Page 69 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

Shade doesn't need telling twice. He launches off his perch on the dining chair and belly flops into the nest with a dopey grin of success.

"Thanks, baby girl," he says and plants a wet kiss on my heated cheek.

My body flares up from even the slightest, innocent touch. I bite my lip to stifle the gasp, but I can't hide the way my scent thickens. My grip loosens, and the blanket slips from my breasts to bunch around my waist. My head is starting to get that fractured, fuzzy feeling again, and I know I'm about to sink deeper into my heat soon.

It's coming on faster and faster, the longer they're within proximity. Soon, I'll be mindless, so I'm going to enjoy having my wits about me for just a little longer.

"Aw, come on. That's not fair!" Blaze whines, crouching down on his hands and knees, crawling up to the edge of my nest. He gives me big puppy-dog eyes. "I was being good, Sparkles. I listened to Knox and made sure the fortress didn't get burned down by the angry mob. I would have preferred to be here watching you become knot-crazed."

"Knot-crazed!?" I exclaim and throw a pillow at his face.

"How come he gets a soft pillow and I get boots?" Shade mumbles beside me. He's delicately braiding my hair, keeping the damp strands off my sweaty skin. The tugging feels nice on my scalp, soothing and intimate in just the right amounts.

Blaze doubles down with his begging, leaning over the edge of the nest while the puppy-dog eyes work on me. I sway closer as I inhale his scent. Campfire and explosives. It makes my head swim pleasantly.

"You would have been so proud. I was on my best behavior and didn't shoot anyone in the face," he tells me with utmost pride.

Knox scoffs and crosses his arms over his chest. "You slashed a Prime Alpha across the face with your knife for glaring at Viper too long. I wouldn't call that being on your best behavior."

It takes a moment for his words to process because his sleeves are rolled up, exposing his bare forearms, and it makes my mouth water.

It's on purpose. It has to be. He knows what his slutty forearms do to my self-restraint.

"Hey," Blaze protests. "I was simply establishing our authority. No one messed with Viper after that, did they?"

Knox purses his lips but doesn't refute it.

"I deserve a treat for being so well-behaved!" Blaze insists cheerfully, his expression so boyish and hopeful. I can't deny him when he looks at me like that.

I beckon Blaze into the nest. "Okay, alright. Come here."

Blaze whoops in delight, diving into the nest beside Shade.

Knox and Viper grumble, and I grin wickedly.

"Pretty girl, I'm sorry my actions meant you had to wait for us," Viper says, his mouth turned down in a deep frown of shame.

This time, I can't ignore the earnest sincerity flooding down our bond. Viper is spiraling in his guilt and I need to reassure him more than I need to soothe my own ego.

"Oh, big guy. I forgive you," I croon, inviting him into my open arms. "Come here."

Viper’s mouth parts at the same time his knees drop. He crawls into the nest and to my side.

"I let my rut overcome me and I just couldn't let that Alpha take you," Viper rambles, his big palm cupping my flushed cheek. "I couldn't let him claim that you're his property. Especially after what happened last time we didn't protect you."

"Hey, it's fine. I'm not upset with you for killing him. I'm actually rather pleased I never have to deal with his mind games ever again," I reassure, and the strain in our bond lessens. "I mean, sure the timing was awful, but you couldn't have predicted that."

Viper hums, and I let myself enjoy the feeling of his skin on mine. It's not enough. The craving in my core is becoming almost unbearable.

"Aren't you going to invite me into your nest too?" Knox asks.

I lick my dry, cracked lips. "Maybe."

His eyes are fixated on the damp spot on the blanket beneath me. "You want me. You're just being stubborn, but you're in heat and need your Prime Alpha. Look at the mess you've made just by looking at me."

There is so much slick running down my thighs, it's almost a river. My pussy has a pulse of its own, and my skin is so alert, even Blaze's breath puffing against my nipples is putting me on the edge of orgasm.

Still, something in me wants to fight. To put Knox through his paces one more time before I submit to him.