For the first time since we began this conversation, I smiled. A small one, but real. Without another word, the four of us shifted together. Lennox got into the bed, Levi kicked off his boots, and Louis slid closer to make space. I climbed in between them, the warmth of their bodies pressing against mine like a shield.

I nodded slowly, my voice barely there. “Thank you. All of you.”

“Goodnight, Olivia,” Lennox murmured.

Water cascaded over his broad shoulders, rivulets racing down his back and chest, the muscles flexing as he tilted his head under the spray. His dark hair clung to his forehead, droplets sliding over his jaw. When his gaze caught mine, his lips curved into that smile–the one that always undid me.

“We love you too.”

My throat closed up, and my eyes stung. They still hated it, I knew that. Every line of their bodies screamed it. But they were choosing to stand beside me anyway.

Levi leaned forward, a big frown etched on his face. “I don’t like it either. But if you go, I go. I’ll be watching every move he makes. If he tries anything—I’ll kill him.”

“I know what you’re scared of,” I whispered, my voice softer now. “I know you’re afraid of him taking me. Of him hurting me.” My eyes swept over each of them, meeting their worried gazes with as much calm as I could muster. “But you have to understand… doing nothing terrifies me more. Sitting here, waiting to die–that isn’t me.”

“When do you start?” Lennox asked immediately. I looked up at him, my lips pressing together before I answered.

“Tomorrow.”

A kiss landed on my forehead–gentle, lingering–and then another. Their warmth surrounded me, their scents grounding me, their wolves humming softly against mine. He gave one sharp nod. “Okay.” Then his eyes softened just a little. “But for tonight… come to bed.”

It wasn’t perfect. Fear still lingered in their eyes, and my heart still carried the weight of what tomorrow would bring. But here–here I felt safe.

My chest tightened, a small frown spread across my face. But suddenly the faint sound of running water reached my ears. Relief spilled through me, loosening the knot in my chest.

“Couldn’t stay away, could you?” he murmured, his voice husky, low, like velvet dragged over my skin.

The silence stretched until Lennox finally cursed under his breath. His fists dropped to his sides. “Fine,” he muttered. “I hate it. I hate all of this. But you’re right. Waiting won’t save you."

My fingers tangled in his wet hair, pulling him closer. The world outside–the fear, the danger, the plan for today–ceased to exist. There was only Lennox. His mouth. His touch. The way he devoured me like I was the only thing he’d ever need.

Warm water poured over me, soaking my hair, my clothes clinging until Lennox’s hands found me. He tugged me against his chest, his heat eclipsing everything else. His mouth brushed my temple before trailing lower, lingering at the corner of my lips. Pushing the door open, I stepped into the misty warmth. And there he was. Louis spoke last. His voice was calm, but I could feel the worry under it. “Then it’s decided. You’ll act close to him. But you will not be alone. We’ll stand with you. Always.” His eyes locked on mine. “Promise you’ll call us the second it gets too much.”

Heat flared through me. I shook my head once, unable to tear my eyes from him. He lifted a hand, palm out, beckoning me closer. My feet moved before my mind caught up, carrying me into the shower with him.

“Mate,” he groaned against my lips, his voice rough with desire. His hands roamed my body slowly, as if memorizing me all over again.

“Goodnight, love,” Louis echoed softly.

I tilted my head back, giving in. His lips crashed onto mine, hot and relentless, tasting of all the fear, love, and frustration we’d held back. The kiss deepened, his tongue sliding against mine, a growl vibrating through his chest as his grip tightened on my waist.

I slipped from the bed, walking softly across the room toward the bathroom. Steam curled from the crack beneath the door, carrying with it the scent of him. Lennox.

While a big smile spread across my face, I closed my eyes. Warmth. That was the last thing I remembered before sleep stole me. The warmth of their bodies wrapped around me, the steady thrum of their heartbeats, the comfort of belonging to them. For once, I didn’t dream of Frederick. I didn’t dream of running or of fear. I dreamed of nothing but peace.

I curled into the comfort of them, my head resting against Lennox’s chest, Levi close at my back, Louis brushing his hand lightly against mine.

“Fuck me.”

But when my eyes fluttered open, the bed was empty. Cold sheets pressed against my skin where Lennox, Louis, and Levi had been. My hand reached instinctively across the mattress, but found no one.

Three voices answered at once, overlapping, fierce and tender all at once:

“I love you three,” I whispered into the quiet room, my voice breaking.

My chest ached, my wolf whimpering at their pain. For a moment, the fight in me softened. I wanted to scream at them, but instead I breathed, composing myself.

I gasped into his mouth, pressing myself flush against him. “Lennox…” My voice trembled with desire.

I placed a hand on my chest, feeling my wolf stir. “I was born with these abilities for a reason. I won’t waste them. Not even for your fear.”

Levi’s voice came last, low against my ear. “Goodnight, my love.”

Olivia’s POV

I felt their fear. It was thick in the air. I could see it in Lennox’s clenched fists, in Louis’s worried stare that tried too hard to mask his worry, in the way Levi’s eyes wouldn’t stop following mine as though he was afraid I’d disappear if he blinked. And somehow… I understood. They weren’t just angry at me. They were terrified. Terrified of losing me. Terrified that if I walked into Frederick’s arms, I wouldn’t come back out.