Chapter 13 #2
Katsu hums. “There are a couple of options. You two can take care of it before the heat, either I or Fox can take care of you, or you can wait until the heat and your pheromones will help calm you, and it can potentially feel better. Honestly, the heat will steal your nerves and heighten arousal. It would be the best time for both of you to lose your V-cards.”
I stare at him. There was a thought there, but it just drove right off the side of a cliff into white noise and flashes of skin and alpha moans.
“Is that too hard a question?”
I nod. Sex with any of them is too hard to talk about right now, right here, in front of him, after witnessing what they did earlier.
He smiles and pulls me down so I’m lying curled into his chest. It’s cold out here, but wrapped around Katsu, I find myself unbearably warm.
“Okay, we won’t ask hard questions. How about, do you like that room?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like us?”
That’s another easy one, but almost impossible to say.
“Yes,” I manage to get out in a strangled voice.
“Would you like me to help you through your heat and first time?”
“Yes,” I say meekly.
“And Fox?”
“Yes.”
His hand strokes over my back and shoulder. “Good girl.”
The words ignite something inside me that has me quivering. I’ve never felt like this before, but his praise, it just hits this spot, this place inside that needs to hear it.
“Noted,” he murmurs.
A shadow falls over us, stealing our sun, and I look up to find Gale and Fox standing there.
“Hello, my loves,” Fox purrs at me.
That’s the second time he’s called me that, and like the first time, it’s a gut punch of sensation. If I am completely honest, I love it. This time, I don’t tell him I’m not ready. I just curl my toes in the cool sand and pretend like his pleasure isn’t one of the biggest turn ons ever.
“You found my horse again,” I murmur.
Gale tosses his mane and tries his best to look cute.
“I’m really sorry, Cordie,” Imogen says. “I tried to stop him, but he just got the bit between his teeth and brought me here.”
I stand up smoothly and take the reins. With easy practice, I swing myself up onto my horse.
I am running away again; I know I am, but I just need a minute.
“It’s all good; he does what he wants,” I say to the younger Sol.
Imogen and I are about the same height, so I don’t need to adjust anything. I urge Gale to turn and then pat his neck.
“You want to play? Let’s play.”
He takes off. I lie low on his neck as he veers towards the ocean before settling to running on the hard-packed wet sand. He stretches his neck out, blowing and making shrill, happy sounds.
I lean over him, laughing until I sit back, saying whoa.
He slows to a trot and then dances sideways.
I lean forward and throw my arms around his neck.
“You’re a pest, but I love you.”
Gale walks us slowly back. When I’m with him, I’m not quite so scared of the water. He wouldn’t let anything happen to me.
Fox walks beside us. “How did you two end up together?”
“Our trust came from years of working together, getting to know each other.”
Seagulls float on the air currents, and a bit of sun breaks through the clouds turning the ocean into a gleaming gem. Like his green eyes when I look down at him.
“Earning his trust was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. Just getting close enough to groom him took weeks. The first time he came to me, I cried. Our first ride wasn’t perfect, but each time, we got better and better.”
“Sounds like you two were made for each other.”
“The vet estimates that he’s about ten years old, but no one is sure. Even though we searched for his owners, no one came forward, and he didn’t have any visible markings or chips. After a couple of months, I formally adopted him. Mum’s equestrian rescue phase passed, but Gale stayed. He’s family.”
Katsu and Sebastian watch as we slowly walk back.
I dismount, but Gale moves in front of me, blocking them.
“I thought you loved Fox?” I tease the massive horse.
He snorts and fixes a beady eye on Sebastian.
They get along, but only to a point. Gale always tries to get a chunk out of Sebastian if he can. It’s become part of their thing with each other.
A tiny sausage dog comes racing down the stairs, barking his little heart out.
“DANGER!” Elijah jogs down the stairs, calling to the little dog.
Before anyone can stop him, he runs right up to Gale and the two of them sniff each other. The pup’s tail wags enthusiastically, and he rears up, startling Gale, who snorts.
Elijah slows down, approaching warily.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, wondering if he’s worried about Gale.
“Your friend has the black and white tyrant king on his shoulder,” Elijah whispers in horror. “I’m afraid he’s going to start swooping me again. It’s not egg or baby season, though. But when did that dick ever not swoop when he has a chance?”
I snort a laugh. I guess it’s true. If Sully is the queen of Sunshine Cove, then Mat would be the king, and the king has decided his place is with Fox.
My skin crawls, and I look up the stairs and find the perturbing glare of the seagull in question, watching our every move.
“Danger! You can’t just be running off all the time,” Elijah says and brushes his golden hair out of his face. “What are you all doing out here? It’s freezing?”
“Escaping. I have school tomorrow,” Imogen says bitterly. “I’m not ready for school.”
Elijah chuckles. “It will be over before you know it.”
She grumbles as he turns to us. I give him a look that is pure desperation and glance at the girl and my horse. I know I’m not meant to have favourites, but Elijah is my favourite of Sofia’s mates.
“We’re fetching Gale. He ran away with Imogen,” I explain.
Elijah’s eyes widen. “Oh, okay. Um. Well, I’m heading up to see Milton, do you want to come with me?” he asks the teen.
Imogen nods. “We can take Gale home?” she bounces on her toes, looking hopefully between me and Elijah.
“I won’t be long. I need to go shopping,” I say, glancing sideways at Fox, who beams at me as if he knows exactly what I need.
“Oh? What are you shopping for?” Elijah says as he reaches for Danger.
There is no hiding it. Not anymore. “My heat. We’re going shopping for my nest.” I feel nauseous just saying it.
Imogen squeals. “That is so exciting. I can’t wait to go shopping for mine!”
Elijah looks up, his eyes full of concern. He meets the gazes of my alphas one at a time, and I see something hard and dangerous in him.
“Cordie is family. If she gets hurt, the pack will come after you. Even you, Sebastian.”
“She will be treated like a queen,” Katsu assures him, “and if we do anything that causes her harm, you can be the first to rip me apart.”
Elijah seems to calm at that, but I’m reeling. I didn’t know…I mean, I had no idea that my best friends’ alphas would protect me, that they care enough.
“You are loved by this town, Cordelia. If you ever need help, you just need to say so.” He pats Gale and nods. “Have a good day, come on, Imogen. Let's see if there’s chocolate on the stove. I’ll drop some cookies off to you guys tonight.”
And then it’s just us.