Page 135 of Family: Posy 4

Well, that's all the news here at the pack, alphas,Reuben said, innocently unaware of the sinful thoughts he'd interrupted. Hope the rest of your trip goes well.

Thanks, Rube. I cleared my throat.I know Dad and Papa are there, but we're only ever a link away.

We know that. Good night, alphas.

Good night,we chorused.

Our wolves were already asleep and snuggled up with our girl's soft body, so it was only a matter of moments before Cole, Wyatt, and I were crossing the border into dreamland, too.

Jay?I mumbled.Please take care of Q and Sid.

Don't worry. I'll bring them both home safe and sound. Good night, big brother.

Night, little brother,I yawned.

Knowing Garnet would stand watch until the errant duo returned, I finally let myself relax and fell into a dreamless sleep.

20: Dammit!

Quartz

Crouching low, I pushed off my back feethardand launched forward like a missile. In seconds, I closed on my target and slammed into it with all of my strength. Repairing my dislocated shoulder and fractured vertebrae, I surveyed the undamaged steel door with a disgruntled huff.

Dammit! Didn't even dent it!

The intercom next to the door crackled to life, and I smirked. The royal guards had locked themselves inside as soon as they saw me coming.

As if that made the cowards any safer.

"Quartz, don't do this," one of them said. "I suggest you go home to Lark."

DON'T YOUDARETALK ABOUT MY MATE!My vision went even redder. The audacity of this mongrel to have her name in his mouth!OPEN THIS DOOR BEFORE I KILL YOU ALL!

"The k-k-king g-g-gave orders."

Fine. The hard way, then.

Backing up, I hurtled forward and threw myself against the door again. The bang that echoed was louder than a firework going off, and I had to heal my ears along with half the bones on my left side as I staggered back. Shaking my head to clear it, I glanced at the door and frowned to see it unscathed.

Dammit!

"Q, you being dumb."

I whirled around to find Sid-in-Ash's-body walking toward me, Pumice trotting along at his elbow. Sid was wearing nothing but dark green shorts - ridiculously short shorts, might I add - with bright orange flip flops.

And he was casually eating popcorn from a brown bag darkened by butter stains.

I thought you were going to help me kill this bastard!I snarled in outrage at his nonchalance.

He reached into the bag, pulled out a big fistful of popcorn, and shoved it into his mouth. Looking like a chipmunk, he shrugged.

"King say no, so no," he said as he chewed.

Dammit! If he wasn't escalated, he would be no help at all!

"Pumice have clothes and flippy flops for you, too. I ate you popcorn, though." He pointed to a cloth bag hanging from Pumice's mouth. "Come on, Q. Just shift. Please? I wanna go cuddle mate."

Then go!

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