22. Sasha

Chapter 22

Sasha

K aden and I are dressed up and heading down to the entertainment room. Billie's instructions were straightforward enough, and we don't seem to be lost yet.

After the whole pool and woods incident and the fact that I turned into a wolf, I'm still reeling in shock. I assumed I'd never transform, yet it appears I have more in common with my father than I ever expected. The realization alone has my heartbeat speeding up because I miss him terribly, even after all this time. I wish he could be here to tell me everything I need to know about being a wolf shifter.

When I woke up earlier in bed alongside Kaden, I was back in my human form, but even now, I feel the wolf lingering beneath the surface, as though she's part of me—and this whole time, she's been hiding from me. It's comforting in a way to have her present.

And sure, I'm annoyed at Kaden for his pushiness, but then, if he hadn't pushed, would I have ever discovered my wolf side?

"Are you okay?" he asks, genuine concern in his soft gaze.

Chowder's in my arms, just hanging out casually over my shoulder.

"Yeah." I nod, trying to convince myself as much as him. "It's been a long day."

He reaches over and gently pushes a strand of hair caught in my lashes away from my face. Chowder quickly does the same with his little paw, making me giggle.

"You're going to have to learn to share, little man, or we're going to have some problems."

Chowder just stares at him, unmoved by his words. "Why you hurt her?" he asks accusingly.

Kaden's mouth pinches, and he stares at me. "I would never hurt you. You know that, right? I worship the ground you walk on."

"I'm not mad, and I'm still dealing with it all. But let's not talk about this now." I'm eager to avoid another tense moment.

He smiles, and I sense the warmth of it seeping into me. As much as he gets me all riled up, he's also crawled into my heart, and no matter what I want, I can't deny my growing attraction.

"You look spectacular, by the way," he coos, eyeing my outfit. I'm wearing black fitted pants and a dark-pink wrap blouse with a V-neck, tied at the front, paired with pink heels. My hair is pulled back into a messy ponytail. I feel both beautiful and relaxed, exactly what I need after today's fiasco.

"Thanks, you don't look too bad yourself," I reply, smiling as he raises his eyebrows, staring down at himself and giving me that cheeky nod. The one where he knows he's so damn hot that he's lucky I'm not crawling all over him right now. His shirt pulls against the buttons from his muscles, open at his throat, drawing my attention to the ink over his collarbone.

I glance away, schooling my emotions around him.

As we reach the entertainment room, the double doors immediately push open, and a handsome man greets us.

"Perfect timing," he says with a welcoming grin. "I'm Eryx," he introduces himself.

Ah, another of Billie's fated mates. She told me he's a gryffin shifter and a wild one at that, but staring at him now, he appears friendly, easygoing, and undeniably handsome. His blond hair cascades down to his chest, and he's dressed in blue jeans and a casual deep mauve T-shirt that hugs all his muscles. Those blue eyes are striking. It's as though I'm face-to-face with his animal side, unsure if I'm talking to Eryx or the gryffin.

"Hi," I say, trying to sound casual.

Kaden steps forward, extending his hand with a firm grip. "Kaden," he states, locking eyes with Eryx. "Heard a lot about you. You keep everyone on their toes, much like me."

Eryx chuckles, shaking Kaden's hand. "I do my best. How are you liking our neck of the woods?"

Kaden smirks. "It's beautiful. That's for sure. And I'm all about trying new things. Never a dull moment here, right?"

"Definitely not," Eryx replies with a grin. "Especially when Billie's involved."

My friend approaches us, smiling brightly. "So good you've arrived," she says, pressing against Eryx's side as he holds her like she's his entire world. He absolutely adores her.

"Where are the little angels?" I ask, glancing around, half expecting to see the twins about.

Billie grins softly. "It's way past their bedtime. They're fast asleep upstairs, which means we can all relax and be adults." There's a mischievous sparkle in her gaze.

"Come in," Eryx says, reaching out to Chowder, who accepts his fist bump. It's the first time I've seen him do that.

"This is Chowder," I explain. "He's part of the family and goes everywhere with me."

"Well, great to meet you, too," Eryx says with a nod in his direction.

