Page 91 of Faith and Fury

At least that’s what I tell myself as I sit on the couch, reading the latest Psych Quarterly.

Jaxon is glued to the TV. Some big game is on, and I can tell it’s taking everything he has to keep his voice down.

A creak in the floorboards makes us both straighten. We look up to find Faith shuffling out of her bedroom, flushed and bleary with sleep.

“Angel.” I quickly cross the room to meet her. “What’re you doing out of bed?”

“And without your crutches,” Jaxon adds, materializing next to me.

Faith sniffles. She’s shivering, I realize, though her body feels hot.

I smooth her hair back. “What’s the matter? Did you have an, uh …” Wracking my brain, I do my best to mimic the gesture she showed me the other night. Nightmare?

She shakes her head, her eyes watery as she signs back, Fang.

Even Jaxon knows that one by now. He stiffens. “You missing Fang, omega?”

She hesitates, her scent tinged with shame.

Jaxon pulls her into a hug before I get the chance, lifting her off her feet. “Let’s get you lying down,” he purrs, “you can tell us what’s going on.”

We turn, heading into Faith’s room. It’s still dark—the bedsheets a lavender-soaked mess. It’s all I can do not to cover myself in them, instantly hard at the memory of the other night. Falling asleep beneath her, inside of her, surrounded by her warmth in every conceivable way.

Jaxon lies her down, then lies himself down beside her, pulling her into his chest. She doesn’t resist, but she doesn’t soften either.

“You’re burning up,” I murmur, feeling the back of her neck.

Jaxon’s scent sharpens with concern. “Feeling sick?”

Tentatively, I lie down, sandwiching her between us. Faith’s breathing slows, like it’s calming to have us both here, holding her. She turns around, pushing her ass against Jaxon’s waist, before locking eyes with me.

Fang, she signs again.

My heart clenches. “Were you dreaming about him, sweetheart?”

Every … night.

I sigh, kissing her forehead. “That’s understandable. I can’t imagine how hard it is, being away from him.”

Jaxon cuts me a glare, probably wondering where I’m going with this. But he said it himself—no amount of time, love, and sex is going to make Faith forget about her mate. He’s a part of her. Which makes him a part of us, too.

“What’s he like?” I ask quietly.

Now Jaxon is really on edge, a soft growl entering his breath. I keep my pheromones perfectly level, not wanting to set his alpha off.

Faith considers. Finally, she signs, Tall.

“Tall, huh? Like … me tall, or Caleb tall?”

A tiny smile graces her lips. She tilts her head back, gesturing to Jaxon.

He rumbles approvingly. “So Fang’s like me, huh? You’ve got good taste, omega.”

Faith’s body shakes in what I can only describe as laughter—no sound comes out, but I can feel it. The lightness, the warmth, radiating off of her in waves.

It’s the prettiest non-sound I’ve ever heard.

Fang … strong, she signs, touching her bicep. Then she taps her temple. Smart.

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