Page 148 of Rogue & Her Hunters
Bird politely gestures at the water. “Alphas first.”
“Omegas first.” Joker leaps out, dripping with water.
He grabs Bird by the shoulders.
“Hey, wait.” Bird mock struggles, as Joker drags him to the edge. “You wouldn’t throw a poor, defenseless Omega in would you?”
“Of course not. But I would throwyouin, Cookie.” Joker pushes Bird in the back.
To my shock, Bird manages to step to the side and shove Joker in the back in return.
Not expecting it, Joker tumbles face first into the water.
Bird and I burst out laughing, as Joker emerges spluttering.
I feel light inside.
Bird’s brightness shines through the bond. My own shadows have never felt like they’ve been banished to haunt the back of my mind before.
When have I experienced this kind of playfulness?
When I was drilled in swimming in the Adonis’ luxurious basement swimming pool underneath the house, I had to wait until late at night when everyone else was in bed.
My instructors coached me in efficient, technical laps.
If I had dared to mess around like this, I would have been beaten.
This is new to me.
Bird stands with his hands on his hips like he isn’t the civilian between two killers. “I have a sister who was as much a rebel Omega as I was. We playfought all over the penthouse, including in the pool. Sorry, but I have some tricks up my sleeve too.”
Joker sighs, holding his hand over his heart. “I’ve just fallen even harder for you, Cookie. But you do know that you’ve done it now, right?”
Bird starts to look nervous. “Ro, you’ll protect me…?”
I pace closer to Bird, resting my hand on his shoulder. “Oh, you sweet…” I shove Bird into the water next to Joker with a loud splash. “…summer child.”
Joker stares at me before patting his chest. “Be still my heart.”
I’m getting the hang of this playful thing, right?
Bird reappears with his wet hair plastered over his face. He struggles to push it out of his eyes.
He glances up at me and then at Joker, who looks poised to dive toward him just like a shark.
He swallows. “What is this? An Omega Hunt?”
“What a good idea.” Joker arches his brow. “I am a Hunter, after all.”
Bird splashes him in retaliation, and outraged but laughing, Joker splashes him back.
Joker swims toward the Omega, and Bird can’t even start to swim away, before he is being lifted in Joker’s powerful arms.
Joker turns Bird around in the water, while Bird struggles to escape but he’s giggling, and his wet hair streams around him like he’s a merman that has been ensnared by a sailor in his nets.
Joker kisses Bird, before glancing over his shoulder at me. “Why don’t you transform into an Omega? Then I can hunt two Omegas.”
Suddenly uncomfortable, I cross my arms. “Why don’tyouchange? ThenIcan hunt two?”
