Chapter 10
“Alright, that’s enough.” I drop into the chair across from Hunter and Seb.
The two of them have been stuck at this table, poring over those damn books, for hours.
They’ve got papers and their laptops strewn everywhere.
Their eyes are bloodshot from staring at ancient symbols.
Hunter’s hair is sticking up in every direction from how much he’s been pulling it.
Seb’s glasses are smudged, and his tailored dress-shirt is a wrinkled mess.
Pretty sure they haven’t even peed since this morning.
Ever since Seb realized he knows Madi, he’s been as focused as Hunter. At least that single-mindedness has helped him relax a little. It’s like he hasn’t had time to be anxious around Hunter anymore because he’s too hyper-focused on finding our girl.
I still can’t believe my Madi is the same omega who asked Seb to help her through her heat months ago.
If only he’d said yes. At the time, I pushed for him to do it, even encouraged him to ask if I could join them so I could bond him during it, but he wasn’t ready.
Or at least, that’s the excuse he gave back then.
Gods, I hope he’s changed his tune by the time we find Madison.
“You two need a break.” I close the nearest book and start stacking up the others.
Hunter snatches a book back from me. “We can’t stop.”
Most people would be intimidated by the deep growl in his voice, but I’ve known him too long.
Seb, on the other hand, turns white as a sheet.
Shit. They were getting along so well. Okay, that might be a stretch.
They weren’t getting to know each other or anything.
But they were working together, engaging in parallel tasks without conflict or jealousy or posturing.
I count it as a win. It’s a start at least.
Seb clears his throat and scoots his chair farther away from Hunter. “He’s right. We still don’t know where we’re going. We can’t just take a break and walk away from this.”
“I’m not asking you to give up.” I set my hand over his and give it a squeeze. “But you might have clearer heads if you step back, refuel, and get some rest. It’s nearly midnight.”
Frankly, I want my beta. I’m as desperate to find Madi as they are, but I’ve felt useless all day. Translating ancient texts isn’t my thing. I did my best to be helpful until Hunter kicked me out in the late afternoon and said I was just in the way. I tried not to take it personally, but it stung.
After that, I spent most of my time either on deck, looking for whatever sea life I could find, or chatting with the captain, who’s been on other expeditions with me.
It was thoughtful of Seb to round up a crew made almost entirely of friends we’ve worked with before.
We’re gonna need people we trust out here.
Still, I’m antsy as hell and need a little time with my Sebby. It's been too long since I've seen him, held him. Besides, it’s easier to solve problems when you’re not hungry, tired, or emotional. They could both use a little refresh, maybe a little release too, but I won’t push my luck.
“All I’m asking is that you come have dinner with me,” I add.
“I’m not hungry,” Hunter replies.
That’s not surprising. I don’t know a lot about bonding sickness, but from what I understand it’s common for it to result in a loss of appetite, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, and fevers. If left unaddressed long enough, it can start to deteriorate an alpha’s mind, as well.
“I made Beef Stroganoff.” It’s Hunter’s favorite. I’m hoping it’ll tempt him. “Please, Hunt. At least eat a little.”
Hunter looks from me to the books. “Bring it in here. We’ll eat while we work.”
“Nope. Not happening.” I grab his hand and pull him out of the chair. Thankfully, he lets me. “I’ve already got a table set up on the deck. You need fresh air.” I push Hunter toward the door, then look back at my beta. “You too. Come on.”
Seb gives me a sexy smirk and stands slowly. He picks up an ancient looking journal, the harmonica thingy, and the i’xal before walking toward me. Brat.
I roll my eyes, but don’t fight him. At least they’re gonna eat.
We walk up the stairs, then through the sliding glass doors out onto the open deck near the stern of the ship.
It overlooks the helipad, with gleaming white railings so no one slips off since it’s on the third floor.
Third floor of a yacht—what an insane thing to say.
I’ll never get over the opulence, though it does come in handy for times like this.
Our footsteps echo on the wood flooring as we make our way to the table I set up. The silence as we all settle into our chairs is killing me, I hate dead air. I always feel the need to fill it. Luckily, my beta takes pity on me.
“So, you cooked this all yourself, huh?” He smirks.
“Okayyyy, I had Yoni make it. But I suggested it! It’s the thought that counts, right?”
“Yoni?” Hunter asks, brow furrowed in confusion.
“Our head chef.” Seb explains. “A ship this size requires a crew to run it, and I have no interest in messing with the way they do things. We have a full galley on the lower deck and a kitchen staff of three.”
