12. Through the Garden

Demi

Max'sintense presence called to me. He walked behind me, watching over Calia, and looking like the mighty warrior he was. I wanted so badly to jump into his strong arms and lick every inch of his beautiful face.

"I desperately want to go for a swim," Calia said, looking at the small pond. The surface was so still with heavy white flowers growing on lily pads.

"I'm sure Davon would hate that for some reason," I said, giving Calia a slow smirk. "You should definitely do it."

Florence spun to me, his blue eyes narrowed into angry slits. "The Pack Alpha only wants what is best for his mate," he snipped. "You shouldn't be so dismissive of what an alpha wants for their omega."

"There's no need to be cross," Calia smiled at Florence. "Demi was only teasing me."

I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to tell her that I wasn't teasing her, but Florence. He was so easy to rile up.

"I"d wager it's very cold, My Lady." Max's deep voice vibrated on the cool breeze, slipping across my skin. "The ground still thinks it's winter." He eyed her black fuzzy boots, then added, "Don't you have an appointment with Healer Johns this morning?"

Calia stared at the smooth surface of the pond with longing in her dark brown eyes. "You win this one, Florence." She gave him a weak smile, and his chest puffed with victory. "But once summer arrives, I'm going to soak all day, every day."

Florence gave her a pointed look, not amused in the least. "Your toes will fall off."

"Who needs toes anyway?" I reached for Calia's hand, draping it over my arm as we walked.

"Maybe I'll start a trend." Calia laughed, leaning into my side. Florence rolled his eyes, then fell in line behind Calia, following us back to the packhouse.

We strolled through the warm house, all the way back to her room. Johns was waiting outside her door, with Davon by his side. I was impressed the Pack Alpha was here. Not many alphas cared to attend such boring appointments with their mates, but he was by Calia's side for every single one.

"You need to stop." Florence turned on me the second the bedroom door clicked shut. He looked livid, his bald spot extra shiny today. "Encouraging Calia to do such dangerous things isn't cute or funny." He crossed his arms, glaring right at me.

"She swam in that pond a thousand times." I kept my voice calm and even, not wanting to provoke Florence further. It always made his face puff out, all red and sweaty. "And cool water is good for the joints. I'm sure Calia's hips need the relief."

"You are barely a maiden, let alone a healer," Florence said with a huff. "Don't pretend you have any idea how an omega's system works."

I wanted to tell the beta that I was skilled in lots of things—therapeutic conversation, deep tissue massage, and thorough, deep cock sucking. But I decided it was best to keep that to myself.

"You're right." I let out an exaggerated sigh. "It was horrible of me to suggest that the Luna dip her toes into such violent and terrifying waters. That frightful pond probably would have sucked her under, swallowing her up, never to be seen again."

The muscle in Florence"s jaw ticked and his eyes narrowed into tiny slits. "That's not funny."

"You know," Max said softly. "Demi is right."

The older beta's eyes went wide, filled with shock. Max never joined in on our arguments. He usually stood at his post, fighting a smile while we bickered.

"What on earth do you mean?" Florence tucked his hands behind his back, obviously trying to rein in his attitude now that he was talking to an alpha.

"Demi is right," Max repeated. "The cool water will help alleviate the stress the pup puts on the Luna's body."

"I don't have time for this." Florence scowled at me, not brave enough to rile Max up. "I'm going to see if the kitchen has the Luna's lunch ready." He stepped toward me. "Let's leave the medical recommendations to the professionals. Shall we?"

A slow spreading smile lifted my lips. "No promises."

Florence rolled his eyes, then marched off, mumbling under his breath the whole way. His fists curled as he cut around the corner, making me want to giggle.

"You look lovely today," Max said the second we were alone. His soft compliment made me duck my head.

"Thank you." I smiled, swaying my hips. In truth, my dress itched around my middle, the fabric feeling a bit too rough. It was odd, considering it was usually very comfortable.

Max took a small step toward me. His dark eye sparkled and the white one flashed red. I liked that I could see his wolf move within him so easily. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm fine." I closed the space between us. "Why?"

Max's smile grew and he shrugged. "I've never been with a beta that can take me as easily as you." He leaned down, speaking in a deep rumble. "I want to make sure I haven't hurt you. It would kill me if I inflicted any pain on your perfect body."

My heart swelled and my wolf purred. I couldn't remember the last time an alpha made me feel like this. I was used to dirty talk about big cocks and possessive declarations from alphas, but it seemed that Max wasn't like that. He was sweet and tender. He cared.

"My inner thighs are a bit sore," I said honestly. "But it's a good ache."

Max's expression shifted as he sucked in a deep breath. He was scenting me. It wasn't something alphas did to betas as our scents were so much softer than everyone else"s, but Max seemed to do it all the time with me. I loved that he did it. It made me feel desired and even a little shy.

"I'll have to rub your legs tonight," Max said. "See if we can ease your pain."

"You know," I moved even closer, looking up at the mighty alpha through my lashes, "the best way to ease pain is to replace it with pleasure." I let my voice slip into a sultry purr. "I can think of a few ways you could pleasure me."

A playful smirk lifted one side of Max's lips. "Like a hot bath and some chocolate tea cakes?"

Excitement ripped through me, and I clasped my hands under my chin. "That sounds amazing," I said, and Max chuckled. "We have an extra big bathtub, too. One made for an alpha." I gave him a teasing look. "You can soak with me."

"Your body needs to rest. I don't want to wear you out," he said, slipping the back of his finger down the side of my face. "The last thing I want is to hurt you."

My heart fluttered as warmth spread from my chest. No alpha had ever expressed concern for my body like this. It was true that I could take an alpha fairly easily, but I wasn't an omega. I couldn"t be used for days on end without growing sore.

"Tonight, I just want to hold you." Max leaned down, bringing his mouth right over mine. "I want to feed you chocolate and hear about that tavern you grew up in."

Something soft and bashful moved through me. I normally recoiled at the thought of sharing my rough childhood with others, but I liked the idea of telling Max. I knew he wouldn"t judge me or my mother for the choices she made to make my life better.

"That sounds lovely," I said.

Max brushed his thumb over my bottom lip, and all reasonable thought fell from my head. I wanted to fall into the alpha's arms and proclaim my unabashed love for him.

I jerked at the thought. Love?

I didn't love Max.

He was a lovely distraction in the midst of a rather boring day. Nothing more.

"What's wrong?" Max asked, looking deep into my eyes. I grew hot, and I ducked my head, trying to hide.

Footsteps echoed down the hall, and I took a step away from the alpha. My wolf raged and roared, begging me to press up against him.

"Nothing's wrong." I forced a smile. "I'm just looking forward to tonight."

But something was very wrong.

I had never been one for love and all that nonsense.

I had spent too many years pretending to love alphas who used my body for their own pleasure. Most were kind, and few I even grew to adore, but I wasn't dumb enough to let myself actually fall for one of them. It made it too difficult to leave when they were done with me.

No. I was better at having fun. And that's all this was. Fun.

Even if my wolf violently disagreed.