“I’m just planning,” she murmurs, closing her eyes as she leans subconsciously into my touch.
“Scheming, you mean,” I correct.
Nyx smiles, eyes still closed. “You know me well.”
I lean down, pressing my lips to hers. She kisses me back without hesitation, her small arms wrapping around my mid section.
Would Grace be mad if I fucked Nyx through the wall? I suppose I could always just pay for repairs. Not entirely sure how I’d explain the damage, nor would Daxton be interested in an explanation of that nature, but I’m certain Lex and Cade would probably hear us. That alone practically seals the deal.
Except, before I can move into action, Nyx suddenly ducks under my arm, slipping out from in between the wall and myself. “We have planning to do. Stay focused, Alpha Asshole.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“Just because I love you, it doesn’t mean you get a new nickname yet. Besides, it’s still fitting.”
She wanders into the kitchen and I follow silently, watching as she heads straight for the fridge to open a bottle of water.
Instead of cornering her again, I lean against the kitchen island because, unfortunately, she’s correct. There’s no time to waste right now. Regardless, I make a mental note to circle back to my plan of damaging Daxton and Grace’s guest house.
“I’ve contacted Darius. He’s traveling back here with some more of the pack. But I’ll need to return after I’ve briefed them and devised a plan.”
Nyx nods in understanding. “You want to tell everyone in person.”
“Of course,” I confirm. “It’s the correct and only thing to do. But Nyx—”
She cuts me off. “Lex and Cade will need to do the same. I know.”
I scan her face, trying to decipher if she understands exactly the point I’m trying to make. She strolls to the island, resting the water bottle on the marble counter.
“I’ll need to be separated from at least two of you,” she finally says quietly. “Because we don’t have the time or luxury of visiting all three territories concurrently as a group.”
Despite her voice being stable, clearly on the same page as me, her face falls slightly.
I step over to her, pulling her in my embrace. “The decision is yours,” I say. “You can decide who you want to travel with. At the very least, you are able to communicate by mind link to all of us.”
Nyx leans into me. “I’ll stay here,” she answers, catching me off guard.
There’s a strange sensation of unfamiliar feeling that settles in me. Not the surprise from her opting to stay behind and away from all three of her mates, but the fact that I think a part of me had hoped she’d… choose me.
I’m not sure why I’d consider that a possibility if I’m being honest. I know she loves me—I don’t doubt her words at all. But after everything that has been said and done since I arrived at Shadow Creek, the reality is I’m probably not her first preference when it comes to mate selection. Or her second.
Even that asshole Cade, who kidnapped her and held her hostage, managed to win her over a lot more quickly than I did. Granted I was fighting the entire time while that mellow moron suddenly decided to get over the fact she was a shared commodity. But even after what he and that other pack put her through, I still wouldn’t be her first option. I have the least to offer her on a mental and emotional level. And suddenly, I hate this situation all over again.
“Stop it,” Nyx firmly says suddenly, leaning back just enough to comfortably tilt her head up to look me in the eye. “You can stop that train of thought immediately.”
Puzzled, I feign confusion. “What are you rambling about now? I didn’t say anything nor was I mind linking you.”
Nyx rolls her eyes. “Please. I can feel you tensing up. It’s practically written all over that arrogant face of yours. You think I’m staying behind so I don’t have to choose.”
I snort. “Aren’t you? Be honest, Nyx. You love confrontation but even that is beyond your boundary.”
She smiles slyly. “I’ll happily fight with you every day for the rest of my life, Maverick. In fact, just try to stop me.”
“What is your point?” I grumble back impatiently.
“The point is I don’t have to choose. Ever. Not the big things anyway. You are all equal in my eyes and heart.” Pausing, her expression softens. “Visiting your home,our pack, is high on my priorities. I can’t wait if I’m being honest.”
My chest tightens at her admission. I stay silent, allowing her to continue.
