Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 54 - Boundaries

Song Inspo: "Are You With Me" by Nilu

Jadea

I rode the wings of heavenly bliss. My body light, my soul peaceful. It was a place I rarely experienced.

When I finally drifted back to reality, I realized I was caught between both men's chests. Skin to skin. A comforting warmth settling over me as they slept. Our limbs all tangled, bodies so closely pressed together, it took a moment to realize both of them were still connected with me, physically. Both partially hard and inside me. As if neither was willing to disconnect from such a spiritual reckoning of mind, body and spirit.

In the wake of our joining, I realized how significant our situation was due to all of us being alphas. In how we came together in order to ease hurts and participate in a carnal experience, instead of fighting for dominance. It wasn't something most alphas—especially with how strong and independent each of ours was—could do without some kind of backlash. While both men had been in control of me, I knew I was the crux. The one they could both fall into safely.

I trusted them to hold my heart and soul with tenderness and compassion. I trusted them to lead me when I needed a reprieve from the overbearing weight on my shoulders. I trusted them to ground me when the storm threatened to overtake me.

In return, I was the soft to their strong. The peace during their war. I held them through their emotions and built them up stronger. I was the backbone. The reason they could face each day, knowing I would always be there to catch them.

As they slept, I coasted on the high I was still experiencing.

Caden's soft snores were welcoming, easing some of the burdens on my heart. This was probably the first good sleep he'd had in months. Again, most wolves didn't sleep well with others unless they were with someone they trusted completely.

With Caden so deep in slumber, I brushed Adam's mind, waking him. We had things to discuss.

"Hey baby," he cooed, voice deep from sleep.

"Hi," I replied, feeling a bit shy. "That was... Intense."

His chuckle put me at ease. "You could say that again," he teased. Though we both knew it was more than just intense. It went far deeper than that. "I don't think I'll ever be the same after this," he confessed.

No. We wouldn't. And that was okay. Some experiences were meant to be re-defining.

"So... You liked it?" I asked, trying not to get too excited.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it, yes."

Good.

"I want to continue to exploring this ... relationship with Caden." He wasn't sure what to label us as. Honestly, I didn't know either. Especially after I saw how Caden bent to Adam's will. It was curious to see him do this. He was still so broken inside, it scared me. "He needs us," Adam continued. "He needs you. And I am okay with that."

"I need you to be specific with your words, Adam," I told him, not sure whether I was following what he was suggesting.

"I am okay with both of you making a lasting blood bond, or if he would like to make an oath to you." After the oath I had given to him was over. "I do not want you to make a mate's bond with him, though."

No. I didn't want to either. That was something very sacred. Something just between Adam and I.

I could feel the tension within him ease at my thoughts. "I also do not want you to engage in physical intimacy alone with him unless I approve it. I would rather this be an experience we all have together."

"Okay. Agreed." I accepted his boundaries without hesitation. "Are you okay if Caden and I engage in different kinds of intimacy?" I asked. "He tends to peel away layers when having discussions. It is a different kind of familiarity and another way he obtains companionship."

"I do not mind deep conversations that are... Stimulating. I think that is something he craves most."

"It is. And he hasn't been able to obtain that within his own pack yet." Nor had he found it within Ty's either.

"I also want to make sure I set a clear expectation here: I want us to have our own time. Away from Caden and everyone else."

Yes. That was important too. "We will figure out a routine that works for everyone," I assured him. This was also important to me as well.

"If I haven't told you lately, you are amazing."

My heart fairly melted, a soft smile curving my lips. A gentle blush creeping up my cheeks. It really was unfair how he knew all the ways to make me feel so special and loved. During times like this, I cursed Silas and my missing memories.

"In time, baby. Give it time."

***

A few days had passed since our intimate joining.

We shared our boundaries with Caden that evening, after he had a chance to wake up and revel in the moment. Unsurprisingly, he agreed to everything.

Though, none of us touched upon the subject of a mate's bond. Adam decided not to broach the subject unless Caden brought it up. He wasn't sure if it had just been a deep-rooted desire in the moment, or if it was something he was serious about. Until Caden spoke on it, we wouldn't cross that bridge.

After our earth-shattering joining, we decided to take a pause on our scenes and dynamics. We all needed a break and to refocus and reset. The last couple of days were wonderful. There had been a lot of snuggles, camaraderie, and deep discussions. It was a time of healing. A time of peace during a storm none of us were responsible for. Adam had even skipped his next visit with his children, deciding to video chat with them instead.

On the third night, we decided it was time to dive back into it.

"Jadea and I will go to the stronghold so she can get her tattoo," Adam declared that evening while we all lay in bed, a comforting tangle of arms and legs. Adam's chest was pressed into my back, his chin tucked into my shoulder as he spoke. "Agamemnon is going to divide the tattoo into three six-hour sessions. On the second night, after we return, we will go over your fifth month with Silas."

I nodded, knowing this one was going to be hard.

"On the third day, I will send Garret and Chance with you while I go visit the kiddos."

"I will take those three days and visit my pack," Caden declared. "To check in and make sure everything is running smoothly in my absence. I left rather abruptly, though I know my brother can handle pack business."

"On the fourth day, we will do our scene."

It sounded like a plan to me.

That evening, there were no shenanigans to be had. We were all exhausted and in need of rest. Adam drifted first. Caden and I spoke of sweet nothing's for a bit before he, too, fell asleep. As I floated in the in-between, I felt safe for the first time since I had woken up in that operating room.