Page 153 of The Heat of Us

“You will still need a lawyer in light of the…” Isaac gestured at his nose vaguely. “I can recommend one if you need.”

“Might take you up on that, Isaac.”

My eyes bore suspiciously into Ben’s forehead. “Excuse me?” I mimicked Isaac’s gesture on my own face.

Remy bit down on his lip to try and contain his grin. “Ben got a bit mad about what happened to you.”

“Please tell me you didn’t jeopardise your career in any way,” I said, aghast.

Ben’s calm was eerie. “I was defending my omega. And my packmate. He’s lucky all I did was break his nose.”

It was infuriating how hot I found that.

Don’t let it show on your face and encourage more violence in your honour in the future.

Except now we were bonded and there was no such thing as secret emotions, judging by Ben’s own triumphant satisfaction.

“Ben did also ask for…how did you word it?” Isaac asked.

“Nuclear revenge in the form of complete social ostracisation,” Ben said without skipping a beat.

Hot. Hot hot hot hot.

“But, I didn’t want to jeopardise the investigation in any way. Afterwards though? I’m sure we can work something out.”

“Is having her arrested in the middle of Sunday sermon going too far?” I tapped my chin thoughtfully. “And I know it’s greedy but I would love for someone to record the whole thing,” I added.

Ben kissed me. “I probably shouldn’t encourage it. But petty, vengeful Hazel might be my favourite Hazel yet.”

56

HAZEL

The investigator on my case was a bonded alpha who took her job very seriously.

“The theft of heat inducers is the first sign of serious criminal activity linked to the Alpha Brotherhood,” Sergeant Morgan said after taking our statements. “The graffiti and protests is one thing but this changes things. If you remember anything else or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

I took the card from her outstretched hand. “Thank you.”

“The process won’t be immediate,” she warned me. “But rest assured we will do whatever we can to bring those responsible to justice.”

After she left, Dr. Marshall returned with good news. My test results were clear and my hormone levels were normal. I could go home.

“I hope it’s not too forward of me to say this,” Dr. Marshall said as she was turning to leave. “But after what you went through the last time I treated you, seeing you doing so well with your new pack is its own reward. All the best, Hazel.”

Her words struck a deep resounding chord within me.

As much as I wanted my revenge in a blaze of vindicated glory, there was a bigger picture at play here. So I tamped down my daydreams of my mother being tarred and feathered by her own congregation and focused on what was important.

I was well. I was loved. And I had a whole future I could shape as my own.

There was time for retribution later.

Right now, all I could think about was Juno’s hurried whisper before we left the hospital.

“Just wait until your heat to bond Aleks. And bite first. Trust me.”

Juno had two beta bondmates. Had she found a way to make them last longer?

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