Page 69 of Shades of Scars

Seriously? Why the hell am I so turned on right now? We have much more important things to worry about.

“What about Ant? His family deserves justice…” I trail off, squeezing my eyes shut against the onslaught of memories. Raven kneeling over Ant with a puddle of blood spreading beneath him. His eyes closed and chest unmoving as the stain of crimson grew across his shirt. The words Wren’s alpha sister screamed at me before I had an adrenaline crash and passed out.

“Ant’s mom and sister will be compensated. We will have justice on their behalf, love.” Apollo assures me before any of the others can.

Silence descends for a few heartbeats before Kate finally speaks up. “Is it safe for me to go home? If you don’t need me, Scar?”

I shake my head when I look over at her. She’s already risen to her feet, but I can see her frame shuddering beneath the large coat she wears over her dress. “Go home and get cleaned up and rest. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I assure her, guilt struggling to consume me as I watch her nod and look at me with vacant, emotionless eyes.

“Lark can take you home.” Wren lifts his eyes to his pack brother. “We are going to bring Scarlett back to the penthouse. Come home after you get Kate home, and post someone to watch the apartment.”

Kate bristles slightly. “I don’t need anyone to stalk me. I have managed fine on my own for a long time.” A little bit of emotion creeps back into her hard tone, and I can’t say I’m not relieved by it. It’s better than watching her shut down after the events of the night.

“It’s just a precaution, Kate. Just someone to watch out for you. They won’t stop you from coming and going as you please. It’s because you are associated with me. Anyone can go after you just to get to me.” I try to reassure her again, but she still looks like she wants to argue.

After a moment, she sighs heavily. “Fine, but if they try to keep me inside, I’ll stab first and then ask questions later. I am not going to be caged like some animal.” She grumbles, getting a little of her fire back. It makes me smile, though I still don’t like the way a tremor works its way through her hand before she crosses her arms over her chest.

Man, I really have come a long way since I first met her.

I never used to toss out smiles and reassurances.

These alphas are changing my life, and I’m starting to believe it’s for the better.

Lark bends down to brush a kiss over my lips, and Kate steps up next to give me a gentle hug, careful not to jostle my wrapped arm. “Call me tomorrow, alright? Even if it’s just to tell me you’re alive. We’ll do something soon even if it’s at your new prison.” I snort at that, and Caito’s chest vibrates with a cute little growl. He’s so temperamental.

“Keep her safe.” I pin Lark with a look, and the alpha quirks a brow at me that arches elegantly over the rim of his glasses. God, he’s too stupid hot when he looks at me like that. Looking like a sexy professor. It’s totally unfair.

Lark is the only one of my alphas I haven’t gotten to taste yet.

I’m going to be rectifying that as soon as humanly possible.

Preferably in my new pack nest.

“I got her, Dream girl. I’ll see you back at home.” The wicked grin he gives me suggests that he knows exactly where my thoughts have wandered to just now, and I feel an unexpected blush creep across my cheeks. The glint in his eyes makes it worth it, though.

As soon as Lark leaves with Kate, Caito leans in to brush his lips against my neck and murmur in my ear. “Let’s get you home. We’ve already called Kars to meet us there with equipment to check your arm and the baby.”

“I really am alright, Caito. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about except possibly needing stitches. It could have been a lot worse.” I swallow hard, trying desperately not to think about Ant. Especially not Raven’s reaction to the alpha dying in her arms…

I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so furious before. She’d looked like she wanted to drag me back to the shooter herself so he could finish the job. I choose not to voice any of my concerns to my alphas at the moment. Raven probably just needs some time to cool down. It isn’t like she’s bothered to get to know me or anything.

Caito and Apollo help me to my feet as the former says, “I’d rather be safe than sorry,mo chroí. Just humor me. He can patch up your arm and use his fancy machine to check the baby’s heartbeat.” His reasonable and heart clenching explanation makes me fold like a deck of cards. When he speaks that way and gives me the look he’s giving me, I can’t help but to follow along.

“Yes, alpha.” I murmur, pressing up on my tip-toes to brush my lips against my mark on the underside of his jawline. His arm goes around me immediately at the contact, pressing me against his chest as he rumbles out a growl of approval.Fuck, I love all the noises he makes. “Take me home so I can take a nice long bath and roll around in my nest.”

He doesn’t have to be told twice.

44

Lark

Tension is still coiled tight in every single one of my muscles when I open my bathroom door hours later, clad in just a towel and still dripping wet. I left my glasses on my bedside table, but I’m not blind enough to miss the pretty little omega perched on the edge of my bed.

Almost immediately, I feel that built up tension I’ve been carrying around all night rush out of me in a flood when she smiles at me. She’s so goddamn beautiful that it almost hurts to look at her.

Her eyes move from my face, and it’s utterly erotic watching the way her pupils dilate and her cheeks flush a pretty pink when she gets her first look at my mostly nude body. The only thing in her way is the towel around my waist.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this surprise visit to my domain, Dream girl?” At the sound of my voice, her eyes snap up where they’d been lingering on the bulge steadily growing behind the fabric covering all my fun bits. If it’s at all possible, I swear her blush deepens even further.

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