As we enter the entertainment room, I take in the gothic style of the room. There's a grand dark stone fireplace, its flames flickering with a warm glow. A spread is laid out with all sorts of drinks and snacks. In fact, there are two tables just for food. Tallis is already there, dressed in black fitted pants and a black button-up shirt, his dark hair cascading over his shoulders. He's helping himself to the food.

Kaden claps Khaos on the back, greeting him with a grin. "Great to see you again."

"Appreciate you helping here earlier. Means a lot."

"Of course."

Tallis calls out his hello, and Kaden drifts over to him by the table of food, along with Khaos.

I take a deep breath, trying to push away the weight of the day's revelations.

"So, how do you all like to relax around here?" I ask Billie, seeing three of the guys chatting loudly, laughing, and I assume this is an everyday occurrence.

"Food, drinks, and a little friendly competition," Eryx replies with a wink. "We have a pool table, darts, and plenty of space to unwind, but the twins keep us all busier than we've ever been."

"In truth, I forgot what it's like to sleep a full night." She leads me to a cozy couch area near the fireplace. "I'm so glad you're here." She nudges me, taking my hand in hers. "I miss us living together and all those late-night chats. You gotta tell me everything that's been happening with you."

"Hey, I do a pretty good job of keeping you up all night," Eryx interrupts and gives us a wink when we glance over.

Billie shakes her head at him, smiling, her flowing white hair dancing across her shoulders. She's wearing a bright blue crisscross dress with a deep V-neck and long sleeves, and looks stunning, like she always does. Then she blows him a kiss. "That you do."

Khaos joins us, too, in midnight-blue dress pants and a fitted jacket. He offers me a drink of something honey-colored that smells strong. I take it and settle into the couch near the fireplace while Eryx stands by the flames, studying us with a curious gaze. Chowder scrambles down from my lap and in front of the flickering fire, looking around the room with wide eyes.

"Why don't we have more fire at home?" Chowder asks, staring at the flame, then back at Kaden.

"Oh, he talks?" Eryx murmurs, tilting his head as he studies Chowder with genuine curiosity. "My gryffin talks to me, but he's never spoken out loud." He leans down to Chowder, stroking his head. "You're a clever otter, aren't you?"

Chowder stands on his hind legs, enjoying the flames and staring at Eryx, seemingly unsure what to make of him.

"Is he magical?" Khaos asks, leaning forward, intrigued.

After a quick sip of my drink, which is a strong whiskey and burns my throat, I set it on the coffee table near the couch and explain in a low voice.

"I found him being experimented on, so I saved him and gave him a home. I couldn't bear to leave him." Looking over, I adore the way he wears his blue vest. While most of the cuts and experiments on his back have healed, he seems more comfortable wearing the outfit. It hurts me to think of his past, which is why I try not to bring it up around him.

Billie presses against me, her hand on my leg. "You are so sweet to take him in, but not surprising. You've loved animals for as long as I've known you."

"Yep. Remember that time I brought home a baby lion?" I reply, smiling at her.

She bursts out laughing. "Yeah, and you wanted to keep it while there was a mother lion terrorizing the neighborhood, searching for her cub."

I shrug, laughing. "I gave him back, but he was so adorable."

She laughs and hugs me. "I missed you so much, you know that."

"Me, too. All our long chats into the night, our snacking, and your obsession with cakes."

Khaos laughs, a warm sound that fills the room. "That hasn't changed," he states. "We have our personal chef bake her new treats every week. Billie deserves the world." He squeezes in on the couch alongside her, and I love how caring they are over her.

"So as a gryffin," Chowder starts, glancing up at Eryx, drawing all our attention. "Do you lay eggs or give birth? How does it work for gryffins?"

Eryx bursts out laughing, his head thrown back. The sound is contagious, and soon, we're all joining him, even Chowder, who seems pleased with himself.

"Why do you ask?" I say as Kaden and Tallis join us by the couch in front of the fireplace. Kaden sits on the edge of the couch, close to me, while Tallis stands behind Billie. Billie told me he's a demon, and he would definitely be scary to encounter alone, but then all of her mates are slightly intimidating. Yet when I look at Kaden, he fits in perfectly alongside them because he's just as terrifying and unpredictable.

