Page 21 of Cleo

“I did. And I came here hoping to build a real life.”

“And now your father is on his way. To take you back?”

“I am sure of it. I’m his official heir, and he would never willingly let me be free. I don’t know what he’d capable of, but I can’t put you in danger. I will have to deal with him tomorrow, and if I manage to still be here after that, which probably won’t happen, maybe we can talk about us.”

“You are an adult, correct? Over eighteen?”

“Yes, I am over eighteen, but beyond that, I can’t say how old I am. Nothing ever changed in the compound. It was always winter, and nobody held birthday parties for me. But he is an original shifter and as such, I presume that gives him authority. He can probably just demand I leave with him.”

“Let’s see about that.” Miles growled. “You are not anyone’s possession. Not his and not even ours. You are our fated mate, but you have free will. We will defend your rights to that free will to the death. To make your own choices and live as you please.”

“There is one more thing you don’t know about me.” I swallowed hard. “At least I don’t see how you could. And it’s the reason he wants me so badly. I share his gift.”

“Which is?” Miles spoke this time.

“I’m not sure if you’ll still want me to be your mate when you know…”

“Nothing could change that,” he said. “Trust us.”

“I haven’t had a lot of luck with trust, except Angie. At least before I came here. But here goes. I am not a wolf shifter.”

They looked at each other then at me. “We’ve seen you shift,” Jude said. “Into a wolf.”

“Oh, I can do that, but name another animal.” I stood up.

“What?” Jude asked. “Why?”

And then I saw understanding dawn in Pax’s beautiful eyes. “Is this related to our conversation in the library? When you were talking about other…oh, Cleo. A rabbit.”

I was glad he picked smaller because I was able to make the shift without undressing. It was just too intimate here in my room with them seated on the bed. The whole scene had me feeling shy. I made the shift, shrinking down into one of my very favorite furry forms. Not the arctic hare but the cutest fluffy bunny I had in me. Sweet, adorable, vulnerable, and from the gasps of my possible mates, a total surprise.

Chapter Twenty-One

They all went down on their knees around me, reaching out to gently stroke and telling me how beautiful I was. My fluffy bunny ate up the attention. She was all about love, and her little fluttery heart beat just for these men. She had no fear of their wolves and couldn’t wait to run with them. Her top speed was probably close to theirs. Would they be surprised? But I had more to show, and there was no time like the present. In quick succession, I displayed my favorite animals to be. A big green parrot, a lioness, a golden retriever, and an anteater that I’d tried once after watching a nature show. I didn’t know where all the animals lived inside me but supposed it might be like a human with multiple personalities, only a more functional situation. They actually were different beings.

Then I shifted back, retrieved my silky new teal-blue robe from the hook by the door, and wrapped it around me. “So you see why he wants me. I’m like him. I don’t think any of my sisters are.”

But Miles gently shook his head. “You are not like him just because the goddess gave you a similar gift. Even knowing you for such a short time, we are aware. And we will leave or stay or anything you like, but it’s your choice. If you are willing, we can mate with you.”

“Now?” It seemed like such a strange thing to do out of the blue. Oh sure, I’d heard the girls talking and saying that all males were horn dogs, but these three had been nothing but respectful to me. And I could sense their arousal. I wanted them too. Still… “I thought we were talking about how to keep my father from dragging me out of here against my will. You are all incredible males; any girl would want you. And I believe you are my fateds. But—”

“That’s how we protect you. At least in part.” Miles seemed to speak for all of them a lot, but the others were not arguing or disagreeing.

“This isn’t a line, is it? I mean, I’ve seen guys on TV say some strange things to get a girl in bed.”

“No.” Jude smiled at me, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’d give anything if our first time together was not to keep you out of your father’s clutches, but it is the best way we have to protect you. If you wear our marks, he can’t. Not without severing all those bonds, and there’s only one way he can do that.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. “Which is?”

“He’d have to kill us,” Pax said. “Which we will not make easy for him. Even if you don’t want us as mates, we will defend you to the death.”

And I hated the sound of that. But standing there in front of three men who had just pledged their willingness to die for me, I wanted nothing less than to be their mate. Every animal inside me wanted them, too. I let my robe fall to the floor.

They stripped fast, so fast I blinked and all I saw was gorgeous male skin. And then they were all around me and kissing my face, my ears, my shoulders. My legs could not hold me up, but it didn’t matter because my mates were handling that. I’d never really dared to dream of having a mate, at least not one of my choosing or even Fate’s, since Father made it clear I was his to do with as he pleased. If ever a male did enter my life, it would be one he selected for me.

And here I was with three? Fate’s gifts and my heart’s desire?

They laid me on the bed, never ceasing their tender ministrations. My world was a haze of arousal in my room lit only by the bedside lamp I’d left on to make sure I could see every corner of the room when I came in. My legs parted and a hot tongue lapped at my most private parts, while other mouthsfastened around my nipples, suckling and licking… I thrashed under all of them, flying over the edge into orgasm so fast I struggled to draw breath. Then Pax, it had been him between my legs, was kneeling, fitting himself to my virgin entrance.

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