Then the idiot went and ruined it. “You know the only happy pussy I want our den smelling like is yours.”
I snorted. Okay, now she was gonna let him have it for sure.
My mouth dropped open when Winter only huffed a dry laugh and shook her head. Like her mate was being cute. He wasn’t—my brother was dead set. Those words had sounded more like an oath than a dirty one-liner.
“You promise, huh?” she mused, pretending to think about it. “All the windows means all of them, Carbon. The one in the bathroom, too. And I want the doors open as well.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Except to the hallway, then yes, I agree to your harsh but fair terms.”
“No locks.” Winter pointed a firm finger and waggled it under his nose. He mock-snapped at it but she whipped it away just in time, her eyes sparkling. “And no biting. We already covered that.”
“No locks,” he agreed, then gave her an impish smile. “But I never said nothing about the biting.”
Winter just nodded, like this was a roundabout they’d been on before, and allowed Carbon to tug her by the hand toward the exit.
Doc, who’d also been watching the exchange, smirked. “Hey, Winter, before you go. You’re pretty handy with a needle and thread. You’ve had training, right?”
Winter paused on the threshold but didn’t look back. My wolf whined at the sudden return of her distress however Carbon remained relaxed and patient beside her. “Yeah. I was in my final year of med school before... Well,” she huffed. “Just before.”
“I could tell. You work well under pressure. Neat work. So? Wanna put that hard work to good use?” Doc ignored the tension in her posture and went back to his book like he couldn’t care less. I could feel his anticipation through the pack bond, though. He wanted Winter on his team. “We’re always on the lookout for new staff. Given how often these assholes get themselves shot and cut up with silver.”
Carbon beamed at his mate, pride radiating from him like a beacon, as he rubbed her back and waited with the rest of us for her reply.
“Um.” Winter reached back for Carbon’s hand and laced their fingers together. She took a steadying breath and shot Doc a small smile. “Yeah, Doc. I would like that.”
“Good. Well, off with you, then. Make sure that patient of yours follows the doctor's orders. We’ll work out the details later.”
With a nod, Winter drifted from the room, Carbon trotting happily along in her wake.
“So,” I turned a shit-eating grin on Mongrel and Grimm. “No rest for the wicked, hey. I’m guessing you two have things to attend to?” Both shifters scowled at the suggestion. “Lots of folk need checking up on. Club doesn’t run itself and all that.”
Mongrel sighed, knowing I meant business. “You good here?”
“Yup. I think I’m more than up for bedside duty. Plus, Doc’s not going anywhere. Right, Doc?”
“Even got my own cot,” he drawled. “I agree with my patient. Get gone if you ain’t injured. I could do with some shut eye.”
“You heard the man.”
I raised an eyebrow at the Prez of the Soul Reapers who swayed on his feet. Hopefully, Mongrel would drag him past the kitchen and force some food into him.
“But Sasha needs…” he began.
The protest dried up under my sternest glare. Grimm looked pained at the prospect of leaving our mate; however, I was a wolf on a mission. Sasha needed a break from all the brooding testosterone, while Grimm had to get his head on straight if he was gonna woo our little alpha before the day was done.
Chaos was almost over and I wasn’t above playing dirty to kick these two over the line.
“You know what Sasha needs, alpha? She needs to heal. She needs to sleep. She needs the calming presence of her omega to settle that wolf in her middle. What she doesn’t need is two worked up wolves watching her every breath as if it will be her last. Got me?”
Mongrel leaned down to press a warm kiss to my lips. “We won't be far.”
If my body hadn’t been aching, I might’ve been tempted to chase those lips and bite at their fullness. Playtime would have to wait.
“I know,” I breathed, offering up my sweetest smile and tapping my chest.
Grimm winced then scowled at the reminder and stalked from the room. Mongrel sent me a grin and sauntered after our worked-up alpha, hands jammed in his pockets and a whistle on his lips.
Finally, the door closed behind my brothers and I let out a huff of relief. Dominants could be so much work. I peeked over at the medic. As promised, Doc had settled on his own bed with the thick paperback covering his eyes.