It was never the same woman.

Sometimes, I caught glimpses of them slipping out in the morning. Sometimes, when I dropped by the kitchen for a glass of water, someone was sucking Quinlan off by the counter. Or straddling Soren on the couch. Kissing Jericho’s neck. Hands deep in Mercer’s pants, stroking him.

They should’ve been the ones ashamed at their complete lack of discretion, but it was me who ran every time, heat in her cheeks.

Unable to sleep. Unable to get rid of the images. Unable to get rid of that ache blooming somewhere in my chest.

I knew this was about me. They always looked right at me before touching the women, as if to make a point.

I didn’t understand what the point was. I didn’t understand why they were doing this to me. I meant nothing more to them than another number in their race, and yet, it felt like it was something deeper, something darker. Primal. It existed on a different plane of understanding than I was.

It didn’t matter which of them it was, but when they touched someone, I felt it between my legs.

Ever since the woods, it felt like some carnal knowledge had been awakened inside me, and I was constantly thirsty. Hungry. Hurting.

I wanted. And it drove me near insanity. I couldn’t focus. Not on school work. Not on anything my friends said. Not on the gossip and drama that sparked every time Cole tried to get my attention by spreading more lies about how he’d slept with me and how easy I was, just to shift the story’s focus away from the fact that he was beaten to a pulp by a Lycan. Not on Lana’s giggles and catty smirks—though, those were exceptionally hard to ignore.

Soon, it became too much for me. The isolation. The thing brewing under my skin, inching closer to the surface day after day.The horrendous jealousy. The lust, goddess, the lust.

It felt like my body had been conditioned into responding whenever they were within my vicinity. No matter if they were hurting me.

By the end of the week, I wanted nothing more than to leave. But I had nowhere else to go. I needed them. I didn’t want to die when my Lycan transition eventually caught up with me.

So, I took to hiding from everyone. Hiding in the library at school. Hiding from my friends. Hiding in my bedroom. Hiding from myself. My conflicted feelings.

Until I couldn’t anymore.

****

The sun had sunken low into the horizon, the clouds darkening when I arrived back home.

I had been working on my term paper and barely noticed the time pass until the librarian had poked her head around the corner with a soft smile. "Hey, Adams. I gotta lock up in five."

My fingers tightened on the straps of my bag as I took the path to the waterfalls.

Watching the water pour off the edge and splatter into the plunge pool was calming and I found myself dropping by just to sit and breathe in every day. It was the only place I felt any peace lately.

I rounded the last bend and the plunge pool came into view.

And so did they.

Quinlan was half-submerged against the smooth rocks, his broad shoulders slick with water, golden blond hair plastered to his forehead. Soren’s arms rested on the edge of the pool, his eyes closed and turned up to the skies.

His muscles bulged and my mouth dried at the sight of his abs and pectorals. Graceful, yet brawny. His dark trunks clung low to his hip and I caught a trail of hair running a straight line and disappearing into the fabric.

Mercer was the thickest of the three and I watched him swim laps across the water in powerful strokes that caused the water to tease his body. His red hair was darker, a little longer, and a hint of stubble brushed his chin.

Jericho was missing, but I hardly noticed.

I should’ve turned around. Should’ve marched right back up that path and shut myself in my room. But my feet were rooted to the spot, my fingers curling into my skirt.

My mouth dried as Quinlan ran his fingers through his hair and—

I jolted when he cocked his head and turned his ice blue gaze directly to where I hid behind the oak, ogling them. A slow, knowing smile curled his lips. "Adams. You seem a little flustered. Weather a little too hot for you?"

His tongue weaved in and out around a French accent.

My toes curled.

I shuffled back swiftly, pressing against the tree. My heart was busy doing back flips and butterfly strokes in my chest.

Mercer’s drawl came next. "We can smell you, you know." I felt his eyes on my back like a target. "The pool’s big enough for five. You could use the cool down. I promise, we don’t bite."

Liar.

I came out of hiding, because who was I kidding?

All three of them were watching. Soren, however, remained cold, eyes empty.

Something like hurt twisted my heart, but I ignored it. I was starting to get used to the feeling.

"I was just passing through," I said, keeping my eyes on Quinlan’s.

"Oh?" Quinlan purred, and then he ran a wet hand down his chest, teasing his toned torso, and his fingers curled just above that diabolical, unreal v of his waist. "Is that so?"

Heat pooled between my thighs and I clenched. No. No. Hell no.

I no longer felt safe in this environment.

I spun on my heel swiftly, skirt swirling around my thighs. "I’ll pass."

I didn’t make it three steps before a large hand clamped around my waist, yanking me back against a naked body. Something thick pressed into my ass, the heat of it searing through the fabric of my skirt.

"Leaving so soon?" Jericho said roughly, his mouth brushing the shell of my ear. His breath was hot, his teeth grazing my earlobe just enough to make my knees weaken. "That’s rude, Adams. We were being hospitable."

I squirmed, but his grip only tightened. "Let go."

His hand slipped down, splaying over my stomach. And then, he grinded against me in a single thrust. "Where’s the fun in that?"

Then he lifted me off my feet and threw me into the pool.