Page 35 of Marigold Run

“No,” I answer quickly.

“No idea how you got out of your room or down the stairs?”

“No.” My voice rises as I take another step back, right into a damn shrub. The leaves poke through the thin T-shirt, stabbing my ass. “I don’t remember anything.” I push at Hutch’s chest, trying to escape the fucker, but it’s no use. He’s so fucking strong, he doesn’t even sway. “For all I know, you three dragged me out of bed and put me downstairs just to fuck with me.” I’m grasping at straws, but I can’t breathe or think with a branch in my ass and an alpha in my face.

“Tofuckwith you?” Hutch’s brows raise at my crass choice of words. “Such language.” He tsks me, shaking his head. “I thought omegas were supposed to be modest.”

“And I thought alphas were supposed to be chivalrous.” I shove again. “Get out of my face!” I yell, and Hutch’s eyes flash, making me freeze.The fastest way to a raw ass is mouthing off to an alpha.

“I’m going to tell you a story.” Hutch’s voice slips into a dangerous growl as he leans back down, staring at my face. I don’t move an inch, terrified of what he’s going to do next.“When my brother and I were younger, he would sleepwalk every night. He’d go all over the house and do the most random things. He’d go into the kitchen and make himself enormous sandwiches, leaving behind a horrible mess. He’d leave the door to the fridge wide open all damn night. He’d stuff toilet paper in the fireplace, pour milk on the carpet, and once he even pissed on our mother’s favorite fern. But do you want to know what he never did?”

I don’t say a word. I just stare. Silent.

“Dassyneverscreamed or fought,” Hutch says, his voice growing more forceful. “He moved slowly, unable to answer questions in a coherent way. But most importantly, he couldn't recall a single detail of what he did. But you remembered. Didn’t you?”

“No.” I shake my head as I rack my brain, trying to recall exactly what I said last night.How did I give myself away?

“You remembered hitting Izan in the face with a book,” Hutch says and it takes everything in me not to react. “You looked right at the alpha and said you didn’t mean to do it.”

Shit.

Fear and frustration cuts through me.How could I be so stupid?

I have to say something right now, but I don’t know what.

“I don’t know what you’re up to,” Hutch stands to full height, looking down at me with hard eyes, “but we both know you weren’t sleepwalking.” He crosses his arms, making his pecs pop out at me. “Tonight, you’d be smart to stay in your nest, because you won’t like what will happen if I catch you wandering around in nothing but a fucking blanket.”

And instantly I’m pissed again.

“Look,” I say with far too much attitude. I know I’m pushing my luck, but I can’t stop myself. “I don’t give a shit if you believe me or not, but that’s what happened. I was sleepwalking. Acceptit or don’t. Either way it’s not my fucking problem.” I try to shove past him, but he grabs me by the upper arm, stopping me.

“Watch it, omega,” he warns, squeezing my arm ever so slightly. It’s almost as if he’s scared to leave a mark. “I might not be the leader of this pack, but I’m still an alpha and I willnotbe talked to like that.” He flashes his teeth as he speaks, giving me a peek at his pointed canines.

“And what exactly do you think I was up to?” I ask in a calm, even voice. “Do you think I was trying to burn the house down? Knocking down a wall?”

“You can’t run away from us, Mari,” Hutch says simply. “Whatever or whoever you’re looking for…they’re gone.”

“What?” I pull my arm from his hold, then glance at the snow-capped mountains in the distance. “I’m not running anywhere or looking for anyone.”

“You belong to us.” Hutch grabs my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “You areouromega now,” he says slowly, “and we willneverlet you go.”

In the SUV

Dassy

The car rocks over the uneven road as we make our way through town. Hutch has been quiet the whole drive, allowing me to think about my favorite things: Everly’s hot mouth and Mari’s beautiful hair.

My fingers flex as I remember the way Mari’s hair felt as I braided it. The golden strands shimmered so vibrantly as they slipped through my fingers. I wish I had savored the moment a bit longer. I should have wrapped her braid around my fist and maybe forced her head back so I could admire her soft, pale neck. It’s going to look so lovely with our marks on it. I want them all to overlap the same way they do on Everly, each one touching.

“We’re almost there,” Hutch says as he cuts through a rundown apartment complex. The neighborhoods out here are rough. They’re mostly filled with young alphas, looking for work and fights, but there are a few families. Mostly betas.

“I need you to focus.” Hutch glares at the road.

“I am focused,” I say, not sure what his problem is. He’s been on edge all fucking morning.

“Really?” He cuts me a hard look. “You’re not thinking about sucking Mari’s slick off of Izan’s cock last night?”

“Well, I am now.” I smirk, and Hutch shakes his head.Her slick was so sweet.“I can’t wait to feel that tight omega pussy bouncing on our cocks.” I hum at the thought.

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