Page 168 of Bred

"Long night?" I asked.

"Yes, sir," he said in a clipped tone. "Ivor wasn't able to cover your shift last week, so the patrols got all shifted about, and I ended up pulling doubles three days in a row. In the marketplace," he added the last sentence with emphasis as if that proved just how awful his week had been.

"Mina was in heat," Ivor smirked, hooking his thumbs into his belt.

"Don't talk about my sister being in heat," Nix groaned, walking around us to the door. "That's just…gross."

"Well, thank you for picking up the slack." I followed him outside. It was already warm even though the sun was barely above the treeline, and the air smelled sweet. I couldn't remember a spring day ever smelling so good.

Awareness pricked my skin, and I turned to see Ivor and Nix staring at me. "What?"

"It's unnatural for anyone to look that happy," Nix scowled.

Ivor gave me a knowing smirk, playfully pushing at my back.

My day was ordinary, giving me plenty of opportunity to think about my mate. I patrolled the packhouse grounds, showing Nix the ropes. My usual post was inside, but Nix had been doing well, and the captain of the village guard wanted him trained to move up. The youngling was smart, strong, and a fast learner.

We were going over the weak points in security around the gardens when my bond with Lily shifted from contended happiness to downright lustful.

I cleared my throat repeatedly, trying to ignore the thumping at the base of my cock as my mate worked herself up. Her pleasure pulsed in my head, along with a teasing bit of satisfaction. The little brat knew she was distracting me, and I loved every moment. I pictured my sweet omega naked and panting in her nest on the pantry floor, her little fingers working wildly in and out of her tight cunt.

"That makes no sense," Nix said, scrunching his face.

I snapped to. "What did I say?" I had no idea.

"You said the only way into the packhouse from here is through the pantry."

Lily's pleasure hit a crescendo, and I swore my vision went white. I stumbled, then cursed.

"You okay, Rowan?" Nix asked, placing his hand on my shoulder.

I shook my head, my temples pounding in time with my cock. "I'm good," I inhaled deeply and rolled my shoulders. "It's just hot out today."

"It really fucking is." Nix looked up at the sky, squinting. "Summer is going to be brutal this year."

"Come on." I motioned him to follow. "I'll show you the stables."

Nix smacked my chest with the back of my hand, motioning with his eyes for me to turn around. Luca strolled out of the packhouse, following his father and Pack Alpha Caz. I watched Luca carefully, my fangs slipping forward. The urge to rip his throat out was almost too much to bear.

Nix leaned into my ear, whispering, "I heard a rumor Luca is being considered for Alpha Caz's personal guard."

I shook my head at the news. "He'll never get it. He's far too young and inexperienced for such a position. Caz is humoring Dage.”

"Well, if he does end up their guard, it's a good thing Caz's children are all alphas." Nix crossed his arms, staring daggers at Luca. "I wouldn't want that fucker anywhere near my sister."

Dred pulsed under my skin. "What makes you say that?"

"When Luca was a teenager, he was sent away for attacking an omega here in the village. Then Summer told me that two years ago, he cornered her oldest sister and tried to force a mating."

Disgust burned in my throat. "Why the fuck has no one stopped him?"

"You know why. He's an adviser's kid." Nix pulled a face. "Those fucker's can get away with murder, and no one gives a shit. If he were anyone else, he'd be branded and banned from the village."

I tilted my head at his words, waiting for him to realize.

His expression dropped, and his voice pitched a full octave higher. "Except for you! You've always pulled your weight, Rowan. You've never used your father to—"

I held up a hand to quiet him. "I understand what you mean." I smiled, letting him know I wasn't offended.