Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
Three Days Later
SHILOH
A hand slides into mine as we walk, and I have to force myself not to flinch. I’m not used to being touched so casually in public. Touch is something I usually initiate first, whether it’s hugging Cassidy, or pulling one of the guys in to kiss me when we go out.
I spend a lot of time with my head on a swivel, only completely relaxing once we get home. I usually prefer to keep my hands free when we’re out and about.
Glancing down, I find a white blonde head of hair walking next to me. Winter is tiny compared to me since I’m six feet three, and my lips twitch as she moves closer. The City Market has a lot of people walking through it since it’s Friday afternoon.
It’s natural that she’d look for comfort. I just didn’t think she’d look to me for it.
Pulling my hand free from hers since it’s my dominant one, I switch places with her so I can pull her close to me.
My arm is heavy as fuck, so I wrap my arm around her back so my hand sits just under her breasts.
I tell myself it’s not a conscious decision, but I enjoy feeling her heart beating underneath my hand.
The stiffness in her body bleeds out of it, and I decide to give her a break from the crowd when I see a store with rugs. Her nest is all wooden floors, it may be nice to warm her and Bellamy’s feet when the fall and winter cools the air. We’ll get a heater for the attic too so they can stay warm.
My lists now include them as my ADHD makes them relevant and important in my mind.
Winter and Bellamy have been with us for about a week and a half, and we’re all learning how to acclimate.
I typically see my pack through work and at home often, but our omegas come down for a meal and then disappear into their nest.
Their fridge is well stocked, and they’ve been focused on painting and decorating their nest. It makes sense that I’d see them less. The issue is that it’s taking me longer to get used to the fact that they live with us.
I don’t want it to be a surprise when I walk around a corner and they’re in the kitchen or living room. I want to normalize this as part of my life.
Abbott slipped upstairs yesterday to infiltrate their space and was welcomed, but I don’t have that easy grace.
I still feel very awkward around her and Bellamy, so I have been taking control of things the only way I know how: by pinpointing the location of every asshole who has ever touched them while they were at The Hug Project.
Social media posts, city security cameras, and access to their calendars kind of take the difficulty out of things. People post everything from when they take a shit to tagging themselves at restaurants. Kidnapping and murder is child’s play now for our men.
Granted, none of them knew their lives were in danger, so there’s been no reason to hide. I am using the meanest of our men for this, and told them if there’s time, they can play with their food.
“These rugs are gorgeous,” Winter murmurs as we walk into the store. Buildings run close together as is true of much of Savannah, and there’s a lot of charm in them since we’re in the Historic District.
I’m not worried about Abbott having a cow with our disappearance because I know he can find both of us now. Before leaving the house, I injected a tracker into Winter and Bellamy’s wrists with their permission. The trackers are less likely to be found here and will heal up well.
After Clyde, they agreed they didn’t want to risk being taken without any recourse.
None of us are bonded to them yet, and while I’ve heard alphas have found their omegas in this way, a tracker is forever. This one is hard to find and can never be removed. We’ll always be able to find them.
“Are there any you need to have?” I ask. My hand glides down the front of her white tank top, flicking her nipples with my fingers without meaning to as I release her.
I pretend not to hear the intake of breath as goosebumps rise over her skin, or how hard her nipples are from the slight touch as she steps away from me.
Her long legs look amazing in her pink shorts and cute sandals, and once my eyes move over her body in appreciation, I find myself constantly drawn back to her pebbled nipples as her sweet scent gets stronger in the store.
Fuck. I need to get a hold of myself.
“I like this one,” Winter says, her voice cracking as she walks over to a rug hanging on the wall. It’s a round rug with sky blue as its primary color, and spots of gold, green, ivory, and orange to create a rustic Bohemian feel. “It‘ll give us a bright spot in our nest.”
It’s a medium sized rug which will help with their space, but the attic is large.
“Pick one more,” I urge, watching her. “It’s my treat.”
She turns to gaze at me, a refusal on her pink lips, and it pulls my focus there instead. I want to kiss her, yet I haven’t had a chance to. Abbott kissed Winter easily before we left the house today, while Bellamy just smiled happily.
Again, I don’t want to move too quickly or fuck up.
“Please,” I add. “I want to contribute something to your nest. Do you want me to grab Bellamy?”
“No. He found an art studio,” she says cryptically. “He trusts my judgement.”
