Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Landon

In the wake of Lily's absolute domination of the Montrose guy, our run is fast and excited. We make it back to the clearing in what I'm sure is record time, and enjoy a few moments to play as wolves before it's time to shift back.

Even though he already inspected her immediately following the fight, Milo checks Lily all over again, searching her creamy skin for any marks or abrasions with clinical focus. My eyes dart to Jared's in confusion, and he shrugs as if to say, "I don't get it either."

Once he's apparently satisfied, Milo and Lily share an uncomfortably intense kiss, his hands roving over her butt as I try not to notice and tuck my swollen self back into my suddenly tight pants. Jared catches my eye again and this time we share a knowing look; something is definitely up.

When we've replaced all our clothes, the clearing is nearly empty aside from us and a few stragglers. The Montrose guys, their guard, and the staff are already heading back to Harridan House, disappearing down the trail. Lily finishes zipping up her coat and we leave as one.

Milo seizes Lily's hand and tugs her forward, speaking intently into her ear. Jared and I slow our pace down, allowing them to pull ahead and have some space for their discussion. Not that I don't want to know, desperately, what the hell is going on, but I also know that being a trio of mates doesn't give us the right to insert ourselves into literally everything. We'll all have things we share with Lily alone, just as we'll have things we share with each other. As a family, that's how we'll operate.

It leaves me feeling a little left out, but at least I know Jared's in the same boat.

We watch them as they get further ahead, clutching hands and carrying on a clearly deep conversation.

"What do you think that's all about?" Jared asks, his voice low.

"No idea," I answer honestly. "But I'm sure if it's our business, they'll let us know. If it's not, well, I'd want some privacy too."

"Yeah," Jared kicks up a small pile of leaves. "I just don't like secrets."

"I'd try not to think of it as secrets, man. Sometimes it's just private. Don't you want privacy sometimes?"

"Honestly? Not really. I've never had privacy with all my sisters at home. If I'm not with them, I'm with you and Milo, or I'm at practice with like forty guys. I like being around people."

"I wish I could relate. Barrett is so much older than me, we never had many reasons to hang out; I was just his dorky little brother. I mean, we love each other and he's never been a jerk, but it's not a relationship like you have with your sisters."

"You mean how I want to string up every single one of their necks at least twice a week?"

"Oh, come on," I laugh. "You're not fooling me. Whenever we go over to your house, they're climbing on you like a jungle gym and you love every second of it. Maybe not Sasha, but she comes in and out of your room all the time like she lives there."

"She practically does, just to get away from the younger three."

"See? You can't say you love being around your sisters and then say you want to strangle them, too."

"You don't have a sibling around your age, you just don't get how it works."

"That's fair. But either way… I dunno, I enjoy being alone and then I don't, if that makes sense. Like, I can only write songs when I'm alone. It's too distracting to have someone there, and I get embarrassed working through chords and progressions when I know people can hear me.

"But on the other hand, when I'm with you, or Milo, or Lily, I feel complete in a way I don't by myself." I pause to think over what I just said. "That's really weird, isn't it?"

Jared shrugs. "I don't think so. Maybe because I've never really had the chance to get used to being alone, I just can't appreciate it? But either way, I'm happy that we're all fated to be Lily's mates. I can't think of a time I didn't want to hang out with you guys, and we're already like family." He bumps my arm with his shoulder.

"Yeah, I feel the same." My gaze drifts ahead, where Milo has his arm around Lily's shoulder now and she's leaning into his side, the pair of them walking slower than before.

"I wonder what it's going to feel like when we get closer to her, if that'll change anything."

"Closer?"

"Yeah, closer."

"What do you mean?"

Heat rises to my cheeks. "You know… like when she claims us as her mates, officially. When we… seal the bond."

"Ohhhhh," Jared tips his head back in dramatic realization. "Yeah, I dunno. I guess it's up to her, really. Whatever she wants."

"I guess." I try to keep my voice neutral and not sound too disappointed; I was hoping he imagined it how I did. Growing up, particularly when puberty hit me like a train, I'd imagined all sorts of scenarios involving our phantom mate and the three of us. Some were just me, but mostly they involved everyone. The three of us all working together, pleasuring her and being pleasured in tandem.

"I mean, from what I've heard, the four alphas are always really close," he adds. "There's a reason she's got that giant bed."

My excitement perks up. "But that's not even the alpha suite, is it? Does the alpha have an even bigger bed?"

"I don't think so. Mr. Carson said the alpha suite is whichever set of rooms she chooses to take. I guess once she officially claims us and we move in, we all pick a suite as well. We can have it renovated or leave it as is."

"We all have separate bedrooms? I don't remember hearing that."

"I think it's mainly for necessity. Like we all need our own closets. You know she's already got hers mostly filled. And have you seen room in that bathroom for all of Milo's hair products?"

That comment draws a chuckle from me. "Fair. I hadn't thought of it that way. Also separate toilets, that's definitely a must. No way in hell I'm going in there after you. Love you, man, but I know you too well."

"See? Exactly. And there's other reasons, like you already said you don't like composing music in front of a crowd."

"There's an entire music room here for me to do that."

"Yeah, well regardless, I think you're going too deep in it here."

"Fair enough."

We follow the garden trail back up to the stairs and eventually to the back door of Harridan House. Once we get inside, Mr. Carson immediately appears to take our coats, but I notice Milo's still wearing his when we enter the main hallway.

"You got somewhere to be?"

Milo plants a kiss on Lily's temple before stepping away. "I'm going home, actually. I've got a few things to work on for school that I've been ignoring. But I'll be back tomorrow sometime, okay?"

Jared and I exchange another loaded glance. "Okay, well, take it easy, man." I throw up a hand for a one-armed hug.

"Yeah, don't work too hard," Jared adds, receiving his own hug.

Milo flashes us his lazy grin. "You don't have to worry about that with me. Have a great night, you two." He turns and strides for the door, tossing his keys in the air.

"Well," Lily says brightly, drawing our attention from Milo's retreating form. Her cheeks are rosy, green eyes practically glowing in the wake of her victory. "Mr. Carson has set Jeff and the guys up in some guest rooms, and Dom and Roxanne have already called it a night. You guys ready for bed?"

Not in the least. "I'm not really tired, to be honest. I think I'm still a little wound up from the fight and everything." Not to mention whatever happened when I was drooling over her absolute nakedness. "Maybe I'll watch some tv or something if you want to sleep."

Lily's wide smile curls, turning into something incredibly seductive with one eyebrow raised. "Who said anything about sleep?"