I spot a heavy stone in the ground near my foot. With blacksmith's strength, I wrench it free and hurl it at the weakened branch. The impact cracks through the forest silence, and the massive limb groans before crashing down.
Chaos erupts. The brothers curse, their perfect synchronization shattered as they dodge the falling debris. Blaim, still locked inside Lira, twists awkwardly to avoid being crushed, while Prynn leaps sideways, creating a swirling vortex of autumn leaves that deflects smaller branches raining down around him.
"An intruder!" he snarls, amber eyes scanning the forest. "Someone interrupts our claiming!"
I press lower into the undergrowth, heart hammering. I need another distraction—something to help Lira escape when Blaim's knot recedes enough for her to break free.
The wind shifts, and Prynn freezes, nostrils flaring as he catches a new scent. My scent.
"Brother," he calls, voice taut with sudden excitement. "Do you smell that?"
Blaim inhales deeply, his expression mirroring his brother's. "Omega. Heat. And... Winter Court magic?"
"A claimed omega," Prynn confirms, amber eyes glowing with lust as he turns toward my hiding place. "But still in heat. Ripe for the picking.”
Both brothers focus on my direction, their hunger palpable. Blaim remains locked inside Lira, but his attention has completely shifted. Prynn steps forward, his length glistening, ready for new conquest.
"Reveal yourself, sweet one," he calls, voice honey-smooth now with false seduction. "We know you're watching. Did our performance please you?"
I remain motionless, weighing my options. If I flee, Prynn will pursue me, leaving Lira with only one brother to manage. If I stay hidden, they might discover me anyway, but Lira might escape when Blaim's knot subsides.
"Perhaps she's shy, brother," Blaim suggests, stroking Lira's back absently while still locked inside her. "Apprehensive about joining our celebration."
"No need for shyness," Prynn croons to the forest. "We excel at pleasuring omegas. Don't we, little songbird?"
Lira doesn't respond, her eyes pleading as she turns slightly toward my direction. She can't see me, but she knows someone might help.
The claiming bond pulses violently, cillae flaring with blue-white light on my skin. Cadeyrn has sensed my danger from wherever he is. The surge of possessive rage flooding through our connection steals my breath.
He’s approaching, fast. But I don't know if he'll arrive in time.
A twig snaps beneath my foot as I shift position, and Prynn's head whips toward the sound, triumph spreading across his perfect features.
"Found you," he purrs, moving directly toward my hiding place with predatory grace. "Don't fear. We only wish to include you in our pleasure."
I need a new strategy. Immediately.
Rising from my hiding place, I step into view at the clearing's edge—trying to keep my distance while keeping the trees at my back.
"Hello there," I call, forcing confidence into my voice. "Sorry to interrupt, but your methods seem excessive, don't you think? One knot at a time is traditional."
Both brothers stare, momentarily startled by my boldness. Their identical amber eyes widen at my copper hair, torn clothing, and the cillae glowing visibly beneath the fabric.
"Look at her, brother," Prynn breathes, appreciation evident. "Have you ever seen such coloring?"
"Copper and fire," Blaim agrees, still locked inside Lira but entirely focused on me. "And those cillae... Winter Court's claiming marks."
"The Prince's exclusive claim," Prynn murmurs, understanding dawning. "Breaking all Hunt protocols."
"Yet still in heat and ripe for the plucking,” Blaim notes, inhaling deeply. "Responding to us despite his mark."
"Still available," they finish together, identical smiles spreading across their perfect faces.
The cillae pulse more intensely across my skin, a warning that makes both brothers hesitate briefly. They exchange a look that chills my spine—not fear, but shared excitement.
"Your Prince violated tradition first," Prynn says, taking a careful step toward me, his arousal heavy and ready. "Exclusive claiming contradicts the Hunt's very purpose."
"Which means," Blaim continues, shifting slightly and drawing a whimper from Lira, "you remain fair game by court standards."