Page 32 of Unbonded (Pack’s Companion #3)

Let’s get a wriggle on, I coax the conductor in my head as I come out of my final pirouette and flit across the stage.

Of course, there’s no hurrying perfection, but I can feel my skin prickling with awareness as I work through the ballet’s grand pas de deux .

It’s the final dance sequence, where my character finds the crumpled body of his mate on the battlefield, and literally dances himself to death in his grief.

As depressing as the things festering in my apartment’s refrigerator, but also a brilliant showcase of my particular talents, since I tend to shine in the more dramatic sequences.

I’ll admit to being a teeny bit distracted today, but I know I’ve nailed it by the hushed silence from the rest of the company as the coda draws to a close.

“Shit, babe,” Nataniel, my Portuguese partner and co-lead says, as he peels himself off the floor.

He’s only been with the company a year after headlining at the London Ballet, but from the moment he strