“I have to, Jo.” She gives me a sad smile.
“Nope.” I shake my head again. “Come on. You and I can sleep in the guest room, and the guys will just have to cuddle each other.” Not that I don’t love my sister, but I don’t exactly want another omega where my guys sleep—even if they aren’t there at the time.
Her protests are half-hearted as I pull her toward the house with me, my guys forming a sweet, but unnecessary circle of protection around us. That is, until Hayden breaks away from formation, running into the house and shouting, “I call being the little spoon!”
Mabel’s smile doesn’t meet her eyes. “You sure you wanna sleep with me? You’ll miss out on bein’ Hayden’s big spoon.”
I snort.
“Please, Mabel-cakes. The boys could use some male-bondin’ time.”
Hayden chuckles as we enter the house.
“Grow up, Hayden.” Sam rolls his eyes. “She didn’t meanthatkind of male-bonding.”
“You wish, Daddy-O,” Hayden winks before cackling and running up the stairs.
Mabel and I exchange a look before giggling, following him up the stairs and branching off to the guest room.
She snuggles right into my side like when we were kids, and I hope I help her get a good night’s sleep.
thirty-one
Sam
Turnip chitters at me as I whisk the chocolate pancake mixture together.
“What?” My brows furrow as I watch her go to the package of bacon on the counter. “No.” I shake my head. “I’m going to make the bacon when I’m done with this. Be patient.”
Last night was rough. Between waking up to that scream, and then watching all the shit go down between Mabel and Declan’s pack, I feel like I could use about five more hours of sleep. At least it seems like Mabel is catching up on some much-needed rest, considering it’s ten in the morning and last I checked, both omegas were dead asleep.
I’m jolted out of my thoughts by Turnip squeaking at me again as she grabs the corner of the plastic with her little claws.
I frown, looking from the bacon to the bowl in my hand. She squeaks louder as if to say,“Nowyou’re getting it, dumbass!”
Tilting my head, I grab the package from the counter. “You want me to put bacon…inside the pancakes?”
She chitters happily, scurrying up my arm and onto my shoulder. I sigh. “Fine. But if Jo hates it, I’m blaming you.”
“What in theRatatouilledid I just walk in on?” Hayden’s voice has me scowling, even as I pull the bacon from the package and start chopping it into bite-size pieces. He comes over, using his finger to scratch Turnip under the chin. “No fucking way. Are you going to put bacon bitsandchocolate chips in the pancakes?”
I can’t help but grin. “Yep, it was all—”
Turnip squeaks defiantly.
“—Turnip’s idea,” I finish lamely.
“You’re talking to animals now?” Nolan comes into the kitchen, making himself at home at one of the stools by the island.
“What are you doing here?” I snap. “Mabel and Jo could be up any minute. You don’t need to be here when she wakes.”
“I didn’t have any idea about any kind of true scent match bullshit.” Nolan grits his teeth. “I never made a move on her, nothing. I just wanted to come by and apologize for my pack’s behavior, and let her know I’ve made them all promise to stay away.”
“Thank you.” Mabel’s small voice cuts through the room. Looking over, I see her standing in the doorway to the kitchen, Jo at her side. “I won’t be in your hair for long. As soon as Thornfield is taken down, I’m outta here.”
“Where will you go?” He frowns, his eyes shining with concern. “And what will you do? It’s not like you’ve ever had to provide for yourself.”
A small snarl rips out of Jo, and Nolan blanches, seemingly realizing just how shitty his words sound. “I mean—”
