Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Blake
T he clinking of forks on plates echoes in the silence of the breakfast table.
I steal a glance at Chloe, her pink hair falling in waves around her face as she stares down at the French toast on her plate, prodding it with her fork without eating. Discomfort mutes her lilies and lilacs scent.
My eyes slide to Dominic, who focuses on his own plate.
Three days ago, the pack bond had rippled, the threads connecting our souls quivering with the aftershocks of something unspoken transpiring between him and Chloe.
Afterward, she had sequestered herself in her room for two days while he skulked about the house, smelling like he had rolled in a field of lilacs and lilies.
The desire to confront them both, to demand answers, fights for release, but I swallow it down. Nathaniel had commanded Holden and me to not interfere and to let them sort out their own affairs, as long as it causes no harm.
Desperate to slice through the tension, I clear my throat and turn to Chloe. “Excited to get that cast off today?”
“Mmm,” she hums noncommittally, focusing on her breakfast as she pushes a bite of syrup-soaked bread around. “Yeah, I guess.”
Quinn pipes up from beside me. “Are you gonna keep the cast? I wanna draw on it more.”
Chloe shakes her head.
“Trust me, princess, you don’t want that thing.” I tug on her pigtail to distract her. “It’ll reek to high heaven and be full of dead skin. Totally grody.”
“Ew!” Quinn’s face scrunches in disgust.
Chloe’s head snaps up with an expression of outrage painted across her delicate features. “It’s not that bad!”
Chloe turns to Quinn. “The doctor will have to use a saw to take it off, so it won’t be the same.”
Quinn’s eyes widen. “Like the one Uncle Blake uses?”
“Exactly like that.” I tickle her sides. “ Bzzzzz .”
She giggles and squirms.
“Would you like me to pack you a lunch for later?” Holden gathers empty plates. “For when you might be hungrier?”
Chloe looks down at her untouched breakfast. “Oh, uh, that’s okay. I’m starving. This French toast is amazing.” She shoves a huge bite into her mouth, her cheeks rounding like a hamster, and chews with exaggerated enthusiasm. “Mmmm, so yummy!”
I hide a smile behind my coffee mug. Even rattled, she won’t hurt Holden’s feelings by letting his food go to waste.
Quinn bounces in her seat. “Uncle Blake, can I ride on the boat with you?”
My stomach sours. As much as I adore my niece, I don’t want to bring her along when we might cross paths with Louie on the mainland. The thought of any harm coming to her turns my blood cold.
“Actually, I was hoping we could have a fancy tea party today,” Dominic interjects. “You, me, and Uncle Holden. We’ll break out the fine china and everything.”
Just like that, Quinn’s distracted. “With real tea and tiny sandwiches?”
Dominic winks at her. “Is there any other way to do it fancy?”
I shoot him a grateful look over the top of Quinn’s head as she claps her hands and launches into a detailed party-planning discussion with Holden. One less thing to worry about.
Nathaniel clears his throat. “Let me grab your jacket, Chloe, and we can head down to the docks.”
Nathaniel had decided to come along, both for added support and so we can swing by the Omega Registration Office to put our names down on the courtship contract.
As he heads off to fetch Chloe’s jacket, I watch her fumble to slip on her shoes one-handed while avoiding looking at Dominic. He busies himself helping to clear breakfast from the table, but his citrusy pheromones hold the sharp scent of disappointment.
The silent dance between them crackles with tension that sets my teeth on edge. I want so much to just fix things and have everyone happy again, but I bite my tongue, reminding myself of our agreement not to meddle.
They’re both adults. They’ll figure it out in their own time. I hope.
“All set.” Chloe shuffles toward the door without looking at anyone while her nerves saturate the air, undercut by the barest hint of…regret?
Interesting.
Nathaniel returns and drapes one of his quilted jackets over her shoulders, his fingertips brushing her neck in a soothing gesture. She sighs and turns her face into his hand, nuzzling him.
Well, at least things are progressing on that end.
I grab my coat and keys. “Everyone ready?”
With murmurs of assent, we leave the house, and Nathaniel wraps a protective arm around Chloe as we step off the porch.
A cool breeze carrying the tang of salt ruffles my hair as we head down to the docks. As we near the water, seagulls soar overhead, their raucous cries breaking the silence that hangs between us.
Chloe walks with her head down and arms wrapped around herself. I ache to pull her close, to soothe the distress rolling off her in waves. But I force myself to keep a respectful distance.
Nathaniel and I exchange a concerned look.
I nudge her, trying to bring her out of her stupor. “Do you want to visit anywhere while we’re in Mosswood?”
