Yelena tipped forward, devouring my mouth while her hips rocked a steady rhythm. Each quick descent tightened my body a little more, and every kiss stole my breath. She blessed me with her own pitiful sound, her pussy clenched around me, her hips growing more frantic.

Her dextrous fingers unbuckled the collar and I took it for the sign it was. One quick flip and she was sprawled in the grass, my hips driving into hers as I chased the peak for both of us. My lioness shattered in a burst of cinnamon sweetness. The grip of her cunt dragged me down with her and I spilled every drop, gasping into her mouth.

We melted into the grass together and her laughter rang through my head.Sweet panther, I think you might like me.She teased me with another kiss, hands cupping my cheeks.

Unproven.I grinned and turned to drop a kiss to her palm.Might love you, though.

Yelena purred, holding me tight to her chest. She released a long sigh.My stubborn, beautiful panther. I might love you too.

Precious.

I roused from sleep, blinking to clear my eyes.Yeah?

We’ve finally heard back from Anya. We have her waiting on a video call in the library.

I sat up sharply, scaring the hell out of Velda and Kendrick, twin bolts of panic lancing down the bond before they realized there was no danger.

“What’s happening?” Velda asked.

“I have a meeting.”

I scrambled up, searching for some semblance of clothing I could put on. I probably looked like a hot mess, but that couldn’t be helped right now.

I’ll meet you at the elevator,Yelena said.I’ll bring you something to wear.

At least that solved one problem. I dashed toward it, waiting impatiently for it to arrive at the basement level. Kendrick and Velda both joined me, and when the doors opened, Yelena was there with Caden. He looked sheepish, his cheeks pink.

I rose up on my toes to kiss him, Yelena’s cinnamon sweetness on his lips. My purr kicked on immediately. I knew they had been together; Yelena had let me know her intentions, and her smug satisfaction in the bond had more than alerted me to her success.

“I’m really happy for you guys,” I promised him when I pulled away.

It did nothing to diminish his blush, but some of the tension did relax out of his shoulders. I kissed Yelena next, earning myself her purr.

Kendrick was a little perturbed in the bond over Yelena and Caden, but it didn’t quite make it all the way to jealousy, so I let it slide. Everyone had to reconcile the pack dynamics in their own minds.

“Here you go,” Yelena said as she offered a small pile of garments. “I grabbed what I could on the way. You won’t be fashionable, but youwillbe covered.”

I laughed at the combination of a chef’s jacket and two aprons. Velda buttoned up the jacket for me, tying folded-over aprons in front and back so I wouldn’t put my bare ass all over the library chairs.

“Caden will stay with you,” said Yelena. “The rest of us will check in with Shakti and Calliope, see to some of our duties. We can reconvene after.”

My instincts didn’t love the idea of my brand-new bondmates not being right next to me, but I could stuff down the discomfort temporarily for the sake of duty. Caden and I got off at the floor of the library, him slipping into his smallest form and trotting along next to me while the others went to their suites to dress for the day.

Margaret met me at the doors, her expression amused over my choice of outfit. “Thank you for coming quickly. I’ve already cleared the space. She’s on my computer behind the desk, and I’ll be out here if you need me.”

“Thank you, Margaret.”

Caden and I hustled over to the desk, swinging around to see a beautiful woman who looked straight out of an ’80s ad with big crimped hair, a neon scrunchie, bright eyeshadow, and raspberry lips against warm brown skin. She had heterochromia, one eye dark brown, the other blue.

“You must be Logan. I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner, I sometimes forget my email exists. Your message said so much and so little at the same time.”

I hadn’t prepared what to tell her. How much was she supposed to know to be able to help?

Everything. The word whispered through my head, the faint touch of Hecate’s aura a quiet assurance.

“I have about a million questions,” I said, “and I don’t know if you’re the right person to ask, but can I just say them anyway?”

“Of course. I’ll help with whatever I can. No charge. I understand there are lives at risk and I’m not interested in payment.”