Yelena shrugged. “I have a long memory, not a perfect one.”

“Sometimes I feel like the nests are basically an HOA from hell,” I said with a bitter laugh. “Everyone has their own agendas, no one outside of it has any real power, and the only way you’re getting out of it is to move.”

“An apt description,” Yelena agreed.

“Logan wants Kendrick. I know that much is obvious to all three of us, and he’s not as subtle as he thinks he’s being about wanting her back. Do you want this pack to be like a fucked-up HOA none of us can move away from? Or can the two of you commit to figuring your shit out?”

“I’ll commit,” Yelena said, refusing to look at either of us.

“Me too.” Kendrick nodded.

“I’m sorry I tried to eat you.”

Obviously caught off guard, Kendrick laughed. “Honestly, it was almost a fucking relief it was finally happening instead of the threat hanging over my head.”

“No one is allowed to eat anyone,” I said firmly, then added, probably very stupidly, “Unless we’re talking about eating pussy, in which case, feel free to take care of our girl.”

Tension hung heavy in the air for one hot, miserable second before both of them broke, laughing with a hint of hysteria.

“Good gods, panther.” Yelena huffed, but some of her frown had disappeared. “You truly have a knack for the inappropriate.”

“Yeah, but it worked. I’m going to report back to Logan and the doctor. Hopefully we can get you two out of house arrest and move forward. If you have any additional shit, sort through it before someone comes back to check on you.”

Neither looked particularly happy, but I wasn’t nearly as worried as when I had first come up.

“Process what you’ve learned, and be good until I get back.”

They moved me to my nest before most people were awake to avoid having to answer questions from curious onlookers. We’d update them in time. The doctor had disappeared to talk to Yelena and Kendrick after Seth had told us about his conversation with them, and I knew she was coming closer from the anxiety in the bond that skyrocketed as the door opened.

Yelena crawled straight into the nest, hugging me as best she could with all of the pillows propping me up. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m?—”

“I’m okay,” I promised.

She kissed me softly, cupping my cheek, letting her forehead rest on mine when she pulled away.

Kendrick peeked in behind her, nervous energy wafting off him. “I came to check on you.”

“You can come in if you want.”

Seth and Caden lifted their heads to observe, both in their small cat forms. Haru was draped over my legs, wolf tail whacking the blankets.

“I don’t think any of them want me in there.”

“It’smynest, not theirs.”

Yelena melted into her smallest form, cuddling against me beside Caden, all of them staring at Kendrick.

“Haru,” I said softly, “would you mind shifting to your smallest form too?”

He glanced up at me before his wolf disappeared, replaced by a darling pup.

“Thank you.” I turned back to Kendrick. “Do you have a travel size?”

His cheeks flushed pink in the dim light. “It’s embarrassing.”

“I bet it’s cute.”

That only made his blush worse.