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Or maybe there’s a small chance he needs it as much as me. It’s a nice thought, to have an alpha’s attention because he finds me calming to his chaotic nature.
He doesn’t waste a moment and pulls me into his side as another yawn takes over and my eyes flutter closed. I can’t help myself and snuggle my head into his chest. I’ve been resisting all night, but the exhaustion is getting to me. All my inhibitions have been stripped, and all regard for the cameras trained on me has disappeared.
A low growl vibrates through my ears, and I peek an eye open. There’s a scowl pulling at Jedrik’s features, his gaze trained on an alpha standing nearby. The man, in turn, stares at Andrik and me with jealousy written all over his face. I honestly have zero shits to give.
I’m so beyond over today it’s not even funny. I’m ready for the night to end so I can put on some cozy pajamas, climb into bed, and cuddle with Ry. Nothing beats his cuddles.
I subconsciously release a sigh and wrap my arms around Andrik. “You’re about to start a fight, Trouble,” Jedrik murmurs from behind me.
“Sounds like she’s living up to your nickname for her.” Andrik chuckles. The sound vibrates through his chest, tickling my ear. His fingers thread through my hair, holding my head against him as he massages my scalp. It’s the most relaxing sensation and has my eyes closing again. “Speaking of, you gave her a nickname…” There’s something in his tone, like he’s calling his brother out for something unknown to me.
“Don’t read into it,” Jedrik chides him with a deep rumble in his voice.
“I’m curious. When are you planning on admitting the truth to yourself?” I’m convinced now. Andrik is certainly trying to force his brother into a wake-up call. I bet he’d use his sass if it would work on another alpha. I can assume what it’s about, but I don’t want to make an ass of myself.
Jedrik gives a sharp scoff, and I expect him to walk away from his brother, but instead, he takes a step closer to us, warming my back with his body heat even though he isn’t touching me yet. “You seem exhausted, Trouble. Want us to take you back to your room?” There’s a sweetness in his voice I didn’t expect to hear.
“Please,” I breathe out, barely finding the energy to speak the word. Apparently, my gas ran out. I sputtered to a stop and there’s no functioning until I fill up again.
There’s a sound of skin smacking, and a grunt before Andrik says, “I’ve already got her. If you’d like to admit the truth to both of us, I’ll let you carry her if you want.” There’s a slight pause and I don’t have to see Jedrik to know he hesitates before his twin speaks again, “Yeah, that’s what I thought, asshole.” He scoops me into his arms, cradling me against his chest, and I wrap my arms around his neck.
I breathe in and get a strong whiff of cinnamon in his scent. It instantly warms me all the way to my gut like I wrapped myself in a fluffy blanket and dove into some snickerdoodle cookies.
“Hey! Where are you going?” a voice I recognize growls out, but I can’t seem to place who it belongs to. One of the eighteen other men I’ve talked to tonight, if I had to guess. Probably Matthew. There’s something off about that alpha.
The objection is quickly followed by Jedrik’s intervention. “Verity’s exhausted. We’re taking her to her room. The night’s over.” His tone is clipped and I can practically picture him standing between us, keeping the alpha from impeding Andrik from leaving the room, but I can’t bring myself to open my eyes to see for myself.
A soft, soothing purr sounds beneath my ear, lulling me into a deeper, relaxed state. It doesn’t prevent me from worrying about Jedrik and whatever alpha is trying to pick a fight. “You can’t decide that for everyone,” the man objects.
“Actually, I can. An alpha’s top priority is protecting our omega. Clearly, she’s beyond exhausted, and yet you want to be selfish by keeping her awake? So you can what? Try to have some more time with her? That’s not what a true alpha does.” He pauses as his words ring throughout the now silent room. “I’m doing my job by protecting her. By providing for her needs above my own. And I’ll be damned if I’ll allow you to stop me from doing what’s best for her.” Jedrik sounds so passionate and caring, it makes me want to give him some snuggles too.
The man is always so broody and standoffish with me, but I’m starting to believe his brother is right. He’s lying to more than us, he’s lying to himself. The realization makes me smile, and Andrik must have the same thought because he presses his lips to my forehead like he’s trying to hide his smirk.
There’s a click of a door closing between us and the party. I listen for the telltale sign of Jedrik’s footsteps following us, but there’s nothing. How Andrik knows what I’m thinking is beyond me, but he whispers into my hair, “Don’t worry. He’ll find us soon enough.”
He’s right because before I know it, the sweet sound of Jedrik’s gravelly voice pulls me away from the brink of falling asleep. Apparently, only his voice can penetrate the haze of sleep the even sway of Andrik’s walking is lulling me into. “How’s she doing?” he asks his brother.
“Wondering why you weren’t right behind us.” Andrik’s arms tighten around me. “Which is beyond me, since you’re so hot and cold around her.”
“That’s not fucking true,” Jedrik objects. “I’ve been a perfect gentleman tonight. Even you can’t argue against that.”
Andrik scoffs. “You didn’t really think I wouldn’t realize it’s only because the cameras were on us, would you?”
I can’t help but wonder if they think I’m asleep speaking so blatantly in front of me.
“If you want to think it’s only the cameras go ahead. Speaking of, they’re still watching us. You know they have them positioned all over the mansion,” Jedrik points out. It’s slightly comforting knowing I’m not the only one who thinks about the cameras always pointing at us. “At least there aren’t any positioned in or outside Verity’s room.” My ears perk up at that. I had searched the hallway for cameras already, but it’s comforting knowing for sure there aren’t any hidden.
Our progress toward my room slows before coming to a complete stop. I peek an eye open and find Jedrik leaning against the door frame to the entrance of the omega wing. His arms are crossed with a charming smirk curling his lips. It pairs nicely with the line shaved into his eyebrow, which he raises when he catches me spying on him.
“We’d walk you all the way to your room, but we don’t want them to spin things the wrong way if we follow you into the omega corridor,” Andrik says in my ear.
Jedrik tips his head toward the camera positioned in the corner, facing us. “Speaking of always watching,” he adds quietly. Probably trying to make sure the device doesn’t pick up his words. “How do you want to spin this goodbye?” His eyes seem to throw a challenge at me.
Huh, it seems as if he doesn’t think I’ll rise to the occasion and put on a show for the audience. Rosey made it crystal clear I need to endear the world to the men I want to end up in my pack and there’s no doubt in my mind I want the twins to be in it.
Andrik runs his nose along my neck, taking in a deep breath and humming a rolling purr. The sound has my nipples pebbling, and I turn to gaze into his eyes. The lust in them sends tingles all the way to my toes, and I gasp as it takes me off guard.
My mouth suddenly becomes dry, and my lips part while I stare dumbfounded into his deep blue eyes. I get lost in the depths, something coming over me, that same damn connection I have no name for. “Andrik…” I finally squeak out.
