Page 120 of Ondine: Vol. 2

The corners of Shadow’s mouth kick up.

I can’t help but ask, “Why is Jake pack lead if Freddie is so…whatever he is.”

Shadow lets out a deep sigh.

“Freddie was on his own for 20 years, but look at what he accomplished in the few weeks he submitted to Jake. He got his scent match. A pack. And is saving all those kids from that school. He has a purpose. He’s running a special division. He has friends, you and Sebastian. Look at what Jake’s done for you, Arnie. Left to your own devices, you just stared at Ondine from afar. How long was that supposed to last? He’s brought you two together. Given you a better career. A better purpose. He’s encouraged you to be as freaky and weird as you can be. I’ve seen how you sneak away to your little spy center whenever someone is alone with Ondine.”

My mouth hangs open. Shadow sees he’s shocked me for the second time. He pats my arm again.

“Want to go back in?”

I turn my head to the door and listen. “Hopefully, Jake’s knot will knock her out. We will need to get her to her nest. Her heat is next to come if she’s just had a spike. I’d like her to be comfortable. It’s a long drive, we may not make it. Eight hours to the country house? We better get a move on.”

He nods his head.

“Good thing my brother has a helicopter.”

Jake

Ondine sleeps the whole way home. I hold her in my arms, keeping her safe, and watching her sleepy little breaths. The helicopter ride is faster than driving but still not quick, but flyingover the country with my new pack is an experience I’ll never forget. Arnie is friends with Shadow now, and I love watching the two of them bending their heads together. Asking questions, talking about our pack. Freddie keeps getting too close to Sebastian. During Ondine’s heat spike, if Freddie got too close, Ondine would make this adorable little growl. It was hard to take it seriously. We all found it too precious.

We land in the field by the house about two hours after we left the Ridge. And that’s when I decide a helicopter pad should be on my list of renovations on the property.

Arnie was the only one of us who had his head on straight when Ondine went missing. He suspected Boone right away. He’d already been gathering intel on him. Of course, the beta would suspect the alpha who had been rejected. We were all just too close to see it.

Because of that he was the most prepared. He’d already got Robin to help him set up the nest. Emmerson and some other staff to pack and move our things. He hadn’t slept the last two nights while he installed all the surveillance. He’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time.

Ondine chooses well.

Maybe I’ll let him play his little breeder game with her during her heat.

We file into the house, and I carry Ondine all the way to her nest. It’s this spectacular arched room cut off from the rest of the house. It’s big enough for everyone. It doesn’t have any scents in it yet, but that should change soon. I lay her down in the bed.

“Don’t mess with any of the things. She’ll wake and set up her nest. Then she’ll want our appreciation of her work when she’s done. Ok?” It’s not the Room Manager who says this to me but Shadow. A now self-described omega expert.

I just give him a look, like who the hell are you? And his mouth quarks up at me in reply.

I turn to see the rest of my pack.

“Do we know what he gave her?”

Arnie replies, “A number of things. Heat suppressant was one of them. There’s no way to know what dosage.”

I nod my head. We will just have to monitor her.

None of us want to leave, anyway.

I position her more comfortably and lay between her legs. She’s wearing my old clothes from my childhood bedroom. Basketball shorts and a t-shirt that says “Excellent Pecker” with a graphic of a rooster. Because I was a teenage boy once.

I pull her shorts off but leave her shirt. Because it’s kind of funny.

I lay my cheek on her thigh, next to my bond mark. It’s so pretty. I bit Arnie on the back of his neck. Shadow on his collarbone. And Sebastian on his shoulder. I look up and Freddie’s looking back. I should bite him, too. He narrows his eyes at me, seeming to know where my thoughts are.

Arnie tells the alphas to get into the bed. They listen as he positions everyone in a perfect little dog pile. He knows not to tell me what to do, so I remain with her legs entwined around me.

And then we all fall asleep surrounding our omega.

Like a pack should.