Once this painting is in the hands of the ones who kept me caged for so long, maybe the chains will finally clatter to the ground.
Now that I’m here, I’m not sure I could have done this painting anywhere else. This room, it’s so…Maverick, that an immediate sense of safety overwhelms me. A soft but sturdy couch sits against one of the walls, dark shelves filled with books line another. A brick fireplace makes me think of cozy winter nights, and a part of me is a little sad we won’t get to stay in this house.
A knock on the door has me looking up, and as the doorknob turns, I put down my brush. One of the guys must be telling me it’s time for lunch.
However, when the door opens, it’s not any of my guys that greet me, but Maggie.
“Wren!” she greets before striding over and wrapping me in a tight hug. “You’re so brave, facing off with your parents like this.”
Did she evenlookat me before hugging me? “Thanks, Maggie, but, um…”
She pulls back, looking at me with furrowed brows. “What?”
I glance down at my paint-covered overalls. “You might have…a little bit…”
She looks at her shirt, bursting out into a laugh. “Well, that’s what I get, I suppose.”
Smiling, I shake my head. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but…why are you here?”
Maggie huffs in exasperation. “Did that ass-wipe not tell you I was coming? I swear, Wren, this has been happening our entire lives—”
I grab my phone from the small table where I had left it when I started painting a few hours ago. Oops.
“Nope, he told me.” I grimace, opening the group chat from the guys. “I was just…very into painting.”
Mavericks’ message fills the screen.
Daddy Bear
Maggie is coming over to check you out as a precaution before we see your parents tomorrow.
Wincing, I type my message in.
Me
Oops. Just saw this. She’s here now.
Bossy Bear
Maybe turn your phone ringer on when you’re painting from now on *tongue sticking out emoji*
I frown. That’s a thing? All their phones are always quiet, just vibrate-y. Putting the phone back on the table, I turn to Maggie. “Sorry about that. Apparently I need to…turn my phone ringer on?”
She chuckles, shaking her head. “No worries. Here, let’s go to the couch and I’ll take your vitals.”
We settle on the couch, and I was totally right—it’s just the right amount soft.
The alpha starts pulling her equipment out of her bag. “How have you been feeling? Have you had any spikes?”
“I…” I falter. Is it weird to talk about this when one of the men I’ve been furiously fucking is her brother? “Can we pretend like you and Maverickaren’trelated for a moment?”
Maggie pulls a face. “Definitely.”
A nervous laugh leaves me. Alright. Better to just get it all out in the open. Maggie is a doctor, I’m sure she’s heard worse than what I’m about to tell her. “Okay. So…I’ve been really sleepy, but also having sex, like a lot? For instance, yesterday, Ethan and I finally took that last step, and then I fell asleep, and then when I woke up, I waswithboth Teddy and Ethan…and then when we got here…Maverick.”
“How were you feeling after all of that?” She puts her stethoscope around her neck. “Still tired? Did you ever have a fever? An intense need for a knot?”
“Well…” I bite my lip. “After Maverick…I kind of went insane.”
