Page 40 of Mask and the Magnolia

So, he follows him around and tries to be helpful, almost like he’s attempting to earn his keep.

He’s like a lost puppy.

A delicious, fire-happy puppy who is eagerly waiting to get rewarded for being a good boy.

It’s cute.

In turn, Vin—I call him that in my head but have yet to say it out loud—is very patient with our beta, very protective of him. He’s started checking in with Calix the same way he checks in with me and if I were the jealous type, that might make me a little snippy.

I’m not, and it doesn’t.

If anything, it puts things into perspective.

I didn’t factor Calix into the equation before.

Not that I didn’t think that pouty mouth of his wouldn’t look fabulous wrapped around my dick, I just didn’t realize it was more than that.

It is.

Quite a bit more from what I can tell, and that brings me back to everything I’ve learned about our alpha in such a short period of time.

Vin is both adorable and frustrating as fuck while he basks in his ignorance. Something I can say confidently since he hasn’t quite labeled the connections the same way I have.

He feels them just like I do, though, and while I’d like to take all the credit for being the center of our little universe complete with those four revolving around me, I think it’s more of a joint effort between us alphas.

Korvin is the catalyst, though.

I was drawn to him well before he was noticeably drawn to me, and looking back, so was everyone else on this floor.

At least in some way.

The Rooker boys and Ivan don’t fuck with Korvin.

I mean, none of us fuck around, we’re all just trying to get through each day without incident, but they’ve put some distance between them.

Then again, those three have their own fucking issues and seem to be pretty fucking wrapped up in them.

There’s a level of respect there, though.

I think Ivan has the biggest body count, Bishop and Lochlan might have made the biggest mess, but they view Korvin as their equal. I can see it.

Me?

I’ve been too fucking dope sick for anyone to get a real read on me.

I expect that’ll change, though. Word on the street is Nurse Hubbard busted her left leg and is housebound for the next ten weeks.

Merry fucking Christmas to me.

If I’m lucky, she’ll miss the New Year, too, and I won’t have to worry about her devising any resolutions for me.

”I’m going to be sick.”

I frown and turn toward the staff hallway as Maggie and Isaak come scurrying out of the office, the two of them emitting all the negative vibes.

”It’s going to be brief,” Isaak places his hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the nurse’s station. “And I thought?—“

”Think again,” Magnolia snaps before immediately cringing. “Sorry.”