Page 28 of Feral: Part Two
It takes a few seconds before I can dislodge myself from his ass and hurriedly stuff myself back into my pants, Malik righting his pants before turning around. Malik glares at me, his fingers running over the bite I just gave him. "Jesus Christ, what the fuck?"
"It just fucking happened," I reply, still trying to wrap my head around the spontaneous claiming that took place. I’m not sorry about it, even though I should be, but lying to Malik would only make it worse.
"Oh, I fucking know that," Malik shoots back, but there's no real anger in his voice. He lets out a small chuckle that has me sighing with relief as he stumbles forward, trying to regain his balance. "I'm not mad. Maybe I should be? We always talked about you biting me, but I just… it was never… Fuck, that’s like a whole head rush."
Relief floods through me as I pull him forward, my hands gentle as I start tending to the bite mark on his neck. The skin is already healing, but I can see the clear imprint of my teeth, marking him as mine in a way that feels both terrifying and completely right. That's when I hear someone clearing their throat. I look over to see my cousin grinning at us, looking almost proud of what he's witnessed.
"Why are you smiling like that?" I ask, suspicious of his reaction.
"You've been staring at Malik pretty hard over the past day. I already knew you were going to do it. When Nathan said our instincts would drag us together, he meant all of them."
"Fuck," I mutter, realizing he's right. Fucking Malik would set off my more primal instincts; I just didn’t think it would result in me biting Malik without his permission. Thank fuck he doesn’t hate me. My gaze moves toward Slate, a mixture of confusion and desire on his face. No doubt he was terrified for Malik and the reaction our Betashouldhave had. I can’t imagine how Slate felt in those other pack homes where his choice was taken from him.
Malik follows my gaze, catching onto the problem. “Slate, I’m okay and it’s nice feeling you a little stronger through the bond. Although, this is going to make it harder to focus because both you and Preston are horny little fuckers.”
Case in point, when I look over at Preston, his panties flooded with his release as he cleans off Kael’s hand. He’s in his own world, not even paying attention to us.
Our Beta snorts as he pulls away from me. "I don't even really care as long as I still get fucked and you guys don't start getting sweet on me.” Despite his words, he rises on his toes to press a kiss to my lips. “Seems like I got me a new shiny Alpha. What do you think about that, Thane?”
“I think that my Beta is about to get fucked again if he keeps being a snarky little—" A knock on the door ruins the moment. “I swear the universe is fucking with us. Our bonds are dragging us closer together, but the moment we get anywhere fun, someone has to show up.”
When no one moves, I know that our Omegas aren’t going anywhere. Kael drags a blanket over Preston’s lap and then throws Slate one as well to cover up. Our newer Omega does it quickly, Preston whining about how it doesn’t even matter. I just laugh at that as I head to the door, Malik grabbing a rag to wipe off the fridge.
This whole place needs to be disinfected.
My expression shifts from irritation to confusion when I open the door. "Arlo? Beck?" The two Alphas step inside, their faces carrying grim expressions that immediately put me on alert. "What's going on?"
Most packs don't visit other houses. We all stay to ourselves for the most part. After all, we've all been brought in here for different crimes and reasons. The fact that they're here,together, suggests something serious is happening.
"Can we talk for a few minutes?" Arlo asks, his massive frame filling our doorway. He glances over into the living room and then back at me.
"They can hear whatever you have to say, I’m sure.” I don’t want to hide anything from the pack, and in order to gain Slate’s trust, I need to include him in the conversations. Even if I want to tuck them away in their room and protect them, neither one of them would really appreciate it.
Arlo's eyes flick over to Preston and then Slate, both of whom are watching the exchange with wary interest. After a moment, he nods.
"Yeah, okay. We came over here because you've been the first fully formed pack out of all of us and have had some rapport with the council, not to mention your connection withThe Collective. We want to know what you know."
I frown, wondering where this impromptu meeting came from. "Are you here as spokesmen for everyone or..."
Beck cuts me off. "I'm here for my own pack, as Arlo is, but there's been a few changes of late that don't make any fucking sense."
Malik pipes up from beside me. "Does this have to do with the fucking bear that tore through our fence?"
Arlo drags a hand down his face, exhaustion clear in the gesture. "Exactly that."
Malik and I move toward the living room, settling into chairs while Arlo and Beck sit across from Kael and our Omegas. No one speaks immediately; all of us just kind of observing each other until I wave my hand in the air. "Continue," I say. "Who is the bear?"
"I was wondering why you weren't more terrified about him," Arlo admits. "His name is Orion, an Omega shifter who was dropped off a few nights ago. They had him locked up in a cage, and I was supposed to meet him, but he got out. Well, I let him out."
"Where is he now?" Kael asks, his Alpha instincts clearly on high alert at the mention of an uncontrolled shifter in the area.
"Somewhere in the woods, which is far safer than the fucking dungeon that the council wanted to stuff him into." Arlo's voice carries a protective fury that I recognize all too well. "My question is, why aren't you more surprised that an Omega can shift? Which one of yours..."
I snort, cutting him off. "Both of them. Slate first and Preston only recently."
Arlo's eyes widen slightly, while Beck looks like he's trying to process information that doesn't fit with his understanding of reality.
"My turn to ask a question," I add. "Beck, what are you doing here? I get why Arlo would have questions, but you?"
