Page 93 of Home to the Hollow

Another snort and a string of Gaelic mutterings make me turn my head. “Would you like to come, Lucky?”

He sighs as if I’m the most trying being on the planet, and rolls his eyes. “Yes, I’ll join the four most obtuse polyamorous people on the planet on a journey to the home they should share while they…” Doyle stops, a grin spreading across his face. “The chaos will be lovely. I can’t wait.”

I sigh, giving what I think is an evil glare. I’m honestly too tired and achy to know if I look threatening or not. “No shenanigans, no chaos—I’m not letting anyone move in if you assholes can’t get along oranswer texts.”

Presley pokes his head over Wolfie’s shoulder again. “If we promise to make it up to you, can we go home and shower now?”

His use of the word home makes my chest tighten, and I nod, unable to voice my answer. My assent makes Teddy beam, and he jumps to his feet, bending to scoop me into his arms with a whoop. Holding his hand out to my vet, he tugs him to his feet, and the others follow suit.

My eyes widen as we walk away, and I whisper, “Okay, who wants to tell me why we’re all naked?” Their laughter rings through the hills as we head back to the house on a trail I didn’t even know existed.

I guess that’s a story for another day?

Meant To Be

Iwas the only one who seemed to understand the panicking animals when we got back to the house. It’s not only a gift of my people—at least on my father’s side—but my profession. Because of how tightly bonded my sugarplum’s companions are, it was normal for them to want to attach to her side the moment we stepped in the back door. Edgar’s grumpy brush off as he carried her through the kitchen and up the stairs confused them, and even Prez was too single-minded to give them much thought.

So Doyle is watching me with this amused expression as I treat each one of the six companions to the affection they’re looking for. He’s not helping, of course, but he didn’t head upstairs to get the shower ready, either. His eyes follow me as I fix bowls of food from the cabinets and refrigerator, studying my movements like he has a question he’s afraid to ask.

“It’ll take a moment for the water to heat, and if I put their breakfast out, they’ll all focus on that and not try to pound the door down,” I say, hoping to answer his unasked query.

“Aye, it will. My Tíogair has gathered quite the menagerie—both animal and extranormal.”

Rolling my eyes, I set the dishes for the dogs and cats down before I check the freezer for frozen bits for Eury and Isis. I could let them out to hunt, but in their current anxious state, I think they’d prefer staying put. “She has, but Jolene is a special woman. You know that as well as I do, Haggerty.”

He nods, looking around the kitchen. “Wolfgang, you seem to be the one whose head is shoved least far up his arse, so I’m going to ask you something.”

I arch a brow. Where is he going with this? “Okay. But I’m not giving up any secrets unless sugarplum tells us she’s ready to let you in the circle.”

“I wouldn’t dream of putting you in that position,” Doyle replies, his eyes alight with mischief. “At least, not yet. The funny little love square is likely to expand if you realize it. I don’t mean by adding the likes of me, though I’m not the last who’ll appear I’d wager. I mean, have you and your Doctor Feelgood discussed what happens when three becomes four?”

Frowning, I put the plates with the frozen entrees for the eagle and the snake on the counter, knowing they’ll hold off until they reach room temp. “There are five of us. You’re old enough to know how to count.”

His laugh is full of delight as he claps his hands. “Oh, this isdelicious. You haven’t talked about it, and you’re all pretending it’s not happening. I couldn’t have entered stage right at a better time! All the confusion and mishegoss will feed me forweeks”

I sigh, turning on my heel to walk into the living room. “I don’t know what you’re on about, but if you want to be part of the fun, bring your happy ass upstairs.”

“Don’t start without me!” he calls, following me as he continues to chuckle.

Whatever part of the universe decided my sugarplum should have a mate from a species that always lies and one from a species that can’t must have a hell of a sense of humor.

* * *

“Hold still,drugar.Let him feast.”

The growl coming from the bathroom makes me speed up, and my body tightens in anticipation. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what Prez is doing, and I’m eager to join. The laughter behind me continues and if I wasn’t so intent on jumping in, I’d do more than raise my hand and flip off the Irish jackass behind me. Last night, my sugarplum ran with us all night long, resplendent in her hellhound form as she embraced what can only be the first side of her to emerge.

She doesn’t remember, but she will eventually, and it will be glorious. Until then, we will continue to show her how we feel in the normal way.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

Stepping into the bathroom, I grin as our girl hits her first peak of the morning. Her dark hair stands out against the white tile of the huge walk-in shower, and her legs are dangling off the granite bench on the right limply. My angel is kneeling between her thighs, nibbling the insides as she coasts down. As usual, Edgar is taking charge, standing with one hand on Prez’s shoulder and the other on his impressive cock. Sliding the door open, I walk in.

“Where would you like me?” I ask, looking up through my lashes in a way I know drives every person in the steamy room crazy. That’s another one of our gifts, if you’re wondering, and I’ve never been above using it.

The snort of our new Irish tag-a-long doesn’t deter me, and I shrug as he drops onto the bench across from us, steeping his hands as he watches. Edgar ignores him, but I can sense the tension in his frame as he works out what he wants. Prez lifts his head, his eyes flashing icy blue, and I give him a tiny pout. He loves that more than anything, but he doesn’t get the chance to respond because my sugarplum opens her eyes.

There’s a tiny pulse in the room, so small I think I might imagine it, and I frown. Could something inside of her be trying to push through so soon after the hound? My eyes fly to Boone’s, but he’s not paying attention to anything as he works out whatever he’s got going on in his head.

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