"Would you give us the honor of giving us a chance?" Ulf spoke up.

  Ulf's expression was relatively blank until I smiled reassuringly and gave him a nod. He smiled and then gestured to four boxes that sat innocently on the coffee table in the living room. I took a deep breath as I felt my heart racing with excitement. I rose out of my chair and made my way to the living room.

  The four boxes were decorated with black wrapping paper with blue swirls, all held together by a royal blue ribbon. I almost didn't want to ruin how pretty they were to see what was given to me. But the excitement of receiving not just one gift but four bubbled in my stomach and seemed to boil over into my arms and legs, making them restless and itch to open them.

  Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I reached out for the first one, careful not to rip the wrapping so I could save it and perhaps re-wrap the empty boxes later. My fingers gently lifted the ribbon off of the box, and I used my other hand to pull on the ribbon until the bow unraveled. I pushed back the nervousness so I wasn't stalling very long and gently unwrapped the wrapping paper. Underneath the paper was a plain brown box. With gusto, I peel off the tape at the top, holding the box close and showing me the contents.

  The first thing that hit me was the smell before my brain caught up with what I saw. It was Josh. Josh's head. His face was frozen in place as if the last expression on his face never left it, letting me know he was terrified. The second my recognition caught up with my sight, I stumbled back, catching my foot on the rug behind me and falling right on my ass while my lungs sucked in sharply.

  "What...what did you do?" I stuttered, my eyes never leaving the eyes of my ex. His eyes are cloudy, letting me know he's been dead for longer than a few days.

  "I know you're excited, but you have an opened up your other gifts," Hemming said, his voice smooth and dangerous. I could hear the excitement behind it, and it frightened me.

  "I don't want to. I don't want to see what you gave me. If you gave me my ex's head, who else did you kill?" My voice got progressively more robust the longer I talked.

  "Kill?" Hemming's head tilted to one side as if he was confused. "No, my dear. Gift. I - no, WE know what they've done to you. We wanted to gift you peace. To know you will never have to be afraid of them again, regardless of whether you stay with us. We wanted you safe. So, that is our gift to you." His eyes softened, hands at his sides opened, showing me his palms. "You wanted this. You told me you wanted peace. This is how we give you peace. This is how we keep you safe." His voice was passionate, like this was gospel to him, and this was the only truth.

  ...and why did I believe him? Why am I not more upset? He had killed for me. They have killed him for me. I should not feel safe with them. I don't want to know who they have wrapped up in a box. Why do I have this sick satisfaction twisting my stomach swirling? It felt good. It felt delicious.

  Shoving those thoughts out of my head, I need to know now who else they killed. Using the palm of my hand, I press my weight against the floor to push myself on unsteady legs and brace myself against the table still in front of me. I didn't want to preserve the prettiness of the package anymore, so I ripped those fuckers open. The next head was my mother's. I didn't even stop to process before I opened up the next, throwing the wrapper on the floor, not caring about my mess. My father's. I quickly make work of the last box. Sadie.

  He did want me to find peace. How did they find them and so quickly too? I looked up into their eyes, and while Hemming didn't look very nervous, it looked like he was watching with no expectations. But I could sense that he was anticipating a reaction because his hands were closed so tight I could see his knuckles had turned white. Ulf, on the other hand, his eyes showed all. He was nervous, and he was full of anticipation as if he wanted me to be throwing my arms around him with gratitude. But I needed time. I needed to think.

  "Don't follow me," I said before turning around and running out the door.

  I didn't stop running; I couldn't stop running. My body was trying to outrun my thoughts, but my thoughts were running so fast inside my head. I shouldn't like what they've done. Why do I like what they've done? Why does it feel good? Why do I feel safe? They have killed for me; they have killed people.

  My legs finally came to a halt when I finally reached the beach. My knees dug indentations in the sand beneath me as I stared into the view of the full moon reflected in the dark black sea.

  A light breeze felt good on my heated skin, grounding me slightly. I pressed my tongue against my upper teeth until it hurt as I bent forward, fisting the sand between my fingers, holding it compactly in my palms, unwilling to let it go.

  Hemming was right. It was freeing, in a way, knowing they could never hurt me again. I am just more freaked out that I don't feel more upset about everything. I should be upset that they killed my parents, ex, and best friend. Regardless of how much they hurt me, I should still be upset because of my history with them. But I don't.

  So what does that mean? Does that mean I'm able to accept this courting gift? I mean, it's not like they can take it back, and they acted on their interpretation of what I asked for. That is the only thing I asked for. And it wasn't like I wasn't going to try to cut them out of my life forever when I got the chance if I made it back home and saved up to move out again. Was it going to be any different? They would have been dead to me, but now with this gift, they are just… Dead.

  I could never go back if I decided not to accept this gift. It would be way too suspicious for me to be the only person not missing in the scenario. I would be instantly pointed out by any detective worth their shit. Then where would I be? In jail? Or would I have to be constantly watched for the rest of my life because it could never prove that I did anything?

