**Kyler's POV**
I stopped in Nova's doorway, glancing behind me like maybe she'd appear and tell us that she was kidding. That she didn't want to stop what was going on between us. Because that's how she truly felt, was it not? I felt her emotions as surely as I felt my own, and the regret was clear in her emotions, even through her scathing words.
I knew she wasn't going to come. She was too stubborn and hard-headed to change her mind so soon. But she would change her mind, and we had to figure out how the hell to get over whatever negative feelings we had towards each other before that happened.
I turned her lock and shut her door, making sure that even after we left, no one would be able to get in.
Lucian was already on the phone with someone from our pack to keep watch over Nova.
At least I wasn't the only one who knew she hadn't been honest with herself.
I looked over at Kieran, who was already staring at me. His arms were crossed as he leaned against the driver's side door to his car, and even if I couldn't feel his emotions as well as Nova's, I could feel something, no matter how faint. He was annoyed, but also resigned in a sense.
"We need to talk," Kieran finally said once Lucian got off the phone. "The three of us."
Lucian merely nodded his agreement.
Kieran rattled off his phone number. "I'll text you in a bit. I have some things to do first."
I stepped up beside Lucian as Kieran slid into his car and drove away.
"I'm not jealous of you," Lucian said.
I raised my eyebrows and watched as he went to the car we arrived in. I followed silently, slipping into the passenger seat.
"I didn't think you were," I replied.
I wasn't jealous of him either, quite frankly. But I was going to keep that to myself, mostly because it would probably hurt his ego more if I admitted to it, rather than stay silent on the matter. I'd never been jealous of Lucian. He and I grew up too close of friends, and everything he received, he did so in earnest. I didn't envy his position as alpha. I'd never want that job myself. I'd never do what was needed to be done for that position either. Killing to receive a top spot, versus killing to protect? I stuck on one side.
On the topic of Nova, I knew Nova loved me. I could feel it. But I could also feel she loved Lucian.
And Kieran.
Kieran was the issue. Not because he was a vampire, but he had this weird vision of needing to own other vampires. I worried his fascination with Nova was just because he wanted her in his clan.
It didn't bother me that she loved the three of us. Would I have preferred her to love just me? Yes, absolutely. But I'd prefer her in any way I could get her.
Which apparently meant I needed to get over my problems with Kieran.
Later that day, Lucian drove us to the meeting spot - which of course had to be Kieran's club. It unsettled me, even knowing it was a safe space for all manners of paranormal, because it was his turf. A neutral meeting ground was all well and good, when the neutral meeting ground wasn't owned by one of the people we were dealing with.
"Before we go in," Lucian stopped me before I could open the car door, "I need to say something."
I relaxed back. He was full of nerves, and it wasn't clear whether those nerves were for what he was about to tell me, or for what was about to happen inside.
"I don't mind sharing Nova with you," he said. "I don't mind mating with her, and allowing you to mate with her as well. You make her happy, and that's honestly all I could ask for."
I wasn't sure what to say. His nerves all but disappeared the moment the words left his mouth. A faint trickle of those feeling remained, however.
"But you want to be with her regardless," I said. I didn't need to ask. It was either her and him, or her, him, and me. "What about Kieran?"
"I want to hear what he has to say," he said, glancing at the club. I could feel the thumping of the music, even as far out in the parking lot as we were.
I nodded. Whether we wanted to admit it or not, Kieran did make Nova happy. My main concern was what he was doing with her, and whether he'd hurt her. I didn't want to have to kill him.
Mateo led us quietly to Kieran's office, through the blood sharing room. Against my better judgement, I looked around, raising my eyebrows at the display. They raised even further when I saw Kenna with the girl who was usually working as a bartender, her eyes practically rolled back in her head in pleasure as the bartender sucked at her neck.
I mean, she did keep saying she needed to get laid.
Mateo left as soon as he dropped us off at Kieran's office, muttering something about dogs and how they all needed to be put down.
Kieran looked up from his computer and gave us a half-smile.
"I'm going to get right to it, because you two look like you'd rather be anywhere else." He nodded towards a couple of chairs nearby. When we sat, he looked anywhere but us. "I love Nova. I'm not leaving her."
Lucian and I shared a look.
"Same for us," Lucian replied.
I nodded. "She also cares deeply about the three of us. In that respect, is it fair to force her to choose?"
Kieran's eyes slid to me. "No, but I can't help but wonder if you have an ulterior motive when it comes to her."
Interesting.
"Please." Lucian snorted. "What ulterior motive would we even have? Out of the three of us, you put her in harm's way the most."
"Because I don't see her as this precious little flower who has no idea how to protect herself." Kieran shook his head. "You're limiting her abilities and holding her back because you're afraid of what can happen to her. Living as a paranormal, she is going to get hurt, whether that be physically or emotionally. I want her to be able to protect herself from the physical. You can't lock her up and expect her to just sit back and take it. If you think you can, you don't know her as well as you let on."
I felt Lucian's anger, but he kept silent. Because Kieran was right. Our wolves learned to hunt and protect themselves before they even hit puberty. Vampires were forced to train and hone their abilities. Why should it be any different for a half-vampire, half-necromancer? Nova hadn't had a teacher her whole life. If she did, she would have already known how to fight.
"I want her to myself," Kieran admitted. "Not because I'm fascinated with her, which I am. But because I simply think she's too good for you."
"Funny." I tilted my head. "I feel the same about you."
"Maybe so," Kieran agreed, and as much as I hated to admit it, it shocked me. "But she chose us, didn't she?"
I blew out a breath and closed my eyes, focusing more on the tension leaving Lucian's body, rather than my own feelings. He was calming down. I needed to as well.
While us and Nova hadn't exactly defined what our relationship was, I knew after this conversation with Kieran, we would need to. I knew Lucian loved her, and I was starting to see that Kieran did too. He didn't seem like he wanted to own her, per say. It was more like he wanted her to be the best version of herself with him.
"Then," I prompted, opening my eyes again.
"I think if we have a problem, we shouldn't go through her." Lucian leaned forward. "If either of you have a problem with me, you need to tell me. Stop making her feel bad about wanting us."
"I agree," I said.
Kieran nodded. "If she feels she can handle the three of us..."
I felt Lucian's emotions change so quickly that it was almost dizzying. My eyes snapped to him, seeing the slight tinge of pink in his tanned cheeks, even as his face remained expressionless. When I looked at Kieran, I realized why it was Lucian suddenly felt...excited.
Kieran's smirk came slowly. "What better way to get over this pesky jealousy than to prove to one another that she enjoys all three of us?"
Oh.
I hummed. "What do you have in mind?"
He flashed his fangs in a feral grin. "Give me time, but I sure as hell know punishing her for this will be a part of it."
Mine and Lucian's emotions matched at the insinuation.
Curiosity. Caution.
Eagerness.
Because if I knew one thing for sure, it was that Nova would eventually realize she needed and wanted us almost as much as we needed and wanted her.
*****
A/N: *posts like I haven't been MIA for a couple weeks*
But really, I apologize. I usually take a break after finishing a book, but I was suddenly plagued with writer's block 😅 I still kind of have it, but I've been trying to force my way through it.
Anyway, have a great Memorial Day weekend.