She blinks up at me, as if coming out of a trance. “Do we have time to pop over to Oakridge? I’d like to check on my apartment. Louie said…”
Her head droops, and she tugs the folds of the oversized jacket closer. “Well, it might be gone now, but I’d like to see for myself and check on Grady’s unit.”
A protective growl rises in my chest. “Yes, we’ll head over as soon as we’re done in Mosswood.”
She steps into my side, burrowing under my arm. “Thank you.”
In an instant, my growl transforms into a purr. Nathaniel steps closer, his palm settling on her back to lend additional comfort, as if he’s done this a hundred times already.
Despite the anger over what we may find in Oakridge, warmth fills my chest at how natural this all feels. The courting contract is just a formality at this point.
Chloe is already pack.
The sun heads toward the horizon as I guide the SUV into a spot outside Chloe’s apartment building.
Things had gone better than expected at the Omega Registration Office. The clerk remembered Chloe, and we lucked out when she informed us that Chloe’s courting application was still in the queue to be reviewed, so adding us to the file wouldn’t slow things down.
Chloe studies the four-story building with apprehension as she undoes her seatbelt.
I reach over to rub the back of her neck. “Whatever you find, we’ll be here for you, okay?”
She nibbles on her bottom lip. “Thank you.”
As we climb out of the SUV, Chloe scratches at her newly freed arm. The pale, slender limb appears fragile, the skin tight and scaly. At least the break was healed so she could get the cast off.
At the entrance, Chloe punches in a code, and the door buzzes. I grasp the handle and hold it open for her to enter first.
“I’m on the top floor.” She leads us through a mail area toward an elevator.
On our way past the manager’s office, the door swings open, and the building manager emerges, arms laden with envelopes. Her weathered face warms with recognition when she spots Chloe.
“Oh, honey, I’m so glad to see you up and about! I’ve got your mail in the office.” Her curious gaze darts between Nathaniel and me. “It appears you’ve gotten yourself a couple of fine young Alphas taking care of you now.”
Chloe blinks, brow furrowing. “What do you mean?”
A puzzled frown tugs at the manager’s lips. “Well, your Alpha called a few weeks back and said you were real sick and needed treatment. Wanted me to cancel your lease and let him collect your things…”
My muscles tense, a growl building in my throat. Beside me, Nathaniel stiffens, fingers curling into a fist.
“I couldn’t let him, of course, since he’s not on the lease.” The manager’s eyes narrow as she takes in our reactions. “I’m guessing these two are here to help you move out now, though. Right? Good thing your rent’s already paid up for the month.”
Chloe shakes her head, pink hair flying. “No, no, I’m not canceling my lease right now.”
The words pierce my heart, even though my reaction is unreasonable. We’ve just started courting, and as much as I long to claim her, to sink into her softness and never let go, we’re doing things right by Chloe.
Chloe’s not ready to give up the autonomy her home represents. It’s too soon. We haven’t even shared her Heat yet, haven’t cemented our bond. We have to be patient and do things in the right order.
No matter how much instinct demands that I steal her away and claim her as mine, it’s too soon.
Chloe pastes on a bright smile for the building manager. “Sorry for the confusion. I appreciate you looking out for me, but I’m doing much better. We’re just here to pack a few things for now.”
“Glad to hear it.” The older woman turns back toward her office. “Let me get your mail.”
Chloe trails behind her to the door. “I’ll fill out a form to have my mail forwarded, too, so it doesn’t keep collecting up.”
“Not a problem.” She returns with a stack of envelopes held together with a rubber band. As she passes it to Chloe, her expression remains assessing. “You let me know if you need anything, you hear? Be careful with those Alphas sniffing around where they don’t belong.”
Warning given, she vanishes back into her office.
Chloe’s sweet scent spikes with distress, the lilies and lilacs taking on a bitter tinge that tickles my nose.
I wrap an arm around her waist, drawing her close, and rumble deep in my chest to comfort her. “It’s okay. We’ll be in and out fast.”
“Louie has no claim on you.” Protectiveness flashes across Nathaniel’s face. “Even if he shows up here, you don’t have to speak to him.”
Chloe shivers, tucking herself deeper into my embrace. “You’re right. I know you’re right. It’s just…unsettling. The thought of him or his people staking out my apartment.”
My arm tightens around her. If Louie had caught her alone, he would have kidnapped her, and she wouldn’t have escaped again.
I press a kiss to her temple, savoring the sweet softness of her skin. “You’re not alone anymore. You’ve got us now.”
She takes a deep breath, gathering herself. Then she straightens. “Okay. Let’s hurry and get out of here.”
We crowd into the elevator, Chloe leaning her weight on me as we ascend. She’s flagging, the events of the day taking their toll.
The doors open with a soft ding, and we step out onto her floor. Chloe hesitates for a moment, staring down the quiet hallway.
