Page 74 of Consider The Lilies

“Nothing,” Lucy says. I imagine her giving the she-alpha a pretty smile, trying not to worry her.

Yuki’s tone shifts to a firm command, “Tell me, beta.”

“Honestly, nothing.” Lucy gives a girlie laugh. “He wanted to talk about Stefan’s safety and to make sure he’s protected should anything like that happen again.”

“Protected?” Yuki’s feet move, stomping closer to Lucy’s voice. “Did he talk to you about Lappen?”

“Andrew Lappen?” Lucy asks with a twist of confusion. “The mob boss? Why? Is he threatening you? Is your pack in danger?”

Fear rises in my belly as I remember those two alphas Jack ordered to be killed. Are there more alphas who want to hurt my pack? I know Jack, Bear, and Yuki can handle themselves, but I’m still scared for them. What if they’re outnumbered next time?

“Calm down,” Yuki says firmly, and for a second, it feels like she’s talking to me. “It’s nothing like that. You know how our work is. Someone is always pissed and making threats. Lappen is only the latest.” She pauses, and I hear Lucy let out a gentle sigh of relief. “Jack is a little more on edge now that we have Stefan.”

“Wehave Stefan?” Lucy’s voice rises a little more girlie. Flirty.

There’s a pause, and I’m dying to know what’s happening. Is Yuki snarling? Frowning? Smiling? I know that last one isn’t likely, but a guy can hope. Because as much as she scares me, I still like Yuki. I can’t help it. There’s just something so alluring about her.

“Tell me what Jack said about you two kissing,” Yuki says, and heat floods my cheeks.

I hate that they’re talking about this, but I’m dying to know.

“Well,” Lucy’s voice lifts with restrained excitement. “He basically said I could date Stefan.”

I’m numb. I’m so shocked and excited and filled with disbelief that my whole body has gone numb.

“Really?” Yuki gasps like she’s thrilled.

Lucy giggles as she says, “Yeah.”

I can’t even hear anything else. My mind is a flurry of endless possibilities. I can date Lucy! And it sounds like she wants to date me. I can’t believe this. A shiver cuts through me, and I suddenly realize I’m completely naked and the shower is still running. Heavy footsteps move toward me, and I run to the shower, jumping in.

“Everything okay?” Yuki sticks her head into the bathroom right as the burning hot water hits my face.

“I’m good!” I yell a little too loudly as I fumble with the knobs.

The she-alpha says something else, but I can’t hear her over the blood rushing in my ears.Lucy likes me!And from the sound of things, Yuki is okay with that. And Jack is okay with that. And I’m willing to bet Bear will be okay with it too.

Is this really my life?

I’m lost in a world of absolute joy and endless possibilities when the first cramp hits my belly. It’s weak at first, making me stretch my arms over my head to relieve it. But it quickly builds, growing so intense, the muscles in my neck strain.

“Shit,” I grunt hard as I curl inward. “Please stop,” I whisper to myself, cradling my stomach. “Stop. Stop. Stop,” I beg when my cock begins to grow.

This is a nightmare. I can’t go into heat—or amini-heatlike the other night—with only Lucy and Yuki here. I need Jack. He knows what to do.

A sharp pain cuts through my lower abdomen, twisting my guts hard. I fall to my hands and knees.

Water pours down on my back, but it no longer feels good. The spray is too strong, tapping my skin like a thousand tiny needles. I stifle a whine, pressing my forehead to the wet tile floor. Then my backside begins to ache as a deep pressure grows. I suck in a harsh breath through my teeth, then I grunt hard as a wave of slick erupts from my trembling body.

Jack, I think about my alpha, trying to concentrate hard on our bond. I can feel him. But just barely. He’s faint, almost like he’s trying to block me out. “P-please,” I whisper to my mate, praying he can feel me. “Come home.”

“What the—” Yuki’s voice is right next to me. But I can’t look up at her. I can’t see anything other than white-hot pain. It’s like the other night with Jack. Nothing but horrible, burning pain.

“Lucy!” Yuki yells, and a warm hand presses to my back. I hiss when her skin touches mine. It’s all too much—the hot water pouring over me, Yuki’s strong presence, and Lucy’s gentle aroma drifting from the other room. I feel like I might combust.

“What’s wrong?” Lucy’s voice is high-pitched. Filled with fear. “Is he okay?”

The shower is turned off, and a soft towel is thrown over me.

---