Page 94 of The Feral Alpha

“All right.” Storm rolled his shoulders and headed over, prodding their limp bodies with his boot. “They seem to be unconscious.”

“I’m going to call my brother,” Olson said. “Varrick’s a policeman. And... And I also need to call Nate.”

Storm smirked over his shoulder. “Are you saying I shouldn’t take their money?”

Rex scowled. “Take. Take all.”

“Their wallets might be used as evidence.” Olson crept closer, Rex sticking close by his side. “Nate might want their phones to track down whoever sent them.”

“What I’m hearing is, I can have the cash as long as I leave no fingerprints.” Storm slipped his gloved fingers into the men’s pockets, pulling out their wallets.

One of the men groaned. Storm kicked him in the head, and he fell silent.

Only then did Olson feel safe enough to click the safety back on his gun. He set it down, pulling out his phone to call Varrick first. He told Varrick about the attempted kidnapping, then called Nate, who said he was on his way.

When that was done, Olson breathed out the worry in his chest and leaned into Rex. Rex had been pressed up against him the whole time, his hands behind his back.

With a stab of guilt, Olson remembered the manacles around Rex’s wrists. “Fuck! Your hands! I’ll get the keys off those guys so you won’t have to be shackled anymore.”

Storm made a noncommittal sound. “Eh. Rex should still be cuffed when the police get here. It’s part of the evidence—Whoa, friend. Where’re your clothes?”

Only then did Olson remember that Rex was completely naked. “Oh, gods.”

“It’s okay. I gotchu.” Storm tugged off his boots, then his pants, handing the pants over.

“Thanks.” Ever so slightly, Olson calmed down. Things were going right. He made Rex lean back against the car, crouching to help Rex step into the pants. They were tight on him, but they fit, and he was no longer indecent. “Sorry about the manacles. We’ll just have to wait a bit longer.”

Rex shrugged, rumbling when Olson reached around to massage his wrists. The heavy iron bands dug into Rex’s skin; Olson smoothed his thumbs over the indents, and Rex rubbed his cheek against Olson’s head like a giant cat.

He felt so alive.

Rex kissed Olson’s ear. “Olson hurt?”

“I’m fine.” Olson sighed heavily. “Just—a little shaky. My ears are still ringing from the gunshots. But fuck, Rex. I thought I was going to lose you again.” His voice broke as he remembered the kidnapper pointing a gun at his alpha. The gut-freezing horror of it. “I can’t lose you a second time.”

Rex dropped kisses all over Olson’s face, nuzzling his cheek. “I fine. Safe. Olson safe.”

“I want you to be safe,” Olson muttered.

Now that the danger was gone, Olson noticed Rex’s bloody nose, the trails of blood dripping down his neck. But Rex’s gaze seemed alert, and he was moving around steadily. Olson would have to monitor him through the night in case he had a concussion, but at least the worst of the danger was over.

“You’ve faced enough crap to last several lifetimes,” Olson whispered, rubbing Rex’s arms. “I just want you to have a good life, damn it.”

Rex smiled. “Good life with Olllsonnnnn.”

“I’d hope so.” Olson cupped Rex’s jaw, pulling him close to kiss him softly on the lips. Rex’s eyelids fluttered shut; he slid his tongue into Olson’s mouth, claiming him unabashedly.

None of this could be taken for granted. Olson had spent his early years with George thinking they had forever. Now, he knew better. He knew to cherish every moment, he knew to hold Rex close and tell him how amazing he was. With a life like theirs, nothing was guaranteed.

Olson brushed his fingers through Rex’s hair. He trailed kisses along Rex’s jaw and looked into his eyes, finding the sheer adoration that had never once wavered.

“I love you, you know,” Olson murmured. “I’ve never stopped.”

Rex rumbled, his smile soft and fond. “Love Olson. Love much. Mate.”

Olson had known it, but to hear it from Rex’s lips—his heart swelled, feeling too big for his chest. “Even when you were six-year-old Rex?”

“Mate mark.” Rex looked pointedly at Olson’s wrist. So Olson lifted his hand, showing Rex the smaller set of teeth marks. The one from the fast food restaurant, years ago.

---