AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thank you. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about her having died in the fire. Now I’m just worried about her being kidnapped or something.”
“I bet you anything she’s with that pack. The omega’s heat was coming up soon last time I saw her and she was stewing in her guilt that she didn’t feel ready to be a part of it. Maybe it was a last-minute decision to join?”
“Why wouldn’t she let anyone know that was happening?”
“Luca, have you ever been around an omega in heat?”
I shook my head.
“Nicky wouldn’t be the first to get swept away in that kind of situation. Makes my brain feel better to think that’s where she is instead of any of the alternatives.”
“I wish I could get in contact with Jasper to ask.”
Luna laughed softly. “Yeah, he won’t be surfacing for a while, but that would be the ideal.”
“So what are we supposed to do?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. Short of asking the cops to do a wellness check where we think she is, probably nothing. Unless your parents want to file a missing-persons report.”
I tried to focus on the fact that Nicky was most likely with Jasper and the pack, that she was safe and hadn’t been trafficked or something equally horrible.
Luna nudged me gently. “Don’t forget to actually sign me up so it looks like you’re working. Bosses love when you look like you’re working, even if you’re not.”
“Lux already told me I could leave. I don’t think she’ll mind too much if we talk a bit.”
One of the gym bros walked by us, and Luna bristled, turning to snap at him. “Hands to yourself, bucko.”
My hackles instantly rose.
He lifted both hands in defense. “Lost my balance a little. Didn’t mean to get so close.”
I bit down on the growl that wanted to come out, pissed that anyone had the audacity to get close to Luna without her permission.
He rolled his eyes at both of us and went over to re-rack the free weights that had been left around the gym with tonight’s crowd.
“He touches my ass again and I’ll break his fingers,” Luna whispered to me.
“He touches you again and I’ll break them for you.”
Luna clapped her hand over her mouth to muffle her giggle, her eyes wide like she hadn’t expected me to respond that way. “You’re too fucking cute, Luca. I guess I don’t give you many occasions for it, but I like when you get all protective.”
“I don’t like that people make it necessary, but I’ll do what it takes to keep you safe.”
There was something sweet in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything further. I got Luna signed up after her insistence that she really did want a membership and wasn’t just showing up to be nice. Lux didn’t seem bothered when I took my time giving Luna a full tour of the gym and all the amenities associated.
I spent the rest of my shift with Luna.
“I wish you could stay over.”
Luna wiped down her machine and turned to face me. “Even if we were out, I don’t want to be in any situation where Mama Marino could get a surprise view of my ass.”
The statement caught me so off guard that I burst out laughing, catching the envious eyes of several patrons who had been stealing glances at Luna all night. Most of them were genuinely appreciative, but whenever one lingered a bit too long I took the opportunity to place myself between her and them so I could block her from view.
I knew objectively she wasn’t mine, but I was still going to protect her however I could. I couldn’t help but read into her wasting hours with me so that I wouldn’t spiral with worry over Nicky. It had me thinking about words I absolutely shouldn’t be. L words were dangerous. Loving Luna would be a recipe for heartbreak, but I could keep my mouth shut, I could pretend it was all fun and games, if it meant keeping her.
She stayed until my shift was over and lingered with me in the parking lot, pulling me in for a kiss before laying her head against my chest, her arms wrapped around me like she was worried I would disappear too.
“I have to go home to bed,” she said quietly. “If I have another day at work like I had yesterday, my boss is gonna kick my ass. I’ll come by again tomorrow after my aerials class.”
