Chapter 17
We made the mistake of letting Phoenix pick the movie.
I should have known better after years of dating the man.
It’s some artsy french flick that’s all in black and white and doesn’t shy away from nudity.
Lots of nudity. It’s more sensual than graphic, but it still has me squirming next to him.
It doesn’t help that we’re all three crammed in Hunter’s bed, me on one side of Phoenix, and Hunter on the other.
We’ve closed the curtains to block out the flashing light from the storm, but the room rocks with each wave, making it impossible to forget why we’re anchored. Is Madi out in this rain somewhere, or protected under the sea?
“I can’t believe you still like this shit,” Hunter groans teasingly, unknowingly drawing me back from the anxious edge I was approaching. As much as I dislike Phoenix's choice, I’m thankful for the distraction.
I’m surprised Hunter’s not into it, though. The professor seems the type to like pretentious, academic films.
“Still? What do you mean by still?” I ask Hunter.
Phoenix has been open about his life and adventures, but I love finding out more about my firebird whenever I can.
“When we were in undergrad, he’d host movie nights on the lawn and always pick some indie film festival shit no one had ever heard of.”
Phoenix gasps in mock offense. “Well, it wasn’t my fault I lived with a bunch of unsophisticated heathens.”
Hunter gives him a deadpan look. “We weren’t heathens, we just wanted to watch the newest action movie or Betawatch.”
I tip my head toward Phoenix and smirk at the professor. “My firebird has seen every installment of Betawatch. He’s made me watch them all. Multiple times.”
“I’m multi-faceted,” Phoenix smirks. “I’ll watch anything.”
“Anything?” I raise an eyebrow at Phoenix before turning to Hunter. “So has he ever let you put on Old Yeller or John Slick?”
Hunter chuckles conspiratorially. “No, he also refused to watch Marley & Me and that dystopian one where the dude with the german shepherd is the only human left after a virus outbreak.”
Phoenix gasps in mock horror. “Okay, fine! I draw the line at movies where the dogs die. I always end up sobbing and missing the rest of the film. Sue me.” He scoots around and bumps his shoulder against mine, then does the same to Hunter on the other side.
“I’m glad you two are bonding, but hush.
It’s hard to read subtitles when you’re making fun of me. ”
Hunter chuckles, giving Phoenix an affectionate look.
Before I met Hunter, it was easy for me to feel jealous of the relationship he and Phoenix shared.
They’ve known each other for so long, experienced so much life together.
Even when Phoenix denied it, I knew he was in love with Hunter.
That always made me feel threatened, but right now, none of those feelings come to the surface as I watch Phoenix drop his head to Hunter’s shoulder.
My lips actually twitched into something like a smile.
Hunter isn’t possessive of Phoenix, and doesn’t seem to hold any animosity or jealousy toward me. It’s surprised me more than anything else.
We settle into a comfortable silence to continue the movie, some of the anxiety that gripped me before giving way to a warm, contented feeling I didn’t expect to feel in this situation.
As the bright-eyed ingénue on screen seduces the male leads, I realize this film never indicated what their designations are.
In the grand scheme of the plot, it doesn’t matter.
What matters is the way they fit together.
Something shifts inside me the more I watch the pack on screen become one unit, supporting and loving each other without any declarations of ‘mine’ or bites.
When the credits roll, Phoenix wiggles off the bed. “I’m gonna get us some popcorn. Unless… you’re both ready to sleep?”
It’s pretty late, but… “We should stay with Hunter.”
“I’m up for one more if Seb picks it,” Hunter says.
I’m startled by his use of my nickname and that he’s deferring to me. Most alphas wouldn’t.
“Deal.” I take the remote from the nightstand and flip through options until finding one I haven’t seen before. I glance at Hunter, and he nods his approval.
When Phoenix comes back with the popcorn, he doesn’t crawl into the middle again. He nudges Hunter’s thigh. “Scooch over.”
I swallow nervously as the alpha moves closer, making room for Phoenix on his other side. His leg bumps mine before pulling away to leave a scant few inches between us.
“Sorry,” he says.
“It’s fine. Shall we?” I point the remote at the television, trying to act casual, but my calf tingles where he touched it, my body lighting up in a way I’m not ready to acknowledge.
I steal a glance at Hunter out of the corner of my eye as the movie starts. Over the past few days, I’ve gotten to know him pretty well, especially when you consider all that Phoenix has told me over the years. But Hunter Anderson keeps baffling me, too.
