Later That Day

Hutch

I ’m thankful that Della came with me on this run. She’s not one for small talk and easy to work with. She likes to get straight to business, will happily bloody her knuckles if need be, but she doesn’t look for a fight. She’s the perfect backup and the ideal driving companion. Her quiet presence gives me a chance to think.

No mindless chatter. No pressing responsibilities. Just the silence and the road.

I don’t have anything against doing jobs with my brother. Hell, I usually prefer to work with Dassy, but we haven’t done a job together since that day with Andros. Izan has kept Dassy at home with the girls ever since. It’s probably for the best. They need someone to look after them. Especially Mari.

My eyes drift over the uneven pavement as I replay the other night for the hundredth time: Mari was so scared. Her screams seemed real. But why was she pretending to sleepwalk? What was she doing in the sitting room? Was she trying to go somewhere else but got lost?

I clench my jaw, scared of what the truth might be.

Mari has been so restless. Distant.

I know it’s not likely, but I’m worried the omega wants to run. It makes sense. She lived out in the wild for over two years, scavenging and hiding. She probably was tracked and hunted the whole time.

Running becomes second nature at that point.

But what really bothers me is who she was with. Did Mari have a lover all those years she lived out there? Does she miss them? Is she trying to find them again?

“I gotta make a phone call,” Della says as we drive past the front of the house, making our way to the separate employee entrance. “Do you need me to help you drop off the funds?” Her dark eyes flicker to the duffle bag in the back seat.

“I’ve got it.” I pull into the gated parking lot.

Our home is essentially two separate spaces—a small portion for our business and the main house for our family. The “work” side of the house is separated by locks and cameras as well as a huge fence and concrete barrier around the entrance. It blocks the employees from the yard and the garden, but I still don’t feel great about having the guys so close to our omega. While I do trust our men—they’re all honest and loyal, hand picked by Izan—it only takes the slightest perfume of an omega to turn a deviant alpha into a vicious enemy.

“Text if you need me,” Della says as she hops out of the SUV. She doesn’t wait for me to respond, marching straight to the smoking pit at the edge of the massive iron fence. She leans against a light post and pulls a vape out of her back pocket, inhaling deeply as she brings the phone to her ear.

“You look like shit.” Carlos strolls up to the car.

I grab the duffle bag out of the backseat, giving him a friendly nod. It’s so fucking heavy. Cash always is. “Look who’s talking.” I point at his busted lip and bruised knuckles. “Rough meeting?”

“Argumentative client.” Carlos snorts. He’s one of those alphas that’s always in a good mood. Just like Dassy. “But he saw my point of view in the end.”

“Where’s Dassy?” I look past the dark-haired alpha at the house. It looks so peaceful nestled against the trees and mountains.

“Izan said he’s out today. Family stuff.”

Agitation rises in my gut.

Dassy has been spending a lot of time with Mari and Everly this week. I know Izan wants one of us to watch over the pair during work hours, but Mari never asks me to stay with her. It’s obvious she prefers Dassy—and I don’t blame her—but it’s hard not to be jealous. Mari shies away from me, gravitating to Dassy, even over Izan. I’m happy my brother brings her comfort, but I can’t help but be disheartened. I want to comfort the omega too. I want her to come to me when she needs love or protection. I want her to think of me when she’s snuggled up in her nest, touching the soft slit of her pussy.

I imagine slick trickling down her thighs just for me. I want to lap it up, spread her wide, and bury myself so deep inside her she forgets her name.

“Hutch?” Carlos’s harsh whisper pulls me from my thoughts. He glances around us, checking to see if we’re alone. “I heard you guys got an omega. That true?”

The threat of another alpha knowing about Mari burns through me and a slow growl pushes from my chest. “Who told you that?”

“Hey, now.” Carlos holds up his hands as if in surrender. “I’m not trying to snatch her or anything like that.” He takes a single step backward. He’s not actually threatened by me. He’s just displaying that he doesn’t mean any harm. “I only wanted to offer my congratulations. That’s all.”

My grip on the duffle bag tightens as I repeat my question more forcefully this time. “Who fucking told you we got an omega?”

A flicker of annoyance flashes in the alpha’s eyes and he drops his hands, pointing up at the house. “You know you have at least a dozen people that work in the main house? Right?” he says with far too much attitude. “Maids, cooks, gardeners. Adding an omega to your pack will make people talk.” He looks past me at Della near the gate. “And all of them come out here,” he points to the smoking pit, “to take their smoke break or relax between shifts.”

