Page 53 of Claimed By the Feral Wolves

Somehow, I have that again.

20

Faye

When I returnto my room after eating dessert with the men, my entire body feels slow and relaxed. It might be because after Maverick insisted on giving me a massage, they all did, until all the anxiety and the fear from the night had melted away, leaving only a lingering reminder that, although Kurt had tried to hurt me, he’d been the one to learn a lesson.

With my men, I’m safe.Maybe staying with them wouldn’t be so bad.

I walk through the room easily, practically floating as I reach back for my zipper and draw the heavy gown down my body. I place it back on the hanger and put it in the closet. Tomorrow, the staff will come through and bring in more outfits. And, strangely, I’m actually excited about what else they’ll prepare for me.

All this, just to ensure alphas find their omegas. For the first time since arriving here on the bus, I’m starting to appreciate The Selection. I guess if alphas and omegas have to get together,this isn’t exactly the worst way to do it. It certainly forces us to get to know each other in a fun way.

I turn on the tub then step into the bath and wash my body lazily with lavender soap. Then I wash my hair, brushing through it with my fingers and rinsing it thoroughly. The bath seems to help even more, pushing away the scary event of the evening like a nightmare I’d soon forget. When I step out of the bath, my entire body feels scrubbed clean, soft, and warm.

This is the first time I’ve taken full advantage of the amenities since arriving here. As I pick an oil to massage into my skin, I think of what my baths used to include—a quick wash in the pond, unscented soap, if I even had some to begin with. This… this is so different.

Now, I work over every inch of my skin, ensuring it’s baby-soft and smooth. I brush and loosely braid my hair, then pull on a silk nightgown that falls over my body and makes me feel like I’m posing for a painting.

I’m just about to pull back the covers and climb into bed when there’s a knock at the door.

Like it always does, my entire body tenses at the thought that the person on the other side of the door might be Kurt.Maybe he’s here for revenge.Or, maybe, he’s just looking for something to do, and thought tormenting me might be a good option after my actions led to him being embarrassed again.

I take a deep breath and pace back and forth in front of the bed, wishing the door had a peep hole, or some way for me to see who it was before revealing myself to be in the room.If he knows I’m in here, will he just find a way to force himself inside?

“Faye,” a deep voice says, muffled through the door. I think of that voice, so soft and quiet against my neck while we were drifting along in the boat, and my body calms.

When I open the door, Maverick is standing on the other side, a bouquet of flowers in his hands. “I thought a beautiful woman deserved some beautiful flowers.”

Beside him, the guard stands silently, giving me a look. This one is shorter than the other one, but tends to be stationed outside my door in the evening.I’m starting to recognize the guards and their habits.

“Yes, he’s also okay. Him, Xander, Cayson, and Ezra.” I hesitate. “Never Kurt. Not Kurt under any circumstances.”

He smiles, because I’ve said the Kurt part several times before, and bobs his head, before going back to his place by the wall.

“A guard to keep pretty flowers away?” Maverick teases, lightning the mood a little.

I laugh and reach for them, but he shakes his head. “Can I come in?” he asks, his voice low.

I hesitate, already feeling the tension between us as his green eyes trace my body from head to toe. I know where this is going. At least, where it could go. If I let him in now, I don’t know if things can ever go back to the way they were. The memory of his hand in my skirt skates through my head, and I suck in a breath, eyes meeting his.

“Yes,” I breathe, stepping to the side so he can come inside.

He moves carefully, like I’m a skittish animal he might spook if he acts too forcefully. Which, to be fair, I kind of am. So far, I haven’t seen anything to alarm me about Maverick, but he’s still a strange feral. He could still be dangerous to me, and if I see the smallest sign that he is, I am going to run for it. But the thing is, for the first time in a long time I’m starting to trust my instincts again, and my instincts say he’s no one to fear.

I watch as he reaches under the sink, and my gaze is drawn to his very firm ass. I don’t remember ever noticing a man’s assbefore Cayson and Ezra. It’s weird. I think they fundamentally changed something about me.

Licking my lips, I just keep staring.Damn, that is a very fine ass.

Under the sink, he finds a vase and scissors and pulls them out, then rinses the vase and places it next to the sink. I watch his hands, capable and strong, as he cuts the flower stems and arranges the flowers in the vase carefully, adjusting their height so they make a good arrangement. It’s weirdly… hot, watching his big hands touch something so delicate, and do such a wonderful job with it.

“That’s beautiful,” I say, when he’s disposed of the trimmings and turned back to me.

The flowers are now sitting next to the basket of berries on my table, two symbols of the men I now have vying for my attention and love. Two beautiful things from two very different people, each laying claim to my heart. And what’s strange… I value both the objects, and both the men, even though I don’t know what that means for the long-term. Even though I barely know Maverick and Xander.

Something to admire. Something to enjoy. Maybe Addilyn was right about getting herself a group of alphas—maybe that means each one satisfies a different need inside you.

“Faye,” he says, but I interrupt him by stepping forward and pressing my body against his, our lips meeting roughly.

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