Chapter 51
chapter
fifty-one
Mine .
The thought lights up every receptor in my brain as I snuggle into Serena’s back. She’s standing at the kitchen counter beside our sink, humming while she moves a succulent into a new container.
I squeeze my arms around her, wincing when I recall the way I snatched her up during my rut. My lips skim her shoulder in silent apology.
We’re starting to have moments when it feels like w e’re already bonded. As I nuzzle her skin, she fits herself more firmly against me, turning to catch my lips with a reassuring sound.
Mm . Practice was endless today and having her in my arms feels like heaven.
I don’t even have to worry about sharing her with Avery and his grabby paws—he’s entered the really intense part of his training for the fight next week. It will be hours before he comes crawling in here, but I’ll leave dinner in the fridge for him and a place in our omega’s bed, too.
Can’t guarantee either of us will have our clothes on, but…
Behind us, I hear the Thorne brothers coming, each from their own sides of the house. This time, though, Spencer sounds focused, and Tris is dragging.
As Spence walks into the room, his dark eyes are focused and intent. And he’s?—
Smiling .
“Ah,” he says, ignoring me as he comes straight to Serena.
The fact that he doesn’t bitch about the newspapers spread over the counter or the small black pots full of soil is a miracle. Let alone the fact that he glances over at Serena’s dirty, working hands with pride . He presses right past me, brushing my arm like it’s not even there.
“There you are, darling,” he murmurs, bending to kiss her head. His gaze finds hers, warmer and softer than I’ve ever seen it. “I have that textbook you need. I’ll go leave it on your dresser, and we’ll review this week’s lessons later, hmm?”
“Yes, Professor.” Serena beams at him but keeps her hands off, even when she tilts her face up.
And my best friend doesn’t skip a beat, dropping a soft kiss on her parted lips.
Damn . I guess he was serious last week when he came home after Serena’s first day at school and told the rest of us that he was going to start reviewing bonding techniques for her heat.
Which is so soon that I swear I can feel it beating in the air so metimes.
Like now, as Spence whispers too low for me to overhear, leaving Serena with an even brighter grin. He strides off toward her bedroom, and we both turn to watch him.
Putting us face-to-face with Tristan.
Things have been less stilted between them ever since the rut. He still holds himself back, and she still feels hurt by it, but at least they can share space easier.
And when her heat comes…
Well. I hope she’ll choose to bond with him first. That way, we’ll be able to form a pack bond, too. But that’s entirely my hummingbird’s decision. And Tristan has forbidden any of us to ask her for anything.
I see why as I watch the way his eyes sweep over her face.
He loves her.
Maybe from seeing the way she’s melted his iceberg of a brother. Or the way she took on all of us last week and somehow left every member of our pack feeling cared for.
Maybe he always has—and this is just the first time I can see the longing pulling at his features.
The poor bastard.
When he catches me watching, his mouth curves into a grim smile. He’s the only one she hasn’t kissed. He never complains, but it must be rough.
Especially since their bodies are outright begging each other to get closer. The entire room is suddenly drenched in summertime sweetness—Tristan’s grassy orange blossoms and Serena’s pi?a colada perfection.
As her scent winds into the open air, I hear him wheeze. And I start to wonder—what if this isn’t just hard on him?
What if it’s harming him?
Our pack alpha seems determined not to let his pain show. He clears his throat and drops his gaze away from our omega’s.
“I called Dr. Monroe,” he says. “I’ve asked him to come do a pre-heat check-up for you this weekend, Serena. Is that all right?”
She sighs quietly and nods, clearly less than thrilled. I’ve notice d she gets that way about her heat. Avery and I have both tried to bring it up—mostly because I think neither of us can wait—but she usually changes the subject. Or her glorious perfume burns up instantly.
Sort of like now.
A stranger wouldn’t notice the way Tristan’s shoulders fall, but I do. He thinks it’s his fault and starts to turn away. Backing off. Giving her space. Again . Like he can’t see that this shit isn’t working and?—
“Senator.”
He pauses mid-pivot, turning back to the beautiful girl between us. She picks up the pot she’s been fiddling with, which now holds a perfectly packed assortment of succulent plants. After a beat, she thrusts it out to Tristan.
“For your office.”
He blinks at the pot, then at Serena. “You got me a plant?”
She shakes her head. “I grew you a plant. Well, there are a bunch of them in there actually. But, um…” She shrugs, adorably awkward. “Yeah.”
The corner of Tris’s mouth ghosts up. “You grew this?”
She nods, and he gives her a self-deprecating smirk. “Then I would hate to kill it, sweet one. You keep it and let it live.”
I expect Serena to accept the pot back. Another tiny rejection to add to her pile.
I really need to talk to Tris about this. It must hurt her feelings so ? —
But she gets the fiery look in her eye that she usually reserves for Avery. The one I see when I peek into our home gym and catch her beating the shit out of his punching bag.
“ You keep it,” she insists. “And figure out how to take care of it.”
With a final kiss to my cheek, she turns and flounces right out of the room. My pack alpha and I look at each other, then down at the plant .
“Well, damn,” I chuckle. “I don’t think she could have been much clearer.”