Fuck .

I know Mari wasn’t going to be a secret forever, but I thought we’d have more time to bond and mate her before the world found out. It feels dangerous that people know we have an unmarked omega in our home.

“You done snapping at me?” Carlos asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Go do something useful,” I bark, walking off.

Carlos mumbles something under his breath as he moves toward Della. Good . She can put up with him.

The office is busy today. Collections have been a bit slow this week, which means half a dozen alphas are hanging out in the makeshift breakroom, drinking coffee and complaining about stupid shit. They’re loud, their voices booming up and down the long hallway. I know it’s not likely, but I’m worried their voices might carry to the main house, and I don’t want to disturb Mari.

Sweet, soft Mari.

I know Dassy hasn’t fucked her yet, but I can’t help but wonder if he’s kissed her or scented her. Surely he’d tell me…I think.

“Hey!” A familiar voice calls out and I pick up my pace.

I don't have the energy for Tonia today .

“Hutch!” The beta’s heels clack loudly as she jogs down the hallway after me. “I need you to sign this purchase order!” She runs up next to me. The beta’s gray hair is curled today, the ringlets falling into her face, slipping over the glasses perched on the very tip of her nose. They aren't like Everly’s glasses—which make my mate look cute and bashful—but they’re thick, magnifying Tonia’s already large brown eyes. “They need a few parts for some broken slots in Westbin.” She holds up a clipboard.

“That’s Izan’s job.” I keep my eyes front, going out of my way not to even look at the paper in her hand. “You know I don’t handle that stuff.”

Tonia frowns, jogging a little faster to keep up with me. “Izan has been on the damn phone all morning.” She huffs loudly as I cut around a corner, making my way to the pack alpha’s office. “His calendar is booked all day and Dassy isn’t here. This needs to be done today.”

“I don’t do financial shit,” I say simply.

“Who’s going to sign for this?” Tonia’s voice edges louder, more high-pitched. “They need this ordered today to get the part in time for the slot tournament.”

I shrug, not having a solution for the flustered beta.

“You know, if you don’t sign this, I’m going to have to call David down in Slenton, and let him know that the whole tournament will be short five machines.” Tonia rushes to keep up with me. She’s surprisingly spry for her age. “The poor beta has been going through a divorce,” she continues to babble, not giving two shits that I’m ignoring her. “Rumor has it his wife left him for an alpha promising her all kinds of things. A pack full of lovers, a delicate omega to love. Hell. I even heard he promised her a house full of babies. Poor David.” She tuts, making me want to roll my eyes. “All he has now is work, and you won't even let him do that properly.”

“I don’t know what to tell you,” I say, praying the floor will just open up and devour one of us. “I don’t do signatures.”

While appreciating Tonia’s job—she keeps the books for our public business, fudging the numbers when needed and making us look respectable—I don’t have anything to do with that part of the company, and it’s honestly for the best. Several years ago, when Izan purchased his first casino, I mixed up a few numbers and cost my pack alpha over six figures in wasted costs. I haven’t touched a purchase order since. I learned my lesson.

“Dammit, Hutch!” Tonia grabs my forearm, pulling me to a stop. If she wasn’t a good twenty years older than me and half my size, I’d snap at the woman for being so aggressive. “I don’t know what’s going on with you boys, but I won’t let you make my job harder.” Her jaw ticks as she holds up the clipboard. “Izan has been distracted all week, and Dassy hasn’t even been here. I only need one damn signature!” She taps the paper. “Here.”

The urge to snap the fucking clipboard in half grips me, but none of this is Tonia’s fault. It’s mine and Izan’s. He should have taken Havenfield’s advice and taken a few months off from work. And I shouldn’t have encouraged him in his decision.

But there’s no helping it now.

“Don’t expect me to sign for anything ever again.” I take the pen from her, scribbling my name as quickly as I can. “If this ends up fucking us over, I don’t want to hear about it.”

Tonia lets out a long breath of relief. “Trust me. I won’t come to you again,” she says a little too forcefully. “Next time, I’ll let everything fall apart and just let you boys clean up your damn mess.” She turns on her heel, walking much slower back the way she came. She turns the corner and groans loudly, yelling at some poor employee as she disappears.

