Hunter let out a sigh, and just like violence wasn’t in my nature,not taking actiondefinitely wasn’t in his. But he didn’t argue with my assessment.
I leaned toward him, and he released me long enough to nudge my plate forward, which was filled again.How in the…?
“Eat,” he commanded, and when I huffed and grabbed another slice of meat, he picked up the newspaper that he hadn’t gotten to this morning.
He shook it open, and I caught sight of the front-page article, my eyes widening as I choked for the second time tonight. Thankfully, the ham slid down the right pipe, and I managed not to die over the headline:Thieves Destroy Old Jim’s Prize-Winning Magnolia Tree Orchard.
Hunter lowered the paper and raised an eyebrow as he stared at me, but I was too busy trying to read the full article.
Old Jim has reported the loss of one of his rare cross-bred magnolias that pollinate and flower all year round. “I’m devastated to find it has been pulled up from the ground in one hard yank…”
Hunter dropped the paper, cutting me off, and my gaze darted over to whereSteven, my magnolia tree, was growing quite nicely in the kitchen. We’d repotted him into a massive stone planter and had him over near the window for sun exposure.
When I continued to gawk at the paper, Hunter turned it over and quickly read the article himself. Before I could askWhat the fuck are we going to do?his husky laughter rang out through the kitchen. “Don’t worry about Steve,” he said, shaking his head like he couldn’t believewe had given our plant a people name. “We’ll keep you and Fin out of the slammer. Bribe the proper authorities.”
I snorted, before clearing my throat. It wasn’t funny that Finley had drunkenly stolen poor Old Jim’s plant, but I sure as shit wasn’t giving Steven back. He was mine, and I was possessive of my things.
“I’ve already sent him a generous donation,” Hunter informed me, opening the paper once more. “Anonymously of course. He’s much better off now, and he has the means to grow many more Steves. You’ll be fine.”
“There’s only one Steven,” I muttered, before I reached out and gave him a hug. “But thank you. You’re always looking after us.” He didn’t say anything, but I felt how pleased he was through our bond.
“I think I might get ready for bed,” I said around a yawn. “We’ve got a big day tomorrow, and apparently it starts at the crack of dawn, with Slade’s training.”
My muscles ached at the thought, but I hadn’t given up on wanting to hold my own in a fight. Whether that be physically, mentally, or magically.Apparently.
Hunter nuzzled me and breathed in my scent once more. “Okay, little mate. Just remember that the sleeping schedule kicks in tomorrow, since we know you’ll want to be with the twins tonight to reinforce the new bond.”
Sleeping schedule.Right, that was happening.
“What if I wanted all of you around me?” I teased, even though it was actually the truth.
Hunter’s expression dimmed until he was all predator. “All of us want to sleep with you,” he said softly. “You’re the heart of our quintet, and you always decide.”
With that power bestowed on me, a shiver traced down my spine, and I dropped a kiss on his cheek before I scurried from the room.
Wondering how I’d make it all work.
CHAPTER 19
EMME
During my shower, a deeper cramp hit, and by the time I got out my ovaries and uterus ached. A smear of blood came away on the towel I used to dry myself, but thankfully this time I had all the supplies in the world.
Opening one of my bathroom drawers, I grabbed the period disc and underwear, unsure how heavy my flow would be tonight. My skin was irritated too, so I dressed in my softest pajama set and headed out of my room with full intentions of filling my hot water bottle. Only to find myself turning in the opposite direction and taking the stairsupto the third floor. My feet slowed outside Slade’s room, and I knew why I’d inadvertently sought him out.
He'd been the one who’d eased my pain last time.
Not to mention, I hadn’t been able to shake the memory of the twins sprawled in that bed together. That night hadn’t been the right timing to crawl in between them—Finley had been calling me, and the twins needed a few nights to properly cementtheirbond. But now… they were my newest bonded mates, and I needed them tonight.
When I stepped through their doorway, I blinked at the sight of them already on the bed. “Snow,” Slade drawled, his green gaze locking me in place. “We’ve been waiting for you, sweetheart.”
My breaths came out slow and heavy, and I couldn’t bring myself to move. “Weren’t you patrolling?” I managed to ask.
He canted his head, taking a long, leisurely glance along my body. “I could feel that you needed me, so I cutthe night short.”
The twins were positioned against the headboard, their wide shoulders taking up almost the entire width. “Come to us,” Talon commanded, and before I could think I was moving.
When my toes hit the frame of the massive bed, I all but toppled forward, forgetting I held my hot water bottle. The faceplant into the cloudlike mattress didn’t hurt, and I huffed at the laughter over the top of my head.
