14. KOLSEN

Chapter fourteen

KOLSEN

Rage bleeds through me as I stare at her adorable little car. What was she thinking, taking off like that? I know nothing about the woman that has captured my attention but she must have friends or family she could stay with, right? It doesn't help that Sasha has pulled the exact same shit more times than I can count. When the easiest answer would be to ask for help, he usually just tries to bulldoze right through the problem.

It has nothing to do with the fact that he is my Omega and everything to do with the fact that my need to protect my mates overrides everything else.

My lip turns up in a snarl as I round the car, my gaze falling on the packed bags in the front seat and her phone charging in the middle console. I don't believe for a second that Camila picked up and left her father's house because they had a disagreement. In the last several hours that I've been around her, I can tell that she deals with a lot and that she backs down often. Not because she has to but because she can weather whatever comes at her.

For her to have left in the middle of the night means that if Ezra crosses my path, I will have a few choice words with him. How dare he put my mate in this emotional state? Both my Omega and my Beta suffered from that man's actions. I'm not surprised that I have already claimed Camila in my mind. With Sasha, it was instantaneous. Amiri took a few days to grow on me but once he did, I've never looked back.

Camila is everything and the fact that all of us have immediately wanted her in our lives tells me she'll fit just fine. I might have to talk Sasha out of dragging her into the nest, though. As much as she says she wants to branch out and try everything on that list, it can't be all at once. I want to explore and experiment with her, not overwhelm her.

Glancing over at our car, I have to suppress a laugh. Our disgruntled Omega is stuffing Camila into the back seat. He crouches down to inspect her feet, growling at what can only be cuts and scrapes on her skin. Her eyes are wide with a mixture of confusion and adoration, her hands reaching for him as she tries to pull away. I can only imagine she's trying to tell him she's okay and he's telling her that he's going to do what he wants. Those two are going to be a handful.

My anger softens when Amiri places a firm hand in the middle of the back. "As angry as you want to be at the situation right now, she's not ready for this side of you." I grit my teeth and twist to look at him, expecting a sermon about keeping my anger in check. Sasha is hardly privy to these conversations, the ones that happen in the dark or out of sight. My relationship with Amiri is rarely anything more than a primal release—something we both love to get lost in from time to time.

However, Amiri is more than just a release. He's more than my mate. He's also sometimes my safe space, my voice of reason, the one person who can see that my lack of control will bring the opposite effect. And then there are other times when he tells me to loosen the reins and attack whatever suits my fancy. Amiri isn't my keeper but at times he might as well be.

"Camila isn't ready for either of us. That doesn't mean she won't be or that she won't want the version of protection you offer. We both saw her flinch and if you go manhandling her or this situation, it's going to scare her away." I want to hate Amiri for his words but each one comes out in a very firm, honeyed tone meant to calm my thoughts without having me rage at this Alpha. "I am just as pissed off as you are at a man who is supposed to be taking care of his daughter, not pushing her into the arms of an abusive relationship. That will be handled. For now? Breathe. She needs more than your anger tonight. She needs to know that we are a safe space."

I know as much.

Silently, we gather her things from the car before traveling over to ours. I throw the bags in the trunk and then open the back door to see Camila curled up against Sasha's side. They look so perfect together, my Omega finally having someone to hold of his own. He rarely leans into his designation outside of a heat but I've seen the way he is with some of his conquests. They're always a little smaller than him, rosy cheeks and big eyes. However, he's never been attached like he is with Camila.

I've never seen him press his lips to their forehead and tighten his arms around one of them, his eyes boring into my skull, daring me to do something. Sasha might have only met her tonight but I can tell that he's in love. Amiri has been for months but we never actually spoke about bringing on another permanent mate.

Me? She will be so easy to love and to protect but I need to know that she won't run when she sees everything I have to offer. When she finds out the truth about my face. When she realizes that I am a loose cannon and I don't always listen to reason.

Needing to sit back there with them, I slide in, Camila staring at me like she's suddenly become the prey. Amiri takes the driver seat, meeting my gaze through the rearview mirror, reminding me that this is her show. I swallow carefully, about to say something when Sasha leans forward over her shoulder. "Do it, buttercup."

"Do what?" She hisses.

I have no idea what they're talking about but the car is suddenly filled with the scent of honey and pomegranate, her eyes still focused on my face. "What do you need, love?" I ask, softening my words enough that my growl doesn't make an appearance. When her lips part slightly, my purr starts, the need to calm our newest mate driving my reaction.

Sasha pushes her toward me, "It's a very pretty seat. Take advantage of it."

She's not going to… Camila kneels beside my thigh, her petite hands falling to my leg as she holds my gaze. The things I want to do to her right now would have Amiri driving off the road. My nostrils flare as her scent thickens, her interest making my cock rock hard. Still, I don't move, cataloging her features until I realize something I didn't pick up before.

Camila is looking at my entire face. The scars don't bring about the minute disgust that most people try to hide. She's memorizing it as if she needs to store it somewhere for safekeeping. This time when she reaches up to touch the scars on my left side, I don't stop her. The atmosphere morphs into a peaceful aura, the rage slipping away as she runs her fingers across the raised and disfigured skin.

"He saved me, buttercup. Dragged me out of a fire that my ex-Alpha started. "

I'm still waiting for Camila to pull her hand away, to dismiss my scars as something she'll just have to deal with. The other men and women I've spent time with outside of the pack just want my cock. They could give two shits about what I look like because it's about the conquest and boasting rights for them—never about the emotional connection.

"You know that you're beautiful, Kolsen? I would be proud to have you as my Alpha."

My throat tightens at her words. There's no way she means that. My beauty died a long time ago, not that I care. It has never mattered with my mates—they love me for more than my looks. However, Camila is giving me a different perspective but I can't stop the asshole thoughts swirling in my brain from slipping out into the open. "How can scars be beautiful, Camila?"

"Because of what they represent. You saved your Omega. You fought to keep him here and everything about that is beautiful. Why would it not be?"

Her intentions are pure, and her words are like honey and warmth, sliding through my chest. Propped up on her knees beside me isn't helping the situation as I gently grab the front of her neck to pull her into a kiss. Her grin as our lips meet tells me everything that I need to know as I devour her mouth. Goddess, she's perfect for us, isn't she?

And the other two are right. She's not as innocent as she looks and definitely not as innocent as one would think a preacher's daughter should be.

The bond between Sasha and Amiri hums with excitement and relief that Camila didn't reject me. That maybe whatever this thing is between the four of us might have a chance of withstanding several obstacles .

When Amiri pulls off onto the road again, I'm still tasting Camila's sweet lips as I drag her into my lap. As much as I want to ruin her, I love this as well. Especially when she curls into my chest, one of her hands moving around my back for purchase. When her fingernails dig into my shoulder blade, I know she's going to be an absolute delight to devour.