Page 34 of Sacrifice

“Then let’s play to win,” he whispers, determination replacing the lightness. “Together.”

“And you’re sure you wouldn’t prefer someone who just has you? Not…this pack stuff,“ I murmur. “You’re a beta, you don’t have to bother with this—”

“It’s not about that,” he says. “It’s about you, Ais. Because I care about you…and I realized a long time ago I can’t just let you go.”

I gaze into his eyes, my mind starting to grow foggy with sleep. Rook reaches out to cup my cheek, his thumb grazing over my skin, and he presses a kiss to my forehead.

“Sleep now,” he murmurs, voice rough, his Irish accent tripping over the words like a song. “We both need rest if we want to get another round in before we go to meet with the pack in the morning.”

And with those words, I drift off into the comforting darkness, his warmth my anchor in a world teetering on the edge.

Chapter fifteen

Rook

The moment of truth has arrived.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee wraps around me like a blanket as I step into the Pack Suite, the warmth of the room coaxing a satisfied sigh from my lips. It’s still early, but the place buzzes with the comforting hum of my packmates, their presence grounding and familiar.

“Morning,” I mutter, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, though the afterglow from last night’s escapades with Aisling lingers on my skin, betraying the energy that thrums just beneath the surface.

Aisling, hair tousled and cheeks flushed with the same residual pleasure, slips in beside me, her hand finding mine under the table—a silent connection that sings through my veins.

Oberon chuckles from across the room, his eyebrow arching in playful accusation as he catches sight of us. “Look what the cat dragged in. Or should I say, what Rook dragged out of bed?”

“More like what couldn’t keep Rook in bed,” Gunnar pipes up, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a smirk.

I can’t help but grin back at them, shrugging off the comments with the ease of someone who’s found his footing in this tangled web we call a pack. “Can’t start the day without fuel, right?”

Aisling’s light laugh rings out, mingling with the clinking of cups and the soft shuffle of feet. She doesn’t need to say a word; her grey eyes sparkle with shared amusement, and it’s enough for me.

Luka watches from the head of the table, his gaze lingering on us with an intensity that borders on protective. His smile is genuine though, a rare sight that speaks volumes—it’s as if seeing Aisling and me together, happy, has filled in a missing piece of his puzzle.

“Good to have you both join the land of the living,” Luka says, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken relief. “Feels like family now.”

“Always was,” I reply quietly, squeezing Aisling’s hand beneath the table. My affirmation isn’t just for her, but for all of us—to remind us of the bond that ties us together, no matter how frayed it becomes at times.

“Looks like someone had a bit too much fun last night,” Gunnar teases, his voice rife with mirth as he glances over at us. The scent of coffee is strong, but it’s nothing compared to the lingering scent that seems to follow Aisling and me into the room—mine now interwoven with hers, with the rest of the pack.

I feel my face heat up at the comment, but I can’t help the grin that tugs at the corner of my lips. “What can I say? When inspiration strikes, one must answer the call,” I quip back, keeping the mood light and playful.

Aisling chuckles beside me, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink that only enhances her beauty. “And here I thought the ‘Stargazer’ was known for her nighttime observations,” Oberon chimes in, winking at Aisling, who rolls her eyes but can’t quite hide her smile.

“Observations were…thorough,” she retorts, her tone teasing. I catch the glint of mischief in her eyes, the same spark that drew me to her from the start.

“Thorough, huh?” Luka interjects with a chuckle. “Hope you two left some energy for today’s plans.”

“Always,” Aisling assures him, her voice steady despite the laughter that threatens to break through. She’s resilient, our omega, a pillar of strength even when her world keeps spinning.

The laughter fades as the weight of the day’s agenda settles over us. I glance at Luka, and the playful glint in his eyes has turned to steel. It’s time to get serious.

“Speaking of today,” I start, leaning back in my chair and locking eyes with him. “We need to talk about the Mojave Lab.”

Luka nods, his expression grim. “I haven’t forgotten. Dr. Malik is running the show there—the same bastard who dosed us both on New Eden.”

“Dr. Malik…” Aisling murmurs, her face clouding over with the memory. She grips her mug a little tighter, and I reach out, placing a reassuring hand over hers.

“We can’t let him slip through our fingers again,” Luka states firmly. “Not after what he did—what he could still do if given the chance.”

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