Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
Hayden
Do I love that Siobhan is planning to meet up with someone who has already tried to harm her? No. Do I understand she’s an adult and can make her own decisions? Yes.
Does my inner alpha care? Absolutely not.
I’m at the EMT training facility despite having today off, because I had to take some space to come to terms with her decision.
Sweat pours down my back as I run stairs, and I’m so in my own head that I hardly notice when I pass my fire fighter friend as he jogs down the stairs in the opposite direction.
It’s not until he flips around and leaps after me, then matches my pace that I do a double take.
“Oh. Hey, Seth.”
His brows go up and he eyes me like I’ve lost my mind. It kind of feels like I have.
“Heard you were out on heat leave,” he says.
I nod, not slowing my pace despite the stitch in my side.
“Right. Soooo, did it not go well then?”
“What?” I stumble on a step and he reaches out, snagging my elbow to stabilize me. “No, it was great. Why would you say that?”
Somehow his eyebrows go even higher and he gives me a pointed look. “Maybe the fact that you’re back early and choosing to run stairs rather than cuddling up with your omega?”
I pause, chest heaving, and place one hand on the rail. “Heat was good. Don’t like something she’s planning to do for her career.”
He stops next to me and leans forward, bracing one foot three stairs up so he can stretch. “Why’s that?”
“She’s meeting up with this other woman who has already acted maliciously towards her. Puts my alpha on edge.” I run my fingers through my sweaty curls, pushing them back from my forehead.
“Oof,” Seth says. “Don’t love that. Good luck!” Then he claps me on the shoulder and proceeds to start high-knees up the stairs.
“Wha—That’s it?” I say, darting after him. “Good luck?”
“Oh,” he stops, looking down at me. “Did you want advice or something?”
“Well, I don’t know.” I frown and fist my hands on my hips. “Do you have advice?”
He shrugs. “I mean, not really. You have to do the best you can, right? Let her do her thing, and try to keep her as safe as you can without interfering.”
I blink, taking in his easy answer.
“And,” he says with a chuckle, “torture yourself on the stairs, apparently.” Then he takes off again and I’m left staring at the blank stairwell wondering how the hell I can keep her safe without interfering.
I call Aury as soon as I’m showered, hoping he’s not with Siobhan at the moment.
“Hayden,” he says. “What’s up?”
“Hey, wanted to run some thoughts by you. What’s everyone up to?” I left the three of them at Siobhan’s after lunch and am hoping there have been no more hiccups. Things are already precarious enough, we can’t afford to mess them up further.
“I figured I’d give the newly bonded pair some alone time,” Aury says. “I’m headed into the office to check up on what I’ve missed, send out some emails to reschedule the cancelled classes.”
My sigh of relief is silent, but he can probably sense it in my tone. “Can I meet you there?”
“Sure, everything okay?”
“Yeah, all good. Just figure it’ll be easier to talk in person.”
“Cool, see ya soon.”
I’ve been avoiding letting myself think about the last few days, keeping busy and distracted, but the ten minute drive to the community center is quiet.
My thoughts inevitably turn to Siobhan and Jayce being bonded, and the wrench that has thrown into our pack plans.
Of course, we all want to bond with her, but not like this.
A confusing mix of sadness, jealousy, and anticipation tighten my chest. I’d love to be bonded to her, would do so tomorrow if she wanted to, but will she?
I hope Jayce hasn’t scared her off, but to say he’s the least in control of his instincts would be an understatement.
The man is not the most emotionally intelligent, and I worry how that will impact her, and them, and our chances as a pack.
What am I supposed to do? I’m the pack lead.
I should have answers, solutions, a solid plan for moving forward.
But all I’ve got is chaos in my brain and restlessness in my body.
I pause for a moment after parking, taking a few seconds to breathe and re-center myself.
I hope Aury can help me come up with something feasible.
He’s already settled at his desk when I walk in and run my eyes over his lean build, then knock on the doorframe. My alpha puffs up in my chest when he glances over and runs his own heated gaze up my body.
“Hey, come on in,” Aury says, shuffling a stack of papers to the side. “What did you want to talk about?”
“Siobhan’s collab,” I say, deciding to go straight for the point.
Aury nods. “I kinda figured. I’m not super pleased with it either.”
“Okay, so.” I steeple my fingers and lean my elbows on his desk.
His eyes drop to my forearms and he swallows hard, then he forces his gaze back up to mine.
I hold in a smirk at the brimming desire.
“Later, pretty beta,” I murmur. “Right now, we need to figure out how we’re going to keep our girl safe and Jayce in check. ”
Aury rolls his eyes to the ceiling and sits back, puffing his cheeks out with a harsh exhale. “I didn’t even think about the Jayce factor. He’s going to be all protective alpha mode, huh?”
I pinch my lips together and nod. “I suspect so.”
“Alright. One thing at a time. Siobhan gave me a breakdown of what she’s going to aim for with this collab, so here’s what I’m thinking…”
After Aury outlines his plan, I sit back, impressed with the level of detail he put into it. I nod and let one side of my lips curve into a half-smile. His cheeks darken, and my inner alpha rumbles in satisfaction.
“Sí, bello.” I grin. “I think that just might work. You want to come over after you’re done working?”
Aury does a double take and his lips part in surprise. I’m not sure why he looks shocked; I’ve made it no secret that I’m attracted to him as well.
“I— Sure,” he says.
“Sure?” I tilt my head and fix him with a hard look. “Yes or no, bello? No expectations, and I won’t be disappointed if you want some space. That was an intense few days.”
“Yes!” he blurts, and my heart leaps at the eager edge to his voice. “I mean, yes, I’d like to come over.”
“What about Bunny?”
“Oh, uh,” he snags his phone. “Let me check if Siobhan is cool taking care of her until tomorrow.”
I prop my hands behind my head and lean back in the chair across from him, pleased with how this little pack is shaping up.
That tantalizing necklace he always wears peeks at me from under the collar of his shirt as he types out a quick message to Siobhan.
I want to bite that pretty neck, put a matching silver scar next to his silver chain.
Claim all of my pack for everyone to see.
Sure enough, Siobhan is thrilled to cat-sit Bunny. I stand and stretch, showing off my rippling abs, more than happy to let Aury look his fill. Then I lean forward, plant my hands on his desk, and stop inches from his mouth.
“See you later, Aury.” I pause for a moment, breathing in the subtle sweet yet spicy scent of him, then I pull back. Breaking the tension, I sweep out of the room before he can change his mind.