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“Where is mine?” Raidon pouts when I stand. He lifts his face up, and I smile, leaning down to kiss him.
'Low! I’ve been out front for ten minutes now!' comes Thane’s voice through the mind-link. I ignore him, and Raidon gives me a knowing look.
I walk over to watch the artist finish before he packs everything up. When he’s done, I pay him, only to hear Thane’s angry voice again.
'Harlow!' he barks through the mind-link.
“Oh, he is going to be pissed,” Rhen laughs as Leon walks over to me.
“Hmm, you smell so divine. All nice and sweaty for me,” he says. I push him away as he nips at my skin, knowing if he keeps going, it will alert Thane that they are also here.
'Harlow!' Thane growls in annoyance. I know I am pissing him off because he rarely uses my full name, always calling me by the nickname he gave me.
“I can’t wait to show your mother tomorrow. She’ll love it,” I tell Raidon, and he nods, looking up at the giant mural on the wall.
“Yeah, he did an amazing job,” Raidon admits, his eyes scanning it. “He’s gonna love it,” he assures me with a smile. I nod, hoping he’s right because it took me ages to think of.
'What are you doing? Do I need to come in there?' Thane snaps. I can feel his annoyance. 'Right, you better have a good excuse for bloody ignoring me!'
I feel how pissed off he is through the bond. I can also feel him getting closer, making me giddy.
'You seriously think you’re being funny right now? Where are you? Wait, I can feel you’re close. Why are the others here?'
I continue ignoring him as he opens the mind-link to our other mates. 'I swear, if you all run from me, I will turn each of your asses red,' he growls at us, earning a laugh from Raidon and Rhen.
'Maybe I like being spanked,' I retort.
'Oh, I wanna watch you spank her,' Leon chimes in.
'Your ass will be the first one over my damn knee for lying to me!' Thane growls at him.
'I’d like to see you bend me over your knee,' Raidon mocks.
'Don’t tempt me, Raidon,' Thane growls.
Rhen laughs, and I turn to see him reach down and grab Scarlett. Raidon reaches for her, wanting to keep her as a shield, knowing he’s safe from Thane while holding her.
“Nope, you antagonized the beast; you can deal with him,” Rhen scolds.
“Because you’re a chicken little brown noser,” Raidon taunts.
“No, I just know better!” Rhen chuckles.
'Uh, why are you in the rec room?' Thane asks, and I peek out the door to see him walking down the corridor.
I turn my attention back to the mural and laugh when I see Leon trying to take Scarlett from Rhen. When he realizes he isn’t going to get her, he hides behind Rhen. I lean on the door frame, and I hear Thane growl as he comes up behind me. His arms wrap around my waist, and his lips press against my neck.
“You’re in so much trouble,” he growls, nipping at my mark. “You all are—” His words cut off when he lifts his head and sees the wall.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Harlow
On the wall is a giant mural of his mother. I spent days digging through the storage boxes in the Den, trying to find the perfect photos. The artist also painted our daughter in Hana’s arms. Thane stands beside them, his arm draped over his mother’s shoulder.
The background of the mural is the Omega refuge, which was built in Hana’s honor. In each window, there’s a symbol for every pendant from the bracelets our mothers shared. It took me ages to convince Elaine to hand over her bracelet. Zara asked for Sophia’s and brought it with her when she visited last week. Each one of their challenges is displayed. It shows how much things have changed and how much still needs to be overcome.
Thane lets me go, making a whimpering noise I’ve never heard from him before. Rhen moves closer to him, and he instantly grabs Scarlett.