I choked on a laugh, really attempting to keep it contained.
Jack’s panicky mien turned cocky and he snorted as he raised his brows, rumbling, “He could try, but you and I both know the outcome if he even twitched the wrong way at me.”
Pearl crossed her arms, her hair a chaotic mess all over her head. “I have to tell him.”
“No, you don’t,” Jack countered harshly. “We were both sleeping. I didn’t do it to you on purpose, so there’s no reason to piss off your mate because of an accident.”
Pearl snorted hard.
I sniffed the air. “He’s telling the truth.”
Pearl’s eyes closed, and after a few ticks, she grumbled, “Fine. I won’t tell him.” Her eyes slammed open and she pointed a finger. “But don’t you dare try that again.” We still had two more nights’ worth of camping here.
Jack held up his hands. “I wouldn’t dare.”
Again, I sniffed, and nodded to Pearl at her silent, questioning glance.
Sighing heavily, Pearl turned her full attention on us, eyeing our position. “What happened with you two last night?”
“Nothing,” Ezra explained, his lips twitching as he glanced to Jack. “I didn’t even have wandering digits.” More or less honest, only wandering hands. “She just shifted sometime during the night and we woke up this way.”
Jack’s blue brows rose. “Then why aren’t you two pulling away from each other?”
I could answer that one. “I’m not wearing any clothes.” All three stared and I sighed, bringing an arm out of the sleeping bag, pointing. “Can you hand me my shirt over there?”
Pearl blinked. “I can’t believe you’re modest.” She shook her head, grabbing the shirt. Tossed it to me. “Who ever heard of a Shifter that’s skin shy? Much less, the future Queen?”
“Thanks,” I griped, scowling. “Just because I don’t flash the goods to one and all, that doesn’t mean I’m weird.”
“That’s not what she meant,” Jack interjected quickly, and glanced to Pearl, who nodded in agreement. “It’s just,” he paused, features thoughtful, “new.”
“Whatever,” I grumbled, feeling self-conscious. I ducked inside the sleeping bag, pulling the shirt with me. The action made the location of Ezra’s hands on my hips alter, his fingers running up my sides as I moved down. I breathed shallowly, trying to fight my way through this lingering, unwanted arousal, but all I could smell was our dueling scents under here. It didn’t help matters that his ginormous erection was now against my br**sts, his private bit jumping with my movements, his fingers tightening on my bare flesh as I fumbled with the shirt.
Jack muttered, “We’re all wearing more clothes tonight or I’m sleeping elsewhere.”
“And face the wrath of your next play thing?” Pearl asked sarcastically while, from the sound of it, rummaging in her bag.
The crack of a zipper being jerked open unleashed as Jack probably started going through his own. “That would be preferable to screwing up the best friendships I’ve ever had.”
I stilled, arms all askew in dressing.
“What I mean is…” Jack sputtered. “I meant that…”
“I know what you mean,” Ezra spoke softly, his body vibrating under me. “I’m man enough to say, you guys are the three best friends I’ve ever had.”
I sniffed, scenting truth.
There was a quiet pause, and then Pearl murmured softly, “Same with me. I love Gideon. He’s my always, but as far as true friendships go,” she cleared her throat, “I’ve never met three people I click with better.” She paused, but after a moment, added hesitantly, “You guys get me. Get what it’s like to be me, and I get the three of you, too.”
Seeing as it was truth time, I unfroze, yanking the shirt over my head, and muttered, “Same back at you guys. Dominic, I loved. But, he never would have been able to fill the place in my heart you guys do.”
Ezra squeezed my sides before helping me pull the shirt down.
Jack cleared his throat as I peeked my head back out of the sleeping bag, his words firm, even if his cheeks were slightly flushed, as he said, “Well, if we’ve got that all cleared up, let’s not screw it up again.”
We nodded. Pact made.
Chapter Nine
Christmas came…and went…
New Year’s came…and went…
Valentine’s Day was here, and the four of us, plus Gideon, were hanging out on the beach. Ezra, Jack, and I had all come up with the plan to evade the hopefuls who were sure to bug us to death throughout the day. Pearl had gone along with it. She didn’t care as long as Gideon was with us.
We were skipping school. The Kings would find out and be irate, but I needed a small break. Working so hard on my studies and fighting skills, I was about to crack. The only way I was surviving was with the assistance of the people sitting around me right now, each helping me catch up by choosing a subject to tutor me in.
I didn’t even feel guilty leaving Elly at school to deal with all the men wanting to “grace” my bed that night. She had taken it upon herself to become somewhat of a liaison between me and the herd. I think she enjoyed it. Now, she had a whole swarm of men to pick from, since they had gotten to know her better instead of just seeing her as a weak Shifter. She was now my subject, right along with the rest. The thought was still vaguely revolting.
“Are you going to see Felix tonight?” Pearl asked, digging her bare toes into the sand. It was a warmer day in February, so it wasn’t too cold for Mysticals on the beach with bare feet, jeans, and a light jacket. Really, the salty breeze coming in from the ocean felt wonderful.
I shrugged. “I just saw him two nights ago and I don’t want to give him the wrong impression.” I had learned in the past few months that he had also lost his mate. In a car accident. A year had passed since her death, and he was still hurting, like me. “I do believe him when he says he wants nothing serious, though.”
They nodded. They knew his story by now.
“What about you guys?” I asked Jack and Ezra. “Any hot dates?”
Jack shook his head. “No.”
Ezra stated bluntly, “We’ll be hiding, same as you. This is the one day a year you don’t go near a bed partner.” Yeah, I got that.
From behind Pearl, Gideon wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder, his golden eyes on Jack and Ezra. “When you find your mates, you won’t want to hide.”