Page 15 of What We Don't Say: Part One

“She’sourBeta,” I continue, because this is the line I can feel underneath everything else. “Her scent belongs in the hall, in the blankets, in the rooms she walks through. If Theo can’t handle the full weight of the house on the first day, we’ll manage that with care. But we’re not going to make her vanish from her own home to make the paperwork cleaner.”

Garrett doesn’t answer immediately. His jaw flexes once, barely there, and then he gives a small nod that isn’t agreement so much as a decision to stop pushing tonight. “We’ll talk about it in the morning.”

“No.” I keep my voice level before he can turn the conversation into rank. “Sloane and I told Callie she isn’t preparing the houseso the rest of us can build a pack around her. I need you to answer me now. Is she part of what Theo’s being invited into?”

Garrett’s attention settles fully on me. “Calliope is part of this pack.”

“That’s still not what I asked.”

The pause stretches between us before he finally says, “Yes. She’s part of what he’s being invited into.”

I leave the study knowing the answer took too long but knowing if I stay any longer, I might say something I regret.

Callie’s curled in the center of the bed with Sloane wrapped around her from behind when I get there, her fingers moving over his wrist in slow strokes as Sloane’s mouth rests against the back of her neck, his eyes half-open. He only watches me cross the room, his scent settling when he sees I’m not bringing the argument with me.

Callie lifts her head. “Are we in trouble?”

I pull back the covers, climbing under the covers as Callie reorients herself between us. “No, princess. He wasn’t angry about that. It seems the center is bullshitting with the paperwork and you know how much our Alpha loves crossing his t’s and dotting his I’s.”

She snorts, burying her head in my chest. “Ah. But we still have to get up early to clean the room.” She pauses. “You guys might have to do it. I can’t feel my legs.”

I just shake my head as Sloane wraps his arms around her waist, dragging her back against him. She lets out a soft gasp that turns into a sigh.

“Jesus, Sloane, you’re inside of her again?”

He hums as Callie offers me a small smile. “He started again the moment you left, actually.” Her cheeks flush red as I press a kiss to her nose.

“Get some rest. Both of you,” I murmur as Callie’s nose drags down my collar. She rocks into me, and I glare over her shoulderat Sloane. “Quit it. She still has work tomorrow, and I’m not explaining to the administration that their professor can’t stand because her Alpha fucked her stupid.”

Sloane offers me a sloppy grin but eases his hips. Then he reaches across Callie, hooks his hand behind my neck, and pulls me into a slow kiss over her shoulder. His mouth stays soft against mine even while his cock remains buried inside her, and Callie’s purr deepens between us before he finally settles.

Sloane

By morning, the worst of the rut has loosened its grip, but there’s still heat simmering beneath my skin, Callie tucked against my chest and Idris heavy at my back, both of them warm enough to make staying still feel like work.

Callie’s hair is against my mouth, her scent soft from sleep, Idris’ arm stretched over both of us, his hand resting at my ribs, and every slow breath he takes brushes black tea and rain over the back of my neck.

I lie there, trying to focus and failing. My body wants what this pack has to offer, a soft place for Theo to land, my instincts already wrapping him into this pack. I already know Callie’s going to be his favorite, the softness she can provide so drastically different than us Alphas.

The idea of her, with him, in his nest, or the living room, or anywhere really, her face lighting up as he comes into her space as... A low purr pulls from my chest as my body starts heating up.

Idris’ fingers press into my ribs, a quiet warning from my Alpha who is much less asleep than he was pretending to be. “Breathe through it,” he murmurs near my shoulder, voice low enough that Callie only shifts instead of waking. His hand slides up to the back of my neck and settles there, his thumb finding the place beneath my hairline that makes the pressure in my body turn manageable for a second. “You’re better than last night.”

“High praise,” I say, keeping my voice low.

His mouth touches the back of my neck, the affection in it catching me harder than the warning did. His hand then moves down to my hip, gently digging into my skin, keeping me in the moment.

Callie stirs between us, making a sleepy sound as she presses closer to my chest. “Why are you both awake?”

“Because Idris likes to start the day by telling me what to do,” I murmur into her hair.

“He does like that.” Her voice is thick with sleep, but her hand finds my wrist where it’s resting over her hip. She pats me once, then stills as if she’s remembered the whole shape of the day at once. Her fingers tighten around me before she turns her head enough to blink up at my face. “We have to wash the linens.”

I close my eyes for a second and breathe her in before I answer. “Good morning to you too, baby.”

Her cheeks pink, but she doesn’t let go of my wrist. “Good morning.Linens.”

Idris gives a low sound behind me that would be amusement on anyone else. “I told her we’d handle it.”