“She’s the one I’m dreaming about. Heather is my mate.”
Gabriel’s head whipped around and their gazes met again. “Are you serious?”
Patrick nodded. “I’ve always felt connected to her. That’s why I couldn’t stop thinking about her even after she walked away. The connection is even stronger now.”
After studying Patrick for a long, silent moment, Gabriel asked, “Did you fuck her?”
“Not yet. I took her clothes and made her suck my cock, but I haven’t been inside her pussy.”
Patrick could feel Gabriel’s gaze moving over his face, but Gabriel said nothing. Patrick understood the position he’d just put Gabriel in, but there wasn’t a way around it. Gabriel wasn’t just the co-leader of Eagle Village. He felt personally responsible for the fate of every raptor shifter. Gabriel had pushed for the merger with Nuevo Biotech. Raphael and most of their advisors had insisted that Nuevo couldn’t be trusted, but Gabriel was adamant and the contract was signed.
Of course, the proposed merger had been a ploy to lure hundreds of young, intelligent humans away from their planetary protections. Once they reached the off-world complex, the employees of Echo, Inc. became unwilling test subjects for the Griffin Project. Meanwhile, the fictitious explosion of their shuttle and subsequent deaths of everyone onboard had been reported to the media streams on Earth. An investigation was launched, but no neglect or foul play was discovered. The explosion was simply a tragic accident that had nothing to do with Nuevo Biotech.
Patrick drew his mind away from the past and refocused on the present. Life on Rydaria was very different from life on Earth. Unable to escape his sense of guilt, Gabriel fought to ensure that every member of Eagle Village was able to live life to the fullest, or to the fullest possible on such a primitive planet. For the first few years everyone had been focused on survival. Establishing the settlement, keeping everyone fed, clothed, and sheltered had been more than enough to keep the brothers busy. Then the arrival of the females changed everything. Raphael’s attitude had shifted, and finding a potential mate among the human females had solidified his path. Unfortunately, Raphael’s path diverged from Gabriel’s. For the first time since their exile began, the eagle brothers were at odds with each other.
And now Patrick had just added to the conflict. Gabriel wanted nothing to do with the females. He believed that the only hope for eagle shifters was to find a way off Rydaria. Settling down with mates, fathering children, and putting down roots was counterproductive to his long-term goals. Patrick hadn’t set out to support the opposition. Unfortunately, if Patrick claimed Heather as his mate, Gabriel would be psychically linked with her whether he wanted to be or not.
“So, what’s the plan?” Gabriel asked after a long, tense pause. “How are you going to punish your tormentor without alienating your mate?”
“I don’t know,” Patrick admitted as he motioned toward the stone stairs. “If one of your handlers had been among the females, what would you do?”
“All my handlers deserved to die, but it doesn’t sound like Heather does.”
They started up the stairs, Patrick half a step behind Gabriel. “There must be consequences for the decisions she made, but her life is not in question.”
Gabriel looked back at Patrick, carnal hunger gleaming in his eyes. “And do I get to do more than watch?”
“I’m your second,” Patrick said firmly. “Of course we’ll share her.” Following the example of their leaders, the occupants of Eagle Village had settled into pairs or small groups. The practice provided support and comradery for the hybrids who often had similar paranormal abilities. The strongest member of each group was the leader. The others were known as seconds and thirds. Patrick had been thrilled when Gabriel chose him as a second. Patrick considered it an honor. Their personalitiesflowed well together and their abilities complemented each other. They had always worked well as a team.
Would the conflict surrounding Heather change that dynamic? Patrick hoped not. He didn’t want to lose his best friend simply because he found a potential mate.
“Do you have specific plans,” Gabriel asked, “or are you just going to allow things to develop naturally?”
Patrick shrugged. “My plan is simple. Her penance will be paid in the form of submission. She willingly participated in my captivity. That means her restitution must be offered willingly too.”
“Has she agreed to this?”
“Not yet, but she will.” They reached the top of the stone stairs, but paused on the far side of the clearing. “She regrets her actions at Nuevo. That much is clear in her mind. She needs this punishment as much as I need to punish her. That too is clear in her mind.”
Gabriel nodded, his gaze drifting toward the cottage. “Then the fact that she is your mate is?—”
“She isourmate,” Patrick corrected.
“The fact that she is our mate is irrelevant until her penance has been paid in full. Her debt is irrefutable, but the amount she owes must be clearly defined. How long do you intend to keep her?”
“I intend to keep her for the rest of my life,” Patrick stated with a lopsided grin. “I intend to punish her for… I’m not sure. If this case came before the council, what would you suggest?”
“How long was she employed by Nuevo?”
“Four years, give or take.”
“But her tasks never intentionally harmed you?”
Patrick considered the question for a moment before he responded. “There are gray areas. She gave me injections and performed minor procedures. At times the purpose of her tasks was not clear. She often dressed my wounds. For the most part, she minimized my suffering rather than adding to it. However, she continued to work for Nuevo long after the full scope of their evil was clear.”
“I wish to question her before I offer advice,” Gabriel decided.
“As my friend or as a village leader?”
