Page 148 of Home to the Hollow

“We have things to discuss, McSteamy. Follow me and you’ll see.”

I rub my chest as I follow her, knowing that the source of my powers is awakening.Reikiis my caladrius’ name—all of our bird’s name themselves when we emerge—and he isveryinterested in this situation. Jolene is not ready for the truth, but it’s rarely that my bird takes an interest in anyone. The last time was when I met Lucy, and since we became a couple,Reikihas remained quiet.

Jolene has piqued his interest and I don’t know what it means.

As I follow Magpie into her bedroom, I seek Lucy first, feeling relieved when his warm energy touches me from across the room. He arches his brow, and I know he can feelReikijust under my skin. Shifters, even mythical ones like me, always have a sense of how close to shifting they are. When your animal is just under your skin, emotions can supersede years or even centuries of control, forcing a change because the primal part of you demands to be set free. Every shifter species has their own relationship with their inner beasts—sentience seems to be more common to rare or higher tier shifters than common ones.

That being said… strong family lines in one’s genetic influence and hybrids are completely unpredictable because the Society can’t trace their lineage.

Our girl could have many powers or capabilities and until they appear, we won’t have a clue what to expect.

“I asked you to meet me here because we need to set some ground rules,” Jolene says. She’s twisting her fingers nervously, but her expression is determined. “I’ve never… well, I’ve donesomeof this before, but not like this. You’ll have to be patient with me.”

Lucy pushes off the wall, tilting his head. I can tell he’s trying to get a read on her emotions without losing control of anything and it makes me smile. The entire time I’ve known Wolfgang, he’s only lost control of his features this way when we first started dating, and it’sadorablethat he’s having the same trouble with our girl. Boone watches him impassively, clearly waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don’t blame him; Lucy takes Jolene’s hand and tugs her to the bed without a smidge of protest.

“Just talk to us, sugarplum. What has you in knots?”

She clasps his hand tightly, then raises her eyes to me and then to Edgar. “I want to define our situation. This is the first time since college that I’ve even considered having people in my life regularly—I mean, outside of Seer, which isn’t the same. That story is long and I’ll share it with you later, but it taught me to be guarded. So you three are the first people—male or female—to stay in my life for more than a night in years.”

All three of us look as if she smacked us in the face with a sack of flour, and the room is silent for a moment. I believe we all suspected that magpie hasn’t allowed anyone but her Guardian to get close to her based on the stories they’ve told so far, but this candor is surprising. She’s struggled with our assimilation into her life, and despite Lucy and I making it as easy as possible, it was apparent that she was scared. Admitting that shewantsus all here and asking us to commit to her has to be terrifying. I open my mouth to speak, but before I can get a word out, Boone crosses the room and drops to one knee in front of her.

What in theactualfuck is hedoing?!

“Tell us what you need,drugar,” he murmurs as he looks up at her.

I know I’m gaping, but so is Lucy, so I don’t feel as bad. Edgar is the biggest alphahole in this fucking town, and I’ve never seen him date a woman more than once, much less ask her to tell him what to do. No one willeverbelieve this happened; it’s like a miracle in real time. I take a breath to shake off my disbelief, then I manage to say, “I agree. We need to know what you want, Jolene.”

The pout she gives me when I use her real name makes my chest tighten and I rub it absently as I watch her. Her hand flexes in Lucy’s briefly, and she looks down at Boone before she murmurs, “This is hard for me. It requires trust I’m not sure I’m capable of, and vulnerability I never show. But… I want this,” she gestures at us awkwardly, “to work. I want all of you, and I won’t settle for less. I don’tknowwhy, because I haven’t wanted anyone to stay around since Trevor. I’ve been happy taking what I need and moving on. The thought of anyone touchinganyof you has my gut twisted into knots, though.”

I don’t know who the hell Trevor is, but he’s a dead man when we figure it out.

One glance at Boone confirms my vengeful promise, and even Lucy has a hard set to his mouth. None of us care that this douche hurt our girl in the past—when we locate him, he’ll pay.

“Sugarplum, you know what I told you at the farm,” Lucy says, squeezing her hand before bringing it to his lips. “I’m yours.” I arch a brow, and he chuckles. “And Prez’, of course.”

I smile at that. I wouldn’t have assumed his declaration negated our relationship, but my darling boy can’t help but make certain that everyone he cares about knows it.

Boone nods, taking her other hand in his. “Drugar, I told you yesterday how I felt.”

“Well, you apologized for leaving me alone to wonder if I was going to end up getting roasted on social media. And you intimated that your bullying had to do with your parents, and you regretted it. But you didn’t say what you felt.” Her chin lifts and I can feel the air in the room change as she steels herself for disappointment.

She wouldn’t have to do that if we could tell her that Boone wouldn’t leave his mate in a million years, but that information is still classified.

“Tilly, I’ve always liked you. I wanted to be a part of your life from the minute I first saw you—there were extenuating circumstances. Both of our parents were less than thrilled at our connection. You probably can’t remember…”

The expression on his face is painful, and I decide to save him before his head explodes. He doesn’t need to give her his entire history since they graduated any more than Lucy or I do. But I’ll throw my hat in the ring if it keeps him from having to dance around the formal matchmaking shit the elites here do when their children don’t find fated mates while away at school.

“I played around a lot after college, too. I traveled through Asia extensively for work before I settled here. I understand the appeal of having no ties, no one to hurt you, and nothing to hold you back. However, I knew when I saw you telling a story to a harpy eagle you were terrified of moments before that I couldn’t let you get away. I don’t know where we’re all going, but I’m on board, even if the crew gets bigger.”

After all, we have no idea what she is, and some supes take alotof mates to ensure the continuity of their species.

I’m not sure if Jolene’s little harem is complete with the three of us—something about her tells me it’s not. Lucy and Boone give me curious looks, but I shrug. Iamthe doctor, after all, and I’m a fairly good read. She needs to know that if she feels tugged toward another, we won’t lose our minds and leave.

“I’m happy to share,” Lucy whispers, giving her a shy smile. “I want you to be happy, sugarplum.”

I simplycould notlove this man more. He’s sweet enough to poison a diabetic, and wicked enough to satisfy a demon at the same time.

“For fuck’s sake…” Edgar sighs and rolls his eyes. “I’m not threatened by these idiots or anyone else you decide to take a shine to. I know what I want.”

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