* * *
The doctor dischargedScout by the end of the day. After he was stitched up and medicated, there was nothing left to do but wait, and they all agreed that he could do that more comfortably at home than in the doctor’s office.
As the two of them cuddled in bed, Killian whipped up a remote and pressed a button. “Watch this.”
From out of the wall, a platform moved down and a TV came out. Scout watched in awe. “I didn’t even know youhada TV in here!”
“Well, I’ve been so entertained by your presence since you’ve been here that I never needed it,” Killian said with a playful grin. He flicked to a movie channel where some human film was playing. Scout sighed and leaned on his mate’s shoulder.
“Oh, when are Stark and the others leaving for their mission?” he asked.
“Tonight,” Killian replied. “Part of me wanted to go with them, but… there was no way I’m leaving you here by yourself.”
Scout blushed. “So, you’re like my mate-slash-bodyguard now?”
“Pretty much.”
Killian put an arm around Scout’s shoulder and pulled him closer. They soaked up each other’s body heat like magnets. Scout’s body was especially warm from his injuries, as his body temperature increased to fight off infection.
“How’s your leg feeling?” Killian asked.
Scout shrugged. “It’s not terrible, but it’s not great,” he admitted. “The pain meds have started to wear off a little bit, and I’m not allowed to take more until bed.”
Killian’s brow furrowed. “What? He just wants you to sit in pain like that?”
“It’s not that bad,” Scout said. “I’ll manage, don’t worry.”
But Killian wasn’t convinced. He growled and leaned over to press kisses to Scout’s neck.
“Hey - what are you doing?” Scout mumbled.
“I don’t like being helpless when my mate is in pain,” Killian growled, his voice rumbling across the sensitive flesh of Scout’s neck. “So I’m doing the only thing I can.”
Scout was about to ask what he meant before he felt Killian’s hand snake down from around his shoulders to his hip. His fingers slipped up Scout’s loose shirt and made their way to his chest where they found his nipple. Scout gasped as Killian gently teased the nub between his fingers.
“H-hey,” Scout whispered.
Suddenly, Killian’s phone rang on the bedside table. He groaned.
“Can’t I get one moment of peace around here?” he grumbled.
“Come on, answer it,” Scout said, nestled up in his mate’s chest. “It could be important.”
“It better be,” Killian growled. He picked up the phone. “Hello?” he responded gruffly.
Stark’s tight voice came from other end of the line. He sounded flustered and weary. “Your highness?”
Concerned now, Killian sat up. “What is it, Stark? Are you okay?”
“We found the omegas,” Stark began. Killian noticed there was rustling and frantic noises in the background, and it made his blood run cold. Something wasn’t right.
“And?” he pressed. Stark hadn’t answered his question. “Stark,are you okay?”
Stark sighed heavily and paused before responding. Killian’s heart raced. “I’m alive, at least,” Stark finally said.
“Just spit it out!” Killian snapped.
He heard Stark swallow on the other end. “Okay. Your highness, there’s a problem. A big one.” He spoke quickly now, the words tumbling from his mouth. “We found all the stolen Whitewood omegas. They were being held in what we thought was an abandoned warehouse.”