Hunt's eyes widen, and he whistles. “Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever been on a boat that required a crew besides that cruise ship we took up north to Aska. I was skeptical when Nix said he made the meal. I love him, but cooking is not his forte.”
Everyone seems to hold their breath when Hunter says he loves me. It could be just a casual saying, but I think we all know it isn’t.
Seb saves the day again, clearing his throat. “So, Madi.”
“Yes,” Hunter draws out the word. “What about her?”
“What are the odds she turned out to be my ocean_omega? I’m not one to believe in fate, but—”
“I do!” I cut him off, raising my hand like a middle-schooler eager to impress the teacher. “The odds are like, a trillion to one. Plus she’s our scent match? It had to be divine intervention.”
Sebby smiles warmly at me, and my heart flutters. He never makes fun of my exuberance. Never thinks I’m too much.
“Well, that’s one way to look at it,” he agrees.
“I got to know her really well over the years we talked, but that was online. There’s a level of anonymity and protection granted when you’re interacting through a screen.
” He pauses to take a sip of his water. “Tell me more about her. What’s she like in the flesh? ”
His offhanded phrasing has me instantly thinking about Madi’s fleshy curves, her soft skin, supple breasts. The moans she made during that heat spike. Gods, she’s so perfect.
I adjust myself under the table. Seb raises an eyebrow, but Hunter doesn’t seem to notice. He asks a question about Madi’s online persona, and I try to be good and control my wayward thoughts.
By the time we’ve finished eating and telling Sebastian every little detail about Madi and Caspian, there’s a sheen of sweat on Hunter’s skin. His hands shake as he takes a sip of water. His plate is still half full, but it’s clear he’s not going to eat more.
“You don’t look so hot.” I place the back of my wrist on his forehead, and he brushes it away.
“I’m fine.” He stands, but sways more than warranted. The water is glassy calm, the boat rocking gently but evenly.
“You’re not.” I get up and support him with my arm around his waist. “Let’s get you to bed.”
Seb stands with us. “I’ll show you to your room.”
“What about…” Hunter weakly motions at the table full of leftover food and empty dishes.
Seb raises one eyebrow. “I’m worth billions. You think that’s out of the crew’s purview?"
I elbow Seb for his pompous tone. He doesn’t always realize how he comes off.
“Don’t worry. He pays his staff well,” I tell Hunter. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
The three of us walk single file down the narrow hall. Seb in front with Hunter after him, and me last. Hunter has to reach out for the wall a few times for support. I hate seeing him like this, but when I try to help, he grits his teeth and brushes me off.
Stubborn bastard.
Seb stops in front of a series of narrow doors. “I’d planned on this being our room.” He points at the first door on the left. “With Hunter next door. But you two should take the bigger room.”
“Seb,” I say, unsure how to finish the protest. Hunter’s my best friend.
I’ve secretly been in love with him since we were teenagers, and we only just confessed our feelings to each other.
He’s clearly suffering. But Seb’s my boyfriend, my mate, the man I plan to spend the rest of my life with.
And even though he doesn’t show it, I know he needs me too. This has got to be a lot for him.
It wasn’t that long ago that I called to try to convince him to come meet Hunter, and ended up fighting with him for an hour.
That was right before we all went on our picnic and ended up discovering Ocearus.
Before Madi was taken. But it was recent enough for the tension to linger.
I’m not going to abandon him now that we’re finally back together.
“Hunter needs you right now,” Seb’s voice softens. “It’s fine.”
“It’s not.” That comes from Hunter. “I’m taking the smaller room. You two should be together. I’m fine.”
It’s clear he’s not, but at the moment, I’m not sure I should argue with him.
Sebastian is good at masking his feelings, making people think he’s fine, but I know the anxiety he’s always fighting, and I can tell he needs me.
I feel torn in half between the two of them.
I want to suggest that we all share the bigger room together, but that would be too much, too soon.
They’re not ready. Though I’m really hoping we get there eventually.
While I’m still debating how to move forward, Hunter opens the door to the smaller bedroom and shuts it in my face. Guess that solves that. I really hope he’s able to sleep.
“Are you ready to turn in, too?” Seb asks.
I’m too wound up to sleep, anxious and jittery. So is he. I can tell. We could both use an outlet to blow off some steam, a distraction to keep us from worrying about Madi even if only for a few minutes.
I back Seb against the closed door of our room, my body pressing into his, so he can feel my need. “What do you think, Sebby? Am I ready to sleep?”