Page 33 of Outnumbered

“Come on, let’s get you to bed. We’ve got a lot of training tomorrow,” Caleb said and took my hand, pulling me to my feet.

“More training?” I groaned.

“Always training,” Thor said. “Even we train every day.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll have a big, yummy breakfast waiting for you when you wake up,” Leona promised. “Night!”

Once in my room, I cuddled under my blankets, still smiling happily.

“Can I join you?” Riddick asked from the doorway.

“Sure,” I agreed and patted the bed beside me.

He climbed in under the blankets and wrapped me in a tight hug. “Thanks.”

My body relaxed, and I realized I hadn’t been as relaxed in bed as I had thought.

Someone climbed in behind me and kissed the back of my head as they spooned me. “Good night, little bunny queen,” Caleb whispered.

“Good night, my king.”

He groaned and nipped my ear. “No teasing. We need sleep.”

I chuckled. “Sorry.”

“You did really well today,” Riddick praised. “I don’t think it’ll be long before we can head out again.”

Caleb nodded against my head. “Agreed.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, feeling immense pride at their compliments.

I could not wait for our next adventure.

Chapter

Ten

After an intense training session for all of us, an incredibly filling breakfast, and a hot shower that took longer than planned due to Caleb joining me, we all sat in the backyard soaking up some sun.

Riddick lay in his cheetah form to my left, purring with his eyes closed and the tip of his tail flicking up and down slowly. Branson was in his bear form on my right, snoring softly. Triston was in his tiger form sleeping behind me, purring as well, and allowing me to use him as a pillow. Caleb lay in his wolf form, head rested on my lap.

The sun on my skin, the deep, rumbling purrs, and being surrounded by the four made for a perfect nap.

“This is a great time for your next lesson,” Silverowl said softly.

I cracked open one eye. “What?”

“Spend time with them in their animal forms and you in yours,” he said.

Logically, I knew they wouldn’t hurt me, but the thought of being a rabbit with the four animals had my heart pounding.

“You’ll be fine. They retain their minds in animal form and you still smell like you in rabbit form.”

“We’ll be right here if anything happens and we need to intercede, too,” Kylan said.

“It’s the safest time for you to do it,” Declan added.

“If I get eaten, I’ll never forgive you,” I said to both my pack and Leona’s.