Page 30 of Chasing Dawn

“Civilians,” Franklin translated in her ear.

“Uh, there were thirty-two people when I left, but a few of the other women were pregnant, so I’m not sure anymore. My old Alpha was selling the pups soon after they were born or getting rid of them somehow, so I don’t know exactly how many. Around twenty-seven adults though.”

Benson rumbled low at her words, and I narrowed my eyes on him. He was a strong wolf, maybe one of the strongest, but I was a fucking Alpha bear. I would tear him to pieces. I knew the aggression wasn’t aimed at my mate though.

“Anyone you think could lead them after the Alpha is gone?” Maxi asks, and Dawn hesitated then shook her head. “It’s okay, Omega. We’ll stay until everyone is safe and well. We won’t abandon them.”

Dawn let out a small sigh of relief, and I realized it had been weighing on her. Those people who were her family hadn’t ever lifted a finger to help her, but she still worried for them.

We got several pitchers of beer, and Talbot got these weird donut balls that Earl always got shipped up from the city that were smothered in some kind of chocolate spread. He put the huge bowl in front of Dawn and watched her eat every one with a contented look.

If the rest of the crew thought it was weird, no one said anything.

We went over site plans, entry points, exit strategies, and what we’d need before and after. We’d done this so many times now that everyone knew their role.

We kept at it until the lunch crowd rolled in, and then we dispersed. Everyone nodded respectfully at Dawn. Buenaventura lingered and reached out, touching Dawn’s cheek. I growled low, uncaring that there were humans in the room now. Vente, as Leighton liked to call him, was one of the few people on the team that I couldn’t eliminate. If there was a fight between us, I would lose, but it would be bloody. He scowled at me but ignored the growl. “Keep your chin up, little Omega. These assholes will take care of you.”

“Thank you,” Dawn murmured. She hesitated and then hugged him, like full body hugged him, as if she was a baby koala and he wasn’t an ancient killer. I could feel the waves of Omega pheromones she was pouring into him like he was a black hole. “You too. The night is long, but the dawn is always the brightest. No pun intended.”

He laughed softly. “Some of us operate best at night,” he replied. “We’ll see you in Nevada.”

Then he was gone.

Dawn watched him go, her lip trembling. I ushered her out of the bar, since we were already getting too many looks.

“What’s wrong, sunrise?” Franklin asked her, pulling her into his arms for a hug, because we could scent her distress, even though it was mild. He likely wanted to cover Vente’s scent with his own too.

She shook her head. “He’s just so sad, so devastatingly sad.”

He hugged her tighter. “Vente has lived a long life and seen a lot of things. He wouldn’t want you to be sad for him.”

“If not me, then who?”

I didn’t know who, but I fell even more in love with my little mate. I could admit the depths of my feelings to myself. We all could, but none of us wanted to rush Dawn. We would just continue to be. This time next week, when we’d conquered her demons and her life looked brighter, then we would help her begin to heal.

Until then, we’d love her silently, until she never doubted us again.

CHAPTER 20

DAWN

The days between meeting with the other mercenaries and heading to Reno were interminable. It was like the sword of Damocles hanging over my head, waiting to fall. I needed it to happen already, so I could finally move past it.

The guys seemed to notice and took turns keeping me entertained, helping me in the greenhouse, or sitting with me on the couch, pulling me into laps for kisses and something a little more serious. They never moved past using their mouths and hands though, and frustration was starting to burn in my gut.

Except, it was hard to remember that as Franklin made me come again with his tongue. I buried my fingers in his hair, moaning his name. Every time I did, he hummed a sound of pleasure right on my clit.

“Franklin, please,” I murmured. “I need more.” Even as I said it, I came all over his cheeks.

He looked up at me, his golden eyes bright and his chin wet. “What do you need, sunrise?”

My cheeks flushed. “Your cock. I need to feel you inside me.”

He didn’t blink, and I’d give anything to know what was going on inside his mind. When he climbed to his feet to look down at me, wiping his chin, I wondered if I was rushing him. Had I pushed too fast? Was that why he was leaving?

He leaned forward and kissed me, something they loved to do after eating me out, like tasting myself on their mouths was some kind of badge of honor. The amount of times they could make me come was impressive.

“Okay, sweetheart. Let’s go.”