Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Nathaniel
I bolt upright on the office couch where I had fallen asleep earlier, my heart pounding as a scream pierces the air. The acrid scent of burnt flowers hits my nostrils.
Chloe .
In an instant, I’m on my feet, stumbling toward the door as I fight off the fog of sleep. My head spins from the abrupt awakening, but I force my legs to move, propelling myself down the darkened hallway, her terrified cry echoing in my mind, urging me faster.
I burst into Chloe’s bedroom, and it takes a moment to register the scene before me through the haze of sleep and adrenaline.
Holden stands by the bed, wearing a pair of unbuttoned jeans, his bare chest heaving. He holds Chloe tight against him, trying to cover her nakedness with the quilts. The sweet scent of vanilla mixes with her garden pheromones, saturating the air.
“What’s going on?” I demand, my voice rough with fear. “What happened?”
“I…I saw someone.” Chloe points a shaking hand at the French doors leading to the garden. “Out there, looking in.”
Holden’s concerned gaze meets mine over her pink hair. “I didn’t see anyone.”
“Someone was there,” Chloe insists. “Watching us.”
Did Louie already send someone after her? The potential threat to Chloe’s safety sends anger rushing through me. I have to protect her. Nothing else matters.
“Stay here,” I order Holden, striding toward the doors. I’ll tear apart anyone who dares to threaten her.
The bedroom door crashes against the wall with a bang just as I’m about to step outside. I whirl around as Dominic bursts into the room, a fireplace poker gripped tight in his hands, his handsome face etched with rage. The scent of his citrus musk floods the room as he searches for danger.
“Potential intruder in the garden,” Holden tells him.
Before anyone can move, Quinn’s scream pierces the air, cutting through me like a blade of ice.
Oh, god, no. Not that sweet little girl. She’s already been through so much. We promised to keep her safe here. Torn between rushing to her and pursuing the intruder, I freeze.
Dominic’s steel-gray eyes flash with protective instinct. “I’ve got Quinn.” He pivots on his heel. “Go!”
Trusting Dom to protect Blake’s niece, I surge through the French doors and out into the moonlit garden. Dew from the stones of the pathway soaks into my socks as I run, my heart a frantic drumbeat.
I scan the hedges and topiaries for any sign of movement but find nothing. No sound, not even the chirping of crickets and my own ragged breaths. No hint of foreign pheromones on the breeze.
Dammit!
Frustration burns through my veins as I circle the perimeter, checking behind every shrub and statue. Each second that ticks by feels like an eternity, the primitive part of my brain screaming at me to protect, to eliminate the threat.
But there’s no one here.
Did Chloe imagine it? Or did the bastard slip away unseen? The unanswered questions niggle at the back of my mind as I turn to head back, my fists clenched at my sides.
I need to check on Chloe, need to ensure my Omega is safe. Need to scent her and Mark her as mine.
No . I rein in my Alpha, not wanting to scare Chloe after she already had one fright for the night.
The curtains billow from the cool night breeze as I step back through the French doors. The sting of Chloe’s fear still taints the air, making me want to pound my chest and tear whoever scared her to shreds. At the same time, it takes every ounce of self-control not to rush to her, to pull her into my arms.
Instead of doing either, I force myself to focus on securing the room, locking the doors and tugging the curtains closed with a swift, decisive motion. The heavy fabric falls into place, blocking out the moonlight.
“I didn’t find anyone,” I report, my voice rough with restrained emotion.
Chloe’s eyes, wide and luminous in the dim lighting, find mine. “I know what I saw. Someone was watching us.”
My breath catches, snagging on the creamy shoulders visible above the quilt clutched to her breast. Her skin looks just as soft as I imagined, and I can already envision sinking my teeth into her, leaving a red ring for all the world to see, to know this Omega is claimed.
Holden, now fully dressed, moves to her side, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder in a gesture of comfort. “We believe you, sugar. You’re safe now. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
I take in his disheveled appearance, his golden-brown curls tousled from sleep. The scent of flowers clings to his skin, combining with his natural vanilla sweetness. The knowledge that he connected with Chloe, that our pack bond hums stronger, should bring comfort, but it does little to soothe the restless energy thrumming through my veins.
Bending, he scoops a T-shirt off the floor. I force myself to turn away, to give her a semblance of privacy as he helps her thread her cast through the sleeve.
As I do, I spot Blake standing in the doorway in only a pair of flannel pajama bottoms, his chest bare and his brown hair hanging down past his shoulders, tousled from sleep.
But his focus is sharp, assessing. “We’ll search for footprints once the sun comes up.”
The memory of those odd tracks pacing back and forth in front of Chloe’s cabin flood back. And Kyle’s words echo in my mind, the mention of a small boat washing up on one of the smaller shores during the storm.
Unease settles in my gut. Has someone from Louie’s pack been on the island all along, keeping tabs on Chloe? Is that why Louie made his move when he did? Because he heard she was growing close with another pack?
The thought is chilling, rage and fear warring within me. I clench my fists, my nails biting into my palms as I struggle to maintain my composure.
“We need to search the island,” I grit out, my voice bordering on a growl. “If someone’s out there, we’ll find them.”
Blake nods, silent understanding passing between us. Our pack is being threatened, and the primal need to protect overrides all else.
My attention returns to Chloe, huddled in her oversized T-shirt, her pink hair tumbling around her shoulders, and I realize I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, to claim this Omega as my own.
Unable to hold back my Alpha a second more, I stride forward, nudging Holden back a step with my shoulder.
“Pardon me.” In one smooth motion, I scoop Chloe off the bed, quilts and all, cradling her against my chest.
