Page 61 of The Pack Next Door
Help me through this heat… I blinked, the room suddenly transforming. We weren’t in her front room, but upstairs in a bedroom that was painted in soft colours to match her own light brown hair. My hand went to the robe, pushing one sleeve down over her shoulder then?—
“Whatever you need, omega.”
One eyebrow cocked up at my growled reply. There was a note of challenge, but it was quickly replaced by something more pragmatic.
“When I’m not feeling the worst of it, I’m Briar. Living in the city, it made me aware of life beyond my designation, and I’m not surrendering that any time soon. When I’m in heat…”
Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip as her eyes slid over my form. Take your fill, part of me begged. Just keep looking at me. They flicked up to meet mine, her expression now somewhat apologetic.
“Well, that’s different.” She tugged the neckline of her robe tighter. “I’ve got some work to do right now, but let’s meet up later.” Yes, that, my heart beat, stricken by the idea of leaving this house. “We can talk strategy. I know Damien and the Hart alphas well. I’m pretty sure I can give you some solid advice on how to get through the next trial.”
I was being dismissed, which made sense with the way I barged in here. Consumed with the thought that Mads was knotting Briar before it was time, I’d broken more than onespeed limit driving home. But once I got in the door, I didn’t want to leave. Not just because it was a beautiful old house, but because it was hers.
“Of course.” I nodded and stepped back. “We can sit down over dinner and discuss it.” I forced myself to smile. “With sufficient food this time.”
“Right.” Why was her voice so flat? Why did a fine line form between her brows? “OK, sure, whatever suits you.” She walked over to the front door and held it open, indicating for me to leave, and my feet moved without thinking. “See you this evening.”
I found myself on her doorstep, staring back at the door before I forced myself to move. Maddox’s wolf looked over his shoulder before taking off, leaping through the window and into the house. I followed hot on his heels, ready to tear him another arsehole when my parents turned up in our car.
“Did you find out what happened?” Mum didn’t even bother with a greeting, her skin pale as milk except for two red spots in her cheeks. “Not that anything that could excuse your omega’s behaviour.”
“April…”
Max pulled her close and held her tight.
“No.” She pushed him away and marched up to me. “In my day…”
An omega knew her place. It was something I’d heard her say over and over. As a result, I assumed it was true, but as I considered what Briar had said, I wondered if that was actually was the case.
“Briar is in heat,” I replied smoothly, knowing that was an excuse even Mum couldn’t argue with. “She was overcome and rather than make a spectacle, she came home.”
“Oh.”
Mum’s lips closed with a snap.
“See.” Ned wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “The girl was just being discreet.” He glanced my way. “You helped her out, son?”
Mum’s teeth sank into her bottom lip, as if she was biting back her response.
“I did.”
Maddox came running downstairs, phone in hand.
“Good lad.” Greg squeezed his shoulder. “You didn’t take things too far though, did you?”
“Who didn’t take what too far?” Jace clambered inside, laden down with everything we took to the trial.
“Nope.” Maddox did that maddening thing, walking over to the fridge and then pulling out a bottle of water. His smirk made clear he knew we expected him to expand on that. “My parents don’t need to know the details of me looking after my mate. Just that she’s unmated and feeling much better.”
“Thank goodness for that.”
Why did Mum let out such a noisy sigh?
“Not yet, anyway, but I’m working on it. Jace, I said you and me would ‘help’ Briar out as long as she needed it.”
“Finally someone signed me up for a job I want.” Jace plucked the bottle from Mads’ grip and swallowed a big mouthful. “But consider me ready and willing to do whatever it takes.”
But not me, that went unsaid. Briar pulled her gown around her tighter, as if exposing even a slim expanse of flesh was too much. Something to work on, I thought.
