“No one anymore, remember?” Piper patted Lionzio on the back. “Do you need to do the breathing exercises that I taught you? Or go over the rules aboutnot shooting our enemiesagain?”
“But we can destroy them.” Lionzio met Icarus’ gaze, and they exchanged a look between them of two Alphas who were finally understanding each other. “There are plenty of ways to do that without a gun.”
Unfortunately, I also know that Lionzio is right.
It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow.
Everything within this hotel balances on Icarus and my plans over the next two days. Now, I have so much more to lose than I did before. So much more that can bedestroyed.
A soulmate, scent match, and Beta as well.
A new family and pack for Zoe, Icarus, and me.
I take another hurried breath of the shirt, glancing at the naked Beta who is sleeping between Lionzio and me.
My guts churn.
This is the life that I could have.
Tomorrow I need to find a way to talk to Icarus alone, and somehow, my brother, Hatton.
Unexpectedly, Zero’s arm twitches. Then his eyelashes flutter.
I drop the shirt and turn toward him.
He appears to still be deeply asleep but dreaming.
Wait, having a nightmare.
Sweat is beading on his forehead. His brow scrunches, as if he is in pain.
Zero’s neck strains. He whimpers.
“Please, sir,” Zero whispers.
His voice sounds younger and terrified.
Chills run down my neck. My skin goosebumps.
I edge closer to him, laying my hand on his arm to wake him up from whatever hell he is caught in.
“Don’t,” Lionzio’s whisper startles me.
Lionzio looks like he has just struggled awake and is reorientating himself. He still slips his arms tenderly around Zero in an instinctive way that makes me think this isn’t the first time he has been awoken from his sleep by the Beta’s nightmares.
He gently emits calming pheromones.
He is treating Zero with a gentleness now that it is nighttime, which I haven’t seen him treat the Beta with during the day.
“Why not?” I wrap my arm around Zero as well. “He’s distressed.”
Zero is trembling.
It’s breaking my heart.
“It’s better not to wake him.” Lionzio’s intense gaze meets mine over the shaking man who we are holding between us. “If you do, then he’ll be disoriented and stuck in his nightmare.A memory.He may have a panic attack. Zero likes to perform; he rarely stops. But it’s a defense. I don’t want to trigger…”
“What?”
