Page 70 of Run Little Omega

The forest stirs around us, silver leaves rustling with sudden agitation. My claiming bond burns with approaching fury—Cadeyrn racing toward us with his wrath gathering.

"You really want to discover what happens when you touch what he considers his?" I ask, taking a deliberate step backward, drawing Prynn further from Lira. “Nine dead alphas so far. Care to make it eleven?"

Prynn's laugh is genuinely amused. "The danger only enhances the appeal, doesn't it, brother?"

"Indeed," Blaim agrees, his knot finally beginning to recede. "Imagine her between us, Prynn. Could she accommodate us simultaneously? I suspect she could."

Simultaneously? My stomach drops as I comprehend his suggestion. Not just passing me between them, but sharing me at once. The mental image is repulsive and, horrifyingly, accompanied by an unwanted surge of heat between my thighs. Damned omega biology.

"I'm not interested," I state firmly, though my voice wavers.

"Your scent contradicts you," Prynn purrs, advancing another step. "Your body recognizes the opportunity we offer, even as your mind resists."

With a wet sound, Blaim's knot slips free of Lira. Instead of releasing her, he pulls her upright, holding her against his chest like a shield.

"How shall we proceed, brother?" he asks, one hand trailing up to cup Lira's breast possessively. "Should we complete our time with our songbird, or move directly to our copper-haired prize?"

Prynn's eyes gleam contemplatively. "Why choose? We should have both."

"Together," Blaim agrees, excitement coloring his voice. "Imagine the harmonies we could create with their cries of pleasure and pain.”

"Stop," I command, drawing my knife. "Release her."

The brothers laugh in perfect unison, beautiful and terrible.

"She plays protector, brother," Prynn observes, approaching me with unhurried confidence. "How charming."

"Endearing," Blaim agrees, his grip on Lira tightening. "But unnecessary. Our songbird enjoys our attention, don't you, sweet one?"

Lira's eyes meet mine, their depths full of emotion. Shame, terror, but also resignation—she needs for this to end, even if it means sacrificing me to take her place.

"It's okay," I tell her, meaning it. "Run when you get the chance."

Prynn stands close enough now that his scent surrounds me—autumn leaves and spice and alpha musk. Despite everything, my body responds, wetness gathering traitorously.

"You smell divine," he murmurs, close enough to reach me with a single lunge. "Like metal and honey and defiance. I understand why the Winter Prince broke protocol for you."

"But he's nowhere to be found,” Blaim adds, voice dropping to seductive tones. "While we stand before you."

The claiming bond flares so violently that I gasp aloud, cillae illuminating my skin from within. Cadeyrn approaches rapidly, his rage tangible through our connection.

The brothers sense it too, their expressions shifting from confident to wary.

"He comes," Prynn acknowledges, glancing briefly toward the forest edge.

"Which means we must act swiftly," Blaim replies, shoving Lira aside and moving to join his brother. "Hold her for me, Prynn. I want the first taste."

Panic surges through me. Cadeyrn approaches, but not quickly enough. If the brothers capture me...

I back away, hands raised defensively as I retreat toward the forest. "Stay back. I'm not yours to claim."

"But you could be," Prynn purrs, circling to my left while Blaim moves right. "Temporarily, at least. Until your Prince arrives to reclaim his property."

They’re trying to trap me between them. I feint left, then dart right, attempting to break past Blaim toward the denser forest where their larger frames might struggle to follow.

Blaim anticipates the move, blocking my path with preternatural grace. "Where are you rushing to, copper-beauty? Our entertainment has just begun.”

The temperature plummets suddenly. The brothers sense it too, their movements faltering slightly as they turn toward the eastern clearing edge.

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