Page 59 of All In

I flip on the track lighting before closing the door behind me.

Tanner has been the focus of her attention all day long. It seemed intelligent to separate them prior to her becoming too attached. Which is clearly why I invited her into my personal space, when I never allow anyone inside my bedroom.

“Whoa, super minimalist,” Laken whispers, spinning in a circle as she takes in my room.

“I dislike clutter,” I acknowledge, clasping my hands in front of my waist.

I’m feeling vulnerable, and I don’t like it.

The little omega steps closer to my bed. It’s larger than a normal king, with a gray padded headboard and black comforter. The sheets are charcoal to match the luxurious head and footboards. It’s an unnecessarily large amount of space for just me, but I am extremely tall. It makes it possible for me to stretch out without my head bumping the headboard or my feet hanging off the end.

She turns to face me, taking her time to study the dressers and wall storage. Everything here has a place, and I return all items to their home after using them.

I frown, studying the drop of blood escaping the cut on her cheek. “Come along. It’s time we clean that up.”

My fingers wrap in hers, and I don’t allow myself to question why I enjoy physical contact when it’s with her.

She allows me to drag her toward the bathroom. Flipping on the light switch, I guide her to the spacious countertop.

“Wow, you don’t even have clutter in the bathroom.” She smiles at me in the mirror. Her still-bleeding cut seems to open farther at the movement.

My hands land on her waist, lifting her and placing her down on the counter.

I generally enjoy watching others bleed. However, that does not apply to Laken.

“I should have some QuikClot around here somewhere.” I bend and begin pulling open the drawers one after another.

My movements become more frantic as I realize it’s not here.

I used the last of it before we left for Boston, and my head hangs.

It’s been one disaster after another since Maverick and Gunner popped the trunk she was trapped in. My actions haven’t helped anything, and it fills my stomach with an unfamiliar sensation.

“Are you okay?” she asks, patting the top of my forearm that rests next to her thigh.

“I’m supposed to be taking care of you,” I growl, sounding unreasonably angry.

She’s still bleeding.

Perhaps I need to take her to the doctor, so they can check her clotting factor.

An alpha’s saliva has healing properties to clean and close our bite. My hands land on her face, tilting her face until her cheek points toward the ceiling.

“I’m going to lick your cut.”

“What?” Her hands wrap around my forearms. “People don’t go around licking other people’s wounds. I feel like you should have learned that in kindergarten.”

“My saliva can heal my bite, that would lead me to believe it can mend other minor wounds.”

She pushes against my arms, struggling backward on the counter. “Get some peroxide like a normal person.”

“There’s nothing normal about me. The sooner you learn that, the better off we’ll both be,” I growl, flicking my tongue over the scratch.

“You seriously just licked me.” She goes from pushing me away to holding on to me for dear life. Her eyes are striking as she stares up at me. “Did it work?”

I nod, savoring the flavor of her blood on my tongue. The unnatural urge to bite her washes over me out of nowhere.

Laken’s eyes widen as she studies my face. “You’re looking a little feral.”

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