baby, I’m gonna like being able to mess with you like that.”

“Mhm,” I manage, trying desperately not to come just from that little tease. Fuck, being connected like this? It’s intense in a way I never realized. I need to talk to Hadrian about this. Is this even normal?!

Wild’s on me in a second, pressing me up against the counter. His mouth comes to the bite, and he licks it.

A shudder wracks me, and my knees give fully out, but like always, he’s there to catch me, pinning me to the countertop with those big hips.

“Fuck,” I manage. Looking up, I smile wryly. “Maybe we shouldn’t have done that on a day when we had company, because all I want to do is go back to bed.”

He brushes his lips over mine. “Naw, baby. I love a good tease. And I’m gonna tease you all night until they leave.”

Boy oh boy. How did I ever get this lucky?

Wild pulls away long enough to grab the tray of cheese and fruit. He winks at me as he heads out on the back porch. Marcy and Willa cheer at the appearance of the snacks.

Running both hands through my hair, I loose a breath, trying to get my bearings before I rejoin them.

When I do, Marcy smiles up at me, her green eyes drifting to the bite on my neck. “I’m happy for you two, sweet boy.”

Willa gasps and leaps up, clapping her hands over the bite on Wild’s neck. “Wilds, oh my gods! Why didn’t you tell us immediately?! When did this happen?”

Kohdiy lets out a displeased-sounding noise like he hates her question. Maybe he thinks she’s just too nosy.

“Today,” he says proudly, smiling at me. “We did it today.” He lifts his hand to show them the ring. “This too.”