Page 177 of Lyric & the Heartbeats

Through the peephole, she found Emerson and Nohen, who were having a heated conversation.

Their faces drained of blood as she cracked open the door and arched an eyebrow at them.

“What’s going on and why are you loitering outside my hotel room?”

Lyric wouldn’t put it past Henry to start round the clock protection. She held in her snicker at the image of them all taking shifts.

But her humor quickly dissipated as Emerson and Nohen both turned to her, serious expressions taking over their features.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, dread making her cold even though her skin was still pink from the hot water.

“Who did you mean?” Emerson questioned, crossing his arms. Nohen matched his posture, and Lyric thought they looked far too similar to characters getting ready for battle in a video game.

“What are you talking about?” She wanted to take them seriously, really, but they just looked so cute standing there all stern and flustered.

Nohen sighed. “You said, ‘Love you,’ before you fell asleep. After the… bonding. So who is it?”

Lyric tilted her head. “I don’t understand.”

“Who do you love? Which one?” Emerson asked, his finger dancing between himself and the beta.

Lyric’s eyes widened with understanding. “Oh my god,” she said, a laugh sputtering out of her. “You’re both totally serious right now.”

She cackled. Laughed and giggled until tears burned at the corner of her eyes and she retreated to the bed. The snick of the lock clicking followed her, and she blinked up at the two of them as she sank down onto the mattress.

The glare she received from the two of them sobered her up a little, and she scratched at the bond mark over her collarbone, the one belonging to Emerson. His gaze dropped to where she was scratching, and a smile slowly grew across his lips.

“Both of you, duh. Is this what all this had been about?” she asked, motioning to the basket of bath goodies, the tissue paper fallen to the side like a forgotten bouquet.

“Maybe,” Nohen grumbled, crossing his arms and avoiding her gaze while his cheeks flushed. Lyric’s heart tipped over.

“I can’t with you two,” she said, shaking her head and getting to her feet. She wrapped her arms around Nohen, crossed arms and all, and looked up at him, pouting until he finally glanced down at her. “I love you. I’m sorry sleepy Lyric didn’t have the consideration to clarify.”

Nohen rolled his eyes, though his lips twitched before a genuine smile curled them. “I love you too.”

He uncrossed his arms and wrapped them around her, picking her up in the process as he kissed her.

Once she’d reassured her beta, she turned to the pouting alpha. “And do I really have to clarify for you, hmm?” she asked, tugging her robe aside and showing off the shiny scar of his bite mark. “This wasn’t enough?”

Emerson kicked his chin up. “Alphas like verbal affirmation too, you know.”

Lyric hid her giggles in his chest. “Well, I love you too, Emerson. Happy?”

“Immensely,” he answered smugly before picking her up.

Her heart ached. “I guess Mom was right. I did find an alpha to write me a song.”

“Not just one,” Emerson purred.

“And not just alphas,” Nohen added.

Their bond was filled with nerves, and it made her want to squeeze them tight.

“I loved it. Thank you,” she said, throat tight.

“You’re welcome, princess. Now can we go to sleep?” Emerson asked.

“Yes. Can we invite Adra though? I don’t want anyone feeling left out.” She scratched at her cheek. “But then what about Henry and Javi?”