"Who isn't curious?" Chowder replies, staring up at Eryx. "Gryffins are part bird and lion, so…"

Eryx wipes his tear-filled eyes, still laughing. "Thing is, I can't say I've experienced it personally, seeing as I'm a male. But my kind lay eggs in burrows, if that answers your question."

Chowder turns to Billie, then back to Eryx. "So, your two babies came in eggs?"

Billie burst out laughing, shaking her head. "Definitely not," she says. "They were a natural birth, thank goodness. I might have freaked out if I was laying eggs."

As Tallis makes a joke about the eggs, Khaos approaches me, kneeling near me, and I feel Kaden leaning in closer to me, protective.

"Are you okay after your first transformation?" Khaos asks gently.

"It was a complete shock, to be honest," I admit. "But I woke up back in my human form. I'm not too sure yet how to change into my wolf, but I feel her just beneath my skin."

Khaos smiles, nodding in understanding. "Yes, I can sense her, too, and she's strong. It might take a bit of time to learn to fully control her, which is why you were running in the woods earlier. She was scared and wanted to hide somewhere familiar. For transforming, the best I can recommend is to close your eyes and reach out to her. Talk to her in your mind and just ask her to come out. It sounds like she's ready."

"Thank you. I'll have to try. I would hate for her to always take off toward a forest when I transform."

Kaden rubs my back in small circles.

"Just remember, while you share a body with her, you are in charge, and she needs to know this."

Khaos places a hand on mine, and instantly, I feel the vibration of my wolf inside me, recognizing another wolf shifter. I sense a rumble inside my chest, and I grin. Having a wolf side is so different from my mermaid side, which lies dormant until I transform. My primal side now is more vocal, making her presence known.

"Once, when I was injured," Khaos begins, "my wolf took over and led me back home without me realizing it. You're very fortunate to have yours as your protective backup. She will take care of you."

I smile at the thought. "It's already a bit strange to have a wolf and a mermaid side."

"It's beautiful," Kaden says softly. "Unique and spectacular."

"He's right," Khaos adds. "You have something not many shifters do—the ability to balance both power and grace. Your strength comes from embracing all that you are."

Billie turns toward us. Chowder hops onto my lap, and the warmth of the fire creates a cozy atmosphere. If I lived closer, I could see myself doing weekly dinners or even game nights, just like Billie and I used to do back in South Africa.

"When do we meet the gryffin?" Chowder pipes up.

Eryx's eyes light up with excitement when I glance his way.

"You want to see my gryffin? Of course!" he exclaims, clearly thrilled by the idea, his chest puffing out, chin high.

"No, Eryx, don't—" his brothers simultaneously shout.

A crackling energy surges through the room, and in seconds, Eryx bursts out of his clothes. I try to look away, but my eyes are glued to the transformation. Kaden instantly places his hand over my eyes just as Eryx's pants shred away, but I push his hand aside, unable to look away from the spectacle.

Now, in front of us stands a massive gryffin whose head almost rubs the ceiling. His body is that of a lion, golden and powerful, while his head is that of a majestic eagle, fierce and noble. His enormous black wings stretch wide, and when he beats them once, a flurry of wind rushes against us. His talons scratch the wooden floorboards, clenching and unclenching on the spot.

My mouth might have fallen open in awe. I'm speechless, and even Chowder is pressed up against my side as if he wasn't expecting him to be so huge.

Eryx steps away from the fireplace and bumps into a small table, knocking my drink over and sending it tumbling, the glass smashing.

"Oh, shit, I'm so sorry." I move to get up, but Billie has my hand, pulling me back.

"We'll clean it later. Better to just let Eryx do his thing first."

Back in my seat, we all turn around, following him strutting toward the windows.

"Wow," I breathe, unable to take my eyes off him.

Tallis rolls his eyes, a familiar exasperation in his voice. "He's going to break everything in here. Again."

Beside me, Billie watches with admiration but resignation. "He always does," she says. "His gryffin side has a mind of its own and isn't always controllable. But I adore him, and things can be replaced and fixed."

