Chapter 32
Loz wriggles back on the sofa, looking smug, as I return the signed contracts and forward a copy to her lawyer, and send Lance a quick message to ask him to pick up Pack Zed from the airport tomorrow.
Looking at her expression, anyone would think the whole situation was barely a blip on her radar, but the way her shoulders have dropped makes me wonder just what she didn't want to say earlier. And what she didn't want to say in front of me.
Crap. I hope it's just that it wasn't just us.
"Look at that. Not even a day off schedule. You got a real talent for that shit, Clarke or Ralph or whatever the fuck I'm supposed to call you." Her voice is so steady, so full of humour, I almost believe that she isn't relieved.
"Clarke is—is fine," Ralph stammers, blushing.
"So," she says, leaning forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "'Bout that breach of contract penalty. There's no fucking skin off my nose here—youse lot really came through. I'm going off my suppressants right on schedule and not even losing a single fucking day."
She nods at Ralph, then at Allen. They nod back.
"I'm not gonna enforce the breach of contract clause. And I'm not gonna dob on you to the feds—so don't waste your time flagellating yourselves with paperwork."
Allen starts to say something, but Zeke elbows him in the ribs.
Ralph raises an eyebrow at Zeke. "Are you sure? Lauren, it's completely fair and you're entitled—"
"Nope. Wouldn't be fair at all." She stands up and folds her arms. "That being said, I can and will change my mind if you fuckers hurt her," she says flatly. "After I fucking gut youse."
Seb bursts out laughing. Loz grins at him. "I'm not fucking kidding about that, North Shore."
His laughter trails off. He clears his throat and runs his hand through his loose, sun-streaked curls. "Seems fair."
She nods, firmly. "Now, what's this I hear about a fucking poolhouse? You better be taking her somewhere better than that for her heat—"
"Loz! I haven't, uh, had the chance to talk to them about that yet—"
"Oh for fuck's sake," she huffs, throwing her hands up in the air. "Youse fucking lot. I swear." She glares at me. "There's no fucking way you're fitting six people in that fucking linen cupboard you pretend is a nest. Please tell me you booked yourself a fucking heat hotel?"
Embarrassment floods through me. I shake my head.
She growls. "Fucking hell, Dellie. This is fucking ridiculous. Y'know what—I'm out. You need to seriously get your shit together." She storms out of the room and slams the door.
Not even ten seconds later, she storms back in.
"Once you've got your shit together and talked like adults about her fucking heat—unless one of youse has a mansion stashed away on a random fucking backlot, youse lot can stay in the Annex.
At least there's a proper fucking pack bedroom and a proper fucking nest and it doesn't fucking stink like wet bathers. "
"Loz—"
"You always order me enough heat supplies for, like, three packs anyway, and there's like six extra boxes of energy gels out there," she mutters. "And it's probably not a bad fucking idea to have someone I can trust close by. Just… just in case."
The last part was much quieter. I rest my hand on her upper arm. She leans into it and smiles at me, then turns and walks towards the mezzanine stairs.
"Just put down a fucking towel first before you fuck on the furniture," she shouts as she walks away, without turning back.
"Huh. This is an Annex?" James seems to be struggling to keep his face composed.
"The house I grew up in wasn't this big," Zeke mutters.
Allen makes a slight growling sound. "We can look around after we've had a talk. A proper talk. All of us."
My chest is twanging with nervous energy. Allen goes and sits on the big, squashy sofa where I slept last night. I see his nostrils flare as he inhales deeply. He clears his throat and gestures to the empty space next to him.
I perch on the edge of the sofa, one leg tucked under me, but shuffle back and lean into it when I catch Allen's expression.
Seb plonks down next to me, snuggling up against me.
His comforting petrichor wraps around me.
It's all I can do to stop myself leaning back into him like a pillow.
Ralph folds himself in behind him. James is glaring at me from where he leans against the sofa arm.
Zeke has claimed the coffee table as a seat.
I can feel their gazes burning into me. I feel myself blushing, my body tensing, but the warmth and scent is wrapping around me, cocooning me, ever so slightly easing the impending sense of panic. "Um, so, I guess there are some other, um, pressing things we should talk about?"
Allen nods. His mouth looks pinched.
I take a slow breath. "Um. So. I got a bit, um, overenthusiastic with my heat suppressants for a bit too long. I kinda had to go off them on Saturday—"
Seb shifts behind me. "Extended suppressant use can have some nasty side effects. Like problems with your liver and kidneys. Or not being able to recognise a scent match." He clears his throat. "How long were you on them without a break?"
