Chapter Sixty-Four
W: Not sure how much more of Carmine I can take. If she offers me federally approved Alphas one more damn time…
O: Really? She’s usually so easy. She mostly stays out of my way.
W: I threw a lamp at her head. The she-Alpha just caught it, set it down, and asked if I wanted a sedative. NO, I WANT MY MATES.
R: So glad I’m never going to have a heat.
O: Why won’t you have a heat? We can’t use suppressants forever—though I’m very attached to mine.
R: Just cause.
W: I think I’m going to die. I love you both.
R: Bitch, would I let you die? Or have your heat alone?
O: What did you do?
W: What did you do?
R: Jinx
O: You can’t use jinx—you didn’t say the same thing as us.
R: I can do whatever I want.
W: She’s right about the rules.
R: Shut up and tell me how all-powerful and amazing I am later. Your cavalry is arriving in…
R: 3
W: What cavalry?
R: 2
W: What do you mean?
R: 1
Curled around the tablet in my awful, uncomfortable bed, I do my best to make sense of Rowan’s messages.
Did she do it? When Carmine gave me the device, one of the first things I did was chat with my sisters to check in on them.
Of course, I intentionally let it slip that my heat was getting close, hoping she would get in touch with my Alphas.
I don’t know how she does it, but my little sister always finds a way.
There’s an impossibly loud whirring that shakes the house, and if it weren’t for Rowan’s warning, I would be freaking out.
Shouting from somewhere outside penetrates my heat haze, and even as sweat drips down my back, I push myself out of my shitty excuse for a nest. Though my body aches with every step, I make my way to the front door and pull it open just in time to see two people with parachutes land in the yard.
What the hell? The bond in my chest glows, allowing me to sense how close Cujo is.
“Get back inside the house, omega!” Carmine barks, drawing her gun. “We’re under attack.”
But my heart and soul know she’s never been so wrong. I’m not in danger—it’s the exact opposite—for the first time in weeks, I’m safe.
Carmine’s bark doesn’t pack much punch to begin with, and the presence of my Alphas makes it easier to shrug off. Ignoring my body’s screams of misery, I propel myself out of the house and toward my men as fast as my legs can carry me.
“Omega!” Carmine’s feet pound behind me, but I’m nearly there. Both Lincoln and Cujo rip their harnesses off, leaving the parachutes billowing amongst the trees, then race ahead to me.
“Touch her and I’ll remove your hands,” Cujo threatens, and the deep timbre of his voice brings tears to my eyes. Carmine’s footfalls falter, and I surge forward, leaping off the ground.
Cujo’s strong arms are there, ready to catch me. They encircle my frame, bringing me protectively against his chest. Nothing in this world could be as soothing as sheltering in his lethal embrace, until Lincoln closes me in from the other side.
Yes. Willow sandwich. How I’ve missed this.
“You need to put her down and back away, or I’ll shoot.” Carmine’s voice rings true, but the warble of self-doubt makes it shake.
“Fuck right off.” Lincoln turns, so Cujo and I are directly behind him.
He’s wearing an enormous backpack, and it irritates me that I can’t feel the press of his body anymore.
“You held our omega captive. Refused to take us to her. Then we find out she’s nearing her heat?
How were you going to fucking handle that? ”
He advances on the female Alpha, and I watch as her hand shakes, gun at the ready.
“She threatened to bring in other Alphas.” I damn her with the truth, anger and pettiness making me want to hurt her. They both growl as we get closer.
Carmine hangs her head, dropping her weapon to her side, her scent melting with fear. She’s no match for my men.
“Apologize,” Cujo barks, shifting until he’s holding me with a single arm.
“No. I was just doing my job.” Carmine’s eyes meet mine, conviction held within their depths.
And honestly, I don’t even care about her anymore.
Leather, whiskey, and caramel apple have my body reacting.
My nipples are hard as diamonds, and slick leaks between my legs.
Every inch of my skin is too tight, burning so much that it stings.
“Alpha.” A whine bursts from my lips, and heads snap my way. My stomach clenches, a brutal cramp leaving me gasping. Pupils dilate, and the time for conversation is over. I need knots, and I need them quick.
Cujo’s hand snaps out, grabbing Carmine by the throat. “Don’t be an asshole. We don’t kill law enforcement, but if you try to stop this, I’ll make an exception. Become useful. And scarce. Patrol the perimeter. Bring snacks. And Gatorade—the red kind, if you know what’s good for you.”
Giving Carmine a shake, he releases her throat with a warning growl. Holding me close, Cujo races for the door, but I still catch Lincoln’s final words. “And don’t even think about entering this house until we say you can. You deserve to spend some time outside.”
Lincoln follows us swiftly into the building, booting the door closed, then locking it behind him. My skin burns, and my back arches, as another cramp rips through me.
Cool palms brush my face. “Holy shit, Gy. She’s burning up.” The fever stings my eyes. All I want is to talk to them, to have a minute, but I was barely holding on by a thread before they got here—and now there’s nothing left.
“Don’t worry, baby girl.” Gentle hands caress me. “We’ve got you. We’ll get you through this.”
“Bite,” I manage to croak out.
“Omega. That can wait. Our priority is to keep you alive.” Lincoln brings a bottle of water to my lips. I have no idea where he found it, but the cool liquid calms my burning throat.
“No. Heat. You promised.” It’s all I can rasp out, but I need him. Need his bond to complete my torn soul.
Then my muscles grow taut.
My body seizes.
And I’m no longer in control…