I’m elbow-deep in mulch when something shimmers on the horizon, tall, leather-clad, and wriggling. I swipe the sweat out of my eyes with the back of my arm, and the vision suddenly transforms into Ark as he steps between two rose bushes with a small, brown puppy in his hands. He has a pink nose and oversized paws, and gives an excited yip as I put down my trowel and rise slowly to my feet. “This isn’t something you see every day.”
“It’s from Bluff.” Ark pulls a face. “I mean, it’s a courting gift. From Bluff’s puppy refuge.”
“Ah.” This makes more sense. While I was sleeping off the last of my heat, Bluff went back to collect some things and obviously decided to include a puppy in his packing. “You’re such a cutie!” I croon, reaching out to take the wiggling dog from Ark’s hands. “What’s his name?”
“Jedi.”
I snort. “Seriously? I didn’t pick Bluff as a Star Wars fan.”
“I’m the fan,” Ark says, then shrugs uneasily under his cut. “I don’t know who named him, but he seems to like it.”
“He seems to like butterflies, too,” I note, laughing as Jedi tries to track the one fluttering on a nearby bush, his eyes crossing in the process. “So, are we keeping him? Is this the newest member of the Iron Flyers?”
“He’s yours,” Ark says abruptly. “From me.”
I look at him in surprise. Didn’t he say that Jedi was a courting gift? “How does that work?”
“Well, if you like him, we’ve got a dog crate and some puppy stuff we can put in your suite. Otherwise, he can be the club dog, and I’ll ask one of the teens to take over his care.”
I squeeze Jedi to my chest, tight enough to make him yip. “You’re not taking him back!” I splutter. “I’ll look after him. He can be a club dog, but I’m going to be his number one person.”
A hint of a smile softens Ark’s face. “I don’t see that being a problem.”
“Okay, but if he’s staying, he needs to pull his weight.” I kiss his soft, fuzzy head and place him carefully at my feet. “No mooching, Jedi.” I laugh as he instantly starts digging in the flowerbed. “Look at him go. Already hard at work!”
I’m still grinning as I lift my gaze, catching a strange look on Ark’s face. It takes me a beat to realize he’s staring at the bite mark on my neck. Or bitemarks, since I can feel both of them, like a pair of extra heartbeats under my skin. “Um. Pitt and I…”
“Yep. I can see that.” He pauses, then asks in a strangely blank voice, “Was it a good heat?”
I shuffle my feet, which makes Jedi pounce on my bootlaces. “Yes. The suite is amazing.” Plus, I bonded with his best friend and his enforcer, which means it was probably a memorable experience for both of us. “But Wings said you left. A club ride?”
“It was the safest move for everyone.”
I get that, but it still stings that he took off during my heat. Wasn’t he even a little torn about leaving me? “Well, I’m sorry about the fuss. I’ll be better prepared next time.”
“No matter what, you’ll always be protected here.” I nod, and he squares his shoulders like he’s trying to adjust a heavy weight. “I didn’t want to leave, Abbie. Just so you know, if I’d had more warning…”
“I get it,” I say lightly, even though my heart is thudding in my chest. To hide my flushed face, I lean down and scoop up the puppy. “At least it all worked out in the end.”
“Wait up.” His hand on my arm seems to surprise us both, but he doesn’t remove it. “Just to be clear, Pitt is a good guy. He’s an enforcer, but he’s not a meathead. He’s got a steady head on his shoulders. Plus, he’ll make you happy or kill himself trying.”
I arch a brow, wondering if this is his version of giving me his blessing. “And Bluff? Have you forgiven him yet?”
“He’s an asshole,” he sighs, squinting around a grimace, “but he’ll also treat you right.”
His gaze drifts over my face and I wonder what he’s looking for. Can he smell my attraction, and see my pulse fluttering under my bites? Or is he just being the Flyers’ president now, checking in on my post-heat health? “Is that it, Ark? You don’t have anything else to say?”
He makes a rumbling sound. “I’m happy they’re your mates, Abbie. But I’m also jealous as hell.”
I close my eyes for a moment, breathing in his leather and violet scent. “Really?”
“So badly I can taste it.” He reaches out to rub a hand over Jedi’s head, earning him a sneaky puppy lick. “I know I haven’t courted you properly, but everything I’ve done here has been to earn back your trust.”
“I know.” It’s obvious that he’s worked tirelessly to make the club a safer place for omegas. “You’ve done an amazing job.”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t mean shit if you walk away.”
I raise my brows at him, surprised by his harsh tone. “Ark. I’m not going anywhere…”
