The sincerity in his voice was so earnest, it was hard not to believe him. “You both hurt me. Not Kitten, she’s…” I trailed off because she was so many things, but I wasn’t sure I could find the right words to describe her.
Corvin crowded behind me. “Yeah, she is.”
I glared at him over my shoulder. “Her good nature doesn’t erase the fact you both lied to me. For our entire relationship, you never told me that you loved someone else, someone who youstilllove, if the way you raced to her rescue is to be believed. That’s something you share with Pack. Something you share with your lover.”
“I’m truly sorry, D.” Dammit, even Corvin was sounding remorseful. “If it makes you feel better, Cooper punched me in the face for the insult.”
I frowned. “Surprisingly, acts of physical violence between my Packmates doesn’t make me feel better.” I sighed, because I hated ill feelings in the Pack. They festered like old wounds. “No more secrets?”
“None, Omega. I swear it,” Corvin murmured against my ear, and I leaned back against his chest as Beckett kissed me softly.
“We swear it.”
I huffed. “Fine. You’re forgiven. You’re lucky she’s so damn sweet.”
Beckett snorted. “Yeah, she’s sweet but a little spicy, that one. Don’t think she’s going to let us off quite so easily, though she seemed to like you. Maybe she’ll just forgive and forget too.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it,” came the sweet, yet furious, dulcet tones behind us.
I peeked around Beckett’s arm. “Kitten. Do you like waffles?”
She frowned. “Never had them.”
I audibly gasped. “Beckett. The poor thing has never had waffles. What the hell were you guys feeding her out there? You can cook while she yells at you.” I smiled in her direction, my dick instantly hard again at the scent of her. Fuck, I’d thought the heat was over. “I think I’d definitely enjoy that more than doing it myself.”
Cooper strolled into the kitchen then, a frown on his face. “It’ll have to wait. Radic just turned up, and he’s got that officious look on his face.”
Ah, fuck. I was kind of hoping he’d give it a little more time, but Radic was as straight-laced as they came. The only person he’d bend for was Bonnie, and that was because he was so in love with her, it was both painful and awe-inspiring to watch. I’d once watched the Beta square up to Corvin when he thought we were trying to steal her away from him. Like we ever could—Bonnie loved Radic just as wildly.
Once he’d realized that we were all just friends, he chilled the hell out, but still I thought maybe he was waiting for us to make our move. Like it was inevitable that we’d want the beautiful Beta in our Pack.
I’d never tell Rad this, but I’d thought about it once or twice. I loved Bonnie—she was one of my best friends. She was beautiful and caring, but she was also ferocious when it came to her charges. It just never felt like quite the right time, and I got it now. She wasn’t meant for us. She was meant for that crazy Pack she was creating over in the old Sanctum dorms.
I looked over at Kitten. It felt perfectly right with her. The realization wasn’t a surprise exactly, more of a problem.
When Kitten’s scent reached me though, I frowned. It smelled sour. Like fear. I stepped toward her and realized she was trembling.
“Kitten, what’s wrong?”
Everyone turned, but it was too late. Radic stepped into the house, looking pleasant as always. He stopped in front of Kitten. “Hello, my name is Radic. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
That’s when Kitten hissed, like a legitimate cat, and all hell broke loose.
11
CORVIN
It all happened at once, really.
Cooper telling us Radic was here to check on Kitten’s wellbeing, just like he said he would.
The smell of Kitten’s distress.
Radic appearing.
Kitten hissing.
Me shifting to Manix and launching myself at the unsuspecting Beta male.
