Page 44 of Marigold Run

“Why are we working with Donovan fucking Tenus?” I blurt out. While it’s not as pressing as what’s going on with Mari, I do want to know what Izan wants from the asshole.

“We aren’t workingwithTenus,” Izan says in his calm, easy tone. “I’m working with Stanley. He works with Donovan. I can’t control who other packs associate with.”

I don’t know why, but his answer pisses me off even more. I get that Stanley is a powerful alpha with lots of connections, but working with Donovan is beneath us. Izan should have told Stanto fuck off, and that we’d find someone else to run our money through the South End.

“Dassy was spun,” I say. “Seeing Andros really got to him.”

Izan lets out a laugh, completely dismissing me. “Dassy is fine. He’s been playing with Mari and Everly all week. I’ve never seen him so fucking happy.” He’s right, but I’m too amped to let it go.

“Forcing Dassy to work with Donovan after what they put him through is unforgivable,” I snap. “And the goddamn rumors,” I growl, unable to finish the thought. “This is all bullshit.”

I’m on dangerous ground with my attitude, but Izan doesn’t rise to my challenge. Instead, he takes a slow breath before saying, “You could have taken any number of people to that pickup, Hutch. You didn’t have to take Dassy.”

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” I bark, desperately wanting a fight. The sting of a few busted knuckles would definitely make me feel better.

“Watch your fucking tone, alpha,” Izan growls in warning as he shoves away from his desk. “You are my packmate and my best friend, but I won’t let you talk to me like that.” He moves to me, his thick muscular thighs flexing as he walks. He really is a good-looking alpha. Sexy and strong. It’s been a while since he and I fucked around.Too long. “If you want a fight, we can fucking fight, but at least have the balls to tell me what’s really bothering you.”

My fists curl tight as I war between the desire to submit to my leader or punch him in the fucking face.

“They destroyed Dassy,” I say through clenched teeth. “Don beat him down, treated him like shit, then let him pump himself so full of poison it almost killed him!” My voice cracks at the thought of almost losing my brother. He’s my other half. The bright presence that keeps me grounded when all I wantto do is rage. “And then that motherfucker went after Dassy’s reputation.”

“Hutch.” Izan touches my arm, slipping his hand up and over my shoulder. His touch feels good. Tender but firm. “Dassy got out. He’s clean and happy, and living it up with our girls right now.” He leans in, looking up at me with his bright green eyes. “From what I heard from Kida, Dassy handled himself quite well the other day,” Izan says. “He kept his cool the whole time. So tell me, alpha.” His voice slips into a gentle rumble, urging me to talk. “What’s really bothering you?”

I shake my head, feeling incredibly weak and stupid. “I’m just tired,” I say. .

“That won’t do,” Izan says firmly. “I’ve seen you beat to shit and running off fumes and not nearly this tense. What’s wrong?”

I swallow hard, forcing my fingers to flex. My fists were squeezed so tight my hands were starting to go numb. “I’m going crazy.” I drop my voice to a harsh whisper, terrified someone might overhear. “I can’t think straight. I can’t focus. Guarding Mari’s door at night has me on edge. Her scent pumps in my veins all goddamn night. I just need…” My eyes flicker to the back wall on the other side of Izan’s desk. Mari is somewhere on the other side, sitting pretty with my brother and our beta, her wet omega cunt dripping with slick. “I don’t know,” I finally say, hoping Izan will drop it.

“You don’t know?” Izan’s dark green eyes search mine, almost as if he can see my thoughts printed somewhere within them. “Have you been fantasizing about sneaking into Mari’s room at night, and fucking her?”

His blunt question makes me jolt. “No,” I say way too quickly. It’s a ridiculous lie, and he knows it. I have known Izan since I was nineteen. He knows me better than Dassy in some ways.

“I can see it in the way you look at her, Hutch.” Izan places his hand on the side of my neck. It’s a tender touch. One thattells me he understands how I feel. “It’s only natural that you want to be with her. You’re an alpha and she’s your omega, but we can’t rush things with her. Mari is fragile.”

“Please, Izan.” Desperation grips me, and I close the small space between us. “I can’t take it anymore. I’m constantly on edge having to smell her sweet peppermint scent all over the fucking house. It’s in the halls, in the garden, on your fucking skin.” I grab his shoulder, pulling him closer and eyeing his neck. There’s a tiny scratch peeking out from the top of his collar. Mari claws the shit out of him when he ruts her. I want her to do that to me too. I want her to rip me to pieces until blood and slick coats both of us.

“When was the last time you fucked Everly? Can you work out your tension with her?” Izan asks like he’s making a suggestion at a fucking restaurant.

“It’s not the same.” I swallow hard, hating myself for saying that, but it’s true. I love Everly. She’s my world. My lover. My beautiful, precious beta. But there’s a pull between an alpha and an omega that can’t be denied. It’s what we were both made for—one to own and control, and the other to submit and obey.

“Please,” I look deep into Izan’s eyes, hoping he has mercy on me. “It’s like there are ants crawling around under my skin.” I shift, fighting the urge to bury my fist into the nearest wall. “I’ve never felt so fucking out of control before.”

Izan’s eyes narrow ever so slightly as he takes in my pained expression. “Okay,” he finally says. “We can try to claim Mari as a pack.”

All the tension flies out of me in one thankful breath.

“But.” My alpha says the lone word in a barking tone. I stand a little straighter, eager for his orders. “If at any time she gets overwhelmed or falls into distress, you and Dassywillstop fucking her and back off.”

“Yes, sir,” I say, but we both know that might not be possible. Once an alpha is buried deep inside his omega, all bets are off.

“Honestly,” he lets out a deep breath, looking almost relieved, “between Everly’s grief and Mari’s trauma, I think we all need it.”

“So you think Mari’s ready?” I ask, praying she is. The last thing I want to do is force a bond with her, and traumatize her more than she already is.

Izan reaches for the doorknob behind me, pushing it open. “There’s only one way to find out.”

In the Sunroom

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