Chapter 65 Red
Chapter sixty-five
Red
Sixty days.
Depending on one’s point of view, it could be a blink or an eternity. It’s enough time for the moon to cycle twice and for the seasons to change. And enough time for a desperate omega to find her missing alpha and return him home.
My last heat came with a terrifying scenario of restraints, sedatives, and only two-thirds of my team. This time around will be different.
I banned my alphas from going to the nest while I made the finishing touches.
Zack disagreed vocally, of course, but we came to a truce with him sitting on the rooftop outside the door where he could still hear me while I tinkered around, rearranging plant pots and hanging last-minute touches.
For the first time in my life, I have something that’s all mine, and that’s a greater gift than anyone can understand.
And today’s the big day we finally take my hot house for a test run.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I mean, I’ve never had a positive heat experience, but the fact I enjoyed arranging my space says we’ve come further than I thought possible.
Humming under my breath, I run the brush through my hair and put a little mousse through the top, even though the whole style’s gonna get shredded as soon as my fever rises in an hour or two. For now, I don’t care.
I wink at myself in the mirror, mustering my courage.
I look pretty fine, if I say so myself. Rickon suggested a restyle to deal with the singed locks, leaving bangs and some length on top but close-cropping the sides.
It’s sleek and sexy while still giving us a few styling options.
Rickon’s already raving about overnight curlers and fuck knows what else.
“Chin up, Red,” I tell my reflection. She gives me a tight nod, and I pull my robe closed before marching out of the bathroom.
The guys lounge downstairs, concerned voices cutting off as my feet thump on the stairs. I relax a little, knowing I’m not the only one nervous about today.
“Jones pack!” I call authoritatively from the second-last step, adding a little dramatic flair over the banister. “It’s time to migrate.”
They’re on their feet in an instant; my sweet first alpha, my growly prime alpha, and my redeemed third alpha, all gazing up at me expectantly.
Callisto’s Adam’s apple bobs hard as he takes in the white satin robe hugging my body. I grin. They aint seen nothing yet.
I swing a tote bag off the table that I prepared earlier and offer my hand like a noble lady waiting to be escorted. Zack swoops in to take my hand, alpha scent and bond both warming with desire.
“Shall we go, my lady?” Rickon asks, following my dramatic lead. “We’re dying to see your garden.”
“Innuendo much?” I giggle, breaking form, and he blushes.
Callisto carries Ozzie’s travel cage up, the parrot muttering curses as we get in the elevator. It only takes a minute to get to the rooftop, and I proudly throw my arms wide to indicate the building. “Welcome to Red’s Hot House.”
Rickon laughs as he looks up at my custom-ordered signage, the nest’s name burned into wooden planks and hung over the door. Just below, in smaller letters, hangs a second sign that reads: where the wild things rut.
“That’s hilarious,” Callisto says, snorting.
“And fitting,” Rickon adds with a sage nod.
I throw open the door and lead them inside among beams of golden sunlight.
“Wow, Red!” Rickon gasps, looking around.
I pop my hands on my hips and survey my handiwork.
I limited pillows to a handful on the lounges and planter boxes, but on the bamboo platform I added a gorgeous teal and white wool rug so thick and lush you never want to stop touching it.
Big, round rattan light shades dangle down among hanging baskets from the peaked roof, the lights glowing through the lush green foliage.
String bulbs drape above the day bed, also glowing with a soft yellow, colors muted by the gauzy red fabric overhead. Water tinkles in the background as it splashes over rocks in the corner fountain, and to our right gleams the brand new jacuzzi.
And my pièce de résistance—adhesive window stickers that look like stained glass—shine colored light all along the stone pathway.
Wonder flows through the bond as my alphas spread out to admire all my finishing touches. Callisto transfers Ozzie to his giant birdcage in the back corner near the fountain, and the bird whistles happily as he inspects his new digs.
“Hot House smell nice,” Zack says, sniffing the air as he wanders further along the path among shoulder-high shrubs. I chuckle, knowing how we both feel about the overpowering city smells. Up here the air’s clean, and the only human scents are ours.
“I love those lights,” Rickon declares, looking up to admire the big rattan spheres.
I throw him a lopsided smile. “Yeah, nice contrast, right? And I decided no lanterns for me after all.” Not after one nearly burned me to death.
He nods, expression full of gentle understanding.
