Cass’s attention shifts back to me. He lifts two fingers and curls them once, an unmistakable gesture. “Come here, omega.”
My feet move before I can think about it.
As I cross the kitchen, Cass’s gaze shifts to Grason. “Will you get me an ice pack?”
Grason is already halfway across the room by the time I reach the kitchen island. The tall alpha opens the freezer and grabs a thick, blue gel-ice pack.
The room settles into motion as I stop right next to Cass.
Plates clink. A pan sizzles. Someone hums under their breath.
Cass rises from the stool slowly, but there’s no sharp intake of breath. No grimace. No sound of pain dragged out of him like he did in the bathroom. He straightens to his full height with a controlled ease that makes me blink.
His leg looks…steadier…I think.
Before I can comment on it, Cass pushes his papers aside, lifts me clean off the floor, and sets me on the kitchen island right in front of him. The motion is so sudden I gasp despite myself, then hiss as the back of my thighs hit the cold marble countertop.
“Spread your legs.” Cass gives me a low command, tapping the side of my thigh with one hand.
I freeze then blink, not sure what he plans to do.
“Don’t be shy.” Cass grips both of my knees, then he spreads my legs for me. The motion makes me gasp again, and my hands fly up to grip his shoulders to keep from falling over.
I suddenly feel so exposed and vulnerable.
Grason inches closer, holding an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel. His dark hazel eyes drift over my inner thighs before quickly looking away. For a second, he almost looks nervous to be around me. It's a fleeting emotion that he masks quickly.
I can’t help but think what an odd thing that is for an alpha of his size to feel. Nervous.Around me.
Cass takes the ice pack from Grason, his eyes never leaving mine.
But before I can register what's happening, the pack alpha lifts my shirt, hooks his fingers into the waistband of my boxers, and pushes the freezing ice pack down the front, settling it directly against my abused, swollen flesh.
I let out a high-pitched yelp as the shocking cold hits my pussy.
It's an aggressive, biting sensation that makes my whole body jolt. But just as quickly as the initial shock hits, it transforms. The intense, sharp ache from my heat begins to numb, and a wave of profound relief washes over me.
I melt, and my body goes limp. My head falls forward, resting on Cass’s chest as a long, shaky sigh escapes my lips.
The cold is no longer a shock.
It's a blessing.
Slowly, Cass’s hand comes up, cradling the back of my head, his palm warm and steady against my hair. He rubs slow circles at the base of my skull. A soft laugh rumbles out of his chest, low and fond, the sound vibrating through me where I’m pressed against him.
“I could sense your discomfort,” he murmurs, more amused than alarmed. “You probably shouldn’t walk too much for now. Not until you’re completely healed.”
Before I can respond, he leans in and nuzzles the side ofmy neck just once. It’s brief, almost restrained, but his scent sinks into my skin anyway. Warm amber and soft leather.
Then Cass takes my wrist, turning it carefully, and presses a soft kiss to the inside.
The effect is immediate. My muscles loosen, the tension bleeding out of me in a slow rush, my body settling like it’s finally been given permission to rest.
“Grason?” Cass shifts slightly, just enough to brace me better. “Can you carry her to the dining room?” he asks as he releases me. “I don’t want to overdo it.” His blue eyes met mine. “Beck will kill me if I fuck up my leg.”
I start to protest out of pure reflex, a shaky breath already forming into a no, but then Grason steps closer, and I get a lungful of his scent. Crisp pine and clean air, cutting straight through the lingering nerves in my chest.
My shoulders drop before I can stop them.
