Page 137 of Feral Alphas

It doesn’t matter that I’ve been cast out by my birth family because I’ve been reborn of heat and blood, and now I belong. Right here in their arms. It’s a sweet sensation I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.

But first, someone better put some pants on and answer that damn doorbell.

Chapter fifty-two

Luka

I’m lost in a daze, pacing in my room when Liam comes home. Actually, I have no idea when he came home, but he has to snap his fingers to wake me from my daze.

“Luka?”

I jerk and spin.

“You alright?”

I nod mutely, meaning the exact opposite. I extended my contract with him because I had nowhere else to go where I wasn’t likely to murder someone. I’ve kept my ICU account running because there’s no other way for me to make money, and I don’t want to be a burden on Liam. But I did put a hold on all subscriptions, so they don’t renew at the end of the month. Hard to pleasure myself when my heart’s empty.

I was already broken; now that the glue holding me together has disintegrated, what little was left of my soul has leaked through the cracks. Only a shell remains.

“Did you drink your water?” Liam asks and I nod again.

“Busy day?” I ask robotically.

“Yes. Come out into the kitchen.”

I follow him out and he points me to a glass of orange juice on the counter. I slide into the bar stool at the breakfast nook. “How is he?” I guess I’m a masochist, but even though every word about Colt stings it’s the only air I have to breathe right now. The four days I’ve been at Liam’s house is the longest I’ve ever been away from Colt.

Liam sighs. “Well, you know Colt, you wouldn’t know anything was wrong unless you really looked at him. He’s lost his spark and some weight, and he’s twitching pretty badly. But he’s powering on.” Liam makes himself a bourbon and coke with ice and leans on the benchtop.

My gaze slides across his powerful shoulders and that strong, oval face and up to his intelligent eyes. Like he said, people don’t notice those details about others unless they’re really looking, and Liam Andrews is looking at Colt. Maybe he has been for a long time.

Liam brightens. “Oh, I overhead Colt talking on the phone. Apparently that wild boy has a new name.”

“What did she decide on?”

“Uno.”

I smile, picturing Rose sitting on the floor, patiently teaching the two ferals how to play the game and thinking it sounds perfect for the silent, loner alpha.

Liam leans over the bench until his chest touches the glossy counter. “We had an odd one today, tax fraud using an omega’s stolen identity. We were in the middle of boxing up when—” his bright blue eyes slide my way. “I was debating whether to tell you this, but you have the right to know. Your omega’s in heat.”

My grip tightens around the cup and the glass shatters in my hand, spilling orange juice, glass, and blood all over the bench.

“Fuck, Luka!” Liam lunges for a cloth and mops up. When the juice is contained, he gets out the first aid kit, muttering about the blood. Him picking glass out of my skin feels like a routine we have going now and I smile faintly. “Paper cups for you from now on,” he hisses under his breath.

I cough out a laugh and he smacks me gently across the head. “Did I give you permission to injure yourself?”

“No, Agent Liam. Sorry.”

“Liar.” He smiles wryly. “Guess that was big news.”

I look down at the new bandage on my hand, my soul hurting like I sliced it instead of my skin. “I should be there. She’ll need me.”

He sighs and throws the stained dishcloth in the sink.

“You should wash that blood off with cold water straight away.” I point at the cloth.

He laughs. “Funny. Colt mentioned you knew how to get blood out. Why don’t you do it, then?”

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