The alpha in question grumbled, but I saw through him. He was excited about the field trip, too.
“I don’t want to leave you,” he said, his anxiety and uncertainty reaching me through the bond.
“You have the next four days off, right?” I asked Wilder.
“Yes. I’ll also put in a request for heat leave, which I think is up to ten additional days.”
“See, Wilder will be with me, and Boston isn’t that far away if something happens.”
King ran a harried hand through his hair. “I don’t know.”
“Fish King cannot disappoint the children,” Leo said.
“I’ll take care of our girl,” Wilder added.
Any more sweetness and I’d burst into tears.
“I see I’m overruled.” King kissed the tip of my nose. “If you’re sure, princess.”
I ran my fingers down his cheek, rough with stubble in contrast to his usually clean-shaven self. “I’m sure.”
74
Lucy
I’d always known my hormonalcondition meant my omega was more intense than average, but I hadn’t realized how much since I’d been on suppressants for so long.
Now, as I whined when Wilder walked three feet away from me to the kitchen pantry, there was no hiding it. I hopped off the counter and plastered myself against his back.
“Sweetheart.” He gently turned me so I was hugging his chest. “I’m not leaving.”
I knew that, but my omega wasn’t as reasonable.
“I’m sorry. I know I’m being crazy.”
He lifted me against his chest, one hand supporting my ass while the other grabbed the ingredients he needed. “You’re not crazy. I always want to be touching you. I just need to figure out how to do that while still taking care of you.”
“It’s fine. You can put me down on the counter.”
He chuckled. “Oh yeah?” He released his hold on me and I stayed exactly where I was, my arms and legs wrapped around him.
“I’ll let go,” I said. “Anytime now.”
His arms were around me again, squeezing me tight to his chest. “I have an idea.”
I kept my face buried in his neck as he carried me outside to his truck, grabbed something, and headed back to his bedroom.
“You’ll have to let go of me, but just for a few minutes.” He laid me down on the bed and I reluctantly loosened my hold.
“What is that?”
He was holding a tangle of…something.
“These are rock-climbing harnesses. I keep them in my truck for Mountain Rescue.”
I scrunched my nose. “Umm…do you not remember how we met? Me and the outdoors don’t get along.”
He grinned. “It’s not for rock climbing.”
