He wrinkles his nose at the scent of the oiled timber. “This cabin looks like it’s been prepared for a siege.”
I nod, edging onto my back to assess the room. “The Hunters are definitely ex-military. They’re smart. Nothing in here can be used as a weapon. The bed is bolted to the floor. The lighting is flush to the rafters so there are no cords that I can use. Lighting cords are good as garottes or…okay, no details. Even the floorboards are sanded and fixed without nails. Because I could use nails to?—”
Bird looks green. “It’s all right, I can imagine the creative uses you have for nails.”
“Bet you can’t imagine all of them.”
He becomes greener.
I kiss the end of his nose.
I admire the efficiency of this pack even more, and it looks like they respect my skills.
“What about the Chief Alpha?” Bird asks, and I sense his anxiety through the bond. “The Beta may not be a dickhead…”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Even though I trust that you have a scheme, the Chief Alpha here won’t like another Alpha on his territory, especially when you’re the same type of professional that he is. Why would he protect a strange Alpha and their Omega?”
“Now, there’s the right question.”
When I hear the lock turning, I struggle up with my bound hands and crouch in front of Bird.
The door bangs open, and Joker stumbles through it, carrying the largest stack of soft blankets and fluffy cushions that I’ve seen in my life.
The Beta is dressed in casual black jeans, shirt, and the same emerald jacket that he wore yesterday.
“Good, you’re up.” Joker more falls than walks to the bed, dumping his treasure of blankets and cushions on top of Bird.
“Are you trying to smother my Omega?” I shove the blankets off Bird’s head.
Joker ignores me.
He dives onto the bed, and with surprising dexterity for a Beta who doesn’t have a bonded Omega, starts to build a nest around Bird.
I need to fight my own inner Omega instincts, which rise in me when I see the nest, not to dive into it as well.
I ball my hands into fists.
Bird starts to purr, rubbing his face against a forest green blanket. “It’s so soft.”
Joker’s face lights up. “That one is my favorite too.”
Bird glances at him in surprise. “These are yours? Sorry, am I stealing your bedding?”
Joker shrugs. “You need it more. I know how to look after guests. Well, I don’t since you’re our first guests. I’ve been alone and isolated for a long time. So, I’m probably fucking this up. I don’t want to be rude.”
I hold up my tied hands. “Too late.”
“Guests.” Bird’s lips quirk. “Aren’t we prisoners?”
Surprised, I watch the way that Bird is leaning toward Joker. His pupils are dilated, and he’s fixated on the Beta’s lips.
I understand. I find it hard to resist Joker as well.
Also, hard not to want to spank the brat.
Joker pushes a sheepskin pillow underneath Bird’s head. “It’s more like protective custody, Cookie.”
