Page 27 of Shadowlands Sector 3

Rushing over to the pile of clothes Jae had left in the cave, I grab a small pair of black leggings that have a hole across the knee, and a baggy sweatshirt, both too small to fit the guys. Quickly, I peel my shirt off, the fabric stuck to my skin, so I wrench it off me. The wind coming from behind me sweeps over my bare back, and I tremble. Damn, it’s icy to the touch and my teeth are chattering. Just as fast, I pull down my pants, dropping them in a wet mess with my top.

With shaky hands, I grab a fluffy jacket that looks way too small to even fit me and frantically wipe the water from my body. Rapidly, I collect the leggings from the pile and step into them. Dragging them up my legs is a nightmare. They’re tight and the fabric glues to my skin from not drying myself enough.

Fighting the damn thing, I get it halfway up my thighs, when the snap of wood has me twisting my head around.

In the doorway, Bardhyl and Lucien are caught frozen, the wind whipping against them, blowing their hair over their faces. They’re holding large branches covered in leaves, seeming to have forgotten they’re getting wet as they stare at me.

“Hurry up,” I tell them as I wrestle to heave the pants up and over my ass.

Hastily, I pull the tee over my head and down my arms, then I tug it down over my stomach and turn around.

“You didn’t need to rush for us,” Lucien adds as he and Bardhyl layer the cave opening with half a dozen branches in a crisscross fashion from inside the cave. They’ve also managed to bring in several large rocks for use at the base of their structure. Branches are sticking against the narrow sides of the enclosure, bent and shoved into place.

There are still some gaps here and there in the layers of branches, but instantly, I feel the change in the fading cold. With the fire crackling, this cave will be cozy soon enough.

“And we left a small opening here,” Bardhyl states, pointing to the base of the structure near the edge of the exit. “For toilet breaks.”

Speaking of which, I step forward for just that. “This looks great. Thanks. I have some dry clothes for you in the back to change into.” I peer outside through the holes in the covering to where night falls over the landscape and the rain has eased to trickling.

“I’ll be right back. Toilet break.” I rush outside and don’t steer too far, but it’s freezing out here, and the rain catches me just as I push back inside through the gap.

“It’s going to be a chilly night,” I say as I straighten, but my voice flatlines.

My eyes land on both men standing on either side of the fire, butt naked, glancing my way with smirks.

“Careful. Before you burn something precious,” I tease as I wander closer to chase away the cold clinging to me.

Neither of them move from the blaze, and I join them, stretching my hands out to warm them up. “So, what’s the plan?” I ask, fighting the urge to lower my gaze over both of them. “Food.”

“Getting stripped firstly,” Lucien answers swiftly, grinning at me, and I feel Bardhyl’s gaze on me, both like wolves in waiting for the perfect moment to strike their prey.

I laugh, mostly for show. “So you saw a bit of ass and that’s got you both hot and bothered already?”

“Do you need any other reason?” Bardhyl asks, and he’s being serious.

I roll my eyes at them, even if on the inside, I’m extremely impressed and slightly turned on by their eagerness. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

They don’t even hesitate and jump into getting dressed, both of them in loose shorts, and shirts a size too small. “Fine, food first, then stripping,” Lucien reiterates.

Bardhyl is bringing out food from the bag. The white tee he wears forms across all those hard planes and muscles. Damn, he is toned. Lucien strolls over to me as he tugs on a long-sleeved tee the color of a sunset. The fabric is tight and also hugs every contour. He stands over me and pushes loose dark strands of hair off my face, while I can only think of how gorgeous he looks. Clearly, I’m unable to form thoughts that don’t concern me picturing them naked again, muscles flexing, and me all over them.

“Sounds like a plan,” Bardhyl begins. “Food first. Take a seat and we’ll join you.”

I eye him as he blows me a kiss and goes to assist Bardhyl. I’m beyond exhausted, and I might fall asleep while eating.

Soon enough, I find myself sitting cross-legged on the blanket, the fire warming me up, and my two men joining me. We’re having a mini picnic of crackers, cheese, and dried meat, served with fruit chutney. The small salad of tomatoes and cucumbers I roughly chopped at Kinley’s is on offer, along with a large slice of fruit cake. This is the biggest feast I’ve ever had while on the run… which has been most of my life.

“Enjoy,” Lucien says as he reaches for a piece of the meat. “It’s no roast pig, but it will do. And it’s more than what Dušan will have to eat tonight.”

I lower my head and send my thoughts to Dušan, praying that he’s safe and we’ll save him hopefully tomorrow. Glancing at Bardhyl and Lucien, all three of us sitting in a semi-circle around the food, I notice they also have their heads low, praying for their Alpha.

When we start eating, no one says a word, and my reason has to do with the sheer hunger I’m drowning under. I help myself to everything, except for the cake. I rarely get to taste such a delicacy, so I’m saving it for dessert.

“After I kill that fucking asshole, Mad,” Bardhyl starts with a mouthful, then he swallows it, “I am cooking up my famous Viking stew for you. Three kinds of meat, potatoes and carrots, plus spices that will warm your insides. You will love my cooking.”

“You’re making me hungry while I’m eating. Is it a family recipe?” I create a stack of cheese, meat, and cucumber slices in my hand.

“A dish my father made for us growing up. I loved his saying that it made even the Berserkers stronger in battle. So of course, I’d insist on having three bowlfuls.”

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