Page 54 of Verses and Blooms
“She always did seem to be protecting me,” I said quietly. Something I was forever grateful for.
“Part of going back will likely include a physical. Malik clearly wasn’t managing anyone’s health the way he was meant to. The doctor there might be able to tell you more on why that happened and if your heats will stabilize,” Ares said.
“The chief isn’t coming until tonight, and you’re not meeting any doctors until tomorrow at the earliest. So, I vote we spend this last afternoon together, subjecting Ledger to that movie marathon Ansel was talking about.” He gave the other omega a wink.
“Do we get popcorn?” I asked, perking up at the prospect of a genuine movie marathon. Another new experience with my pack.
“Oh, no doubt,” Ares promised, pulling me in and hugging me tight.
The bond was practically glowing with how happy we all were as we settled in to watch our movie.
Something simple, yet, I couldn’t shake the dread bubbling under the surface.
Chapter Nineteen
Audrey
Apparently, I was still recovering after my heat. I’d fallen asleep halfway through the movie. I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on the door and then the smell of something incredible. My stomach growled loudly in response, meaning I couldn’t stay here any longer.
There was a deep chuckle in my ear before arms wrapped around me, pulling me close and placing a kiss on my head. I took a breath in, savoring Ledger’s scent. His amusement was ringing loud and clear through the bond.
“I’d say sorry, but I’m really not,” I teased.
“Oh, I’m not, either,” he promised. “I got to hold you the whole time, Wildling.”
He shifted, and I could feel just how much he enjoyed me sleeping on him.
“Any other time,” I said, “and I’d do something about that.”
He groaned, letting his head fall back against the couch cushions. “I can’t fucking wait, wilding. One of these days, we won’t have to worry about that.”
“However, right now you do. The Chief is walking in and he sent in catering,” Ares said, giving us a warning look.
“Okay, Dad,” Ledger said, huffing out a laugh.
Ares glared at him in annoyance. “Don’t start that.”
“Why do I feel like I’ve missed something?” I mused as I glanced between the two alphas who had grown even closer since I was taken and recovered. Ledger had always been strong and protective, but now he had more confidence with it. He’d be unstoppable as an agent with the Alliance.
“Because it’s not the first time Ledger’s accused me of parenting you, and I’m sure it won’t be the last, either.”
I chuckled as I climbed out of Ledger’s lap, ignoring his groan of protest.
“I put fresh clothes in your room,” Ares said as he pulled me close and pressed his lips to mine. It was a soft kiss, but I could feel his longing in the bond. He’d been so busy taking care of us that we hadn’t had enough alone time.
“Here, I’ll come help you get ready,” Ledger offered, making Ares give him a side-eye as he pulled me away.
“If you make me come up after you, I’m going to spank both of your asses.”
“Don’t worry,” I said. “We’ll behave this time.”
There was a lot riding on our cooperation. I wasn’t going to screw things up with the Chief because I couldn't keep my hormones in check.
I let my fingers tease over Ares’s shoulders and down his arm as we passed. The need to touch them was too strong to ignore most of the time, and now was no different.
I tuned into the bond with more purpose this time. It was an almost constant presence now. I could feel them anytime I paid attention, and I simply had to focus on one of my men to tune out the others.
It was nice to be able to read them so easily and have that reassurance they were with me. They read it just as easily, knowing what I needed before I even had to ask half of the time. Though, I wasn’t sure if that was my easy-to-read expressions working against me or the bond.