Instead of lanterns, I placed cute little solar lights and tin butterflies in the planters, adding splashes of interest everywhere, along with uplifting signs and wrought iron art on the walls. That’s about as cutesy as I get.
Rickon spots Doc Leanne’s mountain painting above the door and lifts one finger in silent exclamation.
I grin
“Very fitting,” he says, referring to the second lettered sign hung up beneath it that reads Never Stop Climbing. I think that’s my personal motto and will be for as long as I live.
“Red, I’m so amazed,” Callisto says, running his fingers through a wind chime and coaxing out a whimsical tinkle. “This is a space people would go ballistic over.”
“Even without fluffy pillows?” I ask, mostly teasing.
He reaches me in three strides and cups my cheek. “Even without fluffy pillows,” he promises, leaning down to kiss me.
I press into him, enjoying the freedom of kissing my prodigal alpha with no hangups.
The first twinge flares in my belly, and I activate my game plan, even though I know I still have maybe an hour. Tugging playfully out of Callisto’s hold, I walk over to the spa and climb the step. All eyes fasten on me as I turn and open my robe.
Zack growls and Rickon pats his hand to his chest.
“Damn, Red,” Callisto mutters.
The corset Rickon made for me hugs my torso, my breasts pushing up and peeking a little from the top. I found matching peppermint-green lace panties online, along with garters. My hunting proves successful as their eyes light up.
I drop the robe on the step and sit on the tub’s edge.
My cheeks heat as I hold my hands out in invitation.
“Shall we test out the tub?” I ask. “Thing is, I kinda want to get started instead of waiting around and letting the nerves bite.” I shrug my shoulders and look at them through my lashes. Will they mind?
Callisto strips off his polo shirt eagerly. “The best defense is a good offense, as they say.”
“Whatever you want, Biscuit,” Rickon adds. “I certainly won’t complain about getting a jump-start.” He grins, flashing white teeth as he peels off his sweatpants. “And you’re not the only one with surprises.”
My mouth floods as he reveals his uber sexy choice of underwear; a gold G-string that looks amazing against his pale skin, and, in true Rickon style, he’s wearing a matching harness on his upper body along with tasseled nipple covers.
“Fuck,” I mutter, lost for more meaningful words.
“He’ll be the death of us,” Callisto sighs out after he turns to see what I’m staring at.
Zack, already barefoot, vaults over the spa’s rim and circles his arms around me from behind. “Zack ask and ask,” he says, voice burring with his excitement. “Ask lots.”
I tip my head back onto his shoulder and laugh. “Yes, Zack. You’ll see more action in the next forty-eight hours than you can stand.”
“Will see,” he mutters, nose diving into my neck. And knowing Zack and his appetites, he probably can keep up with an omega in heat.
I grin. I’ll be buried deep in their embraces before Wild Red arrives.
“Red,” Callisto says, taking my hand and looking up at me like I’m the light of his life. “Can I just say how honored I am to be here? To think I could be yours and help you through your . . .”
I sense his uncertainty, and it mirrors mine. Heat isn’t a word with any good memories attached. Here, surrounded by lush jungle foliage and bright flowers, it feels like something else, something natural, is on its way.
“My monsoon?” I whisper experimentally. “Let’s be honest; I’m about to flood this joint.” And I don’t mean splashing from the tub.
Callisto laughs, his lovely black eyes lighting up with merriment.
“Yes, your monsoon. After all this time, well, I just never thought I could be part of it.” His voice breaks, and the emotion in his eyes glistens as tears form.
I tug him up onto the step and draw him into my arms. His heart pounds beneath his skin where our chests press together, telling me it’s not just words.
“No barriers between us this time,” I murmur, stroking the back of his head.
He nods and squeezes me back, strong arms linking around Zack as well.
After a moment, he turns back and pulls Rickon into the cuddle, and my alphas draw me back into the steaming water in a tangle of limbs and a great splash.
Zack pauses in nuzzling my shoulder to examine Rickon’s sexy as fuck harness. “What’s this?” the big alpha rumbles, running his fingers down the shoulder straps.
I chuckle and glide through the water, worming in between them.
“It’s so you can get a better hold on him while you fuck, Zack.
Like this.” I wind my hands around the straps and use them to pull myself onto Rickon’s submerged lap.
He’s already hard as stone down there, and I spread my legs and settle over his gorgeous G-string to rub myself on him.
“Good,” Zack says, purring. “More grip in water.”