Page 5 of All That We Keep (Always Yours #3)

Blake

An annoyed huff falls from my lips as Maceo stands up with me still in his arms, the Beta heading toward the hallway without putting me down.

He’s not actually going to… "I can walk downstairs," I protest, though even as I say it, I'm not entirely sure it's true. Everything is still clammy and my legs feel like jello. Even so, I own the company and I’m not entirely sure I want everyone here seeing their Omega boss falling apart.

Maceo's grip on me tightens slightly, his arms secure around my back and under my knees.

"I know you think you can, but just for once let me do this, okay?

" His voice is gentle but leaves no room for argument.

"I assure you that passing out in the elevator will have everyone more worried than they already are. "

I know he’s right so I let my stubbornness take a backseat and twist my face into his chest after watching him walk into the private elevator.

Grayson is right behind us with Luca in his arms, my poor Omega still between sleep and half-awake where he keeps trying to say something about mango chutney.

No doubt that’s going to be the first food Grayson buys and the first thing Luca is going to chuck in the trash.

We make our way downstairs in relative silence, my ear pressed to Maceo’s steady heartbeat, his scent keeping me from freaking out all over again.

I had never really thought about my connection to Luca.

Sure, we were mates, like far beyond the natural course of things—connected even before we shared an Alpha.

However, these last few weeks have proven our connection to be something else entirely and Maceo might actually be right.

Because Luca is my Omega and all the shit that keeps getting thrown at him makes me feel useless.

Because I’m not an Alpha.

I tamper down a growl of frustration as doors open and close, the cool air hitting my skin as we step outside.

I twist around to see Luther already waiting by the car, his imposing figure even more imposing than usual.

I can see the concern etched into the hard lines of his face, though he's trying to project his usual calm authority.

“Alpha,” I breathe out, reaching forward for him.

He steals me from Maceo before placing me into the backseat, his lips immediately on mine.

It’s both possessive and a claiming, his tongue spearing into my mouth as he takes what he needs and then he pulls back, the tight smile from before back on his face.

I’ve only known two or three times that he’s needed us all in the same place, at home, and away from the world. One of those times was when we got Luca back. I can only imagine whatever is happening is bad. Like real bad.

Grayson climbs in on the other side of me as Maceo takes up the front passenger seat. Luther makes his way to the other side of the car as well, giving Grayson a similar kiss and then pressing a soft one to Luca’s forehead before driving off.

Even with my pack’s scents swirling around in the car, I can’t relax. Because the bond isn’t relaxed. Grayson and Maceo are keeping something from me but most of all, Luther is pissed. Raging. And beneath all of that? He’s terrified.

"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" I ask, my voice stronger now that I'm sitting up and surrounded by my pack.

Luther's jaw tightens as he navigates through the afternoon traffic. "We're going to stay at one of Grayson's properties for a little bit. Ward came by this morning to let me know that while the protective order on Hudson is still active, he's out on bail."

The color drains from my face as I curl into Grayson’s side. Luca stirs a little bit and I hold my breath, hoping and praying that he doesn’t hear this just yet. He went through hell and back to get to us and I don’t want him to suffer anymore.

Maceo clears his throat and meets my gaze through the rearview mirror. "They can't find him."

My heart drops into my stomach, my body frozen in disbelief.

The Alpha who tortured Luca for months, who broke him down systematically until he was barely recognizable as the sweet boy I went to school with, is free and hunting for us.

The protective order means nothing if they can't find him to enforce it. And knowing Hudson, if there was a buyer for Luca, that means he’ll do anything to get my Omega back.

I know Luca’s parents said there wasn’t one but I don’t believe for a second that Hudson was going to break the pattern for him. It doesn’t make sense. None of this does.

Without thinking, I pull Grayson’s arm out of the way and tug Luca into my chest, my body moving on pure instinct to protect him from a threat that isn't even physically present.

My grip is probably too tight, but I can't seem to loosen it as images flash through my mind of what Hudson did to him before.

Luca lets out a low whine at being suddenly pulled from his peaceful sleep, his body instinctively tensing as he struggles to wake up and understand what's happening.

"No," he starts mumbling, the word slurred with sleep but tinged with distress as his subconscious picks up on the fear flooding through our bond. "No, no, please..."

His scent spikes with distress, the sweet pregnancy hormones turning sharp and acidic with fear as I tuck him deeper into my chest. "Hudson won't take him from me," I growl out.

"Not my Omega, not my babies." My free hand drops to his belly, Luca holding onto me the same way I am to him.

My mates are all throwing us worried looks, no doubt the strange bond Luca and I share revealing itself again.

Grayson tries to reach for Luca but I just glare at him. I need Luca right where he is, even if it’s draining my energy.

Luther's voice cuts through my panic. "No one is taking anyone anywhere, love.

" His tone affords no argument as his gaze meets mine through the rearview mirror before turning back to the road.

"He won't get within a hundred feet of you.

I hate tying you down like this, Blake, but this is not just for your safety but also for my sanity.

" There's a pause, and when he continues, his voice is darker than I've ever heard it.

"If he tries fucking with you or Luca or any of the pack again, I won't be in jail for just assault. "

The threat in Luther's words should probably concern me more than it does, but right now it feels like exactly what I need to hear.

However, the logical part of my mind is still struggling to process what's happened.

"I don't understand how he got away." My voice cracks slightly as I try to make sense of the situation.

"Ward promised that the county over had this handled.

That the charges were solid and Hudson would be behind bars for a while.

" The last Omega hadn’t fared nearly as well as Luca or some of the others.

There was no reason he should have been out on bail.

And who could have possibly paid his bail?

Who would want someone like that on the street?

My breathing starts to pick up again as I start working through all the possibilities.

"Blake." Luther's voice cuts through my thoughts again.

"I can feel you starting to spiral through the bond.

I have no idea how it happened either. Ward didn't have many details, and I wasn't going to sit there grilling a fucking cop when I needed to get my pack home.

The only thing I want right now is my pack in one place, away from everywhere else," Luther continues, his voice slightly strained as he fights to maintain control.

"We'll figure out the rest once we're somewhere safe. "

I look toward the front seat, studying what I can see of Luther from this angle.

His grip on the steering wheel is really tight, his knuckles almost white where they're wrapped around the leather.

I can see the tension in his shoulders, the way he's holding himself like he's ready to spring into action at any moment.

Luther is having a hard time controlling himself, and that realization sends another spike of fear through me.

I take a deep breath, trying to center myself and stop the flood of terror that's been pouring through our pack bond. As I focus on my breathing, I become aware of the emotions coming from the others. Anger, fear, love …

I swallow nervously, my throat dry as I try to ask the question I'm not sure I want answered. "How bad is it?"

Grayson presses a gentle kiss to my forehead, his lips warm against my fevered skin as he tries to offer what comfort he can.

"Pretty bad." His honesty hurts, but I appreciate that he's not trying to sugarcoat the situation.

"Let's just focus on getting you two inside and settled, and then we'll figure out everything else. "