Chapter Sixteen ABBIE #2
I stumble, my breath catching as I look into Wings’ gray eyes.
Dove gray, just like Meg always said. My calm in any storm, including this one, and my heart pinches at the concern I can taste in his scent.
“I am. It’s a shock, I know, but I wanted it.
” I clutch his hand tighter, shuffling until we’re shoulder to shoulder, his other arm looping around my waist. I breathe in his scent, but I can still feel my heart thudding erratically in my chest. Bonding bites and claiming instincts are one thing, but if Wings ever walked away from me, I’m not sure how I’d survive it.
“Are you okay? I mean, this is about you, too. It’s still you and me, even with all of this… ”
I wave a hand at my neck, but my gaze is on Wings’ throat.
Pitt’s calming bite has mostly healed, the scar a faint silvery shadow against his tanned neck.
Mine, on the other hand, will never fade, and I can see the stark realization on his face.
But there’s love and acceptance there, too, and my throat pinches as he says, “If it’s really what you want, then I want it, too. ”
I nod in relief, words still eluding me as we reach the clinic and Patch unlocks the door. His tension is clear in the line of his shoulders and I frown. “Are you annoyed at me, Patch?”
“Not annoyed. Just… surprised you’d do something like this. It seems pretty impulsive, Abbie.”
My hackles rise, given that Patch only really knows the person I used to be. But the last thing I need tonight is another fight, and it is his birthday, after all. “We really are scent matches, Patch, just like you and Lyla. You know how hard it is to resist that connection.”
Not that I’d ever really wanted to resist it.
I might have pushed it down for a while, let it stew with my fears and insecurities, but I really did want this.
In some ways, bonding with Bluff felt as inevitable as the first time I took Wings’ hand in something more than friendship.
It felt right, on a deep, primal level, so why would I turn my back on a gift like that?
Patch throws a narrow glance over his shoulder as he pushes the clinic door open.
“Sure, but I didn’t gatecrash a club event and bite her in front of the guests.
” My scowl deepens, and he sighs, rubbing at the back of his neck.
“It’s just a really big step between a connection and a claiming bite. Can you admit that at least?”
I nod, because he’s right, of course. Between a connection and a claiming there’s usually some serious courting to get to know each other, and we’ve skipped right over that.
Leaped over it, given that this is only the third time we’ve ever met.
From the outside, it must seem crazy reckless, but I’m the one who has to live with it, and every part of me is humming at the warm, comforting connection in my chest.
Patch sighs at the look on my face. “Okay, let’s take care of you first. I’ll check you over and we can talk about what happens next.”
As soon as the door is closed behind us, Patch directs me over to an exam bay.
Even in my distracted state, I can see that someone has put some serious money and effort into the center’s facilities.
Everything is pristine and well-stocked, state-of-the-art equipment lined up against a backdrop of sparkling surfaces.
It’s so far from the bleak first-aid nook in the old compound that I feel a professional itch under my skin.
What would it be like to work here, with every convenience right at hand?
How many more omegas could I help if money and resources weren’t always running critically low?
“Vitals first,” Patch says, ushering me onto a bed, “then I’ll have a look at the bite.”
I try to sit still while he checks my blood pressure, pulse, and temperature, then pricks my finger to test my hormone levels.
“Elevated, but no surprise there,” he says once he’s studied the paper strip.
“You said you met Bluff a couple of times before this. Did you have any symptoms after those encounters?”
I nod, helping him press a bandaid to my finger.
“I thought it might be some kind of bond sickness.” I shoot Wings an apologetic look, since he had to deal with my moody ass while I was struggling with feelings of rejection.
“Although, I wasn’t sure if it was just the stress of being back here.
And then when Bluff didn’t immediately respond to the bond, it was easier to believe I just imagined it. ”
Patch sighs as he sinks back onto his stool.
“I get it, actually. I’ve been bonded for twenty years and then I suddenly find my scent match in a young, injured omega?
It felt like I was betraying Glory in the worst way.
” He gives me a pointed look. “But we talked it out. We both courted Lyla for months, and we entered into our bonding arrangement as a pack.”
A trickle of guilt slithers through me. In hindsight, jumping into Bluff’s arms off a picnic table probably wasn’t the most mature way to approach our scent bonding.