  Also, if I go back, I will not be able to afford the apartment, and now I don't even have parents I could move back in with.

  Ugh… This is such a mess.

  I rested my forehead against the sand, feeling my hair fall forward, exposing the back of my neck. I closed my eyes and took in a shaky breath. I gave myself a moment to allow my still racing heart to slow more before turning my head slightly to the side as I thought entered my calming brain.

  Ulf did say he would kill me if I asked after the week was up. Was that still something I wanted?

  Not in the same way.

  Ever since I woke up on this island, my pain had stopped, or rather wasn't as demanding. When I threw myself off the cruise, I just wanted it to stop, and in a way, it did, just not in the way that I thought it would end. No, I don't think I want to die; I just no longer want to exist. I wish I weren't in this position. I wish I had a better life, one where I was able to do all the things I've always wanted to do. I wish I were with a partner. I didn't have to second guess or deliberately hurt myself. I wish I had a best friend there to support me in the ways I've always wanted to support them.

  But that is a reality I will never achieve. Instead, I was thrust upon a life that I don't think anybody would have thought possible.

  But did I want this life? Did I want nurturing Ulf, who loves stroking my hair and cuddling? Did I want Hemming, who had moved mountains, so I could feel comfortable in their presence? Did I want mates that loved me the second they saw me? Makes sure I come harder than I have ever dreamed of feeling?

  Fuck.

  I really do. I really want them.

  ten

  "Before I give you my answer, I need honesty from you two." I rested my elbows on my knees as I sat forward, first looking into Ulf's eyes before settling on Hemming because I knew Hemming had more to tell.

  They were both sitting on the couch adjacent to me, sitting close enough that their thighs were pressed against each other despite having room on either side. It was obvious they were comforting each other without wanting to obvious it.

  "What do you want to know?" Ulf asked, his eyebrows slightly forward.

  "Everything. Let's start with the most basic, why me?" I said, turning my gaze back to Ulf. "There had to have been others before me, right? I'm not the first potential mate you two were exposed to in all of these years. I'm not that naïve."

  "Oh, that's where you're wrong, Love." Hemming spoke up. "Well, yes, there have been others we've both been attracted to. But none have survived the change as you have."

  "What… do you mean I survived the change?" I forced out. My body froze, locking into place.

  "You are magnificent, Liliana. When I found you in the water, and your eyes told me all, I knew you were it for me. I'm sorry, my water lily, I am much too selfish to have let you go that night." His eyes were soft, but his shoulders were tense. "I breathed our life into you, and your soul accepted it." He leaned back to rest his upper back against the couch, but his posture did not relax as his gaze was still locked on me.

  "I knew the moment you didn't run away from me after remembering our first meet," Ulf spoke up, drawing my attention back to him. "Instead of running, you came with me to hear my story. You listened, and you accepted me. I knew right then, and there you were, my chosen mate. The only other being to not initially run from me was Hemming, which was only because he was too busy trying to fight me." He couldn't help the joke from slipping out, but he caught himself afterward with the clearing of his throat as one of his furred hands clawed into the couch at his side.

  You know, now that I think about it, I don't think I ever was afraid of Ulf outside of seeing them in the window that first time. I was more preoccupied with the fact that something was watching me, and once Hemming told me to let him watch, it almost subconsciously accepted Ulf as if he wasn't a threat despite his looks. The moment of silence allowed their words to catch up, and the realization hit me.

  "Am I still human?" My voice was small, barely even above a whisper.

  "No," Ulf spoke up. "Once your soul accepted it, you bonded with it. You are no longer human. You are much more now. You are a protector, like us."

  "Were you ever going to let me go?" My voice with a little stronger now.

  "No." Hemming said. "No, water lily. We were never going to let you go. We will respect whatever kind of relationship you wish upon us, both Ulf and me. But the second your soul accepted, you were ours to keep. So if you do not want to be in a relationship with either of us or both of us, we are willing to leave you this house or build you another on the island. However, we will never let you go. The magic now running through your veins entwined with your essence would never allow it. Not even to let a mortal wound separate us."

  "What?" My back flew backward to hit the back of the couch, and my fists clenched tightly at my sides. "Are you saying I am not only stuck here with you, but I can't even die?"

  "Oh no, you could still die. But it will be just much harder now. We would have to be out of the picture, in a sense," Hemming shrugged, looking off to the side with a small smile before turning his attention back at me, "for that to happen."

  So this is my destiny now. Forever bound to with them. But is it such a bad thing? I mean, yes; I wasn't consciously aware of the acceptance my soul had given them, and we would definitely need to talk about what counted as consent. But in my short time with them, they gave me nothing but love. They showed me such a comfy new way of life. Not only that, they did what they could to protect me, not only from my past but from others and even myself. They took the reins of my shattered life and hid me in their nest.

  So was it a bad thing that I'm forever stuck here with them? Not really. In fact, it is more of a relief because if I am stuck here with them, they're stuck here with me. They can never leave me. They would never leave me. They already said there had been no others before me, at least not in the same way. So it is flattering they choose someone as fucked up with riddled trauma and baggage as I am. And it wasn't just like a destiny thing. There was no higher power being or feet that chose me for them. They chose me.

  I don't know why I am still thinking about this. I have already decided on the beach precisely what I chose. I wanted them. I really wanted them. I have never felt so seen, loved, and cherished as I do with them.

  "OK." I swallowed hard. "I'm willing to see where this goes. As long as you continue being honest, I will accept being your mate."

  eleven

  Ulf was on his knees before me faster than I could even comprehend. The image of him crawling across the floor from the other couch to me will forever imprint into my brain. He grabbed the back of my hair and dragged me into a wet kiss as I imagined what he would look like with a collar and leash. Whimpering into his mouth, he pushes my legs open to rest inside them before grabbing my hips and pulling me away from the couch so my core was flush against his stomach. My legs grasped desperately around his waist, but his waist was so thick I couldn't reach around fully, so I settled to press my thighs as hard as they could against his sides.

  "Thank you, water lily. We will take care of you." Hemming purred, but I was too preoccupied with Ulfs clawed hand tangling itself into my hair as he roughly tugged my head back to nip sharply at the skin of my neck. I closed my eyes tightly. I didn't even try to silence the cry as his fangs pierced my skin briefly before they pulled back, and he gave the skin a soothing lick.

  My hands found purchase on Ulf's head, alternating between petting the back of his furred ears and gripping his fur when he gave another particularly hard bite. Finally, when he was satisfied with marking my neck, he made haste and ripped open my shirt, not stopping for a second before zeroing in on my breasts and giving one of my nipples a firm lick.

  "You two are so beautiful together," Hemming said, startling me and causing me to look back at him. His pupils were blown wide, making his eyes endless voids. His lips were slightly open and curved into a dangerous smirk.

  My eyes didn't leave Hemming's while Ulf's mouth trailed down my stomach as he pulled my pants down my legs, leaving me exposed to the both of them. Ulf didn't hesitate before dragging my hips closer to the edge of the couch, pushing my knees up to my chest, and burying his tongue as deep as it could go inside me. I cried out, throwing my head back against the couch as I desperately gripped the fur at the back of his head, trying to find some anchor.

  Careful of his nails, he pressed a calloused thumb against my clit hard, forcing a whimper to escape. I can feel his tongue twisting and rubbing against my walls, going deeper than he had ever had before. Going so deep, he was practically kissing my cervix and the space slightly above it to the side. He maneuvered my hips more in the air, then angled his head before driving his tongue hard against my G-spot. I have never been with someone who wanted me as bad as he; no, they did. He was eating my pussy like a starving man, finally being graced with a feast. His thumb picked up speed, and I could practically see stars behind my eyes.

  A groan behind him caused me to lazily open my eyes to peek at Hemming, who had his hands down his pants, stroking his cock. My pussy quivered around Ulf's tongue as I bucked as hard as I could against his mouth, which wasn't much given the fact he was pressing me so hard against the couch now to keep me open.

  Hemingway gave me a wink. "Do you wanna know a secret, OKpad?" Hemming got up from his seat without abandoning his cock. He crouched down behind Ulf and roughly gripped his tail with his free hand. "If you handle his tail just right," he chuckles, "you can make him come without touching his cock. It's always such a pretty sight." Hemming groaned.

  Ulf was whimpering into my pussy as his tongue picked up speed to match the rapid pace of his thumb. I watched Hemming stroke the fur downward before letting his tail go, then put his fist around the base of his tail before stroking firmly to the tip again in an endless cycle.

  "What do you say, Ulf?" Hemming purred. "Can I get you to come just. Like. This? Tasting our beloved?"

  Hemming groaned again in response to Ulf's frantic whimpers. "I know she tastes divine. I can't wait until you get her to come into your mouth because I desperately want to taste her on you."

  If they kept us up, I would come like a freight train. I couldn't do anything to stop it either. Ulf's thrusting was getting increasingly desperate until he whined pitifully into me as Hemming cooed.

  "That's it," Hemming hissed, stroking his cock roughly in time with the quickening strokes he gave the tail. "Let's see who comes first," he hummed, "you or her."

  That image threw me over the edge, squeezing Ulf's tongue tightly with my inner walls. White noise filled my ears as I watched Ulf come wholly undone before me, feeling his growls against me, stimulating me even more in my overstimulated state. I tried to push his head away for me, but he was too lost in his own pleasure even to understand me as he licked me leisurely from the inside, trying to gather all my cum from its source.

  "Hemming!" I exclaimed, frantically tightening my hold on Ulf’s fur.

  "That's a good girl. That's my good lily pad." He cooed back, finally letting go of Ulf's tail, letting it drop and curl against the floor as Ulf shuddered and whined. Hemming zeroed in on me as he stalked closer, leaned over, and kissed me deeply. Immediately groaning into my mouth I answered with tiny whimpers. Ulf finally let his tongue leave my still throbbing channel, and I could feel him resting his face on my lower stomach, watching as Hemming had his way with my mouth, leaving no inch untasted.