30: An Accidental Bond

If I’d known just how much of a power boost we’d experience, the noise would have been the least of my concerns.

Once we’d all stopped panting, had cleaned up and gotten dressed again, I noticed something was wrong in my office. Very wrong.

Every single item of glass had smashed. Furniture had fallen over. There was even a hole in one of the walls with the sculpture that used to be on the coffee table sticking out of it.

I turned on my heel, eyes wide. What the hell happened?!

“Was there somehow an explosion that we didn’t notice?” Nathaniel whispered. Luke chuckled, but that chuckle was just covering up concern.

“Did you two feel it? The power boost?”

They looked at each other, as if unsure of what to say. “It came from you, Effie. When you orgasmed and dragged Luke and I under with you,” Nathaniel paused, holding his hands up, in response to my less than impressed expression. “That’s not a complaint, Effie, I promise. But either way… the power exploded out of you. I don’t know how else to describe it.”

“It was insane,” I whispered, my voice low. “It was like my body gathered up just about everything it had, and let it all out at once.”

They looked over at each other. “We’ve accidentally formed a triumvirate, haven’t we?”

Luke and I both looked at Nathaniel.

“I didn’t think that was possible without a witch involved,” I said, voice sceptical.

“I don’t have another explanation, Effie. The three of us connected, and we all had a massive power boost for it.” Nathaniel paused; he’d thought of something we wouldn’t like. “The only problem is… if I’m right, the reason Luke and I didn’t feel it as much as you did is because you mated with both of us, Luke and I are just mated with you. You’ll always be the head of this triumvirate and will be the strongest by far, but the triangle currently has a gap in it.”

Luke stared at me, the gravity of what Nathaniel was saying sinking in. To seal this, he’d have to mark Nathaniel, and Nathaniel him. Sex wasn’t necessary, but the whole process would be much less uncomfortable with it.

“Luke, you don’t have to decide this now,” I whispered. “We’ve got a lot going on, this can wait.”

“But, won’t Nathaniel and I then just be weakening you?”

“Yes and no,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. Luke and Nathaniel both looked sceptical. “Assuming this is a triumvirate, all three have already had a major power increase just from me marking both of you. We’d all just have another boost if you two seal the deal.”

Luke was torn, Nathaniel too. Nathaniel didn’t want to push the issue, but his face told me he was willing to do whatever it takes.

“Would the mark between Nathaniel and I be enough? We aren’t fated mates, so it’s never going to be as strong as it is between us.”

The honest answer was who knows, but I didn’t want to tell Luke that.

Fortunately, my phone rang before I had to.

“Lyla, how’s the stakeout going?”

“Well, hello to you too, alpha.” I could hear the smirk in her voice. “I could do with some backup.”

My heart sank. It was rare that Lyla asked for backup. “What’s going on?”

“Maximillian happened. I’ve lost two wolves today. They’ve disappeared, we’re not sure if they’re dead or have just been taken over.”

“Fuck,” I growled under my breath. “What do you need?”

“If you send the rest of my team, Effie, then give me a couple hours to see what I can find out. It’s possible I’ll end up needing a team or two as backup, but one step at a time.”

“Roger that, Lyla. We can be at HQ in ten minutes, and I’ll get them on their way as soon as possible.”

“We?” She queried. “Nathaniel?”

I grimaced. “It’s not quite that simple anymore, but that’s a problem for later. Let me know if anything changes, Lyla.”

I disconnected the call, looking around to find Luke and Nathaniel scrambling to get dressed and ready. I always forgot just how many weapons Luke managed to hide in his suit until I watched him put them all back. Three guns, four knives, and it’s not like they were all small knives, either. The suit was tailored too, but I knew he’d had custom holsters and sheaths made to make hiding them easier.

I was prepped and ready to go within five minutes, my longest knife down my back, gun at my hip, daggers in my boots.

Nathaniel's eyes were wide as he watched Luke and I arm up. “If we’re going to do this triumvirate thing, Nathaniel, you’re going to have to start carrying. I have a lot of enemies, and you can’t always guarantee you’ll be able to shift to deal with a threat, you need to be ready to go, even in human form.”

He bit his lip, fidgeting. “Nathaniel,” I whispered. “Do you not know how to use a gun?”

He shook his head. “I’ll teach you, Nathaniel,” Luke offered. “Effie is right, all three of us need to be able to defend ourselves anywhere and everywhere. Especially since I imagine we won’t be able to hide from Edward and Maximillian for very long.”

“Since Nathaniel is his son, I would imagine he knew the second we marked each other. Nathaniel is his heir, he’ll have felt that kind of power boost.” I met Nathaniel’s eyes. “He will send people after you, Nathaniel. We need to get you up to speed on defending yourself as soon as possible.”

I glanced at the clock. “We need to move. I’ll drive, you two sit in the back. Luke, please start talking Nathaniel through the basics of gun safety, when we get to HQ, you can give Nathaniel a crash course whilst I organise Lyla’s backup.”