Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Knight
Itake another sip of my beer, grimacing at the taste.
Even after three sips, it doesn’t taste right. I set it aside, waving off the bartender when he offers to get me something else.
My eyes scan the clubhouse, smiling.
It feels like it’s been forever since I was home, but it hasn’t been more than a few weeks.
The entire club, families included, has come out to celebrate Stacia’s safe return.
It’s too bad I don’t feel much like celebrating.
While the rest of the club returned home after rescuing Stacia, we stayed in Miami until the early morning hours so Luna could catch up with her brothers. I hated tearing her away from them when I finally announced we needed to leave, but at least they can stay in contact now.
By the time we made it to Orlando, the sun was always rising.
We all passed out in the house I share with Mack and Ven on the compound, but my sleep was restless.
I hate to admit it, but this place no longer feels like home. Home is Luna’s home in Widows Peak.
Well, fuck.
I certainly hope the others feel the same.
Not seeing my pack mates, I step outside and wince as the humid heat hits me.
Apparently spending several weeks in the mountains of Colorado has ruined me for Florida temperatures.
I pull at the collar of the shirt I wear beneath my cut, eyes searching for my mates.
Mack and Ven are talking with their dads, and Ven’s arm is hooked around Prescott’s shoulders.
My alphas haven’t been able to dote as much on our beta with everything that’s going on, so it’s nice to see them spending time with him while we’re here.
It takes a few more seconds for me to find Luna and Christian as they dance to the music, their bodies barely moving as they stare into one another’s eyes.
I wasn’t lying when I told her I was glad she had him back. I don’t even care that he doesn’t seem interested in anyone besides Luna.
She deserves that after all the pain her brother caused her.
I bite back a growl at the reminder of Fabian. Fucking cocksucker.
He’s lucky Matías shot him. I wouldn’t have killed him so quickly.
I probably would’ve cut off some of his limbs too.
“Fuck. Why is it so hot?”
A giggle makes my head jerk to the side, smiling when I see my sister sidle up beside me. “Hey, Stacia.”
“Hey, yourself, Ward.”
I roll my eyes. “Are you ever going to stop calling me that? You’re the only one who does. Even Dad stopped calling me Ward years ago.”
She shakes her head. “As long as it annoys you, I’ll keep addressing you as such.”
“Brat.”
“Damn straight.” She sobers. “Thank you for coming for me—for making sure I wasn’t trapped in that place any longer that I had to be.”
“You don’t have to thank me for that, Stacia. Of course I wouldn’t leave you with that bastard.”
She grins. “I met your new mates. I like them.”
“So do I.”
“Yeah, I kind of figured.” Her eyes catch on Christian and Luna. “Christian’s one of the good ones. He did everything in his power to keep me safe.”
I nod. “I know. He told us, but thank you for telling me.”
Unable to stand the heat, I whip off my cut and shirt, throwing the shirt at my sister’s head as I pull the cut over my bare chest.
“Ew, I don’t want your damn sweat all over me.” She squeals, tossing the shirt back at me before freezing. “Umm… Ward? Why are you at the party when you’re going into heat?”
“I’m not going into—” I cut off, taking stock of my symptoms. “Oh, fuck.”
Christian rushes up with Luna in his arms. “We’re going to head inside. Luna isn’t feeling well.”
Stacia leans in and takes a whiff of Luna before taking a big step backward. “That’s because she’s going into heat, just like my brother.”
“What? You’re both going into heat? Why didn’t you say anything?” Christian’s eyes are wide with panic, and I lay a hand on his arm.
“Calm down, big guy. My sister has an exceptional nose. She can tell when an omega is two days from their heat.” I swipe my arm across my forehead. “Although I’m not sure I have two days.”
“Nope.” Stacia grins. “I’m guessing all the stress of the last few weeks is catching up with y’all. Add in the whole meeting your scent matches thing, and it’s a recipe for an early heat.”
I shove her away. “Stop being so damn gleeful about it all. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Her smile softens. “I’m just happy for you, Knight.”
