“No. He’s following his instincts and not considering potential repercussions for the future,” I reply.
Caius stares at me. “Maybe because he doesn’t sense any potential repercussions.”
“Mine certainly doesn’t,” Volt says, stealing my phone to type something to Alpha Ebony. I don’t even try to take it back. Not with that wicked blade beside him.
“Mine doesn’t either,” Caius says. “And while I may not need an heir, I certainly want one. Especially if it’s with Clove.”
“A pregnant Clove.” Volt sounds like he’s daydreaming. “Yes. Yes, I like that image.”
So do I, I think.
“You need to consider it, T” Caius infuses a hint of steel in his tone, something that’s not all that customary for him unless he really wants to make a point. Which he clearly does now. “Consider that your wolf isn’t hesitating because he knows there’s nothing to worry about.”
My animal purrs in approval, making my chest ache at the need to release the sound. But I swallow it instead, much to his irritation.
“Hello, gorgeous,” Volt murmurs, my phone at his ear now. “I just wanted to say that I miss you.”
Caius and I share a glance, surprised by the softness in Volt’s tone. He’s usually amped up and ready to kill by now, but he appears to be completely relaxed.
“I miss you, too,” Clove says, my shifter senses allowing me to hear her loud and clear. “Are you being safe?”
“Always, sweetling.” Volt puts her on video chat so he can show her the plane and takes her on a tour.
“I’ve never seen him so smitten,” Caius tells me. “He usually just wants to break women and leave them.”
“He pulled a knife on her last night,” I admit. “But she didn’t even flinch.”
Caius grins. “No, I doubt she would. She knows he’ll never really hurt her, even at his craziest.”
“Her wolf trusts us.” That much has been evident since the start.
“And you keep telling her how important it is to listen to her wolf, yeah?” Caius gives me another knowing look. “Perhaps you should take that advice, T.”
“I am listening to him. I’m just making sure he’s right first.”
“Except mating is meant to be animalistic. The drive to claim is stirred by our carnal needs, not our mental ones.” He tilts his head. “You can’t be strategic about everything, T. At some point, you have to let the wolf out.”
“Stop trying to psychoanalyze me, C.” It’s a half-hearted statement. He’s good at reading people, especially me.
“Just trying to help you find your way out of your ass,” he replies conversationally. “You stuck your head so far up there, I’m surprised you can even see right now.”
I snort. “Fuck you.”
He grins. “Only if Clove is between us.”
I consider that a moment, my lips curling of their own accord. “V and I tried that last night. Three times. Definitely recommend it.”
Caius’s gaze glitters. “I’m knotting her first during her next heat.” It’s a bold statement, one I can absolutely counter as lead Alpha.
But I nod instead.
He’s been denying himself that sweet pussy all week, taking her mouth instead.
I know it’s part of his kink, his game of delayed gratification. However, it only seems fair to agree since he wasn’t given the opportunity during her short estrus period.
“Oh, it seems we’re missing a fun conversation, sweetling,” Volt says, returning to us. “Caius wants to knot you. I think he’s jealous about last night.”
Her cheeks are pink on the phone screen as Volt turns her toward us. Alpha Ebony is right beside her, studiously ignoring us. But I see the tick in her jaw that says she wants to grin.
“Hi, little one,” I say to Clove. “We’re all thinking about you.”
“We are,” Caius agrees. “I hope you’re being good, gorgeous.”
“I was sleeping,” she says, the sheets still wrapped around her in a nesting-like manner. “So I can’t guarantee I was being good in my head.”
Caius grins. “Oh? A naughty dream, then? Tell us more.”
“I will when you get back,” she replies, baiting us.
“Hmm, no,” I tell her. “I don’t want to hear about it. I want you to demonstrate the naughty dream instead.”
“Yes,” Caius murmurs. “Yes, I like that plan more.”