Page 54 of Bonded and Betrayed

Chapter Nineteen

Skylar

Consciousnessslowlyseepsinwith the bright morning sun filtering through my barely opened eyelids and a tingling sensation glides along the bare skin on my shoulder blade, sending shivers up my spine. Memories from the last time I felt something like this flit through my mind, drawing up images of the morning I woke up in Zeke’s bed after we solidified our bond. A smile curls on my lips as I remember last night with Arsenio when we did the same.

The mate bond had been so new when Zeke and I entwined our souls as one, like we had been acting on instinct, but as I reflected on it, there was no mistaking how much I wanted the bond. I wanted him to be my mate for the rest of our lives and beyond. There was no hesitation this time, no need to grapple with the thought of being tied to someone for eternity, because of how much Zeke helped me work through my issues when we first met. I can be a stronger wolf, a better mate, because of him.

“I hope that smile is because of me,” Arsenio drawls, his warmth seeping into me as he presses the hard planes of his chest against mine, our hearts beating as one. My legs tangle with his, our bodies still bare, with only a thin sheet covering us. There was more than enough heat generated last night to keep us warm. He trails his thumb over my bottom lip, tracing the curve of my mouth as though he’s memorizing every detail. We’d both studied each other’s bodies, learning them and worshiping them as he carried me from the van and into the quaint cottage.

“Nah, it’s probably because I’m finally here,” a deep masculine voice murmurs, pressing his chiseled chest against my back. My eyes pop open just as the tone registers in my mind—Zeke.

I tilt my head to look over my shoulder at my mate. His grey eyes flash with sunlight, and his smile widens as he looks back at me. His fingers still trace an invisible pattern on my shoulder blade before they trail up to the new set of silver scars, now completely healed just below the ones he left on my skin. My stomach sinks slightly as realization sweeps in. I hadn’t spoken to him about how he would feel if I solidified the bond with any of my other mates. What if he’s upset?

I search along the bond to gauge his emotions but find only joy and adoration. Cool waves of relief wash over me, the tension carried away on its current as I relax against both of my mates’ chests.

“Zeke,” I sigh, leaning back into him as he wraps an arm around my waist, snuggling me into his warm embrace.

“I’m okay, babe. We’re all okay,” Zeke breathes, placing tender kisses up my neck.

Of course, I knew that. We made sure to let the others know that we made it to the safehouse last night and confirmed that everyone was okay before we went to sleep. Having him here beside me is different though; the bond that pulses between us hums in contentment at his proximity.

“Great, she knows that you’re safe,” Arsenio huffs, tugging me closer to him. “You can leave now. I’m not quite finished with our mate.”

Heat blooms in my cheeks as I turn back to him, unable to miss the flames of desire flickering in his eyes. I search along the bond, but I can’t sense any jealousy, only lust and excitement.

“Wait, I want to hear what happened last night,” I say, and glance back at Zeke. I have to suppress a grin at Arsenio’s playful annoyed groan.

“Way to kill the mood, buddy,” Arsenio says, jovially shoving Zeke’s arm half-heartedly.

“What can I say, I know the way to my mate’s heart, and that’s through heroic tales filled with action and destruction.” Zeke grins triumphantly, his chest puffing out as though he’s won some sort of prize.

“If you don’t stop, I’m going to let Arsenio kick you out of the cabin.”

“Please keep going,” Arsenio says, his smile widening as his excitement ratchets up, pulsing through the bond.

“Ouch,” Zeke hisses, as though the threat physically wounded him. “Fine, fine. I’ll tell you everything as long as you do the same.”

“Don’t keep us in suspense,” Arsenio chides, trailing his fingers down my arm, eliciting goosebumps in his wake. A shiver of desire slithers down my spine, and I bite my bottom lip, barely suppressing my moan in time.

Focus Sky. You can think about your two very naked mates being pressed up against you later.

Zeke doesn’t waste any more time and launches into his story. I turn to face him, much to the chagrin of Arsenio, that is until he presses his already hardening cock against my ass, making concentrating on the story even more difficult. Zeke doesn’t help matters as the sheet shifts and he runs his heated gaze over my bare skin, warming me despite the chill that pebbles my skin into goosebumps.

“So Godric must’ve known that one of his betas was working against him, otherwise he would have told them about the farm, right?” Arsenio asks, his grip on me tightening at the mention of my father.

I place my hand over his, reassuring him that I’m okay.

“That would make the most sense,” Zeke sighs. “It’s a good thing that he did though, because that pathway will be instrumental when we actually attack them.”

“I still don’t like the idea of attacking their home,” I say, my mind drifting to thoughts of just how many innocent shifters live beyond those walls. “I can only hope that Aldric will send them somewhere else after last night.”

“He’d be stupid not to,” Zeke agrees, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. His fingers caress my cheek, and I lean into the touch, loving the comforting gesture. “We blew the fencing to pieces. He’ll know it’s not safe for anyone who can’t fight to stay.”

I nod, plans already starting to form in my mind.

Arsenio launches into the story of our night, explaining what happened when we got to the bunker, finding my father’s gun, the explosion, and the bears that pursued us.

“Fuck, I wish I’d seen that,” Zeke groans, hunger flashing in his grey eyes as Arsenio finishes explaining just how we were able to disable the jeeps. I know exactly what he’s starving for, and it’s definitely not food.

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