It takes everything in me not to bury my fist into the nearest wall.

I need to get laid.

It’s been almost a week since we brought Mari home. And while Everly has done a wonderful job, giving herself to me when I need it, I’m also trying to be mindful that the beta has a whole pack to tend to. It also doesn’t help that every fucking morning I have to smell Mari’s dried slick clinging to Izan’s skin. Dassy loves it. He uses it as an excuse for him and Izan to fuck like rabbits all goddamn night, but it’s starting to get to me. Having that precious omega within reach, but being unable to touch her is maddening.

And I don’t know how much longer I can wait.

I don’t bother to knock as I reach Izan’s office, pushing open the door, and making it pop against the wall. My pack alpha looks up at me from his desk, his eyes wide with surprise and a phone pressed to his ear.

Not saying a word, I drop the heavy duffle bag onto the blue couch, then I spin, eager to get the fuck out of here.

“Let me let you go,” Izan says into the receiver, then the phone clicks as he hangs it up. “Stop!” He orders me right as I get to the door, and I instantly freeze.

I'm not an omega. I don’t buckle to an alpha’s command, but I am compelled to listen to my leader. My loyalty demands it. “Yes?” I turn to face him.

Izan’s dark green eyes narrow, cutting across every inch of my face. “You look pissed.” He stands, moving around his desk. He’s wearing snug gray slacks and a fitted black shirt. He looks good. Toned and powerful.

Yup. I definitely need to fuck something.

I wonder if Everly’s busy right now.

“Did something happen?” Izan’s gaze flickers to the duffle bag.

I stand at attention, praying he’ll release me so I can go punch something. Hard . “Nothing happened. It was an easy job.”

Izan tilts his head to one side, examining my rigid posture and tense expression. I wish I could smile and make an easy joke like Dassy, but I’m not built like that. I never have been. He’s the loveable one and I’m the asshole. That’s the way people have always seen us.

“Shut that door.” Izan leans against the front of his desk, crossing his arms. “We need to talk.”

I hesitate, wanting to get out of here. I need to go for a run or hit the gym. Something to take my mind off the primed omega on the other side of the house. “What’s wrong?” I shut the door behind me, but I stay put. Not coming any closer.

“You tell me,” Izan says.

I shrug, not sure what he wants from me.

“You’ve been off, Hutch,” Izan says, narrowing his dark green eyes. “You’re even more quiet than usual and moody as fuck.”

“ Moody ?” I balk at his choice of words. “I’m not moody .”

Izan doesn't say a word. He stares at me, obviously wanting me to tell him what’s really bothering me. But I can’t bring myself to whine about how jealous I am of Dassy. It would be pathetic. Alphas need to earn their omegas affection, not bitch about it.

“Why are we working with Donovan fucking Tenus?” I blurt out. While it’s not as pressing as what’s going on with Mari, I do want to know what Izan wants from the asshole.

“We aren’t working with Tenus,” Izan says in his calm, easy tone. “I’m working with Stanley. He works with Donovan. I can’t control who other packs associate with.”

I don’t know why, but his answer pisses me off even more. I get that Stanley is a powerful alpha with lots of connections, but working with Donovan is beneath us. Izan should have told Stan to fuck off, and that we’d find someone else to run our money through the South End.

“Dassy was spun,” I say. “Seeing Andros really got to him.”

Izan lets out a laugh, completely dismissing me. “Dassy is fine. He’s been playing with Mari and Everly all week. I’ve never seen him so fucking happy.” He’s right, but I’m too amped to let it go.

“Forcing Dassy to work with Donovan after what they put him through is unforgivable,” I snap. “And the goddamn rumors,” I growl, unable to finish the thought. “This is all bullshit.”

I’m on dangerous ground with my attitude, but Izan doesn’t rise to my challenge. Instead, he takes a slow breath before saying, “You could have taken any number of people to that pickup, Hutch. You didn’t have to take Dassy.”

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” I bark, desperately wanting a fight. The sting of a few busted knuckles would definitely make me feel better.

“Watch your fucking tone, alpha,” Izan growls in warning as he shoves away from his desk. “You are my packmate and my best friend, but I won’t let you talk to me like that.” He moves to me, his thick muscular thighs flexing as he walks. He really is a good-looking alpha. Sexy and strong. It’s been a while since he and I fucked around. Too long . “If you want a fight, we can fucking fight, but at least have the balls to tell me what’s really bothering you.”

