Page 58 of Claiming the Dhampir

“No one is getting upset over where you decide to eat breakfast,” Nathan said, a sharp edge in his voice. “I promise none of us even thought about where we planted our asses a few moments ago. We certainly didn’t deliberately try to make you uncomfortable.”

My face heated. He made it sound like my insecurity was my fault. Did he have to be such as asshole about it?

It is your fault, Mir said. You’re reading too much into it. Did any of them say this was a test? Have they ever indicated that you would have to choose between them?

No, they hadn’t. I pulled out the chair in front of me and dropped into it. Kenrid slid a bowl of fruit my direction, and Damon piled scrambled eggs and bacon on my plate.

“Juice, coffee, water, or bourbon?” Elliott asked, rising from his seat.

“It’s a little early for alcohol.” I smiled and shook my head. “You don’t have to serve me breakfast. I can get my own.”

“I choose to serve my little goddess,” Elliott insisted with a wink, making me blush. He’d so recently worshipped his little goddess. “Now, tell me what you want.”

“Orange juice, please.”

Now he’s okay with us telling him what to do, Mir said.

Stop! I can’t think about this right now. We have other stuff to talk about.

She pouted, but I could feel her agreement.

Elliott brought my glass of juice and sat back down. An uncomfortable silence settled around the table when the guys started eating. Well, everyone but Nathan. He sipped at a large mug of what I suspected was blood. I frowned at my insensitivity. Nathan was having breakfast, just like the rest of us. I could hardly judge him for needing blood to sustain him.

Why did this have to be so difficult? I knew we had a ton of stuff to discuss, but there was something I wanted to get out in the open first.

“Can we talk about us first?” I asked.

The guys traded looks that I couldn’t read, then they all nodded. I forced myself not to read into their silence. It wasn’t like I’d asked them to spill their guts or explain themselves.

I sighed. “I’ve never been in a relationship with more than one man,” I said, then huffed. I’d only been in one real relationship before these guys. “I don’t know how to do this. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but I feel like I’m also treating you like glass that could shatter with the slightest touch. That’s exhausting. I need to know what you expect. What you want. Don’t want.” I shrugged and folded my hands in my lap. “Please tell me everything. I can’t sort out my feelings if I don’t know yours.”

The familiarity of categorizing and sorting my environment felt good. I needed this.

Kenrid leaned back in his chair. “I have very few sexual inhibitions, but I find myself wanting alone time with you. More so than any partner I’ve ever had. It’s probably because you’re my soulmate.” He glanced at the other guys for a moment before giving me his full attention. “While you are the other half of my soul, I realize that’s also true for the others. I’ll do my best to not demand all your attention.”

“You’re not at all demanding, Kenrid,” I said.

His smile was sincere but also a little naughty.

“It’s gonna take me a while to get comfortable with someone else touching you,” Elliott said. “My wolf didn’t act like he wanted to tear Kenrid’s throat out yesterday, but he wasn’t happy. It was hard to stop him from rubbing his scent all over your naked body.” A mischievous grin spread across his face. “I’d be perfectly okay with showing everyone else how to take care of you, though.”

A picture of Elliott owning my body with the guys watching popped into my head, making a wave of heat travel down my whole body.

That would be so hot! Mir said, extending her fantasy to include all the guys completely naked and gripping their cocks while they watched.

My face burned. Kenrid laughed. Elliott’s grin turned into a triumphant smile. Nathan growled, and Damon’s magic flared around us.

“I didn’t just project that image, did I?” I’d be mortified if I had.

“You didn’t need to, little d’laej. Elliott made it pretty clear what he intended.”

My gaze snapped to Damon and Nathan, who sat right beside him. Damon leaned back and adjusted the bulge in his pants. My mouth watered. I knew all about Damon’s beautiful dick. And it looked like he wouldn’t object to Elliott’s suggestion.

“I thought you already knew how I felt,” Damon said, leaving one hand resting between his legs. “But you’re right, it’s important that all of us understand the expectations. I know I’ll get time with you nearly every day because of Mir’s needs.” His smile was tender, and my heart flipped as he said her name. “I will be as accommodating as possible for the others. I’m looking forward to a lifetime with you.”

How long would that lifetime be? I hadn’t considered how long I would live. I’d always assumed I was human. What did this mix of DNA mean for me?

Nathan cleared his throat, pulling me back to our conversation. A deep frown pulled at his lips, matching the furrow on his brow. I tried to read his expression, but just like every other time, I couldn’t.

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