Chapter Thirty
Cujo
The loudest fucking snoring in the world jars me awake. My eyelids snap open, and I scan the space with blurry vision, trying to figure out where I am.
Back there?
Heart hammering, I freeze until my sight clears.
No bars.
No blood.
I’m whole, unblemished, in a comfy bed that smells like honeysuckle and caramel apple—not hanging from a hook by my hands. Well, that’s a good start to the day. Gy’s feet rest beside my face, and I shove them away as the previous night’s epiphanies play through my head.
After Church, Gy wouldn’t let me break into Willow’s home.
Dick. He promised me that Puppy was at the house, keeping an eye on her, with orders to bring her straight here if she attempted to rabbit.
Then we got into an argument about sheets.
All I did was try to remove his, and the big oaf threw a shit fit.
But I’ll be damned if he gets to sleep surrounded by her sweetness while I stay in my own home, which is devoid of even a hint of her nectar.
“What time is it?” he mutters, slowly rousing. His feet come my way again, and I slap them aside, then roll out of bed.
“Don’t touch me with your hairy fucking toes.” Landing on the floor with a thump, I scoot on my ass until my back leans against a wall. Gy sits up in bed and runs a hand over his face.
“Dramatic much?” Not if you woke up with dagger toenails in your face. Knowing it’s not worth the argument, I decide to move on. “It’s already nine thirty; I can’t believe we slept so late. Toss me the phone. We need an update on Willow. Also, I’m gonna order some trackers for her.”
Gy barks out a laugh, then instantly sobers when he looks at my face. No, I’m not kidding.
“We can’t do that. Your possessiveness sent her running last night. She needs to feel safe. Acting like that is what’s going to make her flee. With WITSEC at her back, she’ll disappear so fucking fast.” I hate it when the old man’s right.
“Okay, fine… Then what’s your suggestion?” I ask. Gy sighs heavily, then tosses me my phone.
“We cut the shit. Work together. And woo the hell out of our omega. Make sure she never wants to leave.” Gy looks at me smugly.
“The fuck does that mean? Flowers and shit, like pussies?” I mean, I’m not against acting like a pussy for Willow, just not sure it’s her style. “Why not handcuff her to the bed? Rock her world until she craves us so much she can’t even remember life before her Alphas.”
Definitely, yes. That sounds fun.
“Hasn’t she had enough captivity?” he snarls—and, yeah. My bad.
Embarrassment flushes my face, and I duck my head, glancing at my phone instead. She still hasn’t answered any of my texts. I have half a mind to track her down right now. Gy be damned.
At least I have some updates from Puppy. He reports that she’s still in her house. Nothing suspicious. Having eyes on her calms my obsessive impulses.
“I’m thinking we should start with a date. Maybe buy her a few gifts. Blankets and shit, things omegas like.” He shrugs, but it’s probably a good idea.
“Pretty sure our omega likes weapons…” I offer, hoping I’m on the right track. Brainstorming as a team is easier than I thought it would be, and for the first time, there’s a shared sense of camaraderie between us… Pack.
Truth be told, with all the shit swirling around her, Willow needs two Alphas—together. Being a possessive bastard won’t help. Sharing may not be how I operate, but it’s the way it’s gotta be. And as far as packmates go, I could do worse—at least he’s already my brother.
“Yes! Awesome. Blankets and weapons. Where do we take her on a date? Fancy shit ain’t my style,” Gy ponders aloud.
“What about Pour Decisions? They got good food. Live bands and shit.” Since the Hellbent Hounds don’t deal in anything illegal, some of us bring in side-hustle money from legit businesses.
Orthos owns the bar. It’s one of my favorite places to pull a shift as a bouncer.
It’s got a good vibe, and lots of brothers around to keep her safe.
Gy smiles at me for the first time in… ever?
“Nice! Now we just need to talk her into spending some time with us.”
We’ll give the gentle approach a go. But I’m not putting my zip ties away yet.