Ricky hears it. “I don’t want things to hold me back anymore. Someone’s heroics just inspired me.” He glances up through his long lashes. “That was real big of you, Calli, to give up your win streak.”
I reach out and grab him, pulling him into our messy cuddle as my heart damn near bursts with pride. Rickon falls in witha laugh, and I seal my mouth to his. The warmth of his tongue drives away the ice that formed in my chest when Red’s message first popped up. This miracle of a pack fits together so well, each of us bravely finding healing together on this crazy journey.
“Now that’s a thing of beauty,” Red sighs dramatically.
I smile into the kiss.
“But food first,” she declares. My picks up her spoon and the yoghurt tub, adopting a cute pout. “I’m so damn torn about what to eat. I didn’t want to die out there with sultanas being the last thing I ate.” She eyes us up and down and smirks. “Now that I’m watching you kiss, I might change my mind about the food coming first.”
Ricky and I chuckle as we part. As much as we want to dive into each other’s bodies, Red’s needs come first.
“Hang in there, gorgeous,” I tell Red, pressing a careful kiss to her cheek. “The doctor said no sex today.”
“Who gives a fuck what the doctor says?” she whines.
I touch my finger to her nose, leaving a spot of yoghurt on the top. “I care enough for the both of us, so eat and rest.” As I pull away, I meet Zack’s gaze over her head, and he grins.
“Cal-ee right,” he tells Red, squeezing her gently from behind. “Need strength to fuck.”
Red brightens and tips what’s left in the yoghurt container to her mouth for more efficient delivery.
I chuckle and dig out the sandwich press, remembering she loves cheese toasties. While I prepare the gluten-free bread from the freezer, Rickon gets on the phone and orders takeaway from every major joint in town. My stomach growls as fried chicken, sushi, Chinese, noodles, and burritos pile up on the table, reminding me Red’s not the only one who’s starving. We alphas like to eat.
I get emotional as I wind satay noodles onto a fork a bit later.
“Something on your mind?” Ricky asks.
“Just . . . it’s my first time eating takeaway at home with my pack.”
Red, who climbed off the table once it got too full of food, drops her hand on my knee. “Lots of firsts this week for us then. First pack holiday, first kidnapping rescue.” She can’t keep a straight face and snorts noisily.
I reach out and tug her burned hair. “First full-pack haircuts,” I tease.
Red groans and holds out her mangled hair. “Right. I think I’ll cut it all off and make things lighter for my neck. Will that be okay for my image, Rickon?”
“Whatever you want, we’ll make it work, Biscuit. If you wear a cap in the meantime, we can unveil your new look at the film wrap-up gala.”
“I can work with that.” She cocks her head, studying us. “How did you guys find me out there?”
We all instantly know she’s referring to the kidnapping. “Rickon remembered going camping once with his parents in that forest,” I volunteer.
“Because Calli reminded me,” he says, sharing credit like the sweetheart he is.
“Bond,” Zack says, pressing his hand to his chest.
“Yes, and the bond told us the rest,” Rickon agrees. “Like, we both felt strongly about which way to go once we got close.”
I feel a little left out as they share, but I can’t help recalling how Zack’s emotions overwhelmed Rickon in the car. We fought about it once, but it’s true that the former feral has a dominating effect on his pack members. Will I be any different if I bond Red? Can I have what I desire most with Red and still protect my pack?
Later, as I towel-dry Red’s hair after a shower, she studies me in the mirror. “You’re thinking about bonds, aren’t you?”
I grin at her. “What gave me away?”
“Your lawyer face.”
My brows pop. “My lawyer face?”
“Yeah.” She frames her eyes with her fingers. “You get all serious and a bit squinty when you’re weighing your options.”
