Chapter 13
Chapter
Thirteen
OLIVIA
Maddox’s worried voice pulls me out of my sleep as I listen to him, and I gaze up at Gareth with a frown.
“Cian, do you really need proof of life right now?” Maddox growls. There’s silence as he listens to the call before blowing out a breath. “We’ve had a rough few days, Cian. There hasn’t been a chance for her to call.”
His words ring true to me, but those will sound like excuses for Cian. Sighing, I groan softly in annoyance.
“I look like a mess,” I mutter. “They’re going to shoot first and ask questions later at this rate.”
“Yeah, alright,” Maddox grunts. “We’re going to swing by her cottage so that she can change. As I said, we had a situation earlier we had to handle.”
Maddox hangs up and tosses his phone into the cup holder with an annoyed sigh, changing directions to my house. It doesn’t matter to me at this point how he knows the way, since Gareth kidnapped me from the cottage.
“Sorry, Livy,” Maddox grunts. “I tried, but he wouldn’t budge.”
“I get it,” I admit. “It’s been days without contact, Cerenity is going to be worried. I didn’t have time to think about that with everything happening.”
“Don’t do that to yourself,” Gareth says gently. “You’re a grown woman with a full plate too. Her pack will take care of your daughter’s needs, okay? You also haven’t slept anywhere near enough. You’re exhausted.”
Pressing myself tighter against his body, I become very aware that I haven’t showered at all.
“Ugh, I feel like I’m going to be doing the walk of shame,” I groan. “I have so much cum on and inside of me, I don’t want to talk about it.”
The guys chuckle in that hot rumbly way that smug men do, making me roll my eyes.
“First of all, you won’t be walking,” Maddox says, driving up to the gate.
“It’s also not shameful to have your pack take care of you during your heat,” Gareth adds. “The aftercare of it all was a bit lacking because of the kidnapping.”
A hysterical giggle escapes me. This shouldn’t be funny, yet it kind of is.
Rolling down the window, Maddox makes sure the camera can see him. The gates open and he drives onto the property. I can feel my body flushing with embarrassment, because I have a feeling I may have cum in my hair too. Fuck, it’s so damn messy to be an omega.
Coming to a stop, Maddox opens the back door with the key fob.
“I’ll stall,” he grunts as Gareth jumps out with me in his arms.
Balthazar jogs beside us as Gareth takes off around the back toward my cottage, the blanket forgotten in the trunk of the SUV. This time, Gabriel steps in front of us just as we reach the backyard.
“Gabe, I only want to tell this story once, preferably after a shower,” I growl, watching as he puts his hands up placatingly and steps back.
“Damn,” he mutters. “If you can use the mama growl on me, then you’re well enough. I’ll tell them you’ll swing by the main house when you’re ready.”
His gaze cuts over to Gareth, eyes narrowing. “Looks as if you’re keeping her in one piece. I’ll tell my pack they probably won’t have to kill you.”
“I just detached my father’s head from his body, pretty boy. Bring it,” Gareth snarls as Balthy barks, showing his teeth.
“No! Down!” I yell, feeling silly. “Ugh, I can’t handle the dick measuring tonight. I’m too fucking tired.”
Gareth chuckles as if I made a joke and moves around Gabriel. Laying my head on his shoulder, I yawn widely as he gets to the cottage door.
“Reach above your head for the extra key,” I say sleepily.
“I would lecture you about this if you weren’t on a property that’s locked up tight,” he grumbles, finding the key and letting us in.
“You still got in,” I say without thinking, grinning as he raises his brow at me. “I can walk, you know.”
“I’ll let go when I feel like it,” he says, walking through the house before he sets my feet down on the tile floor of the bathroom. “I’m going to stay right here and make sure you don’t fall asleep, Angel. You’re really fucking tired.”
“I am,” I groan, pulling off the hoody. “Hold onto this. I want to put it back on once I’m out of the shower.”
“You’re the boss.”
Gareth patiently waits as I have an “everything” shower, because I have to make sure to scrub my entire body after the intensity of my heat.
My skin is rosy by the time I get out, and he rubs me down with a towel, making sure to dry me off thoroughly. Grabbing my lotion, I rub it into my skin, braid my hair, and then brush my teeth while naked.
“I fucking love how comfortable you are in your own skin,” he says. “You’re so fucking sexy, Angel.”
“I’m just brushing my teeth,” I tease him, rinsing my mouth.
“Mmhmm,” he chuckles, watching as I walk to the closet.
Getting dressed quickly in a pair of joggers, a tank top with a built in bra, and Cai’s sweatshirt, I decide this is the best it’s going to get. Adding socks and a pair of trainers, I grab Gareth’s hand to pull him along with me.
“Time to deal with this before I can go to bed,” I mumble.
“You’re so cute and grumpy,” Gareth laughs as we walk across the backyard to the main house.
“I feel grumpy,” I admit. “I want to sleep with all of you and the dog.”
Things aren’t perfect yet, but I think we’re moving in the right direction. I’ll let my alphas grovel and pamper me though. I think it’s good for them.
Balthazar happily walks beside me as I open the back door with the code and walk into the house.
“Mama!” Cerenity yells, throwing herself at me. I’ve gotten better with touch while living here, and I hug her back hard.
“I’m fine,” I soothe her, my heart full to know that she still needs me.
“You didn’t call,” she says, dashing away her tears.
“I haven’t had any of my meds,” I say, watching as the realization hits her.
“Oh shit,” she whispers. Her eyes move to where Gareth’s hand moves to my waist before darting back to me. “Are you okay?”
“The heat part was fine,” I say, blushing. “I kind of got kidnapped though.”
“Again!” Cerenity yells.
“Yeah, let’s put your guys to work,” I tease her. “I’m starving again.”
“What can I make you?” Gabe asks. He’s so damn quiet, but I’m used to it. “I can make burrito bowls really quickly.”
My stomach answers for me, while Gareth smirks.
“I solemnly swear that I’m not starving your mother, Cerenity,” he says.
“We haven’t been properly introduced yet, don’t use my name,” Cere sniffs.
“Well okay then,” Gareth says.
Yeah, that’s going to be interesting. I should make sure the knives and frying pans are hidden.
“Let me go show my face to the others before one of them starts a war,” I mutter.
“Good call,” Cerenity grins, walking with me.
Perfection isn’t something I need. Passion, messiness, with a dash of murderous intrigue. That’s what keeps life interesting.