I glance behind me. Apparently, my face is asking a question, because Zeke chuckles. "He's a registered nurse with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. I know, you wouldn't know it when you talk to him."
Seb rolls his eyes. "C'mon, Balga. This matters."
I sigh. "Um. Seventeen months, I guess?"
His lips pinch. "Good thing you're off them now, I guess. And, Balga—"
"Mmm?"
His firm hand grasps my chin. His usual wry expression of good humour is nowhere to be seen. His eyes are dark with intent. "Never. Do. That. Again."
His low growl makes my undies wet with slick. I bite back a whimper as my scent curls around us. He raises an eyebrow. "None of that 'til we've talked, Balga. Behave."
The answer escapes my lips as a breathy whisper before I can pull it back. "Yes, Alpha."
Seb's nostrils flare. He clears his throat. "Shit, Balga. You're making this really fucking hard."
I hear Zeke mutter something about it isn't the only thing she's making really fucking hard, and swallow a giggle.
James growls from across the couch, his freckled face tight with concern. "This is important, lovely. You haven't been looking after yourself. That stops. Now."
It's a statement of fact. Of how the world will be from here on out. It's not a request or a command. I shiver. "I know."
"Good." Seb's face relaxes a little. "If you took your last dose of suppressants on Saturday… morning?"
I nod. "Mmmmm"
"Hmmm, okay. Today's Monday. So your heat should kick in on Wednesday or Thursday, then.
Although," Seb clears his throat, "the whole scent compatibility thing can sometimes, uh, accelerate things a little.
Sometimes… more than a little. And it may, um, extend the duration slightly, so we really gotta get ready, just in case. "
My face is growing hot.
"What do you want to do?" Ralph's voice is quiet from behind Seb's shoulder.
I frown. "What do you mean?"
Ralph clears his throat. "Do you want us to make sure you've got enough toys and supplies, and just make sure you're fed and well and hydrated? Or do you want us to take you to hospital for sedation? Or—"
My whimper interrupts him. I clear my throat, and try to calm the scrabbling in my chest.
"No." I force my voice to be steady. "Would it be okay if… I want you to help me through my heat. Like… like, properly help me. All of you. But—not like a job. Like… you know. Like pack. But only if you want to…" As my voice trails off, I feel my heart speed up, betraying me.
Courage, Dellie.
I clear my throat. "I know everything's… complicated. I know I'm supposed to be thinking about… all the stuff we're supposed to think about. Stuff like… careers. And… practicalities. But…" My breath hitches. "I want to see if we can uncomplicate it."
Seb starts rubbing the small of my back with his thumb. I bite back a moan. He leans closer to me.
"You want us to make you cum, Balga?" Seb's growly murmur hits me squarely between my legs.
I nod. "Yes."
"You want our pheromones?"
I press against him. "Yes." My voice is growing breathier, the thin layers of cloth between my thighs slicker.
"You want our cocks?"
"Yes." I bite my lips, trying not to moan.
"Our knots?"
I close my eyes, sinking into him. "Yes."
"You want our bites? You want our claim? You want… our forever?"
"Yes." My voice is definite. I force my eyes open and stare into his. "Only if you want mine, too."
"You don't care that it's been less than a week? That we have barely had three conversations? That your life is here and ours is in New York?" Allen's rumble from in front of me tugs at something powerful in my core.
My lip rolls between my teeth. "I… I should.
I know I'm supposed to. But… you all just feel like…
" I shudder out a long breath. "You just all feel so right and I want you to be mine and I want to be yours and just figure the rest of it out after.
" It explodes out of me in a whoosh of relief and release.
I suck in another calming breath. "So no. I don't care that it's so quick. Nothing has ever felt more right to me. But… but only if you feel the same… do you?" I ask, looking around the room. I feel five pairs of eyes, liquid with lust, stare hungrily at me.
The scent that surrounds us is almost overwhelming. A vibrant springtime garden after a refreshing shower.
"I was yours the first time I saw you, lovely. It can't be too soon," James murmurs from the sofa arm.
Zeke shuffles on the coffee table, crossing his legs. "I couldn't let you go. Ever. The sooner the better."
Seb chuckles. "My alpha is pissed I haven't done it already."
"Only if you're a hundred percent sure it's what you want. I'll be very, very disappointed if you're holding back, Dellie." Allen is glaring at me in a way that makes me want to drop to the floor and present.
But he didn't answer my question. "That wasn't what I asked, Alpha." I raise my eyebrow.