“You called me Knight,” I can’t help pointing out with a grin. I pull her in for a hug. “You’ll find your happily ever after one day. Don’t give up hope.”
Luna’s head wavers as she lifts it to look at Stacia. “You’re a good sister, Stacia. I’m glad we saved you from my bastard of a brother.”
“You and me both. Now, go get the rest of your pack. I’ll let Dad know where you are, and I guess I’ll see you in a week.”
I kiss the top of her head. “You’re my favorite sister.”
“I’m your only sister, asshole,” she calls after me as I start toward Ven, Prescott, and Mack.
As if sensing my presence, Mack’s head shoots up. His eyes narrow as he notices Luna in Christian’s arms. He says something to his and Ven’s dads before the three of them move toward us.
“What’s going on?” Ven demands, reaching out as if to snatch Luna from Christian’s hold before pulling up short.
“Apparently, we’re going into heat,” Luna announces a touch too loudly.
I hear some chuckles from around us and shake my head. “I didn’t realize what was happening.”
“Me neither.” Luna shrugs. “Chris, you know I can walk, right? It’s not like I’m dying.”
“Let your alpha carry you.” Ven’s voice is gruff as he kisses the top of Luna’s head. “It makes us feel useful.”
I grin as I turn to him. “Does that mean you’re going to carry me?”
He scoffs. “Not on your life. Although it would be pretty damn entertaining for everyone else to watch me try to carry your ass.”
Another rush of heat runs through me, my head pounding. “Okay, we need to get back to the house. This heat is killing me.”
“I’d forgotten what the heat was like here,” Luna admits. “I hate it.”
I shoot her a wink before beelining for our house. “Me too, sunshine. Me too.”
Less than ten minutes later, I step into the house and head straight for the thermostat, dropping the temperature drastically. “Anyone who isn’t an omega going into heat can put on more clothes if they get cold. Luna, if you get too cold, let me know, and I’ll turn the temperature up.”
“My hero.” She leans away from Christian so she can kiss my cheek. “But something tells me that won’t be a problem. Chris, can you put me down? There’s something I want to talk to you guys about.”
He hesitates only for a moment before setting her on her feet. I take her hand, leading her into the living room while everyone else trails behind us.
Before I settle onto the couch, I pull off my cut and drop my pants before letting out a sigh of relief.
Luna pouts, glancing down at her clothes.
“Someone give Luna their shirt.”
All four of them rush to pull their shirts off, but Prescott is the fastest. Luna beams up at him as she quickly disrobes until the only thing she’s wearing are her panties before tugging his shirt over her head.
I snag her around the waist and pull her onto the couch beside me, burying my head in her neck. Her cacao and orchid scent is strong, and I’m surprised I didn’t guess she was going into heat sooner.
She giggles, pushing me away as the others settle around the room.
“I wasn’t expecting to go into heat so soon, but there are things I need to say before that happens.
I’ve already told you I want each of you to be mine, and that still stands.
In fact, I want to make it official during my heat.
Actually, before the heat starts would be better.
I want to wear your bites and show the world who my pack is. ”
Growls sound out, including mine.
“Prescott, if you’re willing—”
“Yes,” he answers, cutting her off. “I want to be yours, Luna. Hell, I want all of your bites. Except Christian. Sorry, man.”
Christian chuckles. “We’re good, Prescott. There’s only one person I want wearing my mark, and hers is the only one I plan to wear.”
“If we’re doing this before your heat hits, does that mean we’re doing this now?” Ven is already on his feet, stalking toward us. “Because if so, I’m calling dibs.”
Luna squeals as he pulls her out of my arms and tosses her over his shoulder. “You can’t call dibs on mating! That’s not a thing.”
“Apparently it is because I just did.” He pauses in the doorway to glance back. “Are the rest of you assholes coming, or do I get the pretty omega to myself?”
No one has to tell me twice.
I’m on my feet in seconds, rushing behind them toward the bedroom.
“In my nest,” I call as Ven pushes into the room.
Luna might not be able to have her nest for this, but she at least deserves a nest, and I have no problem sharing mine with her.