Sykes tucked his hands into his pockets, smirking at Ford in a way that promised trouble.“I like him.”
While Tomm shrugged, Roby nodded.“He’s got fire.”
“You have no idea.”Chase stepped closer to take the forgotten cigarette from Ford’s fingers.He took a drag, blew out the smoke, then backed away a step.“I’ll keep our boy out of trouble.”
Ford laughed when Chase offered the cigarette, and caught his wrist to tug him closer.“Nice try.”He dropped his free hand to Chase’s waist.It was obvious he intended to run off and let these guys think Lucky belonged to Ford, like his true mate bond didn’t matter.Lifting his arm, he spun Chase to hug his back.“This one is mine too.Ain’t ya?”
Chase huffed a laugh.“Yeah, I’m yours, darlin’.”He thumped his head against Ford’s shoulder, giving in.
He loved hearing those words.He nipped at Chase’s earlobe and found his friends staring, shocked despite his warnings.This was why he’d waited at the fence with Lucky, refusing to let them misunderstand.
Sykes ran a hand through his hair.“You got blessed with fine lookin’ mates, bud.But can we get going, ’cause I got my eye on a sweet omega.”
“Touch Lucky’s friends and I’ll break your legs,” he warned, aware Phoenix was exactly Sykes’ type.
Sliding from his hold, Chase never released his hand, but took another sip of the bottle of beer.“Come on.I’m getting itchy with Lucky so far away.”
* * * *
Over the next hour, Lucky charmed someone into letting him control the music.The low-volume alternative music the ORT boys loved became burst-an-eardrum dance tunes.Ford might have complained if Lucky wasn’t shaking his fine ass, dancing and singing.
On the third song, Lucky accepted a shot from Neko, who had brought a dozen to their circle, tossed the drink back and slipped off his denim jacket.
Every mark was on show from Lucky’s hands to his wrist, the marks on his legs to his thighs, the designs around his neck and down his spine.Every single sigil was visible, thanks to the backless top held together by a chain connected to each side and looped into a metal heart in the centre of Lucky’s spine.
Lucky was in his element tonight, breaking barriers, fitting in like he knew every ORTa personally.A few had worked with his father, and were trying to keep a professional distance out of respect, but Lucky wormed his way into everyone’s hearts to make this the liveliest and most stress-relieving bonfire Ford had ever been to.
Whenever he or Chase couldn’t dance any longer, Lucky coaxed Neko or Jesi into joining him.He even danced with Sykes, who was happy to be openly tactile with a kindred spirit.
Within hours, Sykes and Lucky were besties, Jesi was gushing over how nice Lucky was, and Phoenix was mooning over Sykes like a lovesick puppy.
Lying against a grassy rise along the beach, the waves crashing ahead, the bonfire flaming to his right, Ford couldn’t remember when he’d last been this relaxed and happy.
Chase picked at his beer bottle, back tucked into Ford’s side.“Before the bond sparked, I thought I’d never find my true mate, but maybe Omha was guiding me.Maybe she needed Lucky and I to wait…to leave space for you.”
Ford kissed his forehead and took the empty bottle from his fingers.“D’you love me, meda?”
Chase sat up enough to lean his elbow on Ford’s shoulder, fingers sinking into Ford’s hair, his shirt buttons undone halfway because of the heat of the fire.“I fucking love you, darlin’.And I love our omega so fucking much.”Chase laughed unexpectedly and raked his fingers through Ford’s hair.“When I saw how you took care of Lucky, I was scared I’d lose him to you.But if I had to lose him, to trust another alpha to care for and love my omega…you’re the only one I would choose.”
“You drunk?You ain’t making much sense.”
Chase let his fingers drift to the back of Ford’s head.“Maybe drunk on you and Lucky, on our bond.Nothing can compare to the high you give me.I can’t count how many times I was scared to be alone with you while we were trapped in that hotel.”
Ford swallowed, surprised.No one had looked at him the way Chase was now, the way he looked at Lucky.
“Whatever’s inside us that made us mates feels tight in my chest,” Chase whispered, like the words were a cherished secret.“The bond screams at me every time you look at me.It wants me to bond you, to mate with you, to secure this thing between us.I would die if you were to leave.That feeling scares me, because that’s how I feel about Lucky.Except he’s my true mate and omega.No one can tell me why I feel for you the way I do.Or why you treat me like your precious omega and that makes my heart happy.Why I don’t look at you like my omega, but as my alpha.”
Chase blinked sleepily.“I feel like I can be myself, without having to worry or apologise for how I am or what I feel.I don’t have to be afraid to tell you shit, because you would never hurt me.I never noticed the weight of responsibility that comes with being an alpha until you came along.I don’t need to be Lucky’s badass protector, because he’s got you.When you need to rest, I want you to rely on me.”
Ford kissed him, because if he said another word he might crack and no one needed that shit spilling out across the sand.
Grant sniffed and swiped at his eye.“He may not be drunk, but I am, and that was fucking beautiful,” he murmured, shuffling closer to hug his best friend.
Chase wrapped an arm around him, though he never left Ford’s personal bubble, and rubbed his cheek sleepily against Ford’s shoulder.“This is the happiest I’ve ever been.”
Ford leaned his forehead against Chase’s, savouring those words and the heartfelt truth behind them.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
