Chapter 53
Inever cleaned up. I hated it . . .
Fuck. Nesting behavior. My heat was close. Usually, I’d want to clean during the last stage, right when it was hovering. I’d say it would only be another day before it hit.
And I needed to make a decision, stat.
I’d propose an option to them.
I didn’t think they would ever let me move, and some sick, perverse part inside me was high on that, but I wouldn’t let them know.
Still, I had to try to give them—and me—an out.
I finished making the bed and folded up my blankets near the pillows. I exhaled slowly and straightened my shoulders.
“Greymont Pack meeting,” I shouted, stepping into the hallway. “In the living room.”
I can do this.
I reached my spot before any of them and stood in front of the television, trying not to fiddle. One by one, they shuffled in.
Elias and Kyan were full of caution as they dropped on the couch.
“You ordering us about is making me hard, sweets,” Sinclair said as he sprawled out between them, his smirk wider than ever.
“I have a proposition for you,” I announced, getting right into it.
“This is getting better and better.”
I ignored Sinclair and clapped my hands. “Listen to everything I have to say first,” I warned. “I want to propose an arrangement.” I can do this. “What if I move into an apartment nearby?” I blurted before I chickened out.
Sinclair sat up, his smile disappearing.
I hurried to spit the rest out. “I know you guys never wanted a Scent Match.”
Elias opened his mouth, but I interrupted him.
“I could come around for my heats, and we could occasionally have dinners. You know; get to know each other a bit more.” I shrugged.
“No,” Elias snapped. “Absolutely fucking not.”
Anger swelled to the forefront of my mind.
“I’m not saying we won’t eventually live together, but I know this isn’t what any of us wanted.
” I rushed to say the last part despite the denial on their expressions.
They weren’t even hearing me out. Frustration leeched into my next sentence.
“And I refuse to stay here and be manhandled by you three—”
Almost immediately, Sinclair was in my face, clasping my jaw. “Too bad,” he whispered, pressed his mouth to mine, and straightened. “I think it’s the perfect time for that get-away.” He met Elias’ gaze as he strode away.
Get-away? I gawked at Kyan, confused.
“We don’t want to waste more time separated from you,” he murmured.
“Here we are,” Sinclair announced, approaching me with that big, fluffy coat he’d grabbed at Langley Mall. He grabbed my arm and shoved it through the sleeve.
“You’re not listening,” I snapped, frustrated. I grappled with Sinclair, but he got his way and put the coat on me. He crouched to clasp the bottom half and zipped it up. It was so puffy that my movements were restricted. Elias wound an arm around my waist and shuffled me to the front door.
The engine of the SUV was already roaring. The back door was open, with Kyan holding it. Elias lifted me into the back seat. I plopped back with a huff.
Elias gripped my jaw, squeezing. I couldn’t move without it hurting.
“We hear you, Briar. And we see the fear in your beautiful brown eyes, but you aren’t getting rid of us. Ask anything of us, but never that.”
He slammed the door shut on my shout.
I grabbed the handle and yanked, but it refused to open.
“Child lock,” I snapped, “really?”
Sinclair slid in through the other door, scooting closer and across the seat until our thighs were flush together.
“I need a damn cigarette,” I muttered.
“Here.” Kyan reached across the center console, grabbed my arm, slid the sleeve up as best he could with the stiff fabric, and popped something on my forearm. When he withdrew, I was left staring at a nicotine patch.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I hissed. I leaned back with a huff.
“It’s a long drive, settle in.” Sinclair stretched his hand out and grabbed mine, squeezing it.