When his shoulder threatened to give out, he eased back, snatching the discarded towel from his earlier shower to wipe them down. Then he pulled the covers back and nudged Max to the other side of the bed, flicking the lamp off before stretching out next to him. When Max remained quiet, he reached over, smoothing sweat-damp hair back from his face. “All right?”
Max hummed and leaned into the touch, grasping Caius’ wrist and rolling into him. “Yeah…. That was amazing.”
“It was,” he agreed, sliding his hand down Max’s side and over his ass with a deep sigh of content.
“We can do it again?” Max asked, keeping hold of Caius’ wrist as he rolled to put his back to Caius, then wiggled until he was tucked against his chest.
“Mmhmm.”
“Good.” Max sighed and nuzzled against Caius’ palm before trapping it between his cheek and the pillow.
Caius buried his nose in Max’s hair before hooking his other arm around him, pulling until they were flush against each other. “Quinn will likely want a turn next,” he murmured, closing his eyes as lethargy settled into his limbs.
Max’s heartbeat spiked, and he tilted his head back as Caius nuzzled along his neck. “Is that okay?”
“If it’s okay with you. Wouldn’t have let them bind you if I wasn’t willing to share.”
“No shit,” Max breathed, sounding dazed. Which wasn’t too surprising.
He wasn’t sure how much Max actually knew about shifters, but an alpha willing to share a binding or a mate with anyone was practically unheard of. But Quinn and Lukas were more than just pack. They trusted each other with their lives. Had survived some of the worst missions together. Their pack was forged through fire and blood, and he fully meant it when he said anything of his was theirs.
Including Max.
Chapter 12
WHEN LUKASsaw Rían had made omelets and hash browns the next morning, he was overjoyed at having a home-cooked meal, even if it was breakfast. If he hadn’t known Rían would refuse outright, he would have suggested that Caius offer him a place in their pack.
He couldn’t exactly blame Rían for not wanting anything to do with shifters, especially as he was nearly done with his required service to the Order and was one of the few mages not bound to them. If anyone could walk away at the end of their service, it would be him.
The three of them were nearly done eating by the time Caius and Max deigned to join them, and Lukas snorted quietly at the way their scents were thoroughly mixed. Not that he expected anything less, considering how loud Max had been last night.
Rían retrieved two plates from the oven and set them on the table, his eyes flicking to Max’s neck and the new claiming mark there with a brief frown, but he didn’t comment. He picked up his own plate and set it in the sink. “I should be finished with your wards in about an hour, but you’ll have to get someone else to add anything other than protection from basic magic attacks and trespassers.” He didn’t wait for a response before slipping outside, leaving the four of them alone with a silent, smitten Caius and an endearingly embarrassed Max.
Quinn was, unsurprisingly, the first to break the silence. “Finally,” he said, exasperation in every letter. “So, good?” He glanced between them with a grin and waggle of his eyebrows.
Max flushed and shoveled food into his mouth, refusing to look at any of them.
Lukas finished his coffee and left them to Quinn’s probing in favor of his morning run.
Even though Caius said he took care of the man who’d sent thugs after him, he still kept his guard up and his senses tuned into his surroundings. The longer Max was with them, the higher the chance of someone getting an idea of trying to take him. And anyone smart would try to pick them off one by one.
He didn’t believe in fate or luck, and he certainty didn’t think he could see the future, but he trusted his instincts. In the patterns picked up by his subconscious. That had saved his ass more times than he could count on a mission, when something felt off, enough to set his teeth on edge, and he’d gotten his men out before a building exploded around them.
He had that same feeling now. Like something dark hovered just past the horizon, too close to ignore but too far away to see or prepare for. Waiting games might be the worst, but he was a sniper. Waiting was what he was best at.
LUKAS FOUNDhimself in the sitting room later that afternoon, watching Rían make charms and amulets while coaching Max. He didn’t understand a word of it, but he was fascinated by the charms and gentle working of magic. Rían’s magic always felt different from others, more refined and precise, and he’d certainly proven to be far more talented and reliable than other mages Lukas had worked with.
“Here,” Rían said, finishing with a necklace and holding it out to Max. “Wear this all the time, even at home. It’s enchanted pure silver, and I’ve put a dozen protective wards into the triquetra itself.”
Max took the necklace like he was afraid it would shatter with his touch. “Isn’t silver toxic to wolves?”
Lukas shook his head. “That’s a myth. The only thing that really hurts us is aconite. Or a very lucky head shot.”
He didn’t look entirely convinced, but he put the necklace on. Once it was in place, Rían nodded and slumped against the couch where he was sitting on the floor.
“Get some rest, squirrel.”
Rían shot him an annoyed glare, which was ruined by his yawn. “I need to make a few more charms.”
