Page 78 of Welcome to Bone Town

There’s a soft patter, or tapping coming from somewhere.

“Is it getting lighter in here?” Cora’s head bumps my backside, and she sputters as I slow down unintentionally to observe the sound.

I’ve still got the torch stretched out in front of me as best I can while crawling, but I think she’s right. There’s a light somewhere up ahead, dim and grey.

As we get closer, the noise becomes louder and more recognizable.

“Rain,” Archer says, and we all move a little faster.

Relief floods through me at the realization. We’re gonna get out of here. “I can’t wait to take a shower.”

“I’m going to drink a gallon of cold milk,” Archer says, laughing.

“I just want a real bed,” Cora sighs. “And chocolate. Oh, I want chocolate.”

“Don’t worry, love, I didn’t forget my promise,” Jax says. “You’ll get all the chocolate you want. And you can stay in my bed. It’ll be a hell of a lot better than those cots they set up in your tents.”

“You have a bed out here?” I try to look over my shoulder, but can’t see Jax past Cora.

“Nah, I was living out of my pack even before we got stuck in that temple. But I’ll get you a hotel with a real bed, a shower, a bath, a tub full of chocolate, anything you want.”

“Oh, that sounds so good right now,” Cora moans.

It suddenly dawns on me that once we’re out of this, there’s nothing keeping us together. We could all go our separate ways. The university’s excavation contract will be up in less than a week, and with what we found, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Ekdoti government wants totake over themselves. Sure, we’re scent matches, but that doesn’t mean that Cora will still want all of us around—that she’ll wantmearound.

Before I can react to that thought, we hit an alcove. A dead end. Well, it looks like a dead end until I look up. There’s a small hole above us, light shining through, droplets of rain sneaking in to hit me in the face.

“That’s a tight squeeze.” Bear comments behind me. I can tell he’s worried he’ll fit.

“Why don’t we boost you up first? If you can make it, the rest of us can. Plus who knows what’s waiting up there.” I suggest.

Bear nods, Archer grips his hand roughly before letting go.

“Here, take this.” Jax digs in his pack and pulls out the rope. He helps Bear secure it diagonally around his shoulder and waist. Cora rushes up to the big alpha, planting a kiss on his cheek.

“For good luck.” She states shyly.

We all maneuver so Jax and I can lift the biggest of our crew through the hole. Each of us position ourselves near a foot, forming our hands into a step like we’re a rag tag cheer team. I look at Bear. “On three?”

“On three.” He agrees.

“Wait, wait! Are we doing one, two, three, boost? Or are we boosting him on three?” Jax asks.

Cora stifles a giggle behind her dirt-covered palm. I sigh.

“One, two, three, boost.” I pinch my lips, fighting my irritation. For a brief second I imagine using the rope to wrap up our treasure hunter, leaving his ass here. ButCora wouldn't like that. And much as I hate to admit it, I think I might miss the jackass.

“Okay, ready? One. Two. Three. Boost!” The last word comes out as a grunt as we lift Bear, pushing him as high as we can. My muscles burn, weak from days underground without proper nutrition or sleep. “Urrgghhh!”

I give one last shove and Bear grips the stone near the lip of the hole. He grunts and huffs, scrabbling with the rocks and sand, but he manages to pull himself up and out of sight, sand and pebbles falling on our heads in the wake of his exit.

Jax and I turn our heads, coughing and blinking dust out of our eyes. When we look back up, a bearded face is peeking over the edge. “Y’all ready to bust outta there? Who’s next?” Bear hollers down.

“Cora.” Jax and I say simultaneously. We all agree when it comes to our omega’s safety.

We line up in the same position, boosting Cora up to Bear’s waiting arms. She’s much easier to lift, and Bear quickly pulls her through to the surface. Archer follows. Bear drops one end of the rope to me, and I look at Jax.

“Go ahead, professor. Our omega is waiting. I’ll be right behind you.” He crouches down, in position to give me a boost up next. After a nod of respect, I’m being hauled out of the hole, untying the rope from my waist and sending it back for Jax. Except, by the time I toss the rope down, the treasure hunter has scaled the cavern walls and is hurling himself out of the hole. Show off.

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