Sunrise
Tristan
The house is a fucking mess.
Glass, blood, and rainwater is everywhere.
Killian and I were hoping to have everything cleaned up before Beth woke up, but the couch is ruined. Basil tried a million different kinds of cleaner but it only smeared the blood. It didn't take long before we gave up and carried the damn thing outside. We’ll burn it once everything dries out.
“Thank goodness we don’t have carpet down here.” Killian looks over the hardwood floor.
We’ve spent the last two hours scrubbing and sweeping, trying to get all the glass and leaves out of here.
“Good morning.”
Killian and I both turn to Beth and my heart sinks. She looks so teeny in one of Basil’s oversized sweatshirts and Jeremy's baggy pajama pants.
“You shouldn’t be walking on that ankle.” Killian tosses a wet rag onto a pile with the rest before moving to our omega. She spreads her arms as he nears, then she falls into his warm embrace.
“I’m okay,” she mumbles against his chest, before nuzzling him. Killian smooths his hand over her long, dark hair then he kisses the top of her head. “Is he….” Beth stares at the spotless floor where the couch once was. “Is he gone?”
“Yes,” I say firmly, giving her no doubt that her father will never hurt her again.
Beth lets out a heavy breath as she releases Killian. I expect tears, but she manages to hold it together. “Let me make you two something to eat,” she says.
“We can feed ourselves.” Killian picks her up, carrying her into the kitchen.
“You can’t baby me forever.” Beth gives the alpha a pointed look. “I hate sitting around all day eating cookies and doing nothing.” She pauses, then adds, “Well, not the cookies. I’ll still eat them, but I’d like to be useful between snacks.”
Killian chuckles and my heart swells with relief. I’m sure she’s still in shock, and she’ll have a lot of hard feelings later, but for now, our sweet omega seems okay.
“How about I cook while you slice?” Killian grabs a bunch of apples, setting them right next to Beth. She picks up one of them, turning the red fruit over in her hands.
She cocks a brow and smirks. “Can I have a real knife?”
“Don’t do it,” I warn, walking to her. “She’s a violent little thing.” I situate myself between her legs and her smile grows. “She can’t be trusted with a blade.” I kiss her once, lingering on those sweet lips.
“I only attack alphas who deserve it.” She pops her fist against my arm.
“Good morning,” Jeremy yawns loudly as he rounds the corner.
Basil shuffles up behind him. The alpha looks rough. Dark circles curve under his eyes, and his knuckles are bruised to all hell.
“Come here.” Beth reaches for Basil. I move out of the way, letting her hug him tight. “Thank you,” she whispers, kissing his face as he drops his head into the crook of her neck.
Killian taps me on the forearm, then hands me a package of raw bacon. We start prepping breakfast while Beth and Basil snuggle one another. They both clearly need it.
It doesn’t take long before everything is ready. It’s nothing special. Some eggs, bacon, and fruit, but I don’t think any of us have the energy for anything fancy.
“Did you hear that?” Killian goes still, turning his head toward the door. We all freeze, listening.
Soft footsteps move across our front porch. From the sounds of it, someone small is pacing.
“I’ve got it.” I set the plates on the counter, then make my way down the hall. I see the figure through the narrow, frosted window. They’re small. And I think I know who it is.
I purposefully shove the front door open hard, making it bang against the wall. “What do you want?” I demand of the young alpha standing before me.
His body locks up and his dark brown eyes flicker from me to the house behind me. He’s got a decent shiner, someone clearly having popped him recently.Did he have that the other day?
