But this is better than all of that.
The thought is selfish, but even still, I allow it to percolate through me.
I want everything Luther and Pierce are willing to offer. I want every piece of these gentle and kind alphas. I want more than anything to live here and never leave.
Except when the snow clears, there is no doubt in my mind that Vinny will come looking for me, and I can’t lead him right to their doorstep.
nineteen
Xenia
The next few days pass slowly and comfortably with a bit of a rhythm. My heat hasn’t swallowed me whole yet, but I consistently dream of my first encounter with Luther.
Every night I fall asleep between Luther and Pierce in the nest.Mynest. And when I wake, we spend the day talking, eating, relaxing, and enjoying our time together.
We quickly get to know more about each other.
About Pierce’s jaded past with his family. About the heartbreak and agony of Luther losing his sister. Especially since she had done it to herself. Since he had been the one to find her fully clothed in the overflowing bathtub. About how Wren has always been the anchor holding their chaos together. About how Charles had been everything to each of them.
About how much they miss Charles.
The only difficulty is Wren’s notable absence. Except every morning I smell his fresh scent just outside of the nest. As if he had slept there.
But I haven’tseenhim. He’s been hiding away from me. And I can’t blame him. I imagine he knows that even if I am not who came after Charles, my association to the Rossis makes me a threat.
And as the time progresses and the temperature gradually increases, I suspect he’s correct.
Once more laying on the couch across the alphas’ laps I sit up abruptly as the back door opens.
And in walks Wren, his long blond hair is half tied back, but loose tendrils catch in his arctic eyes as he levels an icy glare my way.
“I let the cows out and wrangled them back into the barn after cleaning it. We need to move Ruth to a spot by herself, but she won’t listen to me. You have the magic touch.” Wren directs his words to Luther.
Ruth?
A memory pierces.
The angry young heifer.
Luther squeezes me before leaning me up onto Pierce, but I reach out grabbing hold of his sleeve.
Looking up at him through my lashes, I ask, “Is it okay if I come?”
He cracks a full smile. “You remember?”
I nod excitedly.
“Yes, you can come. You won’t be able to get too close to her, but the other cows are friendly enough. Just don’t be offended when they’re wary of a newcomer.”
Wren grumbles, “Dress her in something warmer.” He shoulders out of his large fleece jacket, throwing it to Luther. “And one of you needs to carry her out. It’s slippery up the holler, the snow is trying to melt, but then it keeps freezing overnight into ice.”
Luther chuckles. He helps me up from Pierce, wrapping me in the oversized jacket, adding a plush blanket for good measure. “Sure thing, Wren. Why don’t you carry her since you know it the best?” He doesn’t wait for a response before leaving out the back door followed by a smiling Pierce.
Leaving Wren and me in uncomfortable silence. Except his scent is now wrapped all around me and even if the man himself is prickly, his grapefruit and sandalwood essence are a salve to my nerves.
He rubs his temples before stepping towards me. I half expect him to just leave me there, but then slowly, ever so carefully, he gathers me into his arms. Cradling me to him like he would a baby, even providing support for my head. He is lean, but his strength is evident by the ease of which he tucks me against his chest.
“Thank you,” I murmur, looking up at him and attempting to get a read on the man.
