Chapter 16

“Where are we going?” I ask, brow raised as Shaw drags me to my bedroom.

“We need food, and you’re coming with us,” he says, gently pushing me toward the bathroom. “Fifteen minutes, and then I’m coming in after you.”

“No you won’t, not if you actually want to leave the house,” I snark, loving the snort he makes as he spanks my ass.

I’m wearing one of his T-shirts without any panties, and I wrinkle my nose at the thought of having to shower. I like having his scent on me. Sighing, I drag the shirt off my body and toss it into my closet. I don’t want to wash it quite yet.

Showering quickly, I braid my hair back, even though it makes my eyes look too big, and appear really young. There’s nothing I can do about it, so I dress in a pair of soft yoga pants, cropped top, and a soft gray dress shirt I’m stealing from Shaw. Rolling up the sleeves, I stare at myself in the mirror.

I have no idea what people are wearing, what fashion is like, and don’t have the energy to try. I would much rather be comfortable. As I rush out of the room ready to go in my converse, I bump into a warm, hard body.

“Ready to go?” Ambrose murmurs, steadying me.

“Yeah,” I breathe, looking up at him. He smirks with his full lips and hair up in his man bun. How is this man so sexy?

“Good,” he says, leaning down to brush my lips with his. “You look perfect. I may want to kill anyone who glances at you, but I’ll muddle through.”

“Why would you do that?” I ask as he pulls me into motion to walk toward the stairs.

“You’re stunning, and while I wish you were wearing my shirt, I have to say that our clothes really work for you,” he says as we walk down the stairs.

The men in the entryway turn to watch as I walk, and I have to say watching Everest bite his fist is oddly satisfying.

“Anyone else think we’re going to have to kill someone today?” Shaw asks conversationally as he picks up his keys. “Damn, Sweetness, you look really good in my shirt.”

Blushing, I let him tug me under the shelter of his arm as they walk out the door with me. Glancing over my shoulder I notice how Everest armed the alarm carefully before following. He showed me how to plug in the code in case I needed to leave the house, and apologized for not showing me earlier.

Slowly, I’m falling into step with the pack, and while it’s nice, I still worry it’ll be ripped away from me somehow.

I’m quiet as we get into the SUV as Shaw drives to the grocery store. We are pretty isolated here until we hit the main roads. It feels like we’re in our personal bubble, and this is my first time leaving the house with them.

Chewing on my bottom lip as I watch the buildings, I think about how much has changed. I haven’t really gone out much in the last ten years.

“We’ve got you, Wren,” Flynn murmurs in my ear. I’m trying not to freak out through the bond, but don’t know how it all works yet.

“It’s a short trip, Sweetness,” Shaw rumbles as he turns into the grocery store. It’s huge, and I see that there’s a lot of cars in the parking lot. “We’re running low on some staples, and I want to pick up some of your favorite foods.”

“I don’t really have anything like that,” I murmur. “Any food is usually pretty good.”

“Well, then we’re on a mission to find your favorites,” Ambrose grunts. “Find your preferences, what you hate, it’s totally okay to dislike something.”

“I really hate peanut butter sandwiches,” Flynn divulges. “It’s the texture, I can’t do it. I can make cookies with peanut butter just fine, though.”

“You kind of have a sweet tooth,” Everest teases him as Flynn elbows him.

“I don’t like mushrooms,” Ambrose says. “They’re slimy.”

His words make me giggle, because I guess I can see that. After Shaw parks, we get out of the vehicle, and Flynn tucks me tightly against him as we walk toward the entrance.

“I’m not a big mustard fan,” Shaw reveals. “Most condiments weird me out.”

Giggling at the way he says that, I decide he’s right. May as well figure out what I like. Everest and Ambrose grab carts as they pass them, and I continue down the list of food aversions.

“Any food aversions, Everest?” I ask as we move toward the food aisles.

“Eh, I could live without ever seeing another piece of broccoli,” he says. “I was forced to eat it as a kid, and now even the thought of it makes me gag.”

The face he makes makes me snicker. “I guess I should figure out what I do and don’t like,” I murmur.

The guys pull things off the shelves as we walk, and the first cart gets full fast. Eyes wide, I shake my head as we shop.

“Chicken or steak, Wren?” Shaw rumbles as we stand in front of the meat section. God, there’s so many options.

“How are we making it?” I ask, eyes wide. “Alone, in tacos, or… I have questions.”

“And I love them,” he says with a chuckle. “We should definitely make tacos. Flynn makes a fucking amazing steak salad, so the answer is both then.”

Smirking at me as he pulls portions of both from the refrigerated shelves, I roll my eyes.

“Don”t be a brat,” Everest teases me, kissing my cheek. “Damn, did we get ice cream? We’re almost done with our shopping.”

“I remember where the ice cream is,” I exclaim, eyes sparkling. I also saw a pint I wanted to try.

“We’re sending a search party if you take too long,” Ambrose growls as I start walking toward the freezer section.

“I hope so,” I call over my shoulder, giggling. God, these men.

Humming under my breath happily, I slow at the ice cream section of the store and take in all of the options. Chocolate caramel, peppermint brownie, hmmm there’s the blackberry buttermilk.

Focus Wren! You really wanted the cookies in cream. Why are decisions so difficult?

Opening the door, I hear shoes scuff the floor behind me as I reach inside. The air smells suddenly like motor oil, making my nose wrinkle as I pull out a pint of ice cream.

“Such a pretty little omega. Why do you smell so good?” a nasally voice asks.

Jerking back, I almost run right into his arm that wraps around my neck. Looking over my shoulder in fright, I see an unkept beard, greasy hair, and cruel eyes.

I know this person.

“Leave me alone,” I rasp, forcing myself to stomp on his foot and shove away his arm to scramble away.

