Page 21 of Welcome to Seaman’s Cove: Part Two

Nix coughs, sputtering a little. “It’s fine. I shouldn’t have been messing around with⁠—”

“No,” I interrupt, squatting so our faces are level, but keeping my distance. “Nothing warrants that kind of reaction.”

Sebastian sighs and touches the bridge of his nose as if to push up the glasses he’s not wearing. He’s got his contacts in today, but the action must be so second nature that he does it even when he’s not wearing them.

“It’s the bonding sickness,” Sebastian says. “It can make people… irrational.”

I slump forward, dropping my head into my hands. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

All of my careful control and composure feels fractured without my pack. I feel like a shadow of myself, and now I’ve taken that out on my best friend.

Nix crawls over to me and wraps me in a hug. “It’s fine, Hunt. I understand. I mean, not really, but we’re all a little on edge.” He sits back on his heels and gives my shoulder a shove that I know is meant to be playful. “That’s why I think we could use a swim. Cool off. Maybe find something out.” He picks up the i’xal and places it in my palm, wrapping my fingers around it.

“That’s a great idea.” Sebastian stands and brushes off his knees.

“Come on, last one in the water is a rotten egg.” Phoenix hops to his feet and whips his shirt over his head one handed, revealing swaths of tan skin. His genuine smile is back as if he’s already forgotten what I did. I wish I could forget so easily.

“We need to tell the captain we’re going to⁠—”

“Already did,” Phoenix cuts Sebastian off, then drops his shorts.

“You’re not even gonna let us change into our swimsuits?” I cross my arms and glare at my best friend in nothing more than boxer briefs. They’re so tight I can see every bulging outline of him. He’s clearly hard, and when he catches me staring, he makes a show of adjusting himself, abs rippling as they flex.

“Can’t help it.” Nix grins. “You know I like it a little rough. Wanna choke me again, old man?”

Sebastian lets out a startled noise that’s almost a laugh before loudly clearing his throat. I’m shocked into speechlessness.

Nix is trying to start something. I’m sure of it. What I’m unsure of is how I feel about it. I’ve been horny and frustrated almost perpetually since being separated from my mates, like my body is calling out to them, but they’re not here to relieve the pressure.

Things have also been different between Phoenix and me since Sebastian joined us. Not in a good way. I like the beta. We’ve spent a lot of time together over the past few days. He’s intelligent, quick-witted, and obviously attractive. I understand what Nix sees in him, but I can tell he’s also jealous, with a possessiveness I’ve picked up on that rivals an alpha’s. I don’t want to step on any toes or start shit when we should be focusing on finding Madi and Caspian.

I haven’t had time alone with Nix, and when the three of us are together, there’s a sexual tension that goes nowhere. Or maybe that’s just all in my head. Wishful thinking, because I’m so desperate for touch that it hurts.

Now that we’ve confessed our feelings, I want Nix more than ever. He’s right there, but always out of reach. It’s clear he’s trying to be respectful of his relationship with Sebastian and wait until he’s ready for something more. I don’t want him to feel pulled in half between the two of us, so I’ve kept some distance.

“What, you can’t handle a little skinny dipping?” Phoenix says with a wink after I’ve stared for far too long without saying anything. “I’ll keep my boxers on if it makes you more comfortable.”

With that, he climbs over the railing and dives into the water, not bothering with the ladder at all.

Sebastian and I share an awkward look. I’m half-hard from his boyfriend’s teasing, and I’m not sure what the protocol is here. He knows I want Phoenix. We haven’t kept that a secret. Nix has joked plenty about us all packing up once we find Madi and Caspian, but I don’t know what the quiet beta thinks of that plan. He’s been noticeably silent on the topic.

“Guess it’s down to you and me,” Sebastian says. He still hasn’t made a move to undress.

“Guess so.” I look him up and down and note the way he stiffens and swallows. His subtle scent becomes more distinct even in the open air. Does he like my perusal? Or am I making him uncomfortable?

“If we’re gonna be pack,” I grab the back of my shirt and pull it over my head, “I guess we should get used to⁠—”

“Are we?” Sebastian asks, but he’s already got his shirt off, too.

“Are we what?”

“Going to be pack?” There’s something vulnerable in his eyes that I don’t fully understand.

“Well, I just thought… I mean, you want Phoenix and Madi, and I want…”

He squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head. “Yeah, um, I just…” When he looks up again, his face is blank, like he’s slipped a mask into place. “Better get in there before Phoenix starts pretending he’s drowning.”

He’s out of his shorts and over the edge before I realize what’s happening. He’s still wearing boxer briefs, but they’re just as tight as Phoenix’s. His defined ass flexes as he lunges himself toward the water.