Page 6 of Rustic Beauty

“I’m on my way home, babe.”

The sounds of tire on asphalt and a horn in the distance reassured me of his words. “Thank fuck,” I blurted out and then groaned. I didn’t want Isaias to think that I couldn’t take care of our family but with all the shit going on, it was hard not having anyone to lean on. Not worrying Kieran and Ren was my top priority but catching Isaias on the phone had been nearly impossible. And it had been less than three days since I had seen him last.

Isaias let out a hearty chuckle and I could almost imagine him standing behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist as his lips dipped to the bite on my shoulder. “I can feel the worry and anxiety, Joel. You’ve done amazing for our mates.” It didn’t feel like that most times. “I promise that our mates aren’t better off with someone else, that you matter just as much as them.I see you,Joel.”

My heart fluttered at his words as I placed my free hand on my heart. “Alpha,” I breathed, feeling his essence wrap around me. Goddess, I missed him.

“Take a bath, sweetheart.”

I froze, wondering if those words were meant for me but Isaias hadn’t stuttered. He always knew what we needed regardless of if we knew it ourselves. “Ren’s going to need help with dinner and-”

“Bath, Joel. You’re always so focused on taking care of everyone else that you neglect your own needs. Don’t think I don’t know you’re trying to compensate, sweetheart.” Overthe past year, my relationship with Isaias had morphed into something different. He had started purposefully spending time with me separate of the others. It was just what I needed to feel… well, needed.

Several seconds passed in silence as I turned on the water, watching the steamy river grow as I sat on the edge of the tub. Isaias’ heavy breathing filtered through the earpiece, calming my restless thoughts. He didn’t speak again until after I had stripped and slipped in, breathing a sigh of relief as the warmth crowded around me. “I’ll just…”

“Keep me on, sweetheart.”

I sat the phone on the edge of the tub and put it on speaker before reaching over to the body wash. A smile tugged at the edge of my lips when I grabbed the pine wash that Kieran had recently started using.Isaias’ scent.A long groan filtered from the back of my throat and Isaias chuckled in response.

“My precious Beta, you think that no one sees you. Joel,Isee you. Kieran sees you. Terrence sees you.” His husky voice dropped a few octaves as he spoke.

A little uncomfortable, I diverted the conversation. “You know that Kieran bathes in your body wash? I picked some up the other day but didn’t realize that it was pine.”

Again, his hearty chuckle came through the earpiece and I could feel a trickle of excitement through the bond. “Are you using it too? How does it feel to smell me wrapped around you?” His words pulled another groan from my throat. “Show me, Joel. Let me hear how much you like it.”

“You’redriving.”

“And I didn’t stutter.”

The command in his voice was just what I needed as I sunk farther into the water, a hand slipping down my stomach and between my thighs. I wrapped my hand around my cock, hissing as I began to stroke myself. Isaias’ breathing grew heavier asa moan bounced around the tile. “Fuck, Isaias,” I breathed, leaning my head back against the porcelain.

“That’s it, Joel. Let me hear you.”

I weathered my sounds anyway, not wanting to distract Ren and Kieran but I couldn’t help the pleasure spreading through my limbs. It was like he was here, sitting behind me, his hand wrapped around my cock as he pressed his lips to my neck. With my free hand, I smothered the body wash across my upper lip, Isaias’ pseudo scent overwhelming my senses.

Another moan fell from my lips as I felt my release creep up, my back bowing forward. I picked up the pace, my breaths deepening as I gripped the edge of the tub with my free hand. Water splashed over the side, Isaias whispering words of encouragement, spurring me on until I was crying out through my release.

I sagged against the tub, my breaths coming in ragged pants, still lightly stroking my cock.

Isaias hummed his appreciation. “I’ve missed you, sweetheart. I love you. Don’t ever forget that.”

The overwhelming euphoria was replaced by a sudden panic as his words registered and I sat up, grabbing the phone and cradling it in my hands. Water sloshed around me and the pine bodywash threatened to suffocate rather than soothe me. “Why did you say it like that? What’s going on?” I tugged across the bond, surprised to feel a twinge of fear and uncertainty. Isaias had always been our safe space but if he was feeling like this…

Isaias didn’t answer right away as I climbed out of the tub and let it start to drain. Ren and Kieran would need help navigating dinner with our sons and I needed something to distract me. When Isaias finally spoke, I wasn’t ready. “There’s more to the Michael thing than we thought.”

Goddess, we needed just one fucking day of peace. My resolve hardened as I dried off. “Isaias, he’s not coming anywhere nearour boys. I won’t hesitate. I won’t let Kieran either.” There was no doubt in my mind that if Michael showed his face again, I would ensure Kieran was able to inflict as much pain as he wanted before the fucker died. It made it worse knowing that I had been bested by not just one but two men who had assaulted my mates.

“He won’t get close enough, Joel. I asked Xylo to check in, alright? He might show up later.”

A warm smile slipped onto my lips. Even from afar, Isaias was always looking out for us, “Thanks, Alpha.”

“Always. Just a few more hours and I’ll be there with all of you.”

We said our goodbyes and I stepped back into the shower to rinse off before venturing into the kitchen.

four

KIERAN

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