Page 50 of Laken's longing

The explanation wasn’t helping and sent his blood pressure through the roof. Blood pounded in his ears hard enough to deafen him to everything else.

Jupiter! I’m gonna kill you!

He stomped to the narrow path that ran under an embankment where he was to leave the bag. It was pitch black, this place usually off limits at night. There wasn’t a whole lot of crime in Hazardville, but this wasn’t a safe place to come after dark. Alone.

Although Laken had good night vision, it wasn’t enough in the inky darkness. The sounds of the water lapping at the edge of the path was the only sign of how close it was to the edge. He dragged out his phone and used its torch to guide himself to the bin he’d been advised was halfway down the path. The scent of days old garbage easily disguised the smell coming from the bag he held, and he gave a humorless chuckle.

He dropped the bag straight into the trash can. His skin prickled with awareness as he picked up his pace and headed in the direction he needed to go. His thoughts weren’t on what came next, but on Jupiter and wringing his scrawny neck.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Isley

Isley was going out of his mind with worry. Lane had messaged him privately to say they had all left for the drop-off over an hour ago but he’d heard nothing since. Lane had assured him that Laken had the support of his brothers. Isley was well aware they were all strong alphas and that, with Oakland on their side, they were possibly unbeatable. Did that make any difference? Not a blind bit when his overactive imagination was playing through every situation where Laken could get hurt.

So here he was, pacing and slurping from a bottle of wine, not even bothering with a glass. He was doing his best to keep it together and do what he’d been told firmly to do—stay home and not chase after Laken to make sure he was okay.

Why are you playing hide and seek when I’m having a major meltdown?he gritted out to his animal.

Since they’d left Laken’s family home the night before, his animal side had all but gone into hiding. Something Isley was not used to at all.

Come on, spill.

The silence was deafening.

What have you done?he asked warily, when he felt his animal side's anxiety. His animal side only hid when he was in trouble.

There’s no need to be like that. I could just be taking a break from all the drama.

Give the heck over, you are usually causing the drama.

There was a dramatic pause.It’s like this…

Like what? Isley prompted at the sudden feeling of greasy agitation coating his insides, like he’d slipped into a greasy baking tray and rolled around while trying to get out.

I told you it was an accident.

What was an accident?A sense of unease unfurled like a kite about to take off on the wind as he slurped quickly from the bottle, needing whatever courage it gave him to hear what was coming. It was going to be bad.

Scent marking Jupiter.

Hang on, what’s this got to do with anything?he asked with trepidation and confusion, taking another slug from the bottle when it made everything feel floaty, which was significantly better than the jumpy anxiety.

I was super excited to be touching Laken before I flew at Jupiter, and I might have left more of a scent mark than is usual.

Why do I get the impression this is a terrible thing?He’d known his animal had been excited, and they’d accidentally marked Jupiter, but he got the feeling he was missing something vital here.

Jupiter smellsstronglylike you—us.

And… oh gods, what if Laken notices? How could you do this to me when Laken has opened up and is not treating me like I’m the enemy! How!The latter was a slur-screech.

Back to slurping from the bottle of wine, he gulped down more than was sensible. The floaty feeling inside was now happening on the outside too. Never good. Isley was a very cheap date when it came to liquor. He squinted at the bottle, which he had opened when he’d gotten home. Had he drunk all that?

Oops! Working on drowning his worries? Yeah, maybe he should stop that. What if Laken came to get him to explain himself? Jupiter had gone with Laken tonight and in confined spaces, Isley’s marking scent could be easily picked up.

What if he thinks I did something sexy with Jupiter?

He shuddered and swayed on his feet at what this all meant. He was going to have to explain what they’d done at the cabin.