Page 90 of Savage Surrender

The wind catches the cover-up and lifts the hem. Tristan looks up at that moment and the cart swerves off the path. He overcorrects, and Weller catches one of the water cases as they topple over.

“I’m driving next time,” Weller says while he stares at me.

Then he climbs out with the phone in his hand and a grim look on his face.

“What’s that face?”

Tristan takes off his sunglasses. His gaze passes over my body once, but none of his usual antics follow. He looks at Freddie and the sweetness of this morning curdles.

We meet them at the lower landing and everyone begins grabbing bags. Water cases thud against the kitchen floor. Cold groceries sweat on the counter while we find spots for everything.

“Mason found Colleen,” Weller announces, holding out the phone so Freddie can look through the messages.

Freddie enlarges an image. “When?”

“Eight fourteen this morning. Mason’s investigator contact spotted her in the window.”

We crowd around Freddie while Weller scrolls. “He also found out why they’ve both been missing as of late.” A website loads. It takes me a moment to understand what I’m looking at: Colleen’s picture at the top of a gated forum post, followed by Charles’s words.

My wife is having an adventurous streak and wants to try new things in the bedroom. I want to show her I’m open to exploring with her. After she stepped outside our bond, discontent with only one partner, we agreed honesty would be healthier than secrecy. She has asked me to arrange a private experience with a group of carefully selected men while I remain present to support her fantasies.

The date sits at the bottom.

Next weekend.

“No fucking way. This isn’t something my mom would agree to.” Freddie’s voice is level, but his hands curl into fists. “Ever.”

Tristan’s mouth flattens. “Of course not. This is a punishment.”

I tap the line about stepping outside the bond. “Was she seeing someone else?”

“I don’t know. She hasn’t mentioned it to me, but I don’t get to talk to her or see her much anymore. But if she found someone who treats her better - good.”

“How could he stand it?” I read the listing again. “While they touch her,” I elaborate. “He’d feel it through the bond. If she doesn’t want it, won’t it hurt him?”

Freddie’s eyes shudder closed. “He takes medication that makes feeling her impossible. He fucks around on her constantly. She can feel it. He can’t.” He swallows slowly. “He hasn’t felt my mom in years.”

Bond inhibitors. At the refuge, we kept pictures of the packets and a list of how long each formula lasted. We had plenty of omegas who came in shaking because their alphas had abandoned them, but not broken the bond with them first.

“All of our fathers are on them.”

The question leaves my mouth before pride can stomp it down. “Would you ever block me?”

Owen steps between my knees and takes my face in both hands. His eyes are dark and furious and so naked that my breath stalls.

Freddie immediately says, “Hell no,” and Tristan and Weller shake their heads.

“A life without you isn’t worth living, Princess. I did it. I hated it. So did they. I want to feel everything.” His thumbs settle beneath my jaw, holding my gaze. “Wherever you go, I go. If you die, I die.”

I wrap my fingers around his wrists, soothing him. “That’s a tad intense.”

“You asked an insane fucking question.”

“I’m approaching heat. I’m allowed to be a little insane.”

I slide off the counter, grabbing the burner and looking through the contacts. “Let’s call Mason.”

He answers on the second ring. “Go.” Keys click in the background, fast and rhythmic.