I think their bond might work differently than anything I’ve ever heard of, which is fascinating. Not much is known of soul bonds, but occasionally Bellamy and Winter will have conversations without words or appear distracted before picking up a conversation again.
“Alright,” I drawl, waiting for her to continue to look.
“I wonder how much this is,” she says absently, making me shake my head.
“Doesn’t matter, baby,” I reply. “Treats don’t come with price tags. If you want it, it’s yours.”
Winter nods as she worries her bottom lip, her fingers tapping against each other as she walks around the store.
“Hi, sir, can I help you with anything?” a lady with bright red, curly hair asks.
I barely glance at her as I keep my eyes on Winter.
“Is it possible to buy the blue rug on the wall, please?” I ask. “I’m planning on buying another once she decides.”
I nod at the beautiful omega who disappears around the corner of the store, still looking. There are no other exits but the one we entered. I know because I checked, yet I still feel too far away.
“I can do that,” the woman says. “My son makes all of these rugs himself. I can answer any questions you might have.”
“They’re very pretty,” I say with a nod. “We’re currently on foot. Can we have them picked up later once I’ve paid?”
I think it’ll simply be easier to have them picked up rather than delivered since it’s a small shop.
“Yes,” she says, and it’s like my tether is snapped.
I have to be nearer to Winter. Now.
“Thank you,” I reply, already stalking down the aisle to find my omega.
My patience isn’t great once my anxiety is triggered, though to the outside world, it’s all shut down. My legs eat up the distance between us, and she gasps as she turns and I’m already there.
“Are you okay?” I ask, my hands on her elbows.
“Yes,” she says, warmth heating her cheeks. “It’s just…”
“What?” I ask, my voice dropping as I gaze down at her.
“I didn’t realize how far I got from you. I thought you were behind me.”
“Miss me already, Kitten?” I ask without thinking. Every night when I lay in bed with my pack, I see the nail marks on Abbott’s back from Winter clawing him before she came.
I see them as a badge of honor, and I’m a little jealous of them.
“A little,” she says softly, straightening as she finds herself beginning to slouch. “I’m not a fan of being alone.”
“I don’t think you’re going to find that to be a problem,” I reply. “I was making sure your rug was safe. I’m going to have someone pick it up. Did you find another you liked?”
“I’m stuck,” she sighs, pouting slightly. Fuck is she cute. “I need help deciding, and Bellamy is busy.”
“Well then. How can I be of service?” I ask.
For some reason, Winter blushes harder, and I find myself backing her against the wall. My hand braces over her head as I brush my knuckles down her chest where her blush continues. Her back arches as if to get closer to me, and I lean into her cues.
“Hmm. Is this all for me?” I rasp, my lips curving into a teasing smile.
She’s not wearing a bra, and her tits look amazing in her white top. They’re just too tempting.
“Yes. You’re a little overwhelming,” she rasps.
“Am I?” I ask, rethinking this and beginning to shift back.
Winter’s hand reaches out, fisting my linen shirt so I can’t go far.
“Which is it, Kitten?” I ask. “Close or far?”
“I already said I don’t like it when you’re too far away,” she says simply. “I know you—”
Fuck this sass has my cock thickening in my jeans, and I kiss the corner of her mouth to cut her off.
“I’m holding back,” I growl, licking along her lips as they part open.
Her breathing gets a little faster, but not with fear.
“I’m not good at dating. That’s why Abbott and Cass have always been the faces of our pack when courting.
I’ve known Cassidy since we were kids. It’s less scary talking to a girl when you’ve been eating glue together since kindergarten. ”
“I’m not scary,” Winter huffs out. “You look like you could bench press me.”
“Maybe I should add that to my training,” I chuckle. “You’re still holding onto my shirt, Kitten.”
Her lips twitch as she nods, her other hand moving to play with my messy hair.
“Do you seriously have to look this sexy all the time,” she mutters. I don’t even think she meant to say it, but I can’t help but answer her.
Those gentlemanly traits are very well ingrained, after all.
“I don’t think I’m the problem,” I murmur, my free hand on her waist. My thumb has a mind of its own, and it slides under her shirt in search of soft, warm skin. “Your nipples are mouth seeking missiles, baby. All I want to do is suck on them through your shirt. You’re sweetness and sin incarnate.”
“Oh.”