Page 117 of The Omega's Bloodline: Part One

Yelena was right. I couldn’t bond Caden in a room full of people, even though the idea of it did send my stomach fluttering.

“I have to formally introduce you to the other Protectors tomorrow.”

Caden growled.That’s not safe.

“I’ve pushed it back as long as I can.” Yelena sighed and picked up the brush I’d set down, pulling it over my hair. “Kendrick and Shakti might have a conniption if I push it any further. Calliope is no threat to any of you, with or without the factor of her being on bed rest. Velda is friendly as well. She’s very eager to meet you to find out why I claimed everyone.”

I absolutely wasn’t prepared to meet the Protectors, but if I had no option, I would have to. Being tucked away in Yelena’s suite had been a blessing while we recovered, but I should have known that it wasn’t possible for it to go on forever.

“What do they want out of the meeting?”

Yelena shrugged. “Mostly to be nosy. They can’t have you, but they want to know what they’re missing out on.” She drew me to the bed, comfortably stretching out with all the grace of the feline form I knew she possessed. I wanted to see it. “Lie down, precious.”

I settled in next to her with Caden loafing on my chest so he could keep watch. Seth and Haru emerged a few minutes later, and my whole body buzzed with warmth when Seth and I made eye contact. Haru helped him back to the bed and Seth wedged himself next to me, shyly patting the space next to him for Haru. They looked at me over Seth, a soft smile gracing their mouth.

Thank you for sharing him with me.

I nodded slowly, not entirely certain what it would mean to share Seth, but Caden was sharing me, and Yelena would be sharing Haru, so we’d have to all figure it out.

Morning came far too quickly, with a shriek from the monster to pierce the quiet hours of dawn. All of us jolted. Caden was puffed up and hissing before he realized we were still safe inside the nest. Yelena shushed him and scooped him right into her arms. He let out a littlemrpof protest, but didn’t struggle away like I thought he would.

Sliding out of bed, I scoped out the boundaries of the nest from the window, but nothing seemed amiss. Maybe it was simply a cry of frustration? Regardless, I hadn’t slept nearly enough and startled when Haru’s fur brushed against my legs.

Anything?

“Not that I can tell.”

He hopped up, standing on his back legs next to me, his muzzle turning to nose my cheek. My hand reached out automatically to stroke his fur. It was such a neat texture with the coarse guard hairs and the plush undercoat, making it both cool and warm to the touch at the same time.

You do that a lot.

“Sorry,” I said, withdrawing my hand. “I should get permission first. Do you not like it?”

I never said that. Just an observation. You don’t do it to our human forms. Only animal.

“Compulsion, I guess. You’re all friend-shaped in animal form.”

Haru let out a muffled snort, their shoulders shaking in silent laughter.Touch me all you want, witchling.

Yelena appeared at my other side with Caden in her arms. “He’s being very amenable today.”

Shut up.

Yelena laughed and passed Caden over to me so I could kiss his perfect little head.

“If anything interesting happens, can we tell me too?” Seth asked from the bed, where he was still comfortably nestled in the blankets.

“Nothing of note,” I replied.

Yelena stepped closer, the warmth of her body pressed along the length of mine. Her hand settled on my waist, and I didn’t pull away.

“We should get ready. We’re going to have breakfast in Calliope’s suite so she can attend.”

I was definitely interested in meeting the elusive Protector. I hadn’t gotten the best vibes off the others when we’d briefly seen them at the introduction ceremony, but maybe they would be different in private. “Caden and Seth get to come too, right?”

“Yes. You’re all the talk of the nest and they want to meet everyone. Haru, please arrange a wheelchair for Seth so he can travel easier.”

Haru nodded, hopping down to all fours and venturing out of Yelena’s suite to complete the task while the rest of us got dressed. I didn’t have anything remotely fancy enough to be meeting anyone important.

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