Page 122 of Ondine: Vol. 2

“It’s mine!” I scream, and he laughs at me. He’s got both wrists in his hands. His arms are stiff and strong. I can’t make him budge. My head falls back and I groan.

How am I going to get it?

My head pops up and l look around at all my pack. Who are all awake now. I make eye contact with each one. A slow smile spreads across my face. Finally, I face Freddie.

“Give me the necklace, or I’ll enlist help to get it for me.”

He looks around and sees he has no friends here. Every last one of them would hold him down and take it right from his neck.

“You little minx.”

He lets my wrists go and stands to his full height.

“Give her the necklace, Freddie,” Jake says.

“Something worth having is worth earning.” It’s the only thing he says before he takes off running out of the room. Sebastian is first after him, followed by every last one of my men.

I giggle and fall back onto the rug.

This ceiling looks so familiar. I close my eyes and shake my head at myself. Duh, Ondine, you’re home. I’m at my country house. How they got me here I haven’t a clue. I look around and see all my favorite things. My bed smells like everyone. But it’s not quite right. I pull the blankets off and dump out thebaskets full of pillows. I get to arranging. It’s got to be perfect. I’m operating on pure animal instinct, a thing I never used to indulge on, and she knows exactly how this should be. I push and fold and prop and toss. I tuck and karate chop. There’s my favorite water bottle on a table, and I drink in the cool water, marveling at a job well done.

I walk over to a window currently covered by a thick velvet curtain. I open it up to the evening sky. And on the lawn below, Freddie continues to give the men chase. Finally, Sebastian gets the jump on him. Shadow falls on his legs. Arnie pins one arm down and Sebastian has his other arm. It leaves Jake the opportunity to get the necklace. Freddie still doesn’t make it easy—his head thrashing on the soft ground below. He’s growling and snapping his teeth. Sebastian lets out a loud, deep laugh at his expense.

When he’s secured it, he stands with his arm extended and howls.

Freddie shakes off the three men and makes a grab for Jake, who takes off into the house. I shut the window and frantically turn in circles. I want to be waiting for him in the middle of my nest. So he can see what a good job I did.

I jump up into it and settle myself in. I’m sitting back on my heels. My hands in my lap. Jake’s heavy steps get closer and closer.

Finally he busts through the door, looking for me. When he spots me, he stands still for a second. He looks at me like I’ve stopped his heart. It’s too much time. Freddie has caught up to him. At the last second, Jake tosses the necklace across the room. I reach out and grab it.

Freddie watches me catch it, out of breath.

“Mine.”

Sebastian, Shadow, and Arnie pile into the room, pushing Freddie and Jake forward. I crawl over to the edge where mylittle nest is folded into my big nest. Freddie’s eyes are wide as he watches me wrap his necklace up carefully in my little nest, then tuck it back in.

I pat it five times and then resume my original position.

A smile spreads across my face.

But then I realize they aren’t saying anything. I look around to see if I left something untucked. Or folded wrong. It looks how it should. My face falls. Is it bad?

Shadow tips his head and says, “Pouting? Why is our little omega pouting?”

My pout deepens.

“You don’t like what I did?”

Arnie hits Sebastian so hard he nearly knocks him over. “Tell your omega what a good job she did!” He says between his teeth.

Sebastian steps to my nest, inspecting it. He purses his lips and has a thoughtful look about him. He finishes his inspection and says, “It’s the best nest I’ve ever seen, Ondine. Can I join you?”

I nod my head enthusiastically.

“Only you.” I narrow my eyes at the rest of my pack. Jake grabs his chest. Offended. Probably fake offended.

“Ondine. Baby. Your nest stopped me in my tracks. It’s beautiful and so are you. Plus, I got you the necklace. Do I not deserve a prize?”