Page 50 of Blood Fist

Puffing out his cheeks, Corric finally unsealed his lips and explained the situation. With context, Ridan understood. Corric was hurt. His omega felt rejected. No wonder he was distant.

“I-I don’t think he sees me as anything more,” Corric admitted, his voice faraway.

“’Course he does.”

“Then why won’t he do anything about it?”

Ridan sighed, turning to face him. Corric was so enamored with Jonen—had been since the first day Jonen pulled up onto Brownie—he didn’t see it. How Jonen battled his own insecurities. Even as a child, when everyone assured him he would grow up to be an alpha, Jonen didn’t believe them. He didn’t see himself as an alpha like Henroen or Chief Restrina. Even after presenting, he still had doubts. Maybe some of that was Ridan’s fault, always pushing and pushing.

His feelings were misplaced. Jonen was a good man, a good alpha. But he was always his worst critic. Even after the battle with Kaledonea’s army, Jonen was nearly inconsolable that he hadn’t been down on the field with Ridan—that he, as a pack alpha, had not stood with the omega.

“Because he’s a cowardly little alpha who,rightly, believes he doesn’t deserve your affections. You’ll have to force his hand.”

Corric seemed to think on that. “Like you do?”

“Hah?”

“With Brune.”

Hissing, Ridan bared his fangs at the unruffled omega, turning his back to him, scent souring so badlyCorric wrinkled his nose. He didn’t want to think about the big alpha anymore.

Even as he tried to keep the thoughts from his mind, his eyes dropped to their pile of clothes. Tucked away into a pocket was a leather drawstring bag full of broken Snap Jaw teeth. He didn’t know why he kept them. He should have given them to Sehleh. She would have done something with them. But the thought of giving them to anyone but the alpha made his stomach curdle.

Staring at the bag he couldn’t see; he shook himself like a dog. “He’s a foreigner.”

Corric slapped water at him, soaking him. “That means nothing, and you know it.” His eyes were cold, angry. Ridan deserved it. He accepted Corric without question. Why would Brune be any different?

Because he’s an alpha. Because he fights Snap Jaws barehanded. Because he’s kind to horses. Because he smells good. Because his smile is like?—

Ridan stopped those thoughts before they could take off. He wasn’t interested in Brune, no matter what his omega thought. He couldn’t be. There was too much at stake.

“I can’t think about that,” Ridan snapped, muscles tight.

Understanding dawned across Corric’s face. He nodded, choosing to let the subject drop. That was one of the things Ridan liked about spending time with Corric—silence wasn’t truly silent. Not in the stifling, awkward way. They were just two people existing in the same space, breathing the same air, lost in their own thoughts.

After a moment, Corric pushed off the bank. He swam toward the beach, standing so the shallow water lapped at his hips.

“Hey, Jonen?” he called, his voice even.

Jonen came crashing through the trees, eyes wide and hand on his weapon. He looked around the small clearing, checking for threats, but when his eyes landed on a nearly naked Corric, he tripped over his own feet. Landing on his face in the grainy sand.

Corric laughed, crossing his arms. “Would you mind grabbing the soap for me?” he asked coyly, head cocked so that his wet hair slid off his shoulders and exposed the expanse of his pale neck.

Jonen’s eyes dilated at the sight, his mouth falling open. “I uh…th-the soap?”

Corric pointed to the bank where they dropped their clothes. The canvas bag with their soap was resting on top. “I forgot it.”

It really wasn’t that far from Corric. He probably wouldn’t even have to get fully out of the water to grab it. Certainly, there was no need to call the flustered alpha over.

Jonen was still staring at Corric. His eyes darted over every inch of exposed skin—slender body shiny with water. Drops of it clung to the ridges of his muscles like glittering jewels.

Still kneeling in the sand, Jonen blinked as he tried to get himself under control. The scent of interested alpha stank up the clearing, heady enough to make Ridan gag.

“It’s right there,” he mumbled, eyes unblinking.

Corric huffed, jutting a hip out as if inconvenienced. “Fine. I’ll get it myself.” He took one step forward, the water level dropping dangerously. A second step exposed the beginnings of a trail of light wiry hair, water lapping against his tight abdomen.

“NO!” Jonen shouted, leaping to his feet. He kicked up sand as he dove for the soap, flinging the bag at Corric. “I-I…there…don’t…” Jonen mumbled, red faced as he retreated through the brush with a limp hands hovering over his groin.