Page 20 of Accidentally Forever

“I—” The words barely come out. I force them, my hands shaking, my pulse hammering. “She’s bad, Lance. I thought we had time.”

A low curse slips through the receiver. Fabric rustling. The faint sound of keys jingling. He’s moving. “I’ll find you. Just stay put.”

I nod, even though he can’t see me, shifting Sofie against me, rocking her slightly, whispering reassurances she probably can’t even hear. For the first time in a long while—we’re not completely alone.

Chapter fourteen

PUMA

The wind howls as the storm lashes against the house, rain hammering against the windows in relentless waves. The low hum of the TV barely registers, some late-night show casting dim light across the living room, the flickering images reflected in the darkened glass. Gray’s head in my lap, breath slow, deep, the kind of half-sleep that comes from too many late nights and too much whiskey.

He's been overworking himself, my beautiful little Alpha trying to save everyone’s living room from artistic disaster. I’m not sure what he’s trying to prove or maybe he’s trying to fill some empty hole that the rest of us can’t. He’s been seeking me out more often, finding ways to touch me, lean against me, and steal my attention.

It’s been so quiet in this house for so damn long that I enjoy the change. Hawk is on the other side of me, passed out. His suit jacket was discarded across the armrest, his shirt unbuttoned, revealing the mass expanse of dark bronze skin beneath. I almost want to rouse him from his sleep and start something to erase the moments of this evening. The rumors of fake and stolen paintings spread like wildfire, our name in everyone’s mouth.

A very thorough conversation with Xavier told me nothing but I’m 99% sure he’s in some shady business. We won’t be buying fromAsh & Ivoryany time soon. A brief whiff of melon hits my nose, making me chuckle.

Lance is somewhere but he didn’t have to explain what happened when we all climbed back into the car. That little Omega’s scent was clinging to him like a second skin and while I’m curious, it’s none of my business. However, the panic in her Beta’s eyes feels like my business. I’ve been wondering if she’s okay, if she has the support she needs for her Omega and it’s been the only other thing on my mind since we got home.

Even still, thinking back to those big brown eyes, her clipped words and the twinge of fear lingering in her expression guts me. I’ve never been intrigued by the few one night stands I’ve entertained but Violet, I haven’t even had her in my bed and she’s plaguing my thoughts. Her sharp jasmine scent toys with me, tempting me to do something I shouldn’t.

We have very different paths we’re walking down. My path doesn’t include another Omega and I would never pull Violet from Sofie. Still, my mind whirls, playing with fantasies of her beneath me, her screams swallowed by my mouth as I suck on those gorgeous lips.

A sudden movement behind us rips me out of the fantasy as I catch Lance rushing through the kitchen. “Fuck,” he mutters under his breath, shaking his head. “We have to go. Now.”

My pulse kicks up. That feeling—that tension in his shoulders, the sheer urgency in his voice—it’s not normal. Not something I hear often. Gray stirs slightly, mumbling something, but I don’t have time to check on him. I shift him carefully off me, settling him into the couch, before I stand, already reaching for my own jacket.

Lance tosses me the keys. Whatever is happening, he’s silently telling me that he needs my strength to keep him grounded. That’s one thing I can do for my pack. We shove out the front door, immediately into the thick of the rain, soaking through my shirt in seconds. Lance’s focus is locked on his phone still tethered to his ear as we head for the jeep.

I’m already speeding down the road, unsure of where the fuck I’m heading, Lance pulling the phone from his ear to let out a soft growl. Then I hear him. “Don’t move. Just stay where you are. We’re coming.”

Lance rattles off an approximate address before whispering soft words into the phone. He’s comforting someone, telling someone it’ll be okay. I can feel his fear, his hope, hell even the desire trickling through the bond. And that’s when I hear a small broken sound filter through the earpiece.

It has to be Sofie. There’s no one else I’ve seen move Lance like she has. The few nights they spent together, his expression was brighter, more determined. I knew it might only be a matter of time before he dragged Hawk into the picture and it became a more permanent thing. It never happened but… I guess it’s happening now, isn’t it?

The rain makes everything hazy, but when we hit the small intersection just off the highway, I see it. A car parked at the side of the road, hazard lights blinking weakly through the downpour. Lance exhales sharply, already reaching for the door handle, ready to jump out before the car even comes to a full stop. "I’ll understand if you don’t want Sofie back at the house. But I needed someone who could keep their head on straight until we got here."

I keep my hands on the wheel, fingers flexing against the leather, watching him closely. "Are you asking for my permission, Lance?” I’m not angry with him and hell, he doesn’t need my permission. The estate might have been passed down through the generations but it’s all of ours.

Lance flinches, bowing his head to me. “Alpha, I… fuck, I don’t know. I just knew I needed to get here.”

He’s her mate. That much is obvious. The care in his expression and the need in his eyes tells me everything I need to know. He drags a hand down his face, wiping off the excess water. Time is of the essence, though, and he wouldn’t have chosen me to come with him if he didn’t trust me. “Lance, I’d never put them out," I murmur, the words barely louder than the rain. A breath of relief slips past Lance’s lips, so quiet I almost miss it. His shoulders drop just slightly, some of that tension bleeding out of him. "But don’t expect me to help."

His gaze snaps back to mine and I’m not sure why he thought it would be different. Losing my Omega in my 20s to a tragic accident during her heat took everything from me. In no world do I ever want to feel that pain again. I promised myself I wouldn’t give myself over to scents and biological impulses after that. Mating three other Alphas gave me the comfort I needed while I told myself it was enough.

And it is. Except the growing desire for Violet to be in my bed and at my side tells me that things are changing.

Regardless, if Lance wants Sofie to spend her heat at the house, I’ll make sure she’s comfortable and has everything she needs. But I’m not sure I can ever participate in another one. Not when that’s how I last saw the Omega I called mine.

Lance reaches across the console and grabs my hand, squeezing softly. “I understand. I would never ask that of you. I just need to know that she’s safe, Puma.” It occurs to me the other reason he called me out here when Lance jumps out of the jeep and heads to the other car.

Violet.

She’s already moving toward us, stumbling out of the car before we even reach her, her movements frantic, her breaths short and sharp. Her hair clings to her face, her hoodie plastered to her body, and when she looks up at Lance, there’s nothing but raw desperation in her eyes.

“Please,” she gasps, barely seeing me, barely focused on anything except the Alpha beside me. Her fingers curl into the front of his jacket, holding on like he’s her only lifeline, her voice breaking over the words. “Lance, please, I wouldn’t ask if I had another choice, but she’s hurting—she’s—”

Her throat closes around the rest. The panic in her voice grates against something deep in my chest, but I don’t have time to process it as my attention shifts past her—to the open car door, to the wreckage of an Omega curled up in the backseat.

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