Then she squares her shoulders and marches over to one of the doors, pulling out a key.
“This is Grady’s place.” She unlocks it. “I’ll take care of it until he wakes up.”
Pain sharpens her pheromones. After her appointment, we had stopped by Grady’s room, and Chloe had fallen apart at the sight of her friend lying so still and silent in the hospital bed.
It had been painful to witness and left me feeling helpless. There’s nothing any of us can do, though, but wait and hope.
We step inside the apartment, and I take in the tidy space, decorated with modern furniture and framed vintage posters on the walls. A towering bookshelf takes up one entire wall, crammed full of books about marketing and the publishing world.
“He’s really dedicated.” Nathaniel peruses the titles. “Dominic has several of these.”
Chloe flushes at the mention of the Alpha and turns away. “Grady is the one who convinced me to turn The Fairy and the Dragonlord into a series. I never would have gotten this far without him.”
Sadness crinkles her brow, and she sniffles, tears shimmering in her pink eyes.
I step forward. “What do you need us to do, sweetheart?”
“Oh, um, if one of you could water his plants, that would be great.” She gestures to the trio of potted ficus trees and the miniature herb garden on the kitchen windowsill. “And I guess we should clean out the fridge, too, and dispose of anything that’s gone bad.”
“I can handle that,” Nathaniel volunteers, already heading for the kitchen. “Just show me where the trash bags are.”
Grateful to have him take control, Chloe points out the cabinet under the sink.
She turns to me, worry on her delicate features. “While he does that, do you mind coming to my place? I just… I don’t want to be alone. In case…”
She trails off, but I understand what she doesn’t say. In case Louie left any other nasty surprises. Anger surges through me at the thought, hot and violent, but I tamp it down.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight.” I lace our fingers together, bringing her hand up to brush my lips across her knuckles. “Lead the way.”
Some of the tension eases from her frame, and she tugs me out of the apartment to walk down to the next door on the right.
Her hands shake as she fits the key into the lock, trepidation rolling off her in waves.
I stay close as the door swings open, ready to shield her if anyone waits inside. Thankfully, the entryway stands empty.
We step inside, and her pheromones surround me. Years of living within these walls have saturated every surface with her intoxicating scent, and my Alpha roars with possessive desire.
The apartment itself is a cozy haven, a reflection of its quirky, creative occupant. Colorful throw pillows adorn the plush couch, and a well-worn blanket lies draped over the back, beckoning with the promise of snuggly comfort. Bookshelves line the walls, overflowing with novels, reference books, binders, and notebooks.
Farther into the apartment, little touches that scream Chloe catch my attention. A jar of flavored lip gloss on the coffee table, a onesie tossed over a chair, and a framed photo of her grinning alongside a stoic-faced Grady.
But it’s the scent that overwhelms me, that calls to my Alpha. Before I can stop myself, I pull Chloe into my arms, my lips finding hers in a searing kiss that sends electricity crackling through my veins. She melts into me, her soft curves fitting the hard planes of my body.
The world falls away, leaving only her taste, her scent, her warmth. My mate. My Omega.
Reluctant to release her, I pull back. “There we go again.”
“There we go,” she agrees. “Talking is overrated. More kisses, please.”
Even as she says that, though, she scratches her arm, discomfort etched into her delicate features. Her dry skin flakes, no doubt irritated from being wrapped up for so long.
“Before we get in trouble, how about you take a shower, sweetheart?” I brush a stray lock of pink hair from her face. “It might help with the itching. I can pack some of your clothes while you clean up.”
“A shower does sound nice. Not that I disliked Holden helping me in the bath.” Chloe hesitates, her teeth worrying at her bottom lip. “Are you sure?”
I silence her with another quick kiss. “Just tell me where your suitcase is.”
She points to the bed, and I spot the corner of a suitcase peeking out from underneath. Chloe retrieves it, then gestures toward the closet. “My clothes are in there. I won’t be long, I promise.”
She gathers a few items and disappears into the bathroom, leaving me by myself in her sanctuary.
I’m alone with her scent, her belongings, and the nearly overwhelming urge to join her beneath the warm spray of the shower.
But I have a task to complete, and I’ll be damned if I let my desires interfere with my duty to protect and care for my mate.
With a deep breath, I flip open the large suitcase, a match to the one already at Homestead, and head into the small, walk-in closet.
A smile spreads over my face at all the onesies hanging from the center bar alongside sweatshirts and sweaters. I flip through them, choosing the most adorable ones to add to the suitcase.
The dresser sits wedged under the hanging bar, and I open the top drawer to discover delicate undergarments. I gather up lace, satin, and cotton in pastel hues of pink, lavender, and baby blue, transferring them to her suitcase.
