Time will tell.
I bid my wolves a good night after thanking them once more for attending, then make my way back to the den and the female waiting inside.
She’s asleep, passed out between Volt and Caius. But they’re both awake, their expressions expectant as I enter the room.
I quietly recap the meeting for them, telling them how the wolves agreed to a welcome party—something I mentioned to them earlier today when I realized Clove was no longer in heat.
They were already aware of everything my father said as well, having vowed to help me with this challenge of discovering Clove’s true identity and deciding how to proceed as a clan.
It’s still very coincidental that she arrived here as a result of the Nantahala Pack. Alpha Bryson is a conniving dick, one who very well could have set all this up.
But one thing is clear to us all—Clove is innocent.
She has no idea who she is or how this has become her life, but she’s embracing it through her wolf.
Our darling little fighter.
I lean over Caius to push some hair away from Clove’s head, then bend to kiss her temple. She doesn’t stir, Volt and Caius clearly having worn her out. She’s clean, though, suggesting they gave her a bath like I requested. And her cheeks have a healthy pink hint to them, confirming she was well-adored as well.
“Did you feed her anything other than cum?” I ask softly, my lips curling at the thought of her pleasing my clan.
“She ate some pasta,” Volt confirms from behind her. He has his chest pressed into her back, his purr a soft rumble that seems to be keeping her asleep. Or maybe he’s just too content to turn it off. Looking at her, I can understand the desire, as my wolf wants to rumble again, too.
Caius starts to move toward the edge, his arm brushing my chest as I’m still leaning over him to touch Clove. He’s trying to make a spot for me to join them, but I shake my head and straighten back up into a standing position.
“Keep her warm. I have a few more items to clear up in my office. I’ll come to bed after.” I just wanted to give them an update.
And also check in on Clove.
“You’ll have to sleep at the foot of the bed then,” Caius says, cuddling back into her.
I grin. “I’ll sleep between her legs and use her thigh as a pillow.”
Volt perks up at that idea. “I’ll do that. You sleep behind her.”
“No, I already called my place,” I tell him. “Stay there and keep purring. I’ll join you all soon.”
It’s a promise I keep.
After about an hour of work, I crawl into bed to sleep against Clove’s legs.
Except I don’t do it in my human form; I instead shift into my wolf and allow my fur to brush against her warm skin.
She doesn’t wake.
And I sleep better than I have in years.
19
CLOVE
I stare at the woman in the mirror, not recognizing her.
The last few days have been a mind-blowing experience, and not just in bed, but outside of it, too. Caius and Volt have seen to my every need—feeding me, bathing me, talking to me about life, and pleasuring me with their mouths.
They’ve not pushed me to take their knots again.
Just allowed me to explore and familiarize myself with them while teaching me about their pack and how they thrive on this island.
The Elders have no idea what they’re really up to here or how many of the wolves on this island are not actually regulated rejectees. They’re here training and thriving and using the land as their own.
I’m stunned by the information, but even more shocked that they provided it to me without a single hesitation. Like they already trust me despite barely knowing me.
Perhaps because they’ve been inside me.
Or because our wolves seem to harbor this age-old connection that surpasses the meaning of time.
Regardless of the reason, I’m thankful. Because I feel accepted here. Like it’s where I’ve always belonged. I’m free to shift at will, free to wander the den as though it’s my own, and allowed to use whatever resource I desire.
Yesterday, Caius showed me his laptop and let me browse the internet. Of course, staring in the mirror now, I realize he had a motive.
Because he told me to shop for clothes.
Clothes that I’m now wearing.
“How did you have them delivered so quickly?” I wonder out loud as he finishes sliding on my socks. He showed me the outfit with one catch—that I allow him to dress me.
Which I did.
He tugs on the hem of my skinny jeans near my ankles, ensuring they’re comfortable before pulling on one of my new knee-high boots. They don’t have a heel, making them ideal for shifter life.
“I picked them up from the mainland earlier this morning while Volt was giving you breakfast.” He glances up at the mirror, meeting my gaze with a knowing look.
My cheeks heat at the reminder of my breakfast this morning—which was Volt’s cock down my throat. He’s girthier than Caius, making him harder to swallow. But he patiently instructed me through it, just like he did the other day with Caius.
Then he returned the favor three times before showering and giving me some real food.
I assumed Caius was with Tieran, but he returned alone with a bunch of bags. Because he went to the mainland, I think, frowning as I recall what he just said. “How did you get to the mainland?”
The Reject Islands are supposed to be remote without mainland access. While he explained that life here wasn’t at all what the Elders thought, he never mentioned anything about leaving the island.
“We have several speed boats and a yacht,” he says. “As well as a residence on the coast, which is where I had your clothes delivered to this morning. It only takes about three hours to do a round trip, something Tieran does regularly. As do I.”
I blink at him. “You go onto the mainland regularly?”