Page 41 of Puck & Her Blades

Of Cygnus.

Of all the days that he must have spent alone in his room, reading this story and using his imagination to escape Blade House.

I place it down carefully next to me. “Thanks, I love it.”

He beams.

I glance around the neat, clean, and cozy cottage. “Did you really prepare this whole cottage for me?”

Cygnus settles himself more firmly into the nest alongside me. “It was a mess. The floors were covered in dust and even the cobwebs had cobwebs. The times that I was sent here…well…it was meant to be a short term punishment. I didn’t get to make it nicer. So, it needed cleaning and redecorating for you. Ash helped me. He knows more about stuff like that than I do.”

“Why?”

My skin tingles at the thought of that god on the ice down on his knees scrubbing the floors for me.

I can think of lots of kinkier reasons I’d enjoy having him on his knees.

“He’s been trained in cleaning since he was young,” Cygnus replies. “He’s the only other member of the team who lives in Blade House. Well, the attic. He still does the chores in the Alpha wing, between practices.”

I stare at Cygnus in shock. “You’re kidding me?”

Cygnus snatches up a jersey and buries his nose in it, taking a deep sniff, then he runs his fingers compulsively over the C on the front.

He shakes his head.

I look away.

I hate that Asher’s treated like that just because he’s a Beta.

He’s a pro hockey player.

Shouldn’t he also be focusing on his career?

He may not be a bonded pack member either, but I want to get to know him and care for him just the same as the others.

This pack is even more Traditional than I’d thought.

There’d been a Beta in my pack who’d been expected to act as a secretary and do all the administrative duties. They obeyed my Alpha parents.

Were they happy with that role? Did they choose it, or was it simply expected because they were the Beta?

“Dad wouldn’t let us spend money to furnish the cottage.” Cygnus shoves an unruly curl impatiently behind his ear. “So, we used our own belongings. Is it okay?”

My expression softens. “I love that you all did that. Thank you. Wait, is that why this place smells like pack?”

And it does — like one large nest.

He gives a small smile. “Let’s play a game. You want to get to know us, right? So, who donated what?”

I scan around the room.

Never challenge me in a game because I have to win.

I start with the easy one.

I raise the blanket to my nose and breathe in Cygnus’ delicious scent. “This blanket is yours.”

Cygnus draws his fingers across the blanket, and it’s electric when they brush across mine. “It’s my favorite. It’s so soft.” Warmth spreads through me that he’s given me his favorite blanket for my nest. “But no more sniffing things. That’s cheating.”

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