Page 47 of Pucking Feral: Part Two

"Please." I let my lip curl slightly, showing teeth. "I can smell her on you. Honeysuckle and summer rain. She's your scent match, which explains the protective behavior. The stalking. The desperation."

They don't deny it.

Good.

Lying at this point would be insulting to all of us.

"Here's what's going to happen," I continue, taking a step closer. They hold their ground, which I have to respect. “You're going to stop digging into my life. Stop following me. Stay out of my business, and I’ll stay out of yours.”

The vague, unspoken threat hangs in the air between us.

"We understand each other?" I ask when I realize they’re not going to speak, my tone conversational despite the menace underlying it.

"Crystal clear," Plague says, his voice tight.

"Good." I step back, letting my posture relax slightly. "Enjoy the rest of your stay in Northwyke. My flight is at six in the morning. I recommend being on the same plane."

I turn and walk toward my car, aware of their eyes tracking my every movement. Aware that I've just confirmed their suspicions about me being dangerous while simultaneously making it clear I'm not their enemy.

Just someone who will absolutely destroy them if they endanger what's mine.

The fucking problem is, I don’t just mean my family anymore, do I?

Chapter 9

Ivy

Even with the rain hammering against the glass, the morning light manages to peek softly through the curtains covering Wraith's loft windows, muted and gray.

It doesn't matter how much rain there is when I'm cocooned between two massive alphas who've arranged themselves around me like living walls.

I'm so fucking warm.

I wish I could stay here forever.

But… my bladder has other ideas.

Carefully, I try to extract myself from the tangle of limbs. Wraith's arm tightens around my waist immediately, a low rumble vibrating through his chest.

"Bathroom," I whisper. "I'll be right back."

The growl softens, one eye cracking open slightly above the blanket he's mostly under. His arm loosens just enough for me to slip free.

When I pad back from the bathroom a few minutes later, both alphas are awake. Thane's propped up on one elbow, scrolling through his phone with his brow furrowed. Wraith sits at the edge of the bed now, and my stomach drops when I see it.

The mask is back on.

Shit. I was hoping he'd keep it off.

This mask looks brand new, too, the edges crisp and unworn, covering the scars and teeth I kissed last night. His hands are restless in his lap, like he rushed to get it on before I returned. Like daylight makes last night's vulnerability feel like too much.

He won't look at me.

My chest aches, but I don't make a big deal about it. Instead, I climb back into the nest and settle against his side. He lets out a soft, uneven rumble of a purr and bends to nuzzle into my hair, the tip of his nose gliding against my neck through his mask, right by my own scar.

"Plague and Whiskey finally managed to reach us," Thane announces, setting his phone aside on the bed. "They're catching a flight this morning. Should be back in a few hours."

"With Valek?" I ask warily, looking up.