With the exception of Phoenix, most alphas I’ve known take more than they give.
They demand rather than ask, always thinking their way is right.
But Hunter hasn’t been like that. In the time we’ve spent researching together, he’s been considerate, patient, and thoughtful.
Despite all of us knowing that he wants a relationship with Phoenix, he hasn’t pushed or tried to steal my alpha from me.
I’m a little amazed by how quickly I’ve come to respect him. Even more confusing is how much I’m attracted to him. Maybe Phoenix is right. Maybe we should give this a shot.
That thought terrifies me, but my pulse kicks up, cock swelling against my thigh. The ship lifts on a wave, the movement rolling me toward Hunter. Our feet touch. I don’t move away. Neither does he.
The movie plays on, all explosions and spies and action, but I’m not paying attention to it. My focus is firmly locked on the man next to me. He’s breathing hard, slouching a little. Is he in pain again? What is he feeling through the bond?
Tentatively, I put a hand on his leg, just above his knee, and give what I hope is a reassuring squeeze.
Hunter sighs, and his breathing steadies.
I did that. There’s something powerful about that realization.
It makes me want to do more to comfort him.
I get the impression he’s usually the one providing comfort and security for others.
He must feel so helpless to be separated from his mate like this, to feel so alone.
I start to move my hand away, but he sets his atop mine, stopping me without a word.
My chest swells with pride as he offers me a tiny smile.
I like making this alpha smile. I’ve always loved taking care of Phoenix, and it surprises me how much I enjoy doing the same for Hunter.
I’m overwhelmed by the urge to make him feel better—not just better, but good.
So good that he forgets, just for a minute, that he’s isolated from his mate. Could I do that?
I catch Phoenix eyeing us from the other side of the bed.
He gives me an encouraging nod, and I scoot around, acting like I’m just trying to get comfortable, but moving a little closer to Hunter in the process.
Phoenix puts his hand on Hunter’s other thigh.
His eyes stay on me. Light from the movie flickers over his sharp features.
Hunter’s scent changes, strong enough for even my beta senses to pick up. Fragrant plumeria and warm sandalwood sweep through the room, sweet and heady. He’s turned on.
The bed sways, rain pattering overhead, thunder sounding from farther away. Phoenix kisses Hunter’s neck. It’s barely a brush of his lips, but Hunter shudders, a soft moan slipping past his lips even though his eyes are still on the TV.
There’s something about the dark room, lit only by the lightning and the flashing scenes on the screen, that makes this feel unreal, like something we’re allowed to explore without needing to define it.
Hunter’s hand is still over mine, and Phoenix's joins ours. He slowly guides my palm higher on Hunter’s thigh. Neither of us stop him. I swallow hard when my fingertips brush against the thick rod in Hunter’s shorts. He sucks in an audible breath.
“Okay?” Phoenix asks.
I’m not sure if the question is directed at Hunter or me, but we both nod. It’s a small motion, barely an acknowledgement. I’m not sure either of us really want to admit what’s happening. I know I don’t.
I’m not ready for Phoenix to read more into it than what’s there. But… I don’t want to stop. My body is buzzing with electricity, its own kind of storm. The thick combination of our scents intoxicates me. I want to explore this, if only in the dark.
The music on screen shifts into something quick tempoed to match the chase scene playing out. The crescendos may as well be aligned to my heartbeat the way it races.
Hunter drags his fingers up my arm, and I can tell it’s a silent invitation.
He’s letting go of my hand, letting me decide if I want to move further or stay here.
Phoenix’s gaze bores into the side of my face, but I don’t look at him.
My eyes are on the bulge in Hunter’s shorts and how close my hand is to it.
When Phoenix moves his hand to Hunter’s waistband, I do, too.
Pausing, we wait for Hunter to stop us, unsure if I want him to or not.
He doesn’t. He wraps one arm around my shoulders and the other around Phoenix’s in a move that’s pure alpha.
With his arms around us, he guides us together until our foreheads touch, heads hovering just over where our hands rest.
Phoenix stretches the elastic up and pulls down. I do the same. Hunter lifts his hips to help us as we move his shorts and boxers down his thighs.
Once his cock is free, all I can do is stare at it. Until now, the only alpha I’d seen naked was Phoenix.