“Hmm,” Koen says, staring at his plate as he demolishes his food. I’m not surprised he’s starving since it’s been hours since our game. “And if it goes badly?”
“Then we figure it out. There’s no other possibility for me.”
We finish our food quietly, and then Skylar and I leave Koen to think while we do the dishes. I meant it when I said there’s nowhere for him to go. We’re in the middle of the woods, away from civilization.
What is Evelyn’s idea of romance, is our way of keeping ourselves isolated from prying eyes. I have a feeling this is far from fixed.
“I’ll sleepin the living room,” Koen says, staring at the large bed we lead him to.
It’s been hours since our last conversation, and we’re all exhausted. I can feel Koen thinking through the bond. It feels the way static energy does when you’re near an electronic. It’s uncomfortable, and the hair on my arms stands straight up from it.
“I’m tired and I can’t sleep without you. Get in bed,” I reply, picking him up and launching him into it.
Koen’s gasp is comical as I follow him into the bed, and Skylar chuckles under his breath as he turns off the light and sandwiches our omega on the other side.
“Seriously?” Koen groans. “Your dicks are grinding into me.”
“I’m not responsible for what my dick does. They get hard because we like the way you smell and feel,” Skylar says.
“Mine gets hard because it likes you,” I shrug, snuggling into Koen’s side. “You can be pissed and sleep.”
“I don’t think I’m mad anymore,” Koen whispers.
It’s almost as if he wasn’t planning to say that, and I think about whether or not I’m going to call attention to his words. Thankfully, Skylar takes the decision out of my hands and asks, “You don’t?”
“No,” Koen groans. “I should be madder.”
“Why?” I ask.
“I’ve been thinking about how my apartment has just been a place to sleep and exist in between games. On the off season, I throw myself into volunteering and brand deals to fund my ability to give to charities,” he says. “I never decorated, because Icouldn’t be bothered to. I’ve shown way more enthusiasm for my nest in our home.”
My lips twist into a smile, and I murmur, “Good boy.”
“He is, isn’t he? Koen, you give us input on how to decorate our home, you’re excited to see things come together, and that’s a stark contrast to how you treated your own apartment,” Skylar says. “It’s easy to get into a rut and stop putting down roots in the city you’re living in. Rhodes and I were the same way in Los Angeles. Lakeview feels more like home than LA ever did.”
“Even if it snows here?” Koen teases.
“The white shit has its upsides,” I reply.
Koen is quiet for a while, his breathing growing more even. I can feel my eyes getting heavy as I begin to relax, fairly certain he’s falling asleep.
“I miss our bed and our dog,” Koen finally sighs.
“Good,” Skylar chuckles. “I have chains for the Jeep, we can get out of here in the morning if you want.”
“What are you going to tell Evelyn?” he asks sleepily.
“False alarm,” I mumble. “It happens all the time. Go to sleep.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
KOEN
Stretching before our game, I think about the last few days. There’s been breakfast in bed while at the hotel for away games, having Skylar or Rhodes insist on tying my shoes or skates while dressing, and a million other little things.
Not one person has teased them about it, and my pack didn’t get fined for missing an away game. Coach simply lied to the league and said we had food poisoning and that was the end of it.
Pack life is still a mind fuck for me. We just settled in like nothing was wrong, but my mind is still whirling with anxiety. I don’t like that it’s been four days since I was kidnapped and things are still unresolved with my rejection of my bond with Skylar.