Chowder's eyes are huge, and he makes excited chirping sounds. "So pretty! He can fly? Who doesn't want to fly?"

As if hearing him, Eryx unleashes a sharp birdlike screech with a growl, then stretches his wings out, reaching the walls. He eyes the large floor-to-ceiling window with a curtain drawn across it.

"Fuck, Eryx, don't do it," Khaos warns, getting to his feet, but it's too late. Eryx charges the window. The room erupts in chaos as he smashes through the glass, shattering it with a deafening crash. Glass sprays outward, and a cold breeze rushes into the room.

Eryx soars out into the night, his wings catching the air effortlessly. The moonlight glints off his feathers as he flies upward, powerful and free. He disappears into the sky, a dark silhouette against the stars, leaving us in stunned silence.

Adrenaline rushes through me, my heart racing as I watch him vanish into the night sky. It's a breathtaking sight.

Chowder claps his hands, bouncing with excitement in my lap. Kaden stands nearby, ready to act if needed, but Billie just smiles.

"It's okay. He'll be fine, and we have a whole team in the mansion who fix up all the breakages he causes." She laughs, a fondness in her eyes. "As much trouble as he causes, I adore him to bits."

Her words resonate with me, reminding me of the acceptance and love she has for Eryx, despite his wild nature.

Tallis stands with a deadpan expression, staring at the now-broken window, letting in a cool breeze. Khaos turns back to us.

"Well, he'll be back in his own time. Let's move the party to the parlor."

They're all so casual about it, showing how much they respect Eryx just as he is.

"I like Eryx," Chowder chants, and I giggle at him, wondering if he sees a part of himself in Eryx—the wild, untamed side that refuses to be caged.

Kaden approaches Khaos, asking, "What can I do to help?"

He shakes his head, grinning. "Nothing at all, my friend. Just enjoy yourself."

That's when Kaden catches my eye once more, and I realize that he's my chaos, just like Eryx is to his mate. He's grown on me so much that I'm obsessed with him just as much as he is with me, and I don't think I'd have it any other way.

It's past two o'clock, and I'm snuggled up in bed when Kaden crawls in behind me because he won't take no for an answer. "You can share the other bed with Chowder," I say to him sarcastically, knowing he won't do that. I glance up at him in the blue darkness of the room, lit up only by the moonlight pouring into the bedroom and onto the large four-poster bed.

"You think I'm not sharing a bed with you?" he chuckles. "You haven't been listening to me."

He climbs under the covers, causing the whole mattress to jump around. As I try to pull away, mostly because I'm only wearing my underwear, his large hand loops around my middle and scoops me across the bed and up against him. My back and ass collide with his chest, and I let out an oomph .

"Kaden, geez."

"Would you have snuggled me otherwise?"

"Hell no."

"My point is proven," he says, his arm around my middle, his leg over mine, keeping me pinned in place. His chest is flat against my back, the blankets over us, and as much as his dominance drives me crazy, I can't help but admit there's something comforting about lying in his warmth, all cuddled in the blankets.

"Did you have fun tonight?" he asks, his breath in my ear, which heats me up. Nothing about Kaden keeps me calm; it's the opposite, especially when he's wearing nothing and isn't shy about pressing against my ass.

"It wasn't how I expected the day to go, but I loved seeing Billie again. And you know what?"

"What's that?" he whispers, his fingers tracing across my stomach, leaving me covered in heated goosebumps.

"Here I thought my life was chaotic with you and Chowder, but Billie has had her fair share of crazy, too, it seems. So maybe it's a sign, you know."

He chuckles, the sound so delicious it leaves me trembling. "So, you're saying you now approve of us?"

"Well, I approved of Chowder long ago, but I'm still getting used to you," I tease, knowing that we're still figuring things out, and this isn't some fairy-tale ending.

"I know she has lots more stories to tell me," I say about Billie. "And I think, being this close to Finland, I might come over to visit her more often."

"We'll make it a regular trip," Kaden replies. "And once the mansion is fixed up on the exterior, we can invite them over."

I smirk to myself at his assumptions that I'm doing everything with him. Then again, I have no clue how to unglue him from me, either. But do I want to?

