"Always," I confirm, yanking on jeans and a t-shirt. "Give me fifteen minutes."
I grab the medical kit from the bathroom cabinet, the one I've used more times than I can count to patch up Stefan when his temper gets him into fights he can't quite win. Hell, I’ve also used it on Kade when he was stuck in certain business meetings with people who are a bit rougher than the usuals.
Tucking the kit beneath my arm and stuffing my phone into my pocket, I jog outside to the barn where Thunder is already settled for the evening.
"Sorry buddy," I mutter as pat his neck. "I know you already worked today but I need you again."
Thunder doesn't seem to mind, accepting the bit easily and standing still while I swing up onto his back. There’s no time for a saddle and I’ve ridden Thunder since he was young in every configuration, free rides something I only do in an emergency. The moment I'm seated, I urge him into a trot toward the back woods. The trails that connect the different farms in this area are well-worn, used by everyone who lives out here for both legitimate business and the kind of dealings that happen away from prying eyes.
I push Thunder faster once we're on the trail, not quite a gallop but close enough. The medical kit bounces against my back where I've secured it as my mind races with possibilities of what could have happened. Stefan said to come stealthily, which means whatever this is involves avoiding his employer. That can't be good.
The fifteen-minute ride feels longer than it should, anxiety making each minute stretch as the sun begins to set, casting long shadows through the trees. I know these trails well enough to navigate in the dark if I have to, but I'm hoping whatever Stefan needs won't take that long. I need to get back to Solana before she wakes up and finds me gone.
Finally, I spot a small structure ahead that definitely wasn't there the last time I came through these woods a few months ago. It's roughly built, just four walls and a roof really, but it provides shelter and privacy. Exactly the kind of place you'd use if you needed to meet someone without being seen.
I dismount quickly, leaving Thunder's reins loose so he can graze while I'm inside. The door is already open and I step through, my eyes taking a moment to adjust to the dimmer interior.
What I see makes my blood run cold.
A pale young man is sitting on the floor, his back against the wall and his hand pressed to his side. Even in the low light, I can see blood seeping between his fingers. His eyes are wide and panicked, his breathing shallow and too fast. He's clearly in pain and probably in shock.
I've never really met Ashton in person, only seen him from a distance when I've visited Stefan at work. But just the look on Stefan's face as he crouches beside the injured Omega tells me everything I need to know. This is Ashton. And my stepbrother cares about him more than he's willing to admit.
"He needs a fucking hospital," I say immediately, dropping to my knees on Ashton's other side and reaching for the medical kit.
"You know I would fucking take him there," Stefan snaps, his voice tight with barely controlled panic. "But he just needs a few stitches. Nothing major. Just needs to be closed up."
"What the actual fuck, I'm not a doctor." I open the kit anyway, pulling out supplies even as I protest. My hands are already assessing the wound, gently moving Ashton's hand aside to see the damage.
It's a gash, maybe four inches long, running along his ribs. Deep enough to need stitches but not deep enough to have hit anything vital. Still, it's bleeding steadily, and Ashton has already lost enough blood to make his flesh a sickly pale shade.
"But you've stitched me up more times than I can count," Stefan argues. "And Kade, for that matter. Just fuck, you smell like Omega."
The observation catches me off guard. I'd forgotten that I'm absolutely drenched in Solana's scent after spending the last hour in the nest with her and Kade. Her vanilla and orchid scent clings to my skin, mixing with my own hay and honey in a way that's probably overwhelming in the small space.
"You kind of pulled me out of heat sex, so this is what you get to deal with," I mutter, threading a needle as best I can despite my irritation.
I notice that Stefan isn't disgusted by the revelation, which would be the typical Alpha response to finding out I had brought my unmated Omega’s scent here. Instead, there's something that looks almost like intrigue flickering across his face. Which is interesting and something I'll have to examine later when there isn't a bleeding Omega in front of me.
Years ago, I always thought that Stefan and I would end up in the same pack. It made sense—we were close, we worked well together, and we balanced each other out in ways that felt natural. But our interests diverged as we got older. I found Kade, who would never in a million years mix with Stefan given their very different approaches to the world, and the idea died quietly.
But now, watching Stefan's reaction to knowing I just came from being with my Omega, I'm wondering if maybe that old idea isn't as dead as I thought. There's something in his expression that speaks of longing, of wanting something he doesn't think he can have.
I move to sit beside Ashton, who immediately tenses and looks at me with wary eyes. "This is your stepbrother?" he asks Stefan, his voice rough with pain.
Stefan nods, his hand coming up to rest on Ashton's shoulder in a gesture that's meant to be comforting. "He'll get you fixed up before we can get back to the house."
"Why would you go back there?" I ask, preparing the antiseptic. "What happened?"
Neither of them says anything. Ashton's eyes drop to the floor and Stefan's jaw clenches, both of them holding back important information. "I'm not doing shit until I know what I'm dealing with," I say firmly, setting down the needle and thread. "Because right now, all I have to go off of is a big fat nothing. And I'm not comfortable stitching up an Omega who showed up bleeding in the woods without knowing how he got hurt."
"You said no questions asked," Stefan reminds me, his voice carrying an edge of desperation.
"That's before I saw the big gash wound on your Omega," I counter, gesturing to Ashton's side.
"He's not my Omega," Stefan says a little too quickly.
I sigh heavily, running a hand through my hair. "Brother, I love you, but what the fuck is going on here? This is more than just helping out your employer's son. This is personal."