Chloe squeaks in surprise, her small hand clutching at my shoulders. The scent of lilies and lilacs intensifies, swirling around us, no longer smelling of fear, but something far headier that sends my head spinning.
A flush rises to my cheeks, but I keep my face impassive as I face the others. “No one is sleeping outside the family residence from now on.”
My tone brooks no argument as my arms tighten around Chloe, and I carry her from the room, my footsteps echoing down the hallway. The little Omega weighs less than the quilts around her.
Her soft breaths puff against my throat. “I can walk.”
I growl, and she falls quiet, her hand squeezing my tense shoulder.
From the bedroom, Holden lets out a low whistle. “Well, that was unexpected.”
“Right,” Blake agrees. “We should probably….”
Their footsteps sound behind me as they rush to catch up.
As we climb the stairs, Blake’s voice drifts up to me and Chloe. “Dominic already took Quinn and Sprinkles up to my room. I passed them on the way down. Quinn got scared when Chloe screamed, but he didn’t find any sign of someone trying to get into the room from the dog run.”
My heart clenches at the thought of our little girl afraid, of how easy it would have been for someone to crawl through the large dog door in the castle room.
Blake must be thinking along the same lines, because his steps quicken, and he passes us on the stairs. But he slows as he catches sight of Chloe’s face again, torn by the desire to stick close to her, too. She appears so small buried inside the quilts, her bright pink cast poking out.
“It’s okay.” She tilts her chin toward the top of the stairs. “Go take care of Quinn. I’ll see you in the morning.”
With a last glance at Chloe, he hurries past us to the second-floor landing.
“I hope Quinn doesn’t have nightmares,” Chloe whispers.
“She’s a brave little girl.” I lift her higher against my chest. “She’ll bounce back.”
Sighing, Chloe’s head droops onto my shoulder. “Sorry I keep causing so much trouble for you and your pack.”
“Nothing that’s happened is your fault.” My pulse quickens as her pheromones thicken around me. “I apologize for not greeting you at the dock. We haven’t met officially. My name is Nathaniel.”
She wiggles within my hold, and her nose brushes my throat. “Hello, Nathaniel. I’m Chloe.”
Her garden scent is intoxicating, addictive, and I draw in deep lungs full, savoring its flavor on my tongue.
I barely notice when we reach the second floor, and Holden moves ahead of us to open the discreet employees-only door, pushing it open.
As we step into the family quarters, Chloe straightens in my arms, a soft gasp of wonder escaping her lips. “It’s like going through the wardrobe.”
A chuckle rumbles from Holden’s chest, rich as melted chocolate. “Don’t follow any fauns with lanterns.”
Chloe’s giggle pops like champagne bubbles and affects me the same way, my skin buzzing. She relaxes back against my shoulder, her small hand subconsciously stroking my chest through my shirt.
My steps falter as we reach the hallway lined with bedrooms, brow furrowing with uncertainty. My Alpha urges me to take her to my room, to surround her with my scent, but I maintain enough self-control to realize that’s a bad idea.
The room we picked out for her isn’t ready, though, and I’m loath to leave her by herself tonight. With Quinn and Sprinkles in Blake’s room… My focus shifts to Holden, who patiently stands beside me, waiting for me to come to the obvious conclusion.
My jaw clenches, but what other choice do I have? Still, it should be her choice.
When I glance down at Chloe, whatever I planned to say vanishes from my mind. She really is a pretty little Omega, and the nap earlier went a long way toward erasing the shadows under her eyes.
Her rosebud lips curve upward, and belatedly, I realize I’m purring.
I cut it off and clear my throat. “Will you be okay bunking down with Holden tonight?”
She nods, her pink hair spilling over my arm like a waterfall of cotton candy. “Of course.”
The two share a warm, intimate look that speaks of what they were up to before the scare of an intruder put a halt to it. Jealousy rears its ugly head, but I shove it down. This is good for my pack, good for my bondmate.
I force my feet to move again, carrying Chloe into Holden’s room. The scent of vanilla hangs heavy in the air here, in Holden’s personal space. After tonight, though, it will hold Chloe’s floral notes, too.
Holden’s room reflects his personality, warm, inviting, and filled with the things he loves. A bookcase dominates one wall, packed with volumes on baking, computer science, and an entire shelf dedicated to Chloe’s series, penned under the pseudonym Aurora Storm. The sight of her books nestled among Holden’s possessions drives home how much she belongs here.
Reluctant to give her up, I deposit Chloe onto Holden’s bed, the mattress dipping beneath her weight. She sinks into the plush comforter with a soft sigh, her pink hair fanning out around her head. Like this, it’s all too easy to imagine her spread out before me, open and welcoming.
Stepping back, I clear my throat. “Try to get some sleep. We’ll figure out your room in the morning.”
Her delicate features soften, her eyelids drooping with exhaustion. She appears so small and vulnerable, like a fragile flower I need to protect.
“Thank you.” She yawns and stretches, one creamy, bare leg appearing as the quilts slip to the side. “For everything.”
“You’re welcome.” I force myself to turn away from the pink dimples in her knee and come face to face with Holden.
He gives my arm a sympathetic pat as he goes to join Chloe. “Look at you, ready to fall asleep on top of the covers. Move over.”
She protests, and I can’t resist one more look back, catching her T-shirt-covered ass wiggling in the air as she tries to crawl under the blanket from the top. The front of my pants tightens, and I linger for a moment more, breath held as the T-shirt slips higher.
Before it reveals too much, though, I back out of the room, easing the door shut behind me.
I rest my forehead against the cool surface, vowing to do everything in my power to keep this Omega safe.