“That’s right, Liam.” Westin poked my side. “Can’t believe you got distracted.”
I huffed a laugh, getting up from the couch and heading to my room. I cringed as I looked at my bed—a mattress on the floor—and the plastic bins I kept my clothes in. God, my life was depressing and I hadn’t even realized it. I quickly grabbed my bag and closed the door behind me, not wanting Westin to see it.
“Can I help carry something?” she asked.
Bear and I both scowled and she rolled her eyes. “Oh, the weak little omega couldn’tpossiblylift a bag.”
Bear smacked her hard on the ass, which made her squeal. “That’s right.” He crowded her against the kitchen counter. “Better leave all the lifting for the big, strong alphas.”
She pushed him away but couldn’t stop from smiling. I took her hand with my free one, slung my bag over my shoulder, and left the apartment behind.
We crossed the parking lot where Gray and Henry had already hooked the trailer to Henry’s SUV.
“Did you get everything you needed from your place?” Westin asked the beta as she skipped to his side. He smiled and pulled her close to his chest.
“I did,” he said.
“I missed you last night.” Westin’s words were soft, but I still caught them. Something like jealousy burned in my chest and I had to look away. Since Westin and I parted in front of the hotel, it was like a part of me was missing whenever she wasn’t near. And that part of me wasn’t sure about sharing.
Bear’s bike rumbled as he rode it over from his parking spot. We all worked to load it into the trailer, stacking our suitcases along the side of the van and reserving the rest of the space for the omega supplies we bought Westin. She seemed hesitant to use her new things, as if she wasn’t sure they really belonged to her.
“We need coffee for the road,” she said, leaning against the SUV. Her shorts showed off her long legs and her tank top revealed a delicious strip of skin on her stomach. There was still a bite in the spring air, but she didn’t look cold. I stripped off my sweatshirt anyway, pulling it over her head before she realized what I was doing.
Her lip jutted out in a pout when her head popped through the sweatshirt. “You messed up my hair.”
“You looked cold,” I lied, feeling pleased as she put her arms through the sleeves. My alpha felt a possessive satisfaction seeing her in my clothes, having her wrapped in my scent. I brushed my fingers through her hair, which looked perfect as always. “Where do you want to get coffee?”
Westin bounced on the balls of her feet, apparently having forgiven me. “Let’s go to the bakery. That way, I can say goodbyeto Josie.” Her smile fell a bit and sadness shadowed her big brown eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I pulled her close.
“Just feels strange to leave,” she said softly. “I’ve never left Luna. I’ve never even been on a road trip before.”
I hadn’t either, not really. The urge to make this a good experience for Westin hit me square in the chest, especially since she was anxious about the medical care she would get once we reached our destination. “Is there anything you want to do to make it special?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. Maybe there will be some fun stops we can make along the way?”
“Absolutely. We’ll see what we come across on the road,” I said, pressing a kiss to her lips. The second she turned away, I pulled out my phone and started looking up some possible stops that would befun. Most of what I knew of between here and Sol was empty fields and shitty towns.
“Alright, that should be it.” Bear dusted off his hands as he closed up the trailer. “You ready, baby?”
“Ready,” Westin said as Bear pulled her into his arms. The urge to grab her back, to be the only one to touch her, surged through me. I closed my eyes and took a breath, tamping down my possessiveness. I wouldn’t be an alpha like my father. I would learn to share.
Bear opened the door for her, and Westin got in the car, sliding into the middle seat. Gray met my eye and I knew we were thinking the same thing—we both wanted to sit next to Westin. I cracked my knuckles. I hadn’t fought in years but had the strong urge to pummel the alpha.
Our decision was made for us when Bear got in after Westin, leaving just one seat open in the back, and I was closer. I couldn’t stop myself from smirking as I slipped in behind the driver’s seat while Gray rolled his eyes and got in the passenger seat.
“To the bakery?” Henry said.
“Yes.” Westin bounced her leg as she looked out the window.
“Are you feeling alright?” I asked, gripping her thigh as we pulled out of the parking lot.
“I think that’s the third time you’ve asked this morning,” she responded dryly.
“Fourth by my count.” Bear met my glare with a shit-eating grin.
Westin placed her hand over mine and gave it a squeeze before I could snap at him. “I know you’re all concerned about me, and I appreciate it. But I’m not used to people asking me how I’m doing, and it makes me a little uncomfortable,” she said, sounding like it was a challenge to get the words out.