“You’re right. We should’ve done it differently.
” I hold his gaze, my fingers pressing against the delicate skin around Bluff’s bite.
“But I won’t take this back, Patch. I don’t care what anyone says, it is done, and they can’t change it. ”
“Fine, but the club has rules about claimings, Abbie.”
“Right. Rules that should only apply if an omega is under duress. I wanted this claiming, and I don’t see why Ark has to get so bent out of shape over it.”
“Because Ark thinks you’re his,” Patch says with an exasperated sigh. “He always has, and don’t pretend that this is news to you.”
I drop my gaze, because how can I deny it when that flash of hurt I saw in his eyes is still etched on my brain?
I rub my chest around the sudden ache.
Enough of the bullshit, Abbie.
I’m well aware that Ark and I are an unfinished story, and Bluff’s claiming has just hijacked the narrative.
Not to mention what it’s done to my relationship with Pitt, the only alpha I’ve gotten close to in years.
I want to believe this is something we can work through together, but it wouldn’t be the first time a pack fractured before it could properly form.
Pack.
I shiver, my finger gently stroking over the edge of the bite on my throat. I never realized how much I wanted it until I felt Bluff’s bond settle in my chest, right next to the piece of my heart that Wings has always owned.
“He had his chances,” I murmur, and Patch gives another disapproving rumble. “But I will apologize. I’m not trying to drive a wedge between him and Bluff.”
Patch grunts. “Sometimes I forget how young you really are.”
“What does that mean?”
“Tip from an old man. Brush up on your communication skills, because the only way any of you get through this is by talking it out. With clothes on. Now, hold still.”
I’m still blushing as Patch wheels his stool closer and runs a cotton bud over the bite mark on my neck.
There’s a slight sting, but I keep my protests to myself as he studies the wound.
“It’s clean,” he finally says. “I’ll say this for Bluff, it’s a careful, even bite, which is surprising given the circumstances.
” I feel absurdly proud at the praise, and Patch gives a very unprofessional eyeroll.
“It was still a dumbass move, Baby Bee.”
Wings snorts and gently brushes my hair back off my temple. “It’s pretty obvious you’re happy about it, butterfly. But does it hurt? You sure there are no regrets?”
“Just that I didn’t give you and Pitt more warning.
” Patch makes another grumpy sound and I sigh.
“And Ark. I owed you all an explanation. But I don’t think Bluff planned for it to happen like this, either.
He said he tried to keep away.” I climb off the bed and glance around the room.
All the stark white is suddenly too much for my raw nerves, and I cross my arms protectively over my chest. “What now? Am I cleared to go and see him?”
“That depends on what I find when I examine him,” Patch says, packing some things into a mobile med kit.
“Which means what exactly?”
“You don’t know his history, Abbie.” I open my mouth to protest, but he shuts me down with a stern look. “I’m not talking about hormones or bonds. Bluff has had some traumatic injuries, and I’ll need to assess if he’s stable enough to re-enter the club, assuming Ark even allows that.”
I want to grind my teeth, but I don’t see any point in antagonizing Patch or Ark any more than I already have.
Right now, they hold all the cards, and I’m not so stubborn that I’ll put Bluff’s safety at risk.
“So, you’re going to check him now? Can I come?
” I glance at his med kit. “I can be your medical assistant.”
He gives me another chiding look, but there’s a hint of a smile beneath his beard.
“For now, you need to go to bed and rest. If you really did have bond sickness, a claiming could make it better or trigger some new symptoms.” He looks at Wings.
“Can you keep a close eye on her and call me the moment anything changes?”
Wings nods and Patch hands me a couple of hormone wipes. “Normally, your alpha would tend the wound himself, but in this case, you’ll need to make do. At least until we sort things out with Ark.”
I take the wipes, even though I have no intention of using them. I’m glad Patch seems to be coming around, but if talking to Ark doesn’t work, I’ll find another way to get to Bluff. Then he can damn well tend his bite himself.
But I keep my thoughts to myself as Patch shows us to the door. “Sorry I ruined your birthday party, Patch.”
“It wasn’t ruined. And I think this qualifies as an emergency, don’t you?” I have the grace to look a little sheepish and he pats my shoulder. “Just make sure you stop by for birthday cake at breakfast tomorrow, or Glory will have words.”
