Savage Reign (Savage Hearts, #3)

by Amanda Richardson

And I will defend my family like the Queen that I am.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned–and hell hath no madness like three alpha men protecting their young.

She smiles. “You need to find someone who cherishes the real you–the person you keep to yourself. The good, the bad, the ugly. The monster we all keep hidden. Find someone who sees that and doesn’t cower or hide, but instead, offers you a pedestal to stand on.”

“A phoenix, for the princess who rose from the ashes. Long may she reign.”

He looks at me as I catch my breath, and I know we’re both thinking that somehow, she gets more perfect every fucking day.

“Good girl,” he purrs, pounding into me. “You take our cocks so well. That tight, little pussy is so good at holding our come, isn’t it?”

“I said vanilla,” I whine, and he smiles as he opens the container and pulls one out for me. “And I said not for long,” he repeats. “Do we look like vanilla to you?”

“Yeah, baby,” he mutters, winking. Turning back to Silas, I take his hands. “I don’t want vanilla. I just want all of you.” He bends down to kiss me, his messy blonde hair falling in front of his forehead. “You have us. Always and forever.” His lips brush mine, and my skin pebbles with goosebumps.

Suddenly, all three of them drop to their knees, and Damon holds out a green velvet box.

“Lennon Rose,” Jude starts, looking up at me. Even he seems nervous. His face is tight with emotion, and his hands open and close a few times at his side. “Ever since we saw you six months ago, you’ve changed our lives.” “For better or for worse,” Silas interjects, grinning. “I believe the first thing I said to you was to get the fuck out of here, but I’m so glad you proved us wrong and that you stuck around.”

Damon continues. “But it started before that, didn’t it?” I let out a quiet sob. No longer cold, I wipe my sweaty, shaking hands on my jacket. “It started when we were kids. And maybe we didn’t know it back then–” “Definitely didn’t know it back then,” Silas interrupts. “As I was saying,” Damon continues, louder this time. My sob turns into a laugh. “You’ve been in our lives for years. As kids, and then as angsty, hormonal teenagers. Back then, we may not have known this future–we may not have believed it, either–but I think I speak for all of us when I say, we always felt tethered to you, somehow. Your soul lit up something within us. I thought it was hatred, but I was so wrong. Even all those years ago, my soul loved yours.”

“Lennon,” Jude begins, his eyes wide and watery. “I always felt like a lone wolf. I loved my friends, but it took you walking into our lives for me to realize I wanted all of us together. You made me feel like a human–like a normal person–for the first time in my life.” He pauses, taking a deep breath. “My parents never nurtured the weird part of my personality, but you? You make me feel like a goddamned prince whenever I’m around. I knew long before I got hurt that you were the one for me, for us, but that solidified it. I don’t know what I would do without you. And I can’t wait to make you my official princess.”

“Fuck,” he says, and we all laugh. “It seems I am unprepared.” Looking up at me, his light blue eyes bore into mine, and it feels like he can see every single monstrous thing inside of my soul. But then, he’s always seen that side of me, and he’s never been deterred. “I don’t think I have to explain the connection we’ve always shared, Lennon. Just the fact that you came into this trio and made us a quartet… it’s like you were always meant to be with us.” He takes my hand and kisses it gently. “Even in high school, I worshiped the ground you walked on. I wanted to hate you so badly, but I couldn’t. And I promise, I will worship you until my dying breath.”

Laughing, I pull her closer, squeezing until she gasps. “I can’t help it, Lennon Rose. I got a taste and now I’m like an addict ready for my next hit.”

“Wherever you get pulled to, we’ll follow you. If that rug slips out from under you, we’ll catch you. I promise you. Always and forever, princess.”

“Yours? You make me feel like some bride of the beast or something–”

“As much as I’m trying to fight it, something definitely awoke this trip that makes me feel like I need to protect you. Nurture you. But also…” he trails off as his eyes wander down my body. “I’ve never wanted to flip you over and fill you with my come more than I do right now.”

“I know you may not be a traditional couple,” she starts, and I have to hide my smile at the effort she’s making. It’s commendable. “But that doesn’t mean you’re not all going to be my sons-in-law soon.” Her eyes flick between Damon, Jude, and I. “Therefore, I guess I better start buying these Christmas Eve presents in bulk.”

Tomorrow is the start of the rest of our lives.