I believe her. I have to believe her. I let jealousy and rage take over for just a moment. I can't be irrational. That's Cross's department. I take a steadying breath and start moving again. “Okay. It's okay. We'll be there soon.”
She just nods and clings, trusting me to take care of her. That slams into me harder than anything else. This is my job. My duty. My honor. Mine.
Ours, my wolf chimes in and I accept the weight of his declaration. My wolf is generally relaxed, happy to do what needs to be done, happy as long as his pack is happy. He never asserts himself, has never claimed anything or anyone as his own.
Ours, he repeats.Mine. Yours. Ours.
She's Cross's mate, I remind him.The Goddess –
He snarls, dominant and determined, making me stumble.Our Goddess blessed us all. She is mine as much as she is yours and his. Do not deny me.
Genie's hand comes around my back to grasp my shoulder and she makes a sound that can only be described as a gentle rumble as she nuzzles me softly. It feels natural. It feels right for her to be in my arms, as if she's always meant to be there. The understanding catches in my chest and my eyes widen with the wonder of it.
I don't know how Cross is going to feel about or handle this epiphany. He could take my newfound possession as a challenge; or worse, a threat. I don't want to fight Cross. I don't want it to be a challenge. I want it to be the way we planned it. Except now... now she's mine and I can't take that back.
It's not a challenge,my wolf says, giving the impression of laying down on his side.It's how it's supposed to be. He won't fight it. He knows the truth of it. We belong to each other, all three. Take her back to the nest and breed her. That's what our mate needs.
He's insane.Breed her? Are you out of your mind? I am not going tobreedher.
His laughter echoes in my head.You will. He will. We all will.
I don't argue with him anymore. I can'tbreedGenie. She's in heat, the only thing she needs is Cross's big, fat knot. I'm just glad he finally has somewhere to plant the damn thing.
We have a knot.
I stumble again.We most definitely do not. That's something I would be aware of, don't you think?”
He stretches forward, digging his claws into the space in front of him.We didn't need it before. Breed the female. The pack needs pups.
Breed the fucking female. The pack needs pups. My head is going to explode. I do not have a knot.
We're almost to the cabin when a thought startles me. When Cross would go into rut, and whenever Genie was in heat, when they were still separate, I wouldn't let him fuck me. My wolf wouldn't let Cross's wolf fuck him, either. Is this why? What? A fucking dormant knot? That's completely absurd and unheard of. Late bloomers are one thing, but dormant designations among males are different.
I turn inward again.Hey.
My Goddess,he huffs.What now?
How do we have a knot? Why do we have one?
The distinct impression of how stupid he thinks I am washes over me, but I don't care.
Alphas have knots. We have lived as an enforcer and Second because that is what suits us. We don't want to be in charge of anything. Our purpose is our Luna. She is our responsibility. Cross can handle our pack. We can handle our mate.
This is too much. My head is spinning. It makes sense in a very fucked way. It would explain the connection between me and Cross. It would explain so many things.Is Cross our mate? Are you telling me that they are both our mate?
He yawns.You can claim each other now. The time is right. She will mark you and that will be the link. Stop wasting timewith questions and stupidity. Take our female to her nest and breed her until she's full of our pups.
Slow rolling, pure elation begins to swell inside me. Cross is going to be my mate. After everything. After all the hurt and anger and pain. He's mine. And I get Genie, too. I get everything I ever wanted and more.I get more.
Chapter Forty-three
Parker
Cross isn't waiting in front of the cabin when I carry Genie into the small clearing. I really wanted him to be there for this, but her distress and pain has grown exponentially with every step I took to get us here. She needs tending now and I'm not going to make her wait for him. He'll just have to forgive me when he gets here.
Unless he'd rather fight me.
Genie's panting now, with sweat beading on her skin. “We're here now, baby,” I tell her, reaching to open the front door. “Cross will be here soon. We'll take care of you.”
