I’ve never seen the alpha so vulnerable as he was last evening, and, strangely, it reminded me of myself trapped in the hub’s nest, scratching at the doors to get out. While we held him sandwiched between us, Rickon explained how his anxiety manifested after I left to search for Zack. It’s strange to think of the big, capable alpha breaking down, but it also proves what I’ve suspected for a while now—Callisto needs us.
I savor the warm weight on my stomach. This is how it should’ve been; the way nature intended for Calli, Rickon, and me to find each other. Despite his outward success, maybe Callisto is the slowest to heal from his scars. And in that case, he’s been putting on the most convincing act of us all.
Could I have handled things differently? If I’d been able to explain myself properly, Zack wouldn’t have stepped in. I could’ve told Callisto I needed more time without breaking his hopes.
But regardless of how my heart feels, I won’t act without Zack’s approval. We’re a team now.
I roll a little, pressing my shoulder to Callisto’s broad chest. With his arm around me like this, we slot together well. In fact, the fit reminds me of the upcoming sex scenes, and the size of Brad when he stands right behind me. Except this touch doesn’t repulse me. Quite the opposite.
My body melts, and my scent thickens. Fuck! Think pure thoughts, Red, or we’ll end up doing something we can’t take back.
I reach out and tuck my hand under Rickon’s. That should at least explain my morning interest if the alphas wake now. If Zack were here, he’d already have caught my scent and worked his cock between my thighs from behind.
I bite my lip to contain a giggle.
Rickon stirs and rolls onto his back, a mutter slipping from his plush lips. After Callisto calmed down last night, they swapped stories from their childhood, and I listened with fascination. Even when I went back to learning lines to give them some privacy, they didn’t return to the topic of making out during my heat.
All three of us exist in a delicate balance where we can’t say what we really want.
In Callisto’s case, he’s careful not to pressure us, and that’s pretty decent of him. I think he’s learned his lesson.
“Morning,” Rickon whispers, eyes still closed.
“Good morning, alpha,” I reply, voice thickened with sleep.
He beams, the way he does each time I call him by his designation. He rolls back over and searches his way to my face like an adorable sightless kitten. I chuckle as he peppers on my lips with a series of tiny pecks.
“Callisto’s still here,” I murmur, in case he plans to take things further.
“Meh. Calli doesn’t sleep much, but when he does, a hurricane wouldn’t wake him. Besides, you smell too good to resist.”
I chuckle and throw my arm around his neck, pulling him close again.
A shrill ringtone slices through our tender moment, and Callisto flinches. “Hello?” the lawyer mutters by my ear, answering in his sleep.
Rickon and I giggle, and then my alpha leans over and fishes Callisto’s phone out of his laptop bag. He shakes Callisto hard. “Hey, wake up. It’s from Leroy Hanamack.”
Callisto comes to groggily and his hand strokes my belly as if we’ve always slept together. Then he realizes and snatches his arm off me. “Leroy?” he croaks, answering the phone.
We’re close enough to hear the voice on the other end say, “I thought you might like to know, your tip-off was a good one. My team is prepping to raid right now.”
I tilt to watch over my shoulder as Callisto checks his watch and frowns. “You secured a warrant overnight?”
“Of course. This is our best lead in a case involving weaponized alpha scent. This is our nation’s top security matter currently.”
My spine tingles. Because I’m right in the middle of it, I forgot how serious the attack is in the eyes of the state.
Callisto nods and rubs sleep from his eyes. “Right.” He frowns, and blinks hard to chase sleepiness away.
Leroy’s distant voice sounds down the line. “Since you’ve been so involved, I’m calling to see if you want to come in and watch the raid footage with me.”
“Me?” Callisto glances at us. “Sure, but I’m with Red and Rickon Jones right now. Can they also come? This concerns them.”
Leroy falls silent for a moment. “All right. So long as they sign nondisclosures.”
Callisto lifts his eyebrows in silent question, and we both nod. Anything to find out what provoked Zack.
“We’ll be there in sixty minutes,” he tells the OCB leader.