“Why you little bitch,” he growls as I rush away from him. My ice cream falls to the ground as I throw my arms up in front of me.

“No, you leave me alone!” I yell.

“Little slaves don’t get a chance at freedom,” he snarls. “I do know you. Why aren’t you with Trey?”

Mark. Motor oil. Fuck.

Looking around for the other two as I know they’re pack, I take another step back. For some reason, this section isn’t as busy as the rest of the store.

Help, help, help!I scream in my head over and over, sure Flynn or Shaw will feel my panic.

“I have a pack, Mark. I don’t belong to Trey anymore,” I rasp. The stress of seeing him and the recent nightmare claws at my throat, making it hard to breathe.

My chest heaves in sympathy, and I raise my hand to my throat as black spots threaten my vision.

“There’s no way your pack would let you walk around like a whore,” he sneers. I’m fully dressed. My stomach is on display, but that’s about it. Taking another step toward me, the noxious smell of motor oil trails in my direction as well, like a black cloud. It burns my senses, making me shudder.

“I’ll collect my finder’s fee from Trey after I fuck you for running away, I think. Fuck, I can’t wait to show Craig and Bruce who I’ve found,” he growls.

A scream is bubbling up in my chest, but I can’t quite get enough air to use it. Gasping only makes him smile bigger at me as he adjusts his cock.

“You smell like fear and lemons. I fucking love?—”

“Get away from her!” Flynn yells, rounding the corner with my alphas behind him. “That’s our omega.”

Strong arms sweep me behind their back, and the scream breaks free. Shaw’s back is all I can see as he steps forward. Sweet air enters my lungs, making me moan in appreciation. Glancing around Shaw’s back, I see Everest, Ambrose, and Flynn circle Mark.

“She’s not your omega,” the alpha growls. “That girl is a slave, not worth any better than a tight hole to enjoy while she screams.”

My fingers curl under Shaw’s shirt, needing to feel grounded as I enjoy the warmth of his skin. Everest’s fist is moving before I even realize it, meeting Mark’s face. The alpha’s eyes roll in the back of his head as he falls, and Ambrose catches him. The entire thing takes seconds and is seamless.

“Oh shit,” I whisper, looking around. Shaw pulls me around him, lifting my face up to gaze at him.

“We’re going to take care of this,” he promises. “This area tends to look away, minds its own damn business. No one will care when we haul away this piece of shit, though we’ll go out the back way. Flynn, you can drive home, right?”

“Yep,” he grunts. “Fucking slime bag.”

Shaw’s lips twitch as he kisses my forehead. “We felt your panic through the bond, Sweetness. We left everything where it was. Make sure you buy your ice cream,” he says, knocking the quickly melting pint with his boot. “I didn’t think anyone would recognize you, and that was my fault. We’re going to take out the trash.”

“I vote for a pit stop to pick up the rest of his pack,” Ambrose mutters as he tosses Mark over his shoulder to carry. “Make the world a safer place for our girl.”

Blinking rapidly, I turn to face them all, completely overwhelmed.

“I’m… what’s happening right now?” I ask, my voice cracking.

“Mark and his smelly alphas will never hurt anyone again,” Everest says. We talked when they came out of their shower, and I told them about my nightmare. They know everything that happened to me.

“What does that mean?” I ask, eyes falling on the unconscious alpha hanging over Ambrose’s back.

“It means we’re going to get to kill people,” Shaw whispers darkly at my back. “And I thought it would be a lazy day. Silly me.”

A giggle bursts out of me because these men are insane, but they’re mine. Taking a breath, I nod.

“Make it hurt, please,” I say. My alphas move around me, and I gaze at their expressions. They’re so different, yet I can see the fierce determination on their faces to protect me.

A purr releases as I voice my contentment.

“We’ll be back when the filth is purged,” Everest says, leaning down to taste my lips. “I like southern pecan ice cream.”

My lips curve as Ambrose smirks at me, dropping his head to kiss me hard. “I’ll take some mint chocolate chip, honey,” he murmurs. “I want snuggles later. This fucker is heavy and smells godawful.”

I can’t help the grin I give Everest and Ambrose as they amble off toward the back of the store, watching as Everest texts someone.

“We’re going to have our boss help us out with transport,” Shaw says, following my gaze. “That’s who he’s speaking to. Any other questions?”

I can see Flynn digging in the freezer as he pulls out pints of ice cream and I giggle.

“What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?” I ask him.

“Lemon custard,” Shaw growls with a chuckle. “Here’s the car keys. I’ll walk you out as soon as Flynn is done buying half the ice cream aisle.”

“You can also bring the carts, Daddy,” Flynn sasses, straightening.

There are so many cartons!

Rolling his eyes, Shaw turns and jogs to get the carts, and I stare down at the car keys. My mind is reeling from everything.

Returning with the cart, our alpha supervises the dropping of ice cream cartons, making sure my flavor is in there. Walking us to the line, he waits patiently as we’re rung up and pays.

“Straight home, Flynn,” he rumbles as we walk out of the store. There’s so many bags in the two carts as I stare down. Holy shit.

“That’s the plan,” Flynn says soberly as we arrive at the SUV. Quickly they unload and then Shaw kisses us both goodbye before he disappears back into the store as we get into the vehicle.

“That pack won’t be an issue once our pack is through with them,” Flynn murmurs from the driver”s seat as he turns on the car and puts it into drive. “Good fucking riddance. Do you believe me now when I say they’ll protect you?”

“Yeah, I do,” I whisper as he links his fingers in mine as he begins the drive home.

I can’t help but perfume as I think about how hot they were, and Everest’s punch was perfect.

“That’s my girl,” Flynn chuckles as he squeezes my hand.

I can only blush as I smile, happy one of my nightmares is going to be dead and gone.