Chapter 71: Indecent Proposal

Chapter 71: Indecent Proposal
Vincent

In the dimly lit bedroom, Alec and I stood shoulder to shoulder, our eyes fixed on Nelly as she slept, a small smile playing on her lips. The tension between us had grown palpable since we'd discovered Quinn's secret, the weight of our newfound knowledge hanging heavy in the air.

Alec broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. "Vincent, I can't... I can't keep pretending. Not anymore." He turned to me, his eyes filled with a raw, naked vulnerability. "I love her, Vincent. More than anything. And I don't want to keep it a secret any longer."

I'd known Alec's feelings; I had seen them for months. But hearing it aloud, admitting it, was a feat we'd both feared. I reached out, his hand gripping Alec's shoulder, squeezing. "I know, Alec. I feel the same about telling her. My delaying admitting my feelings for her nearly cost me her."

Alec's eyes searched mine, seeking the truth in his words. Finding it, he nodded, a small, tentative smile playing on his lips. "She deserves to know, Vincent. To understand what's at stake, what we're fighting against."

I nodded, my gaze returning to Nelly, love and determination warring in my eyes. "You're right. She needs to know. And she needs to choose. This... us... It's not just about love. It's about survival.

Nelly stirred, her eyes fluttering open to find Alec and me standing over her, our expressions serious. She sat up, her heart pounding nervously. "What's wrong, Vincent? Alec? What are you two talking about?"

I sat on the bed beside her, my hand reaching out to capture hers. "Nelly, there's something we need to tell you. Something important." Nelly's heart raced, her imagination running wild. But she pasted on a brave smile, nodding for me to continue. I took a deep breath, my fingers tightening around hers. "Remember when we talked about secrets, about honesty? We kept something from you, Nelly. Something big."

Nelly's eyes widened, her heart pounding in her chest. "What are you saying, Vincent?"

Alec stepped closer, his hand resting on my shoulder. "Quinn... he's not a Loup-Garou, a very rare werewolf hybrid. And we're connected to this, all of us, through a bond we barely understand."

Nelly stared at them, shock coursing through her veins. "So my parents were onto something. Vincent, this can't be... It's madness."

I squeezed her hand, my eyes filled with a fierce intensity. "It's not madness, Nelly. It's our world. None in my close horde are normal. Granted, I was the one experimented on the most, but we were all different before your parents did anything. This was one secret we've kept you from, for your own protection. But no more, Nelly. Not if you choose to be part of our... new extended family."

Alec's hand tightened on my shoulder, his eyes filled with a plea. "Nelly, we want you. Both of us. In every way. But it's not just love we're offering. It's a bond, a connection that... that can't be broken. A Claiming."

Nelly's mind raced, her body trembling. "A Claiming? Like Quinn's... kiss?"

I nodded, my thumb stroking her palm. "Yes, Nelly. That's the heart of it. And we want to Claim you, both of us. With love, with desire... with everything we have."

Nelly's heart pounded, her body aching with a sudden, intense longing. She looked between us, seeing the love in our eyes, the need, the desire. And she knew, with a sudden clarity, that her decision was made. "Yes," she said, her voice steady and strong. "I choose you, Vincent, always. Now, I choose you, Alec. I choose us."

With Nelly's acceptance, our control snapped. I reached for her, capturing her mouth in a fierce, demanding kiss. Nelly melted into me, her hands gripping my shoulders, her body pressing against mine. The heat of Alec's body pressed against her back, his hands reaching around to cup her breasts, his fingers tracing the sensitive peaks.

Nelly gasped, breaking away from my kiss to tip her head back against Alec's shoulder. Alec took advantage, his mouth capturing hers in a heated, passionate kiss. I turned my attention to her body, my hands tugging at her nightgown, my mouth trailing hot, wet kisses down her neck, her chest, her stomach.

Nelly's body arched, her hands reaching back to tangle in Alec's hair, her other hand clutching at my shoulder. She could feel our desire, our love, pouring into her, filling her, consuming her. She was surrounded, overwhelmed, and drowning in sensation. I linked to her, ‘Let go, my love. Trust this…trust us.’