Chapter 21 #2
“When I explained the triangle, you agreed with me. Our boy is our foundation. You value his submission even while you manipulate and probe it, testing the depths of it — and that is exactly how it should be.”
When everyone was dressed, Zander walked them to the elevator, and Emmy approved. Their boy was still floaty, and he’d have to surface mentally to interact with the people they’d see on the way down.
The elevator descended in near-silence, the industrial hum a low vibration beneath their feet. Emmy stood with one arm around Spence’s waist, supporting him even though he didn’t really need it. Zander stood on his other side, hand resting on their wolf’s lower back.
Spence’s head rested against Emmy’s, his breathing deep and even, his weight comfortable against her side.
Emmy could sense them both: Zander was cool and anciently powerful, while Spence was warm and theirs.
She wanted to feel them in her head the way she somehow knew they could feel each other. Spence had explained when she’d asked, saying it was more than just telepathy, that they could feel each other. An intimate connection that worked even across distance.
Emmy had lived inside her mother’s shields until she was six, learning to build her own, layer by layer, until they were impenetrable.
Never let anyone in, her mother had taught. Your mind is your fortress. Your last line of defense.
But what if she wanted to let them in? What if she wanted to tear down those instinctual walls and let them see everything, feel everything?
The thought both thrilled and terrified her.
But she could start with the telepathy, maybe, before going whole hog. Perhaps she could talk to her mother about it, to get all the pros and cons. Maybe there was a way to just let him a little way in.
The elevator jolted when it reached the bottom floor, and Spence stirred, blinking slowly.
Less than twenty steps later, they were in the suite, which felt like sanctuary after the Lupanar’s stone and steel.
The sofas and chairs were pushed along the edge of the room, and an inflatable hot tub was in the center of their living area, hot water steaming.
Her vampire didn’t miss a trick.
Emmy guided Spence to a sofa while Zander stripped vampire-fast and then checked the water and looked through some oils. Emmy helped Spence strip again, her hands gentle on bruised and marked flesh.
“You were so brave,” she told him softly, fingers tracing the marks with reverent care. “So strong.”
“Didn’t feel strong,” he mumbled, but he was smiling slightly. “Felt like I was falling apart.”
“That was the strong part.” She cupped his face, made him look at her. “Letting yourself break. Trusting us to catch you.”
His eyes went bright with unshed tears, and he pulled her into a fierce hug. She held him back just as tight, feeling his heartbeat against her chest, steady and warm.
And then Zander was there, hugging them both, before he pulled back and said, “I’ll get him into the water while you undress.”
She was only a few seconds behind, and the water temperature was perfect, with steam rising in gentle curls. Zander had Spence in his lap, resting his back on the vampire’s chest, and Emmy slid in to face them both.
Spence sighed, a sound of pure contentment, and his eyes drifted half-closed.
A stack of towels was in reach, and Emmy lifted a washcloth and began cleaning him with careful strokes. Zander’s hands worked through Spence’s hair, massaging his scalp with methodical gentleness.
“You really thought you were broken?” Emmy asked softly, not expecting an answer but needing to say it. “You’re the most whole person I know.”
Spence cracked one eye open. “You’re biased.”
“Extremely,” she agreed without shame. “But I’m also right.”
The corner of his mouth quirked. “Something about dragon geniuses, right?”
“Smart wolf.”
Zander chuckled, the sound rumbling through Spence’s back. “And she’s our dragon genius. Exactly what we both need.”
“Yes,” Spence murmured, already drifting. “Ours.”
Emmy’s throat tightened with emotion. She leaned forward to kiss him, her lips soft — no demands, only affection. Just I love you without words.
When she pulled back, his eyes were closed, breath deepening into sleep.
“He’s out,” Zander said quietly, continuing to stroke Spence’s hair with infinite patience.
“Good.” Emmy settled back, letting her own muscles relax in the warm water. “He needs it, after that scene. Even for a wolf, it was a lot.”
They sat in comfortable silence for several minutes, the only sound the gentle lap of water and Spence’s steady breathing.
“You did well with him,” Zander said finally, his gaze on her thoughtful and warm. “Better than well. You understood exactly what he needed to hear.”
Emmy looked down at Spence’s sleeping face, peaceful and unguarded. “I was terrified I’d say the wrong thing. That I’d make it worse.”
“But you didn’t.” Zander’s hand reached across Spence to brush her cheek. “You broke him open and put him back together stronger. That’s what good Dominants do.”
She caught his hand, pressed a kiss to his cool palm. “We did it together. The triangle.”
“Yes.” His smile was soft, genuine. “We did.”
Emmy looked at the two of them — ancient vampire and loyal wolf, both hers in different ways, both essential — and felt a peaceful equilibrium settle deep in her chest.
This was home. This was where she belonged. Not the silo, but the coterie. Wherever these two were, would be home. She’d had the same thought before, but she felt it more now.