Page 51 of Bonded By Tea and Tarot

“Hey, Derek. Yeah, sorry about that,” I say. I swipe the back of my hand against my lips to make sure I’m not drooling or anything, then spin around to face him.

Siobhan is patting Jayce’s chest where he’s hunched around her, then using both hands to tug his face down to hers. I think she’s whispering something, and whatever it is, it works. His growl cuts off, and I glance at them to see his eyes fixed on her.

“All good,” Derek says with a grin.

I sigh. We’re going to be the main source of gossip in town within the hour.

“We’ll get out of your hair,” I say, trying for a polite smile that I’m pretty sure comes out as more of a grimace.

We all grab our things and file out. Hayden nods to Derek, while Jayce continues to glare at him. Siobhan seems a bit dazed still, her arms wrapped around one of Jayce’s where she leans into his side. Her nose is next to his armpit and I have to stop myself from wrinkling mine in response.

Omega-alpha dynamics are so weird sometimes.

“Thanks for inviting us, Aury,” Hayden says. They cup the back of my neck and press our foreheads together, then tug me in for a hug. I’ve never felt so completely enveloped before. It’s kind of nice.

I inhale a deep, slow breath of rosemary and Palo Santo, then we pull apart and follow Jayce and Siobhan to the parking lot. The late afternoon sun is warm, but the slight breeze is cool, a hint of winter coming.

“Where’s your car, Moonbeam?” I look around at the mostly-empty side lot where she normally parks.

“Oh, Sage and her pack dropped me off today,” she says, turning to look back at me. “Can you drive me home?”

I smile at her. “Of course.”

Jayce rumbles what might have been the start of another growl under his breath, but Hayden’s hand on the back of his neck immediately cuts it off. Jayce leans into their hold, and I once again marvel at their connection. I wouldn’t have expected two alphas to act the way they do together, but then again, I don’t know all that much about alphas since my whole family is made up of betas.

“Thank you again for the bracelet,” Siobhan says, holding up her wrist. I don’t know when she put it on, but it suits her style perfectly.

“You’re welcome,” Jayce replies, leaning down to scent mark the top of her head. Then he murmurs, “pretty omega,” before straightening and taking a step back.

“Get home safe.” Hayden looks first at me, then Siobhan as they pull her into a hug. She melts into their arms, nuzzling her nose into their chest, and they duck down, curling around her so I can hardly see her anymore.

“You too.” Her reply is muffled, and I chuckle.

She’s so sweet—when she wants to be. Apparently it just takes some heavy making out to knock that stubborn independent streak out of her.

“Not that I need your instructions to do so,” she says as she pulls away.

Or not. I snort, mentally taking back my previous thought. I’m pulled out of my head when Jayce steps up next to me.

“Thanks for getting me in there,” he mutters, eyes fixed on the ground.

“Thanks for coming. It was fun having you both here, and you did a great job.”

“Yeah?” He looks up, hazel eyes glowing in the evening sun.

I grin. “Yeah. It’s obvious you’re familiar with your body, that you move it every day. People who sit at desks, they’re not as in touch with themselves most of the time. But you’re a natural.”

“Oh,” he says, staring at me for a moment. “Thanks, Aury.”

“You’re welcome.” I hesitate for a moment, then lick my lips. When I glance over his shoulder, it’s to see Hayden watching us. They nod once. Slow, deliberate. I suck in a breath, then lean into Jayce.

He looks at me again, surprised this time, but his arms open in welcome. I wrap mine around his chest, and he folds me up in his bulky embrace, then lightly runs his stubbled cheek against my jaw.

My breath hitches, and my eyes flick up again. Hayden is still watching, a small, satisfied smile on their kiss-swollen lips.

“Alright, let’s go,” they say. “Talk to you both soon.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine