Page 26 of The Bunny Blues

Quin traced my jaw with his finger. “Ellora, our wolves see you as their mate.”

“What?” The word came out at a pitch typically reserved for dog whistles.

Both men winced, then chuckled.

“And it isn’t just our wolves. We began falling for you the moment we laid eyes on you.” Coda gave me a soft smile.

My lungs seized, and I struggled to breathe. “But you can’t!”

I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me that wanted to shout in joy at their confession, but the logical part of my brain wanted to scream at them to get away from me. My fate was already sealed, and as much as I wished it were different, I knew my story didn’t end with a happily ever after.

I’d never heard of a female rabbit claiming new mates after bonding to her matched, so they couldn’t claim me as a mate. Could they?

“I think it’s a bit too late to convince our wolves.” Quin chuckled. “They aren’t in the mood for discussing things, which is what caused the squabble earlier.”

My eyebrows drew together. “I just don’t understand. Why would I be important enough that your wolves would fight over me?”

Quin caught my face between his rough palms. “Sweet girl, you have no idea how special you are, do you?”

I was too lost in his eyes to form a response.

“Or how much I long to taste your lips and claim you as my mate.” Quin’s mouth was mere millimeters from my own.

I hadn’t heard him move, but Coda’s arms wrapped around my middle. “Our wolves fought this morning because they aren’t eager to share you, and they are determined to not be outdone by each other.”

“B-But Monroe’s mates are okay with sharing?” It came out as a question rather than a statement.

“Wolves can successfully share a mate, but it can be challenging in the beginning.” Coda pressed kisses to my bare shoulders. “We are competitive beasts who enjoy winning, and we let that cloud our judgment, and it led to the fight.”

“My inner shifter already claimed my matched as her mates. I can’t undo it.” My voice cracked, and my lip quivered.

It was so unfair. If not for my social ladder-climbing parents and the demands of my heat, I would’ve had a chance at happiness. I could’ve had mates who loved me.

“Is there a rule that says we can’t claim you?” Quin pressed his forehead against mine.

“No. But I don’t think I can claim you back. Then you’ll be stuck with a mate who can’t complete the bond.” My voice cracked, and a tear slid down my cheek.

“What if we’re willing to take that risk?” Coda hooked his chin over my shoulder. “Isn’t that our choice to make?”

The dam holding back my sorrow broke, and I began to sob.

Sandwiching me between them, the guys stroked my hair and whispered reassurances.

“You don’t understand!” I choked out when I finally managed to speak.

Quin used the corner of the blanket to wipe the tears from my face. “What don’t we understand, love?”

“You can’t love me, because I’m dying.” Saying the words out loud was far harder than I’d expected it to be.

Coda gave a low whine, and his arms tightened around my waist.

Quin’s face paled. “Dying?”

Dropping my head to my lap, I told them the story of being matched, how my parents had betrothed me from the moment I was born, the pain of my first heat, and the way I’d claimed them even though they hadn’t reciprocated.

“A rabbit shifter can’t be away from her mates for long before it begins to affect her body. Eventually, my body will give out from the stress of separation, or during my next heat—whichever comes first.”

The silence stretched out between us as the guys absorbed the news of my impending demise.

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