Chapter 26
Sutton
The door comm buzzes. Layla answers. As soon as the door swooshes open, she’s swarmed by Angie and Ellie-Mae.
“Just so you know, we hate that they’re forcing you to leave,” Ellie-Mae says, hugging Layla tightly.
“Willow is pissed at Strykr,” Angie says.
“Tell her it’s okay. It sucks, but we don’t want to hurt the pack. Any of you,” Layla says more calmly than I expected.
She’s been a ball of anxiety since we gave Strykr our answer yesterday. Zayd and I have tried everything. Just when we thought she was okay, she’d spin into another panic and go down the pros and cons list again. It was an endless cycle.
It’s good to see that maybe she’s finally come to fully accept our decision.
“I have to admit, the news of your exile has had the desired effect on the pack,” Angie says. “The vibe is calmer.”
“It’s not Layla’s fault, though,” Ellie-Mae grumbles. “If there are alphas out there who can’t control themselves, it’s not our fault.” She gestures to the three of us.
“The Accord exists to keep order,” Zayd says, coming out of the bathroom, smelling fresh but still steeped in Layla’s and my scent.
I reach between my legs and adjust my growing erection. He sees and flashes his fangs in the curl of a wicked grin.
“The world needs order right now, and our relationship threatens to upset it. We must leave,” Zayd explains, standing next to me, blocking the women from seeing me struggle to contain my arousal.
“Speaking of which,” Ellie-Mae says, “the other reason we’re here is to tell you your ship is ready.”
“You could have just called us on the comm,” I say, unable to hide my frustration.
“Only Kydax, Strykr, and Willow are allowed in the shuttle bay to see you off. This was the only way we could say goodbye,” Ellie-Mae says as Kydax appears in the open door behind her.
“I am here to escort you,” he says, stoically.
Great. The audience for my body’s bad timing grows. And now I have to walk to our sentencing with a hard, aching cock between my legs.
“Could we have a few more minutes?” I ask through gritted teeth.
The pain in my voice must be obvious because Layla comes to my side and asks, “Are you alright?”
“You should wear it proudly,” Zayd whispers over his shoulder, directing her attention to my lap.
“Oh.” Layla closes any gap through which I might be seen by the others.
“That may be Throkyn custom, but it’s not for us,” I remind Zayd. “Besides, I don’t think any alphas we pass on the way to the ship would like to be reminded, so blatantly, what goes on between the three of us. Disrupt any peace they have found in our departure.”
“Of course,” Zayd agrees, then turns to Kydax and asks again, “Please, Kydax. Allow us a moment?”
“Five minutes,” Kydax offers and ushers the women out of the room.
When the three of us are alone again, I groan and curse Zayd when he laughs as I grip my shaft through my jeans. “Fuck you, Zayd. This is your damn fault.”
Zayd continues to chuckle as I curse him again.
“Wait. How is this Zayd’s fault?” Layla asks, seemingly offended on his behalf.
I struggle to explain, “Your scent on him, especially after he bathes, is fucking intoxicating. I get so fucking hard.” I need relief. I don’t even think I can walk until I get it.
“Oh.” Layla blushes.
Zayd and I growl when the overwhelming scent of Layla’s slick punches the air.
“We do not have time for this.” Zayd’s words are strained through his teeth.
“I can be quick,” I assure him.
Zayd shakes his head. “We cannot leave our omega unsatisfied. It is not right.”
“I’ll make it up to her later. To both of you. I promise,” I plead. “I just really need some relief, man. And the more we argue about it, the less time we’re gonna have.”
“It’s okay, Zayd. I don’t mind.” Layla places a comforting hand on Zayd’s arm. “I want to help.”
Zayd’s brow wrinkles with concern as he looks down at her. “But this is not the way we do things. Our omega’s pleasure supersedes our own.”
“We’re being exiled today for not doing things the right way,” Layla reminds him. “We can negotiate the terms of our relationship in more detail later, but for now, please let me help my husband retain his human dignity before we’re forced to leave our home planet forever.”
After a determined sigh, Zayd says, “Of course.”
I waste no time pushing my jeans down to my ankles and bending Layla over the edge of the bed.