“I’m going to take a bath, if that’s all right?” she asked, thinking that a good soak might make her stomach feel better. A knock at the door interrupted Drake’s response. Instinctively, Bethany took a step toward the door. Her hand was reaching for the door handle when a strong arm came around her waist and smoothly moved her behind an equally strong body. Drake’s movements were so quiet that she hadn’t even heard him behind her.
The knock came again and he growled in clear irritation.
“Do not growl at me you mangy, ticking time bomb. Open this door. We’ve got business.” Jen’s voice came through the door practically slapping them both in the face.
Drake glanced over his shoulder at her and Bethany shrugged and then mouthed “open it.”
Drake let out another growl as he snatched the handle and jerked the door open. Jen strode into the room as seamlessly as if she’d been the one to open the door.
“Bethany,” —she nodded to her— “good to see he hasn’t eaten you.” Jen looked over at Drake. “Your Alpha wants to see you in his office.”
Drake looked from Jen to Bethany and back again. Bethany could tell that he didn’t want to leave her alone, but she could also tell that Jen wasn’t feeling gracious and her patience was about gone. She walked over to Drake and placed a hand on his chest, just over his heart. Then she used the bond that she was still getting used to.“I’ll be fine. You go do what you need to, and I’ll be here when you return.”
Drake stared down at her for several seconds before finally wrapping his large hand around the back of her neck and pulling her to him. He pressed his lips to her forehead and then she felt his breath blow out over her. She shivered under the sensation.
“I’ll be back soon,” Drake murmured and then turned on his heel, exiting the room and closing the door sharply behind him.
Bethany looked at Jen and she opened her mouth to ask a question but Jen held up a finger to stop her. Bethany snapped her mouth shut and waited. After a few minutes the Alpha female let out a sigh and sank down onto the couch. “Good grief, I didn’t think he’d ever get out of earshot.” Jen rubbed her hands together and looked up at Bethany. “Now, tell me how things are going. Do you have any questions? You’re looking a little tired. Is he letting you rest? I’ll skin him alive if he’s not giving you time to rest.” Jen’s words poured out of her faster than Bethany could answer so she waited until she was sure nothing more was going to be said before she finally spoke.
“I’m fine,” the young girl responded. “Tired, but not because Drake isn’t letting me sleep. Still trying to get my days and nights worked out, or at least that’s what Drake says must be happening. Since I was underground for so long, my body had lost all sense of…circadian rhythm, I think that’s what Drake called it.”
Jen’s mouth opened in an ‘O’ movement, but she didn’t say anything.
“As for questions, well, Drake’s been answering anything I ask.”
“What about girl questions?” Jen interjected.
Bethany’s head tilted. “Girl questions?”
“Yep,” Jen said, making the ‘p’ pop. “You know, questions that you might not feel comfortable asking Drake.”
“I haven’t,” Bethany started to answer but then paused. There had been some things that she didn’t understand but hadn’t known how to bring them up to Drake. Her stomach cramped again, reminding her of the bath she had been wanting to take. So instead of diving into those concerns she said, “My stomach is hurting and I was just about to take a bath before you got here. Do you mind giving me a few minutes?”
Jen shook her head. “Chick, it’s your place. Do your thing. Do what you need. I’m not saying I won’t talk to you through the door, but by all means, soak that tummy ache away.”
Bethany grinned. She liked Jen, even if she was a little bit much to take in. “Oh, and by the way,” Bethany said as she walked into the bedroom and pulled out one of the drawers of the dresser. “Thank you for sending me clothes.” She grabbed a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, bra, and panties and then headed for the bathroom. As soon as she shut the door, she heard Jen’s voice on the other side.
“So, have you and grumpy-butt kissed yet?”
Drake’s hand was about to knock on the door to his Alpha’s office when he heard her voice in his mind.
“I’m going to take that bath I mentioned earlier so don’t worry when I, uh…”
He smiled.“Don’t freak out when you close the bond?”he offered.
“Yes, exactly. Don’t freak out.”
“How is your stomach?”Drake asked quickly before she could shut him out.
“Still hurting, but I’ll live.”
He felt her slip away from him, but not completely. She was still there, within his reach, and it brought him a level of comfort that he never thought he’d have. Drake focused back on the door in front of him and gave it two hard knocks and then waited.
The door opened and Decebel stood on the other side looking back at him.
“Drake.” Decebel’s deep voice vibrated as he stepped to the side to let him in.
“Alpha,” Drake said and bared his neck briefly.