My fists curl tight as I war between the desire to submit to my leader or punch him in the fucking face.

“They destroyed Dassy,” I say through clenched teeth. “Don beat him down, treated him like shit, then let him pump himself so full of poison it almost killed him!” My voice cracks at the thought of almost losing my brother. He’s my other half. The bright presence that keeps me grounded when all I want to do is rage. “And then that motherfucker went after Dassy’s reputation.”

“Hutch.” Izan touches my arm, slipping his hand up and over my shoulder. His touch feels good. Tender but firm. “Dassy got out. He’s clean and happy, and living it up with our girls right now.” He leans in, looking up at me with his bright green eyes. “From what I heard from Kida, Dassy handled himself quite well the other day,” Izan says. “He kept his cool the whole time. So tell me, alpha.” His voice slips into a gentle rumble, urging me to talk. “What’s really bothering you?”

I shake my head, feeling incredibly weak and stupid. “I’m just tired,” I say. .

“That won’t do,” Izan says firmly. “I’ve seen you beat to shit and running off fumes and not nearly this tense. What’s wrong?”

I swallow hard, forcing my fingers to flex. My fists were squeezed so tight my hands were starting to go numb. “I’m going crazy.” I drop my voice to a harsh whisper, terrified someone might overhear. “I can’t think straight. I can’t focus. Guarding Mari’s door at night has me on edge. Her scent pumps in my veins all goddamn night. I just need…” My eyes flicker to the back wall on the other side of Izan’s desk. Mari is somewhere on the other side, sitting pretty with my brother and our beta, her wet omega cunt dripping with slick. “I don’t know,” I finally say, hoping Izan will drop it.

“You don’t know?” Izan’s dark green eyes search mine, almost as if he can see my thoughts printed somewhere within them. “Have you been fantasizing about sneaking into Mari’s room at night, and fucking her?”

His blunt question makes me jolt. “No,” I say way too quickly. It’s a ridiculous lie, and he knows it. I have known Izan since I was nineteen. He knows me better than Dassy in some ways.

“I can see it in the way you look at her, Hutch.” Izan places his hand on the side of my neck. It’s a tender touch. One that tells me he understands how I feel. “It’s only natural that you want to be with her. You’re an alpha and she’s your omega, but we can’t rush things with her. Mari is fragile.”

“Please, Izan.” Desperation grips me, and I close the small space between us. “I can’t take it anymore. I’m constantly on edge having to smell her sweet peppermint scent all over the fucking house. It’s in the halls, in the garden, on your fucking skin.” I grab his shoulder, pulling him closer and eyeing his neck. There’s a tiny scratch peeking out from the top of his collar. Mari claws the shit out of him when he ruts her. I want her to do that to me too. I want her to rip me to pieces until blood and slick coats both of us.

“When was the last time you fucked Everly? Can you work out your tension with her?” Izan asks like he’s making a suggestion at a fucking restaurant.

“It’s not the same.” I swallow hard, hating myself for saying that, but it’s true. I love Everly. She’s my world. My lover. My beautiful, precious beta. But there’s a pull between an alpha and an omega that can’t be denied. It’s what we were both made for—one to own and control, and the other to submit and obey.

“Please,” I look deep into Izan’s eyes, hoping he has mercy on me. “It’s like there are ants crawling around under my skin.” I shift, fighting the urge to bury my fist into the nearest wall. “I’ve never felt so fucking out of control before.”

Izan’s eyes narrow ever so slightly as he takes in my pained expression. “Okay,” he finally says. “We can try to claim Mari as a pack.”

All the tension flies out of me in one thankful breath.

“ But .” My alpha says the lone word in a barking tone. I stand a little straighter, eager for his orders. “If at any time she gets overwhelmed or falls into distress, you and Dassy will stop fucking her and back off.”

“Yes, sir,” I say, but we both know that might not be possible. Once an alpha is buried deep inside his omega, all bets are off.

“Honestly,” he lets out a deep breath, looking almost relieved, “between Everly’s grief and Mari’s trauma, I think we all need it.”

“So you think Mari’s ready?” I ask, praying she is. The last thing I want to do is force a bond with her, and traumatize her more than she already is.

Izan reaches for the doorknob behind me, pushing it open. “There’s only one way to find out.”