CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Hunter Cabin, Blue Valley Woods
Is this what it feels like when your heart is breaking?
I press my hand over my chest like I can stop the pain, as I stare out of the high window. Dawn light plays across the two naked Omegas who are lying in the nest.
They are so fucking beautiful together — dark and light.
Bird’s black hair mingles with Joker’s blond on the pale bedding, as they share the same pillow. Bird is curled around the smaller man, wrapping his arms around him protectively even in sleep.
Funny, when Bird couldn’t protect Joker from a kitten, and I suspect Joker could fight off an entire pack of Alphas by himself.
Yet Birddidprotect Joker throughout his heat. He was the steady, calm presence who brought us trays of foraged food and drink from the cabin’s kitchen and pulled Joker and me back from the edge, when we both became too rough.
Yet Bird is cool now. His heat is over. And in the cold light of day, I can’t risk Phantom’s reaction when he comes back and finds his prisoners in a nest with his bonded.
It’s better if I leave now, for both Joker and Bird, before they become too attached.
I’mnot the one who is becoming too attached.
It must be indigestion, rather than my heart shattering at the thought of leaving Joker behind, right?
As quietly as I can, I adjust my dress, before slipping on my boots. I snatch up Joker’s shirt and trousers. They’ll be tight but they should fit Bird. We can steal coats on the way out.
I stand, staring down at the two Omegas who are cuddled together in the bed like this is something they do every night.
My chest is tight.
Only a month ago, I thought that I would be forever forbidden from bonding because I was a Rogue. I never dreamed that I would be allowed an Omega in a nest. I had closed myself away from the possibility, walling my soul from it.
Yet now I have two.
Greedy.
Except, I must run from one of them to protect them both, and that’s what is tearing me apart.
Would it have been better to continue not to feel anything?
I can’t resist reaching out to push a strand of hair out of Joker’s eyes, checking his forehead.
He’s cool. Out of danger.
I can’t justify delaying my escape any longer.
“So obsessed,” Joker mutters sleepily, cracking his eye open. “Still can’t keep your hands off me, huh?”
I rear back with a frown. “How long have you been awake?”
“Long enough to know that you’re out of bed and pulling on your boots.” His gaze is too knowing. I squirm. “Get back here.”
He pats the blankets.
“What’s all the noise about?” Bird grumbles, drowsily. “Tired Omega here. I’ve only caught a couple of hours sleep. It takes a lot of effort to keep up with you two when you’re deep in rut and heat, then wash you afterward because wow, you two were filthy.”
“In a lot of ways.” Joker winks.
He is still watching me like a challenge.
