“Well, shit.”
My mind races, trying to process what Stellan’s implying. Bonding isn’t casual—not for Feeders, and definitely not with anyone magical. It’s not something that just happens by accident, not something you walk away from unchanged.
“Who?” Wes asks, voice barely above a whisper.
Thane’s jaw ticks. He doesn’t answer.
Stellan’s smirk widens. “Oh, I think you know.” His gaze flicks meaningfully toward the ceiling. “I can smell her on you. Sweet vanilla and starlight.”
Bree.
The words hit me like ice water.
Of course it’s Bree.
Gray’s hands clench into fists at his sides. “You bonded with her?” His voice is deadly quiet.
I look at Thane—really look at him—and suddenly everything makes sense. The loose shoulders, the subtle ease, the way he’s standing there like he finally found something worth fighting for.
Theo’s gone completely still in his chair.
His eyes have gone distant, unfocused, that familiar glassy look that means he’s seeing something the rest of us aren’t. His hands grip the arms of his chair, knuckles white.
Then his gaze snaps to mine, clear and certain and somehow ancient.
“It’s meant,” he says quietly.
The words land in the silence like a benediction. Or a judgment.
“What does that mean?” I ask, but my voice sounds far away.
Stellan chuckles, dark and knowing. “It means our vampire friend here just got himself permanently tethered to the most powerful magical being in existence.” His gaze flicks between Thane and the rest of us. “Congratulations. You’re all going to have to share.”
Thane doesn’t deny it. Doesn’t confirm it either. Just stands there with that faint flush still visible along his cheekbones, silver eyes daring any of us to make this a problem.
But it’s not anger I see in his expression. It’s something rawer. More vulnerable.
Like he’s waiting for us to tell him he doesn’t deserve it.
The silence stretches, heavy with questions none of us know how to ask. Above us, Bree sleeps on, unaware that the room downstairs just got turned completely upside down.
Whatever happened between them last night, it’s not nothing.
It’s going to change everything.
And I still need to figure out why the fuck Stellan was in her room this morning.
Chapter 3
Gray
The air in the main room feels thick enough to cut.
Not just because of what Stellan dropped on us—though Thane being bonded to Bree is still sitting in my chest like a stone. It’s the way everyone’s sitting now, careful distances maintained, avoiding eye contact with Thane like he might bite if they look too long.
Everyone except Wes, who keeps glancing at him and then catching himself.
Stellan’s settled into his chair like he’s been there all night, relaxed as a cat in a sunbeam. But I know predators. The watchfulness never really leaves, even when they’re pretending to nap.
