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Ash’s voice is flat. “Then we lock it down.”

“And we fight if we have to,” I say. “Together.”

Kai grins. “You know, for a pack that wasn’t supposed to exist, we’re already very good at teamwork.”

Lucian doesn’t answer. But he doesn’t argue, either.

And for Lucian? That’s practically a hug.

Kai flops onto the couch, arms spread.

"So if she’s rare, and she’s ours... what now?"

"Now, we figure out what she needs. Whatweneed. We can't stay in this house forever, but we need a plan before we move out anywhere. Rhea didn’t choose this, but her scent did. Her body did,” I continue. “Every time one of us touched her, it deepened. There’s a reason we’re all still feeling it.”

Lucian crosses his arms. “There’s also a reason we’re not all drooling and rutting in the hallway. We havecontrol.”

“Do we?” Kai mutters. “Because I’ve been two steps from feral since she looked at me like I hung the damn moon.”

Ash looks at him sideways. “Youlicked your own teethwhen she moaned in her sleep.”

“Instinct’s a bitch.” Kai smirks, then tilts his head, considering. “So - this...claim. We’d all do it? Four Alphas, one Omega. You realize how batshit that sounds out loud, yeah?”

Ash shrugs. “It’s not about how it sounds. It’s whatis.”

“We can’t mark her unless we’re all in,” I say firmly. “Otherwise it won’t hold. A split bond will fracture her, and won't stand with the OMB, either. It has to be all of us. Together.”

Silence.

Then Lucian laughs.

Short. Cold. Dismissive.

“No.”

The word slices the air in two.

I turn toward him. “No?”

Lucian meets my gaze without flinching. “I don’t share.”

Kai lets out a softoofand leans back like he’s watching a fight about to happen.

“Youdon’t share?” I echo. “She’s already bonded to all of us.”

“Then the bond’s flawed,” Lucian snaps. “And I’m not tying myself to something unstable.”

Ash stiffens. “She’s not athing, Vale.”

Lucian’s jaw tics. “She’sunregistered.She’s unclaimed, and -”

“She’s also scared,” I say, stepping closer. “She’s survived more than any omega I’ve ever seen, and she did italone. You think your pride’s more important than her safety?”

“If I mark her, I mark her alone,” he says. “I’ll protect her, I’ll give her everything she needs - but not with the three of you in the same bed.”

Kai raises a brow. “What is this? A pissing contest or a proposal?”

“I don’tpropose,” Lucian says smoothly. “Idecide.”

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