Page 47 of Marigold Run

I like Dassy. I just can’t help it.

“It’s time for bed,” Izan says loudly, and a treasonous twinge of excitement flutters in my belly, followed by swift annoyance. This is how the asshole warns me that he’s going to fuck me. But it’s too early in the day for that. Normally, we’d eat dinner, sit and chat for a bit, then Izan declares it’s my bedtime like I’m a fucking toddler.

“But we haven’t even had dinner,” Everly says. There’s a note of disappointment in her sweet voice, and I perk at that. Maybe I can get her to make Izan leave me alone. My heart drops at my own thought, and it takes everything in me not to scream at the top of my lungs.

It’s horrible living in a body that’s at constant war with your mind. Both want two very different things. My mind wants freedom and revenge, desperate to find my brother, but my pussy just wants to be stuffed.

This is why stupid omegas are so much happier. They just do what their bodies tell them.

“Mari,” Izan says my name as if he’s said it repeatedly. “Get up. It’s time for bed.”

“I don’t want to go to bed,” I say like a brat, crossing my arms. Izan’s dark eyes narrow at my challenging glare, but he doesn’t snap at me. He never does. I’ve found he’s a hard alpha to rile up. “I’m not tired.”

“Good,” he says the single word like it’s a threat. Anger burns through me as my pussy grows wetter.

I hate Izan so fucking much.

“Get up,” the pack alpha commands me, and my body obeys.

I shift onto my hands and knees, crawling over the back of the couch. But the second my feet hit the ground, something wild takes hold, and I do something completely ridiculous—I run.

My body angles forward and my legs pump hard and fast.

“Shit!” Dassy gasps as I fly across the room.

“What the—” Izan is frozen in place, a look of shock on his face as I race around him. I hit the hallway before any of them can process what just happened.

And honestly, neither do I.

I have no idea why I’m running, but the thrill of catching all three alphas off guard has me flush with excitement.

It doesn't take long before heavy feet pound the hardwood floor. All three alphas aren’t far behind me, but I’ve got a decent enough lead.

I have no idea where I’m going or what I hope to accomplish, but it’s too late to stop now. My heart races as I cut down one hallway, then another. I take several sharp turns, deciding to head toward the garden. Maybe I can hit the treeline and disappear into the night, never to be seen again. It’s not likely. They’ll catch me long before then, but that doesn't stop me from laughing at the image of all three alphas frantically searching for me.

“Give it up, goldie!” Dassy yells somewhere behind me. His voice is vibrant, filled with the thrill of the chase.

“Mari!” Izan doesn’t sound like he’s having any fun. His tone is hard, obviously upset that I caught him off guard. Alphas are so easy to piss off.

I race past the kitchen as fast as I can. My heartbeat pounds in my ears as adrenaline floods my veins. The heavy footsteps grow closer, but it only spurs me on. I feel so free, running through the house with nothing to stop me. And even if one of them does manage to snatch me, no one will hurt me. Not even Izan. Not a single one of them has it in them…I hope.

“Omega!” Izan growls, his voice shockingly close.

Pumping my arms and legs as hard as they will go, I angle left into an open door.Shit. I made a wrong turn.

“She’s in the library!” one of the twins yells.

My pace slows as I move to the center of the massive open room. The enormous walls are lined with bookshelves that tower two stories over me. There are a handful of couches, loungers, and a few coves that have a table and chairs, but there doesn’t appear to be anywhere decent to hide.

“Fuck,” I whisper harshly. I’m scared that I forced myself into a dead-end, but then I see it—another door on the other side of the room. Determination grips me as I zero in on my target. I’m within inches of the doorknob when something barrels into me, sending both of us flying through the air.

A squeal leaps from my throat at the same time a triumphant growl pushes from Hutch’s chest. We hit the floor, his big body shielding me, rolling us so his back takes the brunt of the impact.

“Got you.” Hutch’s eyes flash with excitement as he flips us, pinning me beneath him. His broad chest heaves, brushing against my breasts with each sharp inhale. “I knew you wouldn't get far,” he growls as if he’s accomplished some mighty feat.

“I let you catch me.” I pant as he grabs my wrist, lifting them slowly above my head. The motion makes my nightshirt lift, revealing my stomach. My body feels so sensitive and exposed stretched out like this.

“Do you like to be chased, little Marigold?” he growls as he brushes his nose against my cheek. “Do you like being hunted?”His gravelly voice is like an electric current, sending sparks straight to my core. I want to squeeze my legs together, but Hutch’s big body makes it impossible.

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