Just as his lips press against my shoulder, a small bounce at the end of the bed makes us both glance over the blankets. Chowder is there, coming toward us on all fours.

"Why you sleep here without me? Family stays together," he says, his voice full of mock indignation.

I laugh while Kaden grunts.

"Come and join us." Pulling back the blankets in front of me, I make a small area for him to snuggle under the covers.

"Really?" Kaden grumbles, and I laugh at him.

"Maybe you can back up a bit," I suggest, wiggling my ass.

"You keep doing that, and you're going to be in trouble."

"Ain't happening. Now squeeze on over so Chowder can fit."

With a groan, he moves a smidgen of an inch, still glued to me, his arm and leg on me. Chowder is now sharing my pillow, curled up and facing away from me. I stroke him so he settles down. Before I got moved out of my cabin, Chowder would sleep in bed with me and keep me company most nights.

"He better not get used to this," Kaden says, pressing in close to me, his breath on my neck. "You smell so beautiful. You're so soft against me."

"Why you talk so much?" Chowder asks.

Kaden groans.

I burst out laughing.

Right now, I'm surrounded by the two men in my life, and despite everything, it makes me incredibly happy.

The next morning, I wake up alone in the bed, blankets bunched up around me like I'm the filling in a burrito. I'm sweaty, hot, and a little annoyed that no one woke me up. Stretching my arms over my head, I kick off the covers and get up, pulling on pants, a bra, and a shirt to appear semi-decent.

As soon as I open the door, I'm hit with the mouthwatering smell of cooked eggs and bacon, and my stomach growls. I figure Kaden and Chowder probably followed the smells, so I do the same.

I find myself in a large kitchen, half of it dedicated to an island covered with several cakes in glass stands, and nearby are counters with lots of gleaming appliances. The other half of the room features a round table for six, holding dishes filled with food. The spread is impressive—fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, buttery croissants, fresh fruit, and steaming coffee. The rich aromas fill the air, making my stomach rumble with hunger.

A brunette maid is bringing more coffee to the table, along with muffins. Billie is there in a robe, enjoying the food with Tallis in jeans and a wrinkled T-shirt, both of them sitting close, chatting and giggling. He kisses her brow, and they both look up when they see me.

"Come join us," Tallis suggests, gesturing to the table. "We have way too much food."

"Where is everyone else?" I ask, choosing to sit on a chair adjacent to Billie. I instantly pour myself a glass of juice and start serving food onto my plate because I have no shame. Billie knows me; I inhale food.

She grins at me, amused. "Khaos and Kaden left super early this morning to visit King Kaspian, as it's the only time he is free. Eryx and Chowder are outside, getting along like two peas in a pod."

He left without telling me. Something stirs in my gut, though I remind myself that I'm not his keeper and he can do what he wants.

As I take a sip of my juice, I notice movement outside the window.

There, I spot Chowder riding Eryx in his gryffin form, soaring through the air.

My fork falls from my hand, clattering against the table.

"Oh my God!"

Billie places a reassuring hand on mine. "He's safe, I promise. He asked Eryx to ride him this morning because he wanted to know what it felt like to fly."

"Oh," I say, feeling both worried and slightly guilty for having Eryx entertain Chowder. "Sorry," I say to Billie, shaking my head. "Seriously, I can't control Chowder any more than I can Kaden. They just do the craziest things sometimes."

She laughs, serving herself from the big bowl of fresh, chopped fruit and yogurt. "I know how that feels more than anyone."

Munching on bacon, Tallis is watching the pair outside doing spins in the sky.

"The things I faced with Eryx when I arrived at this mansion I'll never forget." Billie bumps her shoulder into Tallis, smiling. "Not to mention this one!" she adds in his direction.

"I'm an angel compared to him," Tallis protests, his demon eyes glinting with a playful darkness.

"Right…" Billie says, rolling her eyes. She breaks into a story about how Eryx once grabbed her from the house, burst through a window, and swooped her up to a mountaintop.

I ease back in my seat, realizing that we're fitting in with Billie and her mates better than I could ever have imagined. At the end of the day, it's become obvious that they're our kind of crazy.