Chapter 17

CATALINA

“You’re telling me, all we have to do is have sex with Cat to get our powers back?” Kol grinned at me from across the table, his sharp canines on display. He really didn’t have any control over Lucien’s lycan.

My lycan got a thrill out of seeing him lose control. She knew how unhinged Kol could be and expected him to either sleep with us or hunt with us when the lycan came out.

We were back in the dining area the next morning, or as I liked to call it, the planning area. The only time we gathered here was to discuss the number of threats after me. The list got longer by the day.

Lucien was pouting at the opposite end of the table. His lycan was not returned to him by default, and now he was powerless—basically human. He stopped his pouting long enough to glare at me. No doubt he heard my thoughts, so I blew him a kiss.

“I can kick anyone’s ass here with or without powers.”

Kol chuckled, his eyes flashing yellow. “You and what army?” he taunted, reminding Lucien once again that he had no lycan.

“That’s enough, Kol,” I said. It wasn’t nice to kick a man while he was down. “Besides,” I shrugged, “I’ll gladly kick your ass for him.”

Kol laughed so hard he almost fell from his chair. Asshole.

“It’s just a theory. It could be a fluke that I got mine back after the deed,” Luce continued, ignoring our banter.

“It’s a theory I’m ready and willing to test,” Kol purred.

I waved him off. “You’ll be the last one to get their powers back if it’s up to me.”

“Mateo should be next.” I blinked in surprise at Sebastian’s words. “He was technically her first mate. Plus, his dragon is strong; we’ll need him for what’s coming.”

Luce nodded his head in agreement. I blushed at the heated look Mateo gave me. Wow, I couldn’t believe I was going to have sex with all of my mates back-to-back. And we were just sitting at the breakfast table discussing it.

“Actually,” Nick interrupted my thoughts, “why take one at a time when we could do it in pairs?”

My eyes bugged at his suggestion. Two at a time?

“Mateo and Lucien can go first, then Kol and Sebastian. And I’ll take you alone.”

Holy nut pickles. Kol and Sebastian? At the same time?

“What?” I squeaked. I’d only had two mates at the same time ~once~. With Mateo and Lucien, so I wasn’t too worried about that. But my demon and vampire? That was a whole new ball game.

“What’s the matter, pup?” Lucien smirked.

“Do you want a different order? Perhaps Kol and Lucien? I have sensed some sexual tension between the two,” Nick chuckled.

Lucien growled, but it was all human.

“I think Nick and Lucien should go together,” Luce suggested, and Sebastian agreed.

“Do you guys want me to die? I don’t think they’ll stop arguing long enough to get the job done.” That job being ~me.~ I flicked my eyes between the two of them. Although I wouldn’t mind being the meat between that sandwich. I felt my core tightening and my cheeks getting hot. I really was turning into a whore. For my mates.

Nick’s nostrils flared, having smelled me. “Is that a challenge, little wolf?”

“If we’re going to do pairs, it’s the best setup. Otherwise, you’ll start with Mateo alone,” Luce said with a sigh. “The choice is yours, Catalina.”

I looked between the three of my mates. Should I do one at a time? No, if having sex with me got their powers back, I should not waste time. That way no one was vulnerable for too long when their powers had gone to the rightful owner.

“I’ll do pairs.” Gosh, why was my heart beating so fast at the thought of mating ~two~ of them at once?

Lucien smirked, standing from his chair. The hungry look in his eyes almost had me nervous. Luce held a hand to stop him from walking away from the table.

“Before the three of you get carried away, there’s more to discuss.” It was like Luce had unofficially declared himself the leader of our little harem. Always in charge of the meetings, bossing my other mates. I couldn’t deny how hot it made me feel, though.

“Lucifer and I will be visiting the school after this meeting. I’ve been absent enough, and we need to find out what happened to us that day. How were we kidnapped during school hours? Did anyone see anything?”

Sebastian’s words made me stiffen. The last time my mates went to school, they were all kidnapped. How could I be sure they’d be safe this time?

“If you go, then I’m going,” I declared. My words were firm, but I could tell they were all ready to argue.

“No, Sebastian and I will be enough.”

Lucifer’s tone left no room for argument. Good thing I didn’t care about that.

Crossing my arms, I glared at his handsome face. “I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“No,” he stated again.

Stupid gorgeous asshole!

“He’s right, Catalina. So far, this place has been successful in hiding you. If you step outside this bubble, your powers will be a beacon for anyone looking for you,” Jayden said.

Why was he even still here?

“No one asked you, snake.”

Lucien retorted, glaring in his direction. This was why I loved my lycan. Even without powers, he still spoke his mind. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to fight him too.

“This is not up for debate.”

I watched as Sebastian and Lucifer rose from the table, clearly preparing to leave.

“And what happens if something happens to you two? What if Athena is still around? Let’s not forget the last time my mates went missing, I ended up in a coma.”

That should stop them in their tracks if they cared for my safety.

They paused, obviously not having thought of that.

“If you guys aren’t back by the end of the school day, we’re coming after you,” Mateo answered.

He’d been quiet for most of the meeting. Was he upset about my decision not to have one-on-one time with him? I needed to speak with him after this was over.

“And Athena hasn’t been spotted since we were kidnapped. We can assume she’s either given up or left for now.”

“But what if she’s still there? Waiting to ambush you all?”

“Then we’ll return immediately—not taking any risks,” Sebastian answered.

Lucifer nodded. “I’ll accept those terms.”

Asshole. He walked around his chair and headed straight for me. For a second, I thought he was going to lecture me, but instead, he held out a hand. I took it hesitantly, and he pulled me from my seat.

“This asshole will have you again later,” he whispered in my ear, placing a kiss on my cheek.

Without a doubt, I knew my cheeks were red. Would I ever stop having such a reaction to my mates?

“Take care of my girl while I’m gone,” he said, stepping back from me.

Kol cracked his neck. “~Our~ girl.”

Luce ignored him, leaving the room with Sebastian trailing behind him.

“Okay, lovebirds, let’s take this sex party upstairs.”

He grinned, clapping his hands loudly.

I groaned. “You are not coming!”

“Yeah, only I’ll be coming,” Lucien joked, a huge grin on his face.

“But you two are more than welcome to watch.”

Nick leveled a look at me that left my mouth dry. “Leave the touching to us.”

Shit, what had I just agreed to?

Before my mates could drag me upstairs, I pulled Mateo to the side. He followed me willingly.

“Is everything okay, Cat?”

I bit my lip nervously. “I just wanted to make sure that you’re okay with this.”

He chuckled. “This isn’t the first time you’ve had sex with your mates.”

I sighed. “I know, but you were my first mate, and sometimes it just seems like I’m putting you last.”

He stepped closer and took my arm. “Cat, I’ll never feel like you’re putting me last. I know what kind of woman you are, and that’s not you.”

“But—”

“No, one thing I will never do is lie to you, Cat. Believe me when I say I’m fine with any decision you make. You’re my mate, and I love you.”

He blushed at the end of his sentence. My heart stopped beating for a full second.

“You love me?”

I could feel the moisture gathering in my eyes. Damn pregnancy making me all emotional.

His cheeks got impossibly redder. “Of course, you were my only friend. I couldn’t help but fall for you long before I knew we were mates.”

Without warning, I crashed my lips to his.

I broke the kiss long enough to squeeze a few words out. “I love you too, Mateo,” I whispered.

Then I sealed our lips once again.