Episode 29 When the Spell Slips #3
He sighs and smooths one hand up and down my spine, while the other cups the back of my head.
“We have discussed it, many, many fucking times, Ren. Because every one of us feels this… pull toward you and we can’t…
You know what’s expected of us,” he says, softly.
“What’s expected of Forsythe. So yeah, we’ve talked about it.
But every time we just can’t bring ourselves to do it. ”
I grip him tighter, nails digging into the muscles of his back. “And you didn’t talk about it this morning?”
There’s a very brief moment of hesitation that has me tensing before he says quietly, “Of course not, sunshine. We haven’t even had the meeting to discuss who’s going yet. The video you saw must have been from an earlier discussion. They’re just trying to stir up drama.”
I blow out a relieved breath, sagging into him as tears prick my eyes. “I was so worried I fucked it up,” I whisper.
“Never, sunshine. You can never fuck this up.” His lips press into the crown of my head, over and over again, before he rubs his cheek over the same spot. Marking me in his faint beta scent.
That action alone is enough to soothe me. He wouldn’t mark me if they were leaving me.
“Pix?” Courtland’s voice reaches us. “Where are you, baby?”
“Here,” Piers answers for me. “We’re in here.”
A second later the door opens and Courtland slips in. “Hiding are we?” He presses into my back, and a soft rumbling purr vibrates into me, relaxing me even further.
“What happened, pixie? Why’d you come out looking so upset?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. It was stupid. A bad confessional is all. But Piers made it better.”
Court hums. “He does do that, doesn’t he? Makes things better.”
I nod, melting between them. I didn’t realize how much I needed this reassurance after last night. If I could have made all of them stay and cuddle me until the early morning I would have. God, what I wouldn’t give to sleep next to them, to wake up just like this, sandwiched between two of them.
“Pretty baby,” Courtland coos, teeth skimming the same spot he bit me last night, pressing just a little harder, like he’s considering actually bonding me right here.
I jerk a little, pulling away. Because as much as I want that, want his teeth to sink into my flesh, to be claimed by him. I don’t want it to happen like this.
He huffs the smallest little sigh and then kisses the spot tenderly.
I turn slightly, until I can see both of them. Piers watches Court cautiously, some internal thought I can’t read flickering over his face which has me turning toward the alpha too, only to find him already watching me.
Silky black hair brushes my temple as he presses his forehead against mine, green eyes searching my face. There’s something tight there. Something careful.
“You okay?” Court asks softly. “Really okay?”
I nod, even though my chest still feels bruised from the inside out. “Yeah. I think I just needed… grounding.”
Piers chuckles under his breath. “That we can do.” He shifts, one arm staying around my waist while the other rubs slow circles into my back. “You’re safe, Ren. No one’s sending you anywhere tonight.”
Tonight.
The word lodges somewhere strange in my ribs, but I don’t pull away.
Court’s thumb brushes under my chin, tilting my face up until I have to look at him. His expression is warm and steady. “Listen to me, pixie. Whatever happens, okay? Whatever this stupid show throws at us… you didn’t imagine last night.”
My breath stutters. “I didn’t?”
“No.” His voice roughens, just a little. “You didn’t misread us. You didn’t push too far. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
I search his face for the lie, for guilt, for something that tells me this reassurance is false. All I see is sincerity. And conviction.
“I wouldn’t let you think that,” he continues. “Not ever.”
Something in his tone settles my omega completely, the last of the panic draining out of me. I sag forward, pressing my forehead into his chest.
“Okay,” I whisper.
Piers kisses my temple. “That’s my girl.”
Court’s arms tighten around both of us. For just a second, it feels like this could be normal. Like I could get used to belonging right here, between them, wrapped up and held together. Protected and… loved.
The door creaks faintly as someone passes by outside. The hum of production. The ever-present reminder that nothing here is truly private, or permanent.
Court exhales slowly, nose dragging along my hairline, like he’s memorizing the weight of me, the feel of me.
“Come on,” he murmurs. “Let’s get you some food.
I know you didn’t get the chance to have breakfast before they dragged you away.
” He presses a chaste kiss to my forehead. “Can’t have you getting hangry.”
Piers laughs. “Smart man.”
They guide me back out into the light, hands warm and steady, and for the first time since Lulu showed me that video, I believe them.
I believe that I’m not leaving.
I believe that last night mattered, that it wasn't a mistake.
I believe that whatever choice comes next… it won’t be cruel.
And that’s the worst part of all.