Marco points at my face before looking back at Santiago. I get it. If Marco wasn’t in my arms, I’d be rushing over there to have a closer look at the split above his eye.
“I’m okay, bebe. I found the last man, and he won’t be running or hiding anymore.” Santiago stands where he is, and I go to him. As soon as we’re near enough, he bends down. “Hey, big guy, I’m Santiago. Your sister is kind of amazing, isn’t she?”
Like with Aleksei, Santiago doesn’t hold back from doing what he would normally do if we were alone, which is to come up and give me a kiss. There’s nothing sexual about the moment, nor is it done to provoke a reaction from Marco. If anything, it’s a show of how things will be.
“Marco, Aleksei is going to take you. Quinn is very tired, and I don't want her walking. I’m going to carry her back. Nalla is right here. No one will hurt you.” Santiago speaks in the sametone and manner Aleksei did, and it might be because they’re both Alphas and so is Marco, but despite not knowing either of my Alphas, he nods and goes to Aleksei without complaint.
Aleksei is not tentative in the way he holds Marco. His arms band around him, reassuring him on a different level—Alpha to Alpha—that Marco is safe. When Marco reaches for Nalla, I know we’re going to be okay.
Santiago sweeps me off my feet, and I can’t help the soft whine I make when I see his face. “I’m fine.”
“Fine isn’t that telling. No more getting hurt,” I growl as I sit up higher in his arms to get a better look at his cut. Even in the moonless night, it’s easy to see I’ll need my kit again. I reach over and kiss his cheek before souring our reunion. “And Pedro?”
“The prick had a few unsavory words, and color me surprised, I don’t like listening to cockheads trash-talking my wife.” Santiago is in a feral mood, now we’re alone. It whips around him like a tornado, and it needs an outlet. “He wasn’t walking away from our?—”
“Your wife, huh?” I say, interrupting.
His eyes narrow as he looks down at me, his designation shining bright in them. “Bebe, did you just say that?”
We come to a complete stop as he continues to stare.
“Well, Santiago, there was no proposal, but also, I already have a ring. See?” I hold my hand up, nearly pushing the diamond monstrosity into his face.
“That fucking ring is…”
“I only brought it up because you were wasting our time talking about a piece of shit who should have died years ago. Let's not waste time on things that don’t matter. And for the record, I’m going to say yes.” The gathering storm that was riding his ass, and changing his scent, dissipates in an instant.
He looks over his shoulder, checking where Aleksei is, then kisses me hard and dirty before throwing me over his shoulder and racing us inside.
I shut Marco’s door and walk quietly through the house, grabbing another tea on the way. We have comfortable chairs on the front porch, but the first stair is my spot. I return to sitting on Kade’s hoodie.
Setting my cup down beside me, I bundle my hair in a high ponytail, then use one of Aleksei’s ties as a ribbon. My hair’s annoying me today.
It’s early, the sun not yet visible above the trees. I should be sleeping, like everyone else, but I’m wide awake, dealing with a rush of strange energy. I can’t put my finger on what the issue is. And part of that is probably because it’s not one issue—it’s a catalog of worries. I can’t find the right place to start processing the turn of events.
I sit and stare for what feels like a long time, until I hear someone moving around. I hope my restlessness didn’t radiate through our bond, dragging one of my mates from their rest.
I twist around, expecting Kade, but it’s Deena. I launch up.
“Don’t,” she scolds under her breath. “You worry too much. I’m sore as hell, but you and I both know I’m fine.”
I let her fend for herself, despite my instincts screaming at me to help.
“Let me pull your chair over. You’re not doing that.” I lift the wicker seat.
Deena holds on to the railing while I shuffle her chair nearer. And then I help her into it, hearing a sigh of relief once she’sseated. I return inside and get a blanket and her tea, which she made but left on the counter.
“Did you get a new shirt?” she asks, pushing me away as I fuss around her. The blanket doesn’t seem to sit right.
“You want to talk about what I’m wearing?” I retort, though it’s without bite.
I look down at what she’s referring to because, in all honesty, I have no clue what I’m wearing. Ahh. Santiago’s business shirt and a pair of leggings.
We sit quietly after that. I want to ask her a hundred questions, but I think we both need the peace of the early morning more. There’s something about this land that nurtures. I know Deena feels the same because when the agent brought us here, we both got out of the car, turned to each other, and simply knew. We signed that day with a move-in clause that meant they never left once everything was exchanged.
“This is what I needed,” she says quietly behind me, her face tipped back as she takes deep inhales of the crisp air. “I was worried I’d see our home differently. Weird, huh? Don’t ask how, but I knew Marco was safe. I also knew I was in trouble, but I kept promising myself this if I survived.”
Apologies burn on my tongue, but she doesn’t need me to apologize for things out of my control. I reach over and squeeze her foot, though my need to comfort barely abates.
