Declarations were one of the parts I’d always hoped to avoid.
It was for women to be dragged into camp by their mates to reveal their mark to all in the camp. Declaring them possessed by the man that’d ‘tamed’ them.
I hate that term.
Tamed. Like a house pet. I’d be damned if I were anyone’s house pet.
If these boys thought they’d won, all this game they’d be sorely mistaken.
I stared at them as they faced me across the room. The closed door behind them.
What they don’t know is, I’ve not forgotten how I controlled them with that pleasure. How vulnerable they were to me.
If I was going to stay and be their mate. It’ll be on my terms.
Vanquish had set forth the expectation that guidelines would be set.
Yeah, well they’re going to be set by me. Determination set my jaw.
“What is that look?” Racer asked Hunter.
“Intriguing.” Hunter answered. “How the Hell would I know! She always had the hood on.”
“She’s decided something. Something we’re not going to like.” Vanquish crossed his arms over his chest.
How is it he that always seems to know what I’m thinking. The answer came instantly.
Because while the other two had been toying and playing with me. He’d been watching my movements, studying me.
His little Rabbit.
“Is he right?” Hunter asked quickly.
At my lack of answer Racer asked warily.
“What? What have you decided that we’re not going to like?”
***
When the door to my hut was tossed open, I wore Hunter’s
clean tunic. Belted at my waist from some bits of rope Racer found for me. Turning it into a short dress. Long silk blonde hair draped my back down to my hips, swaying with each step I took.
I stepped out unashamed. Bare feet hitting the dirt. Legs exposed to the morning breeze which felt remarkably refreshing.
They all wore their pants. Bare bronzed chests brushing my shoulders and back as they moved with me.
Like a single unit, they shifted as I shifted. Seeming to know my movements before I did.
We walked to the center of camp where a crowd had gathered, positioned on logs.
Primarily others that were marked or marked someone. Those that had not bred the night before were sulking elsewhere. Agonized from a night of unbearable frustration and pain.
Now I understood why.
Vanquish swept my hair aside to reveal his bite mark on the side of my neck.
I tilted my head to the other side to make it readily visible. Feeling a strange sense of pride despite the shame I’d expected.
Aloira stomped in frustration.
“No!” Cindy whined, crossing her arms over her shoulders. Her eyes immediately skid hopefully to Hunter.
I could feel him grinning at her from behind me.
Racer was next, revealing his.
Then Hunter moved my shoulders to direct me to round
and face him. He swept my hair over my shoulder and lifted it high along the back.
There was a heavy round of cheers.
Aloira and Cindy were so mad they stalked from the camp huffing and grumbling.
“She is ours.” Hunter said.
“No one hurts her. No one touches her.” Vanquish added.
“No one bothers her!” Racer called in Cindy and Aloira’s direction. “Or we’ll make them pay.”
There was clapping all around.
“And she stays with you.” Draven added softly. Giving me a long look.
“They are mine.” I said with a lifted chin. “And I will stay with them.”
My men. On my terms. My pleasure for theirs or I’d turn them on each other.
They all knew, and they’d all agreed.
And somehow, I felt powerful. Proud.
These three gorgeous animals were mine. My mates…