Page 59 of Marigold Run

“I’m okay.” Everly gives me a very unconvincing smile.

“That won’t do.” My character gets shot and his arms flail as he falls to the ground. I set down my controller, not interested in playing anymore. “Talk to me, gorgeous.”

Everly turns her pretty face toward me and her smile falls. “I wish Mari was here. I don’t like her being gone. Betas are supposed to be with their omegas at all times.” Her lashes lower to the soft pink blanket wrapped around her. “It feels wrong.”

“I know.” I wrap my arms around her, pleased when she rests her head on my shoulder. I’m sure Everly would feel better if I made a joke or teased her, but I don’t have it in me either. “I wish Mari was here too.” I kiss the top of her head, then I force myself to say something positive. “But Izan knows what he’s doing.” Iremind her. “He created this pack and he won’t do anything to break it apart.” I kiss her temple. “We have to trust him with our omega.”

“I know.” She nods at her lap.

“You know,” I drop my voice to a throaty purr, “watching you tend to Mari last night was one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen.”

Everly’s head snaps up, her eyes wide behind those glasses. “I didn’t do anything special,” she says, tilting her head as if confused.

“Oh, yes you did.” I push her glasses up her nose for her, pleased when she smiles. “When you helped her take both mine and Hutch’s cocks.” I let out a moan of pleasure, and Everly’s smile turns bashful before ducking her head. “You were so sexy, helping our sweet girl get stuffed full of cock.”

“Dassy,” Everly says my name with a breathy giggle. My beta is so wild in the bedroom, but out here in the real world, she’s shy and easily embarrassed. I love it.

“You are such a good girl.” I place a finger under her chin, urging her to look up at me. She looks almost drunk on my pheromones. I know she isn't. Betas don’t connect with alphas on the same level as omegas, but I like to think she’s drunk off of me—having me so close, touching her, kissing her.

“Where’s Mari?” Hutch’s hard voice breaks the soft mood of the room, making Everly pull away from me.

“She’s with Izan,” Everly says, her sad mood firmly back in place. “He took her to his office this morning.” She leans forward, grabbing her phone off of the coffee table. “He texted first thing this morning.” She pulls up the message, then turns the screen to Hutch. My brother barely glances at it, before turning away.

“You okay?” I ask, hoping it’s not work related. Izan has been trying to reschedule a few projects so we can focus on Mari forthe next few weeks, but I honestly have no idea how that’s been going.

“I’m fine,” Hutch says, but his voice is too tight. “Did Izan say when he’s bringing her back?” He flexes his arms forward, then swings them as if to stretch. But he’s not fooling me. He’s restless, obviously wanting Mari here too.

The need to be near your freshly fucked omega is very strong.

“He didn’t say.” Everly re-reads Izan’s message.

The distant sound of footsteps drifts down the hallway. Hutch and I both turn to the sound, but Everly continues to stare at her phone, her weaker ears not picking the sound up yet. I don’t know how she can’t hear it. Izan’s dress shoes clack loudly, drowning out any other noise, but then I hear it—the soft patter of Mari’s feet. Hutch’s eyes meet mine, and I smile widely.

“I told you I’d be able to find them based on scent alone,” Izan says as he escorts our omega into the room. Mari nods as if impressed. But all I can smell is the thick scent of dried omega slick. That bastard rutted her in his office. Lucky fuck.

“I’m so glad you’re back!” Everly erupts off of the couch, rushing across the room. “Did you have fun in Izan’s office?”

Mari’s cheeks flush pink and her eyes narrow, as if struggling to find the right words. “I’m not sure what I expected,” she finally says. I notice one of her hands is curled around her wrist, squeezing gently.Is she nervous?“It was definitely an office,” Mari says as if making a joke.

“She got to meet Tonia,” Izan says to Hutch with a knowing snort.

A laugh erupts from my chest and Hutch grimaces. My brother can’t stand the chatty beta. Her energy is draining to him, but I adore her. Tonia is interesting, friendly, and always has a story to share.

“Well, we’re glad you’re back,” I say, pushing my hands into my pockets to keep from snatching her away from Everly.The urge is unreal.

“Are you done for the day?” Hutch asks Izan. Our pack alpha lets out a long breath, telling me his answer. He works so damn hard for us.

“I’ve got a few more phone calls to make,” Izan says. “I handed off the Stroke case to Maria and spoke with Bear about pushing our meeting with Stanley. He seemed fine with it. Tonia is working right now to reschedule everything else that isn’t pressing.”

Hutch opens his mouth to say something else, but Izan leans down to Mari, making it clear he’s not talking business anymore.

“If you need me, tell Hutch or Dassy. They can call me, and I’ll rush right over.” He holds Mari’s gaze, not looking away until she nods.

“Don’t work too hard.” Everly pushes up onto her toes, kissing Izan’s cheek. The second our pack alpha disappears, Everly is alight once again. “What should we do today?” she asks Mari. “The weather is good for a walk.”

“Actually, I’d love to see that cemetery,” Mari says, and I instantly know she’s made Everly’s whole damn day.

“Really?” Everly’s eyes go wide, as if struggling to believe it. I love my beta, but she’s a bizarre girl. Cemeteries are for mourning, not for exploring.

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