“They don’t get priority over the other residents.”
“Isn’t that the entire point of you all claiming people?”
“You haven’t claimed anyone so your argument doesn’t matter.”
A growl escaped her throat, and she squeaked, looking surprised that she had been able to make the sound at all.
“Growl at me all you want, omega. It won’t make a difference.”
Logan stared at me for a long moment, her brows knitting together.
“Why are you confused? You’ve never growled before?”
“No, not like that.”
Yelena had given us a few details, but not many. We knew that Logan’s omega nature and magic had been bound until very recently. I had assumed certain things couldn’t be bound, but evidently I was wrong.
“Omegas growl all the time. Rowdy little creatures.”
“You don’t need to be mean about it just because none of them have ever wanted you.”
“Someone’s being touchy because they don’t like basic facts. You’re not disproving the stereotype, little witch.”
“Fuck you. Take me to meet people then if you’re so concerned about my duties as a Protector. I’ll try not to betoo rowdy.”
The fire in her eyes was fucking hot. It was so contrary to the icy indifference Yelena offered. She knew I wanted her and took special pleasure in teasing me about it. It wasn’t my fault.Everyonewanted Yelena. Velda teased too, and Calliope thought the entire thing was hilarious.
Shakti often sided with me to ensure the others didn’t get their way constantly. I didn’t know what I would do when she was gone. She’d been talking to me privately about moving to a nest in the Rockies her family had started, but we both knew the moment she left, the balance of power would be irreparably damaged. None of the others ever sided with me. It was alwaysmyjob to capitulate. And they wondered why I was never in a good mood…
I gestured for Logan to follow me, and she had to hustle to keep up with my quick strides. “You know, you don’t have to listen to everything Yelena says all the time.”
“Who else am I supposed to listen to? You?”
“So testy. Can’t say a damn thing in this nest without one of you freaking out about it.”
We took the elevator one floor down. The two residential levels were split as well as we could manage, in order to separate prey and predator. I had fought tooth and nail for that, giving in on a dozen different things to make it happen. None of them understood. None of themcouldunderstand. How could we ever expect lions, tigers, bears, and wolves to grasp the perspective of what they hunted?
I knocked on the first door we approached and it opened to reveal a small family of raccoon shifters: a mated pair and their two children. “Protector Logan is making her rounds to get to know the nest occupants.”
I shoved her forward to see how she would handle things. Blessedly, she was a curious little thing. The raccoons answered all her questions about what had brought them to the nest, about what they needed while they were here, and about them as individuals as well. At least she took one thing seriously.
I monopolized her for the next two hours, letting her speak to whoever answered the door, while I hung back to watch.
She startled as we moved down the hall to the next door, turning to me with wide eyes. “Yelena wants to know where I am.”
“Then tell her.”
“I can’t. The only one I can use telepathy with is Seth because we’re bonded.”
“Negligent of the others to not work with you on developing that.”
“We’ve been a little busy.”
“Communication is always a priority.” With a sigh, I searched for Yelena’s energy in the nest and reached out.She’s with me on the third floor.
You slimy little asshole. I told you she wasnotto be alone with you.
She’s fine. We’re just meeting people.
