Page 15

Holt

Maya tries to protest, insisting she’s okay as I help dry her off in the coach’s office once after Roman told us that Nox was led off campus. Apparently he’d been waiting in the quad as if we were just going to let her waltz out there. He’s now on the campus police’s radar so that’s one less thing to worry about even if Maya is still shuddering between us, bloodshot eyes focusing on the four of us.

Brogan steps back in with a pair of shorts, handing them over to Dakota who’s got her protectively wrapped up against his chest now. “These should fit well enough until we get to the dorm.”

She doesn’t reach for them, her face buried in the Omega’s chest but she doesn’t resist as I help her into them. In fact, Maya doesn’t say a word as we step out into the quad, every step looking more painful than the last. I’m 99% sure he didn’t physically hurt her but being chased by an Alpha would terrify just about anyone.

Halfway to the dorm, Maya stumbles, nearly tripping over her own feet, and I’m done watching her struggle. “Nope,” I mutter, scooping her into my arms without hesitation. I don’t give a damn what it looks like—students staring, whispers trailing us. Part of me hurts because she’s hurting, a deep ache I can’t shake, and carrying her feels like the only way to keep her safe.

Dakota’s already resituating pillows on his bed when we step inside, laying out a new blanket that’s fluffier than the last but still the same pale green as everything else. Maya’s out cold the second he pulls her onto the bed, her body curling against his chest, his glare turning lethal as it falls on each of us. “Don’t fucking disturb her,” he snaps as I bite back a smile. It’s adorable, that grumpy edge still there, but terrifying too—his Omega instincts kicking in.

Roman drops onto the other bed, hands clasped over his knees, gaze locked on Maya’s sleeping form. We all find spots around the room, Brogan against the door, and me falling into one of the armchairs facing the bed.

Roman breaks the silence, voice tight. “So, when do we go kill Nox or something? She full-on left him, and he’s back? I don’t get it.”

I glance over at Brogan, knowing we didn’t get the entire story. Something about his presence here fights with my instincts but I know that it’s just Alpha bullshit and the need to protect Maya. Brogan manages a tight smile, his gaze firmly locked on our Beta curled into Dakota’s chest. “I didn’t hear everything but it seems like he needs a mate to unlock his trust and whoever he left Maya for didn’t meet the requirements. So, he’s back.”

I lean forward, elbows on my knees, and fix him with a look. “What aren’t you telling us?”

“A guy like that doesn’t just come back. If he was a jealous bastard or more possessive, he’d have tried something years ago when she first left, right? Him coming back now, threatening her—it means something’s changed.”

Roman’s eyes narrow, catching on. “Yeah, the requirements.”

I nod, pieces clicking together. “So he needs the money for something. It’s not just a time constraint—it’s gotta be something else.” I look between them, searching. “Do either of you know what the fuck he does?”

Roman shakes his head. “I only know his name’s Nox Carter,”

I file that away and stand, knowing that I need a moment outside of this room to calm the fuck down before I do something stupid. Like trying to find out where Nox lives and give him a piece of my mind. “What’s for dinner? I wanna make sure we get something before Maya wakes up.” It’s an odd change of conversation but a needed one.

Dakota’s voice comes from where he’s cradling her. “Grilled cheese,” he murmurs, eyes still on her. “She eats grilled cheese when she’s sad.”

I’ll put the order in a little later after I make a lap across the quad, or however far my leg lets me go. Not even two steps out of the door, Brogan is behind me, calling me back. “Hey, Holt?”

“Yeah?” I say, folding my arms, bracing for whatever’s coming.

“You said to me in the locker room before practice that she needs someone like me,” he starts, “that you’d make sure everything goes smoothly between her and me, with Dakota and Roman.” I’m not sure where he’s going with this so I just let him continue. “But you didn’t include yourself in that. Why?” I open my mouth to answer—something about giving her space, not pushing—but he cuts me off, stepping closer. “You were the one who felt her, Holt. Not heard her. You felt her distress the moment she started running, because you left before she screamed. I opened the door and heard it. You’re hers.”

I sputter a laugh, caught off guard, scrubbing a hand over my jaw. “Brogan, I know you mean well,” I say, “but she’s not ready…” My words falter, because I see her in my mind—trembling in my arms, crawling into my lap, nose pressed to my scent gland like I was her anchor.

“She’s ready for this world to stop fucking around with her,” he growls at me. “She’s ready for someone to put her first. She’s ready for someone to show her that love isn’t the same as pain.” He pauses, exhaling hard, and I see it—the weight he carries for her, the memory of who she was. “I remember her four years ago,” he goes on. “She looked like she was gonna rule the goddamn world. That spark’s still there, but Nox dimmed her shine. I plan on bringing it back and I know you’re part of that.”

“You should be a motivational speaker,” I tease, deflecting from the real issue.

Brogan laughs, a quick burst that breaks the tension, but he’s not done. “She climbed into your lap, Holt. She ran right to you. It might take her some time to figure all this out, but I’d be stupid not to say something.”

I nod, letting out a heavy breath, because he’s right—she did, and I felt it, that pull, stronger than anything I’ve known. “I appreciate it. Let’s just get some food in her, see how it goes? Dakota’s not letting her go anywhere, but I’m sure Maya’s gonna fight us on that.”

Brogan grins, a flash of his usual charm returning. “And we’ll be there to counter whatever she needs.”

It seems like a solid plan, even if I’m still wary about stepping into the ring. She doesn’t seem to want another Alpha in her life even if she ran straight to me. And yet, I know that trying to stay away from her is just going to make things worse. “Yeah, I got you. I’ll be back in a little bit. Call me if she wakes up.” And then I just head down the hall, needing a moment to myself.