“Killian was just about to tell us about how tight Kitten’s pussy was sucking in his kn…” Ryker began, but Killian silenced him by lifting him from his seat, gripping his throat, and pinning him against the wall. He growled furiously in his face, asserting his dominance and issuing a threat to Ryker.
“Enough!” I barked. “Killian put Ryker down. We have important things to talk about. I just received an approved science request. They want Rowan to come back for more samples.”
“That was fast. Can’t say I'm surprised though. Zolkos is a fucking creep, and he’s after something. If we're not careful, Rowan’s going to end up a test subject like I was,” Talon said as he cracked his knuckles. Was his wolf riding him again?
“That’s what concerns me. The other concerning piece of information is that my father is the one who issued the approval. He now seems to be overly interested in Rowan as well.”
At the mention of my father, Killian stilled, tension locking his muscles into rigidity.
What does he want with her?he signed.
“I don’t know. But it can’t be good. Nothing involving our father is,” I responded, out-loud so Talon and Ryker could follow our conversation.
We need to leave,Killian signed.
“I know we need to leave. Falcon City is not safe for Rowan anymore. It’s too close to my father and Zolkos. We should return to the Border Front Station. I had hoped to give you more time for recovery, but I think staying here would be more dangerous than leaving.”
Killian grunted, nodding in agreement.
“Is Arca going to let us return to the Front? Especially now that your dad and Dr. Creep are so interested in her?” Ryker questioned. His tone was serious for once.
“I don’t know. I can put in the transfer request and hope that higher-ups want us at the border more than they want Rowan here. They’ve been eager for us to get back to our special assignments. Our time here was limited anyway, and probably borrowed at this point. I don’t want Rowan drawing any more attention. Their interest right now is based purely on speculation. I don’t want them to discover something that actually gives Arca Command a reason to keep us here. We need to finish the pack mate too,” I said, glancing at Ryker. He was the only one left who hadn’t marked Rowan. It would need to happen soon.
“I’m not gonna argue with you on that! I was just saying how tired I am of only getting my dick sucked!”
Talon rolled his eyes and clipped Ryker on the back of the head.
“Ouch. What the fuck, Tally?” he said, rubbing the spot Talon had smacked him.
“Okay, so it’s decided. I will put in a transfer request. Hopefully, it will override the approved science visitation that is scheduled for next week, and we are gone before Rowan has to see Zolkos again. Tomorrow, Ryker will need to finish marking her.”
“I’m on checkpoint duty at 0800,” he reminded me.
“I’ll trade my shift with you. Just get it done soon. I watched the other alphas when we walked her through the hallway. They tried to hide the desire, but their eyes lingered too long. Her scent is too tempting. I wouldn’t put it past any of them to try something before our pack mate is complete.”
“On it, boss!” Ryker said with a salute.
“Oh, and I remember what I told you. Stay away from her ass. I mean it. At least for now. Rowan isn’t too happy with us, and I don’t want to give her any more of a reason to launch dishware. All we have left are plates, and I think her aim is improving.”
Speak for yourself. Crane’s happy with me,Killian signed, snorting and crossing his arms. A smug expression lined his face.
“What the fuck, Cade! I’ve been patient. Everyone else has already had a turn at…” Ryker protested as Talon clipped him on the back of the head again.
“Stop fucking hitting me, Talon!” He winced in pain.
“Maybe if you had self-control, I wouldn’t have to spank and choke you all the time, Ryker,” Talon said as a smirk ghosted over his lips.
“Enough, both of you,” I ordered, rubbing my temples, exasperated from dealing with the three of them.
Chapter 34: Rowan
Ipretended to fall asleep on Killian’s chest, breathingdeeply to mimic the rhythm of sleep. We laid together until his knot finally deflated and he gently pulled it free from my core, trying not to wake me. Slick and seed gushed out of me, and I felt it run down my legs, soaking the bed beneath us. Killian shifted me off of him, delicately positioning me on my side, and covered my body with a blanket that was coated in his scent. I felt the bed dip as he stood up and collected his clothing.
A jolt of panic sent my heartbeat into chaos at the thought of him discovering his keycard was missing. Each beat was louder than the last as I prayed he wouldn’t notice. He answered my silent prayer by grabbing his pants from the bed, pulling them onto his muscled thighs, and leaning over to kiss my foreheadbefore leaving the room. The door clicked shut with finality, and with it, the last glimpse of Killian I’d ever see, if my escape went according to plan. The thought shouldn’t have broken my heart, but it did.
I considered how each of them would react in the morning when they finally discovered I was gone.
Cade would be furious, but beneath the fury would be a deeper wound, the unraveling of order which he clung to desperately. Control was his anchor, and without it he would fracture. For once, Ryker would have no humor, and his usual smirk wouldn't be able to hide the devastation in his eyes and the overwhelming regret of not claiming me like the others had. That regret would be raw and consuming. Talon and his beast would feel the blow like a wound to the soul. His grieving wolf would howl and pace, clawing from deep inside. Would Talon be able to control his shift after losing their mate? Our bond would break, and as the man unraveled, the beast would take over, shattering his restraint.