“No, Beta Cross,” I answer automatically.
There’s a low growl from somewhere nearby, and I whimper, closing my eyes again. Joker is there, keeping me grounded and present for the moment.
“I’m going to go as quick as I can, okay? Just stay still for me,” Cross says, his fingers pulling the skin on the back of my neck taut.
“Stop talking about it and just do it,” Siren snaps.
“Rin, do you need to step outside?” Bones asks, voice much closer to me than I would have expected.
“No, Sir. I’m okay. Her scent in here is making my instincts go crazy,” Siren replies.
“Take a minute. Can you put together a file with all the information you pulled from the chip? We can review it after this,” Bones instructs.
Something about the way he speaks, so confident and steady helps to loosen the knots in my belly. I feel a trickle of something down my spine, but I’m able to focus on Joker’s purr, and breathe deeper.
“We’re right here, okay? Squeeze my hand if you need to. I can take the pain,” Joker says, slipping his fingers into the spaces between mine.
I cling to his hand, using it as an anchor, but more pressure on my neck and more blood sliding down my spine pulls me under.
“Why the fuck wasn’t I told she went into heat?” Tyler screams.
I whimper and bury my face into Alex’s shirt, his arms banding around me like steel. I can feel my alpha’s anger and protective instincts pulsing through me, my fresh bond marks throbbing like extra heartbeats against my skin.
“Because you weren’t wanted,” Isaac says, stepping between where Alex is holding me and where Tyler stands near the front door.
“Not wanted? I’m part of this pack and one of her alphas! I would have come home—”
“No, you’re not,” Roman snaps.
Tyler splutters, but I don’t dare look up. Alex purrs deep in his chest, a rumble that rattles my bones and warms me from the inside despite the fury cascading down our bond.
“I should have kicked you to thecurb the first time I saw the bruises on Delilah’s wrists. But we couldn’t prove anything until now. You are no longer welcome anywhere near here,” Roman says, his voice full of the authority that comes with being our prime alpha.
“I don’t have anywhere else to go!” Tyler yells.
“That’s no longer my problem. You have five minutes to pack your shit and make yourself scarce,” Roman replies coolly.
Tyler snarls, his footsteps loud against the floor as he passes by the couch on his way toward the stairs, but he doesn’t argue. Roman follows him, and it seems like no time at all before they’re back downstairs. I glance up and see Tyler carrying a duffel bag in one hand, and a rucksack in the other. He’s almost out the door before he turns around and glares directly at me.
“This isn’t over,” Tyler declares, turning and slamming the door behind him before anyone can reply.
“Got it!” Cross exclaims.
I feel a tug but don’t dare move until after I hear the clatter of something hitting the bottom of the stainless steel bowl beside me.
“I’ll take this to Siren. They might be able to get more out of it now that it isn’t…” Phantom says, trailing off.
“Just wash the blood off first,” Bones says, with a dark chuckle.
Phantom doesn’t answer, but I hear the sink running a few moments later. Cross has my skin pinched between his fingers, stitching it closed with practiced precision.
“You did so good, beautiful. I’m so proud of you. We can go back to the nest when you’re all patched up. You’ve earned all the cuddles and smooches and rest you can handle,” Joker says lightly.
“Just a few more and then she’s all yours,”Cross says.
“Are you coming back to us, little one? Your scent is mellowing out,” Bones asks, a hand coming to rest on my upper arm.
“Yes, Alpha,” I rasp, clearing my throat.