I curl into Orion's arms, breathing in his scent, his warmth and comfort. I hear the shower in the bathroom turn on again, and Grayson's surprisingly light steps as he climbs into the tub.
A few minutes later, Grayson climbs into bed beside me. And Orion reads a book while Grayson types on his phone.
And I fall asleep between them, feeling safer and more cared for than I have in my entire life.
Chapter 32: Mona
Iwake with a yawn, and it only takes me a second to notice the bed is empty. One side is still warm. I press my palm into the indent and breathe it in. Orion.
The other side still smells like Grayson, and I'm not surprised or offended that it's cold. In fact, I can barely keep the smile off my face.
Memories from last night filter in. I feel giddy, almost. That was… unlike anything I've ever done before.
I guess that's how one handles two mates. Though it's more like they handled me, but I'm okay with that. My grin stretches so wide my cheeks actually hurt. With a laugh, I get up and get dressed, hurrying downstairs to find my mates.
Grayson isn't around, I can tell before I reach the landing. Orion is in the kitchen with Kellen. Rosemary lingers in the air, though Eli isn't here—he must have just left. Other scents mingle with theirs. Must have had a full house before I even woke.
Heat rises to my cheeks when I see Orion, memories of last night flashing through my mind. Before I can even mutter a hello, he's crosses the kitchen in three long strides, pulling meagainst him with a possessive grip on my hips. Our mouths find each other instantly, and I can't help the soft laugh that escapes me as we kiss.
"Omega," he whispers gruffly. "How did you sleep?"
He lets go, and behind him, Kellen waves, a stupid grin on his face, a cup of coffee in one hand. I clear my throat. "I slept good. Great, actually. Where's Grayson?"
"Meeting with the enforcers. He's thinking of pulling all the wolves off the mountain into the heart, to keep everyone close and safe until we're off red-level. But it's a task, collecting everyone…"
I pour a glass of juice and take a seat at the table. "He really thinks that's necessary?"
Orion and Kellen exchange glances. I narrow my eyes, but before I can demand answers, the front door swings open, and Orion rushes off, returning a minute later with his arms full of grocery bags.
"Well, I hear you had quite the adventure last night," Hilde announces with her characteristic bluntness. I squeak, wondering how in the hell she knows what we got up to last night, before I realize she didn't mean our sexcapades. She gives me a side hug, grip lingering on my forearm as she directs the guys on what to put where, as if this were her kitchen. I kind of love her.
With a gentle squeeze of my arm, she settles into the chair across from me, capturing my hand between her weathered palms.
"So. I hear we have a prophetic omega in our midst."
Orion groans from the refrigerator. "Leave her be, Hilde."
She lifts her shoulders in mock innocence. "The whole clan is buzzing, Orion." To me, she says, "I wanted to give you a heads up. Might want to keep a low profile for a bit. Between whathappened with Vin and Craig, and now this prophecy business with Lily? You've certainly made an impression."
"I didn't—" The words catch in my throat. I swallow hard. "I don't even know if it's real. Or, at least, I didn't think… And anyway, with the fertility thing, I just..." My eyes find Kellen across the room, his lips curled in amusement behind his mug. "You saw what happened!" I accuse and point, hoping he'll help explain.
You're so awkward, Beep sighs.
Orion saves me. "Hilde, leave Mona alone. She's got enough on her plate."
"I'm just saying. If she needs anything, she can call me. She doesn't have to hide out here alone. Especially if the clan is going into lockdown after what happened last night."
Orion growls. He rubs the small space between his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. "She's not alone. And Hilde..."
"Anyway, I should go." She slaps the table and comes to a stand. "Lunch won't cook itself. Breakfast is in one of the bags. Call me if anything's missing. But nothing is."
And with that, Hilde leans in, kisses my cheek, takes a deep inhale, then wanders back out of the house.
When the door shuts, I turn to Orion. "What happened last night?" He grimaces with guilt.
To me, Kellen says, "I'm just gonna go hang out in the living room. I'm with you today."
"What's going on, Orion?" I ask once he disappears.
