Cass glances toward the door. “And ask Dr. Pace to come in on your way out.”
“Okay.” Beck leans in and kisses Cass on the lips. It’s quick but unmistakably affectionate, like he needs the contact just to make sure he’s really there. When the beta pulls back, he lingers for half a second, eyes scanning Cass’s face with open relief, like he’s still a little stunned the alpha is awake and breathing and talking.
Then Beck turns to me.
“All right,” he says, easy and gentle, like this is a totally ordinary day. “Let’s get you fed.” He hesitates just long enough to add, “I’m Beckett, by the way. But everyone calls me Beck.”
I blink, caught a little off guard by his friendly energy.
He smiles when I don't say anything. “Um,” he clasps his hands together, then points past me. “Can I…get to the door?”
I tremble when I realize I’m in his way. I quickly step to one side, and Beck reaches past me and pulls it open.
Warren stands in the doorway.
He’s all lean muscle and long lines, broad shoulders just shy of brushing the frame. His hips are narrow, but he’s solid, strength packed tight instead of sprawling. His blue eyes lock onto mine, and something in my chest stutters.
It’s bizarre how his cozy sandalwood and oakmoss scent is already so familiar. It feels….safe.
I have to fight the sudden, irrational urge to step forward and tuck myself against his chest. My knees threaten to go soft, and I force myself to stay where I am.
“Are you okay?” Warren asks quietly.
I nod. Once. Fast.
He isn’t your savior,I remind myself.The instinct to be near him doesn’t mean safety.
Just because he didn’t violate me doesn’t mean he or Gray are good men.
“Warren?” Beck says, breaking the moment. “Can you grab the doctor?”
Warren’s gaze lingers on me for half a second longer, then he nods and turns away, the space he leaves behind feeling colder than it should.
A moment later, Dr. Pace moves past him and into the room. His gaze snaps to me immediately, sharp and assessing. As he passes, he presses a hand briefly to his breastbone, the gesture subtle but deliberate, like he wants to remind me that I kicked him.
Not sure what to say, I drop my gaze.
“Come on.” Beck’s hand circles gently around my wrist. Not tight or forceful. Just enough to guide me. Then he gives me a quick, reassuring smile. It’s boyish and charming. “Let's get you some coffee.”
We step into the hallway and turn?—
—and nearly collide with Gray.
He’s a wall of alpha, so immense that I have to tip my head back, my neck straining, just to see his face. Dark hazel eyes look down at me, and to my shock, they hold an almost kind expression. It’s a look that clashes wildly with his sheer, intimidating size.
“Sorry,” he says softly as his big body angles out of our way. As he passes, his fingers brush my arm with a featherlight touch.
A slow warmth spreads through me, making my breath hitch.
Beck pulls me forward by the wrist, a gentle guide as he leads me down the hall, but I’m barely aware of him.
All I can feel is the ghost of Gray’s touch on my skin, a phantom heat that’s already sinking into my bones, and Warren’s soft scent still filling my lungs.
My omega instincts scream for me to turn and run back to them. To bury my face in Warren's warm neck, and snuggle deep into Gray’s strong arms. I don’t know how they’ve done it, but they’ve somehow convinced my body they're safe.
The realization is cold and nauseating, fear spreading like a wildfire through my chest.
I have to stop this.How do I stop it?