I cringe at the thought of Patch missing out on cutting his cake, but it’s a small regret next to the fact that Bluff is locked up and I didn’t do enough to stop it.
I’m quiet as we walk back to the main building, and Wings squeezes my hand.
“You look beat. Want to go straight up to bed and I’ll see if I can find Pitt? ”
“I want to come, too.” There’s no way I can sleep without knowing what’s going on. “Do you know where they’d be holding Bluff?”
The quad is mostly empty, but one of the last party guests peels himself off the wall and strolls over to us, a beer bottle dangling from his hand. Jackpot reeks of weed and alpha musk, and I feel anger lick down my spine that he’s out here, doing as he pleases, while Bluff is locked up.
“Trouble with a capital T,” he drawls, tipping his beer at me. “Only here for five minutes and your pussy is already screwing up the management structure.”
“Fuck off, Jackpot!” Wings’ snarls, but instead of biting back at his anger, the alpha smiles.
I really don’t like the slow, hungry way his gaze crawls over Wings, and I step between them, throwing all of my disgust and contempt in Jackpot’s face.
“We both know who’s the real trouble here,” I tell him, my voice low and lethal.
“If you ever bring it our way, I promise I’ll make you regret it. ”
His smirk twists into something darker, but as he glances over my head, he takes a step back. “You’ll keep, Trouble.”
I turn to find Pitt striding towards us, his gaze following Jackpot like a laser beam. “What did he want?”
“Just stirring the pot,” I tell him, grabbing his cut. “Where’s Bluff? Is he okay? Can I go see him?”
He raises both his hands, and I can almost smell his weariness as he takes a step back. “Ark’s got him on lockdown. You won’t be able to see him until morning, at the earliest.”
“Why?” I can feel my pulse thumping hotly against my scent gland, demanding attention. “He’s my mate, Pitt. I need to see him.”
“You need to have a shower and calm down. Your scent is all over the place, and it’s gonna take us hours to close down the club.”
“The Flaming Chains are still here?” Wings asks, and I bite my lip, my anger wilting.
Shit. I forgot Ark was supposed to be having a sit-down with Sinner, the Chains’ president.
God knows if he was in the crowd watching the aftermath of Bluff’s bite, but I’m pretty sure Ark will now be in damage control.
A president who can’t control his members in his own clubhouse quickly loses the respect of other MCs.
“They’re still here. Ark is talking to them in his office, but I think they’re rescheduling their sit-down.”
“Crap,” I mutter, rubbing my hands over my arms. They’re covered in goosebumps despite the warm night, and I look despondently at the pool, which is still decorated with floating flowers and candles. “We really fucked up the timing, didn’t we?”
Pitt grunts a laugh. “Yeah, but that’s your primal instincts for you. They kinda have a mind of their own.”
His throaty laugh soothes my raw nerves and I bite my lip, stepping close enough to hook a finger under his cut. “Are you still on duty, or can you come back to our room with us?”
Pitt’s brows shoot up, his weariness dissolving in the blink of the eye.
“You trying to put the final nail in Ark’s coffin, butterfly?
” Despite the amusement in his tone, he steps closer, his scent thickening.
“He smells you on me when you’re perfuming like this, and it might just tip him over the edge. ”
“I’m not trying to push anyone anywhere,” I mutter, but Wings presses up against my other side, his arm looping around my waist as he smiles against my temple. “I think she’s feeling needy, Alpha. She got the bite, but none of the stuffed full feeling.”
I shove my elbow into his ribs. “It’s called aftercare, Omega.”
“Mmm.” He leans down to nuzzle the edge of my bite, and Pitts’ scent blooms, lush and potent in the night air. “Talk about killer timing,” he groans. “I’ve got to get back to the Chains, but I’ll be up as soon as Ark kicks them out.”
“This is why I like being a pleb,” Wings says lightly. “Do my days’ work and home in time to cuddle.”
“Is that what we’re going to be doing?” I shove my hand in the back pocket of his jeans, pulling him closer. “Cuddling?”
“Cuddling on the inside,” he promises, shooting Pitt a sly wink, “and there’s always room for more.”