Leo’s question swirled through my mind—Are you courting Lucy?I recognized him from the joint Ocean and Mountain rescue trainings. I assumed his cane had something to do with why he wasn’t at the last one.
Well, I’m courting her, too.
Fuck. The thought of sharing Lucy filled me with white-hot possessiveness, but then…could I stay in her life if I were part of her pack? I would always have to keep myself at arm’s length, would never be able to have sex with her, but if the other guys were there to protect her from me…
Would it be better to have a place in the periphery of her life, or would that just cause more pain? Would I be able to see the other guys with Lucy without killing them, especially knowing I could never touch her like they did?
Leo seemed…fine. I couldn’t say the same about the pretentious alpha. King.
The door opened and the two men in question stepped inside. I held in a snarl as their eyes immediately went to my omega. A gentle touch pulled me up short. Lucy squeezed my wrist before standing.
The entire time James was showing Lucy how to feed Blossom, I could still feel the ghost of her touch on my skin.
It was everything I could never live without.
As we followed Lucy out of the clinic and slowly walked back to her place, I knew one thing for sure: I would do anything to conquer my fear, my jealousy, my fuckinginstincts, if it meant staying in Lucy’s life.
She hesitated outside her shop. “Um, well, thanks for the help, I guess?”
“Can I take you out for breakfast?” King asked.
Leo and I scowled at him.
“Iwas going to ask if you wanted to go to breakfast,” Leo said. “Also, I got you flowers.”
Before I could say that I also wanted to take her to breakfast, Lucy spoke. “I already have breakfast plans.”
“What about lunch?” I blurted out.
She scrubbed her hand down her face, her exhaustion clear. I wanted to wrap her up in a blanket and hold her in her nest. My cock twitched at the thought and I took a small step away.
“I can’t—” She swallowed. “I can’t deal with this right now. I just…Thanks for the help.” She took the bag of supplies and closed the door behind her.
39
Leo
“So…” I trailed off, myeyes locked on Lucy’s closed door. “That could have gone better.”
The alphas were silent, but their bitter, twisted scents said it all.
I ran my fingers through my messy curls and faced them.
Wilder and King had matching crossed arms, clenched jaws. A wave of insecurity hit me—they were so tall and broad andalpha—but I refused to let it drown me. Lucy was too important.
“We should talk.”
Wilder lifted his chin in what I assumed was agreement.
“Fine. Where should we go?” King asked.
I gestured at my shop. I wanted to stay close to Lucy.
We shuffled inside.
More awkward silence.
The alphas seemed even more lost than I was, so it was up to me to start the conversation. That was okay. I’d thought things through on the drive and knew what I wanted.
