“When can we get the blood test?” Hudson asks so softly I almost miss it.
“I’m not sure. I’ll see if Alex asked the doctor.”
“I’m sorry. I tried to warn you guys. I didn’t mean to force myself into your pack. As soon as the doctor says it’s okay, I’ll go have it dissolved.”
My brows furrow and I pull back so I can look into his face.
“I can feel you through the bond. You’re upset. And you’re growling now. I promise I’m not trying to create a wedge between you.”
Does he think I’m growling at him? He thinks he’s the one who upset me?
“There’s no rush, omega,” I say, raising a hand from where I’d been gently stroking his back to push his shoulder-length hair from his face and trail the backs of my fingers down his soft skin.
“And you’re not creating a wedge. I promise. I’m not upset with you at all. I’m upset that Mason forced this on you when you couldn’t fully give consent.”
“I don’t think he could truly give consent, either,” he says with a soft, sad smile.
“No one is angry with you. I promise. I’ll see if Alex can find out when the proper hormones will appear in your system if you’re pregnant so we don’t have to wait. But regardless, would you mind keeping the mark?” His brows furrow slightly, causingthe tiniest crease between them. “It would be nice to be able to feel you in the bond while we’re apart. And so I can anticipate if you need something, even if it’s just a snuggle from one of us, without you having to ask,” I say, rambling the last part quickly when his frown deepens.
I really don’t want him to think I’m trying to trap him.
And I really,reallydon’t want to admit, even to myself, how much I like feeling him in the bond.
CHAPTER 23
Hudson
My heat has been done for a week. I’m still waiting for the appointment to have my blood tested, but in the meantime…I’m kind of enjoying the bond with the alphas.
I haven’t told them that, but I’m sure they can feel it as clearly as I can feel their presence. I can feel the affection they feel toward each other and toward me each time they glance in my direction.
Pretty sure the affection is appreciation. We’re not far from finding out whether our first attempt was successful.
If I ignore the reason behind being here for my last heat, I feel better than I have in…well, shit. Ever.
The alphas took amazing care of me, and I found out Amy had made sure to leave bottles of water and easy to eat food within reach without fully entering the nest.
Though I don’t think I would have become possessive over her presence. I can see Amy and I becoming close friends. She’s easy to like, doesn’t feel the need to fill every single quiet moment with mindless chatter, and is so sarcastic and funny.
Good thing, too, since the alphas returned to work three days ago.
Except Amy has a job to do meaning she can’t spend every waking moment hanging out with me. And my bestie Ella is still recovering from riding out her heat alone with nothing but painkillers and heat aids like the silicone knots Des bought for me.
I know that misery. Hell, I’ve lived it.
Ididoffer to loan her the alphas.
Maybe I should have asked them before making that offer.
I huff a soft laugh as I imagine their expressions if I’d actually asked, “hey, you mind fucking my best friend for a week, too?”
Soft conversation hums from deeper in the house, both voices feminine. Amy passed by about thirty minutes ago, so she’s probably chatting with one of the staff members I’ve yet to meet.
Why hasn’t anyone else bothered introducing themselves to me? I mean, it’s not like I expect them to dote on me or wait on me, but it would at least be nice to see a few more faces and know a few more names of the people under the alphas’ employment.
I can’t sit around all day staring at the same walls. I’m not a huge TV person, though I do enjoy a good binge day or movie night.
I’m bored. And anxious. Alex discovered it’ll be two weeks before my body will register whether or not we succeeded. That’s a week of waiting. A week of considering all the what-ifs.
