“Luc asked us if we wanted to practice resisting an alpha bark. Because no matter how good we get at self-defense, we’re always going to be vulnerable—an alpha could bark at us and that would be it. Even once I’m bonded, another alpha’s bark will still influence me. But Luc said if we practiced, we could get better at resisting. Wewantedto practice. He didn’t force us or anything. And by the end of class, I got pretty good at it.”
Once I’m bonded. Once I’m bonded. Once I’m bonded.
Her words ran around my head in a giddy spiral until everything else faded away. My grip on her hands tightened, and I had to fight to keep myself from getting out of the car and running victory laps. Josie had been so skittish around us just days ago, and now she was talking aboutbonding. My alpha roared with excitement. I wanted to text the guys and tell them.
“Theo?” Josie’s sweet voice jolted me back to reality.
I breathed through my whirlwind of emotion, sobered by the reminder that shewasvulnerable anytime she was around alphas. I also noticed the pride seeping into her voice when she shared she had gotten good at resisting. It was so rare for her to say anything positive about herself.
“Of course, you were good at it. You’re fucking amazing,” I said, a hint of a growl in my voice.
Josie preened at my praise, seeming to glow as her incredible, sweet scent grew thicker around us.
“How did he have you practice? He better not have crossed any lines. Did you feel safe?” I asked rapid-fire.
Josie giggled and it was like the brightest sunshine.
“He had us stand across the room from him, and one by one, he barked at us to cross the room. We had to try to stay where we were. It was totally safe. Poppy and Westin did it, too. Clementine was there, but she just cheered us on since she’s not susceptible to barks. By the end of class, I only took a few steps towards Luc before stopping myself.”
I took in what she was saying, grimacing at how much I had overreacted. None of us fully trusted another alpha around her, but I had to admit that what Luc had done was smart, and he’d helped Josie feel more confident.
“That’s so good, angel,” I said, smiling as I saw her squirm happily at my praise. I hated that praise had such an impact on my girl because she’d received so little in her life, but I loved that I could make her feel good about herself. “It’s not a bad idea to practice, but you should never be in a position where you have to resist a bark. There are laws against alphas using it.”
Josie’s face fell and she turned towards the window, biting her lip as she took in the view of the city. I gently tugged her lip away, soothing it with my thumb. Her scent had turned to sharp, burnt sugar.
“Has someone used their bark on you?” I asked, my anger rising. I resisted gripping her chin to force her to look at me.
“Yeah,” she said softly, glancing at me quickly to gauge my reaction. Suddenly, I had to have my arms around her. I couldn’t handle the car console separating us.
“Wait there,” I said before getting out of the car. I got a blanket from the back—the only thing in there, despite what I had told Josie earlier—before opening the passenger door.
“Where are we going?” she asked, lips parting as she looked up at me.
“On top of the car,” I said as I pulled her out of her seat.
“On top of the car?” she repeated skeptically, looking up at the tall, flat top of my Range Rover.
Before she could say anything, I grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her up. She squeaked out the cutest gasp as she reached out her arms to pull herself up. My hands lingered on her ass as I gave her the final boost she needed to settle herself on the car before swinging myself up next to her.
“Ugh, no fair how sexy you just looked doing that,” she said with a disgruntled expression. I laughed and laid the blanket out before sitting on it, pulling her in between my legs with her back resting firmly against my chest. She leaned her head back, turning to look at me.
“Why are we on top of the car, Theo?”
“Because I couldn’t wait one more minute to have you in my arms.”
“Oh,” she said with a smile, and she snuggled closer. The movement rubbed her ass against my cock, which hardened immediately.
“Oops,” she said, a sly smile crossing her face.
“You’re much naughtier than you put on, my love,” I whispered into her ear before tugging her earlobe gently with my teeth. She shivered in pleasure.
“Now, I want to hear about who used their bark on you,” I said, keeping my voice calm. Josie’s sweet scent was still burnt vanilla, and I hated how anxious she was. I kept one arm banded around her and moved my other hand to rest gently on her throat, tipping her face towards mine. “I’ve got you, love. You’re safe.”
“I know,” she whispered. “Will you… I mean, would you mind…”
“What, angel?”
“Could you purr for me?” The request came in the softest whisper, so quiet I barely caught it.