I recall her adorable embarrassment when I first handled her intimates, back at the cabin after the storm. Her cheeks had flushed the same shade as her hair, and she’d stammered out a protest, insisting she could pack her own things. Now she’s comfortable enough to leave me alone to handle it, and it fills me with pride.
Next come the socks, a whimsical assortment of ankle-length and knee-high styles adorned with polka dots, stripes, and cute animal faces. I chuckle, imagining her padding around the Homestead in these, her tiny feet cozy and warm.
I move on to her shirts and pants, folding each item before placing it in the suitcase, and my mind wanders to the future. To lazy mornings spent cuddling in bed, and quiet evenings reading together by the fire.
Lost in thought, I almost miss the unexpected treasure concealed beneath her pajamas in the bottom drawer. But as I lift out the soft, well-worn flannel, my fingers brush something bumpy and silicone.
Grinning, I push aside the remaining sleepwear to reveal a purple tentacle, its surface textured with undulating ridges and ripples. The infamous dildo.
The creak of the bathroom door sounds, and I straighten, the adult toy still in my hand.
“That shower was heavenly.” Her footsteps come closer. “Thank you so much for suggesting it. I’m a new woman.”
She steps into view, wearing a soft pair of blush pants and a cream T-shirt, her damp hair turning parts of the thin material transparent.
When she spots the toy in my grasp, mortification twists her sweet features.
“Oh my god.” She lunges forward with a squeak. “I forgot that was in my dresser!”
When she grabs for the dildo, I hold it out of reach, a wicked grin spreading across my face. “Nu-uh. This is mine now.”
Chloe’s cheeks burn crimson as she reaches for it again. “No, just put it back.”
I evade her grasp, dangling the toy above her head. “No way, sweetheart. This is coming with us to the island.” My free hand catches her waist, tugging her flush against me. “In fact, I think we should put it to use as soon as we return to the Homestead.”
She shivers in my embrace, her pupils widening with desire as her eyes drop to my lips. “You want to?”
“Do I want to tease you with this toy and see how much you can take? Fuck, yes.” I dip my head to nip at her earlobe.
A breathy moan escapes her, but then Nathaniel’s voice sounds from the entryway, shattering the moment. “All done in Grady’s apartment!”
Chloe stiffens, panic flashing across her features. Without a word, I tuck the dildo into the suitcase and snap it shut, concealing her secret.
“We’re in the bedroom,” I call out. “Just finishing up the packing.”
Nathaniel enters the bedroom, his sharp gaze sweeping over us, no doubt noting Chloe’s flushed cheeks and my smirk. “You two almost done here?”
“Yep!” Chloe avoids his eyes as she grabs her pillow off the bed, hugging it to her chest. “I’m ready!”
I arch an eyebrow, unable to resist teasing her a little. “You sure you don’t want to bring anything else, sweetheart? We wouldn’t want you to forget something important.”
Her blush deepens, and she spins away, busying herself by gathering a few notebooks from her desk. “Just my world bibles and character sheets. Can’t leave those behind.”
Recalling a backpack in the closet, I retrieve it, holding it open for her to stuff the notebooks inside. I hand it to her and grab her suitcase, wheeling it out to the main room.
“What about your fridge, Chloe?” Nathaniel wanders out toward the kitchen. “Anything we should toss out?”
Chloe cringes, mortification radiating from her.
Suspicious, Nathaniel opens the fridge, revealing barren shelves populated by only a few bottles of water and energy drinks.
I join him and reach for the freezer, already guessing what I’ll find. Sure enough, when I pull it open, I’m greeted by the sight of stacks upon stacks of frozen meals, the kind that take minutes to microwave but leave you unsatisfied and queasy.
Nathaniel and I turn to stare at Chloe, our expressions a mix of incredulity and concern.
She squirms under our scrutiny, her face as pink as her hair.
I shake my head in amusement. “No wonder Holden is her favorite.”
Chloe clears her throat and grasps the handle of her suitcase, her slender arms straining with effort. “Time to go.”
Nathaniel stifles a laugh as we watch her stride toward the door, her shoulders squared, and her head held high despite the blush still staining her cheeks.
Closing her fridge, we catch up to her, exiting her apartment right on her heels.
“Maybe we should have brought dinner home for Holden,” I murmur as we step onto the elevator.
Nathaniel loses it, his laughter filling the small space, and Chloe whacks me with her pillow.
We’re still laughing when we reach the lobby and freeze, our worst fears confirmed.
Because there, waiting like a snake poised to strike, stands Louie and his bodyguard thugs.
Louie’s icy eyes fix on Nathaniel and me. “So, these are the Alphas who stole my Omega.”