He wraps his arms around me and guides my back to his chest, his lips caressing my ear. “What’s wrong?” he asks in a whisper I’m certain no one else can hear as it’s extremely low.
“A familiar scent,” I reply, turning so our lips are near each other. “I’m wondering if it’s from the other day…” I trail off, and understanding blossoms in his blue eyes.
“The Alphas who attacked the den,” he says.
I nod.
“Several of them are here,” he admits. “But they were caught in the rut, something Omegas inspire in unmated Alphas. We all have an instinct to claim and to protect.” He nuzzles my cheek. “Which is why I’m struggling to keep my hands off of you.”
That makes me grin. “I don’t mind.”
“Good,” he whispers, nipping my ear as I settle once more against his chest. “Because I’m going to hold you like this all night to ensure everyone knows we intend to claim you.”
Assuming I go into heat again, I think, swallowing.
It’s a constant thought in my head, swimming around and flirting with the doubt hiding in the corner of my mind.
I ignore it, allowing myself to enjoy the moment as Tieran holds me.
Caius and Volt join us with two boxes in their hands.
The pizza has my favorite toppings—pepperoni and sausage—proving Volt more than listened to me the other day. He may kill for a living, but there’s a deep and thoughtful soul in there. One I’m going to enjoy exploring.
I want to know what makes him enjoy pain, why he possesses a lethal edge.
Just like I want to know more about Caius and his penchant for blackmail. What made him choose that profession? How is he so skilled at reading people? Is it a natural trait or a learned one?
With Tieran, I want to know more about his visions for leadership, what it means to be an Omega in his clan, and what really happened with Alpha Bryson’s daughter. I’ve not possessed the confidence to ask.
Maybe I will tonight.
Definitely not here.
He picks up a slice and brings it to my lips, then takes his own bite out of the same piece. We share our meal like that, with him feeding me before himself, his purr a low hum against my back.
It’s peaceful.
The Carnage wolves are all relaxed as well, indulging in the pizza on the beach as the moon lifts into the sky. Several end up shifting soon after, frolicking in the waves and running through the frigid water.
The boat also disappears, going to some secret alcove in the island where they keep the proper dock—something Caius tells me about while we lounge in the sand.
This life is far different from the one I left behind.
It’s definitely not what I ever considered possible.
More like a dream than a reality.
A dream I hope to never wake up from.
But I fear a nightmare lurks in my future.
One involving my Nantahala Wolf heritage.
A nightmare to consider later, I tell myself, drunk on life. Just enjoy the dream. Live in the moment. And breathe.
21
VOLT
“I want Alpha Dirk and Alpha Kin monitored,” Tieran says softly from the foot of the bed.
This has become our nightly routine—Caius and I wear out our little wolf, then Tieran joins us for a chat after she falls asleep.
I know what he’s doing.
He’s avoiding fucking Clove because he doesn’t trust himself not to claim her.
His wolf is riding him hard, something that was absolutely evident during tonight’s welcome party. He couldn’t keep his hands off Clove, his possessive instincts flaring to life in every conceivable way.
It was entertaining to observe.
Caius exuded a similar need to stake his claim, one driven by the fact he hasn’t knotted her yet. Although, he’s not holding back out of fear of claiming her—we both know to wait for Tieran. No, Caius is just prolonging his gratification, as per usual. He’s waiting until he can’t deny himself for a moment longer. Then Clove will be in for the ride of her life.
And I fully intend to watch.
Maybe I’ll even participate.
Help drive Caius over the edge and make him give up his steadfast control.
Mmm, that’ll be fun.
“I don’t like the way they watched Clove tonight,” Tieran continues, talking about Alpha Dirk and Alpha Kin. “She also recognized their scents from their attack the other day, which unsettled her. I don’t want them near her.”
Caius nods from beside Clove. He’s lounging naked at her front while I’m pressed up against her back. This seems to be the way we sleep now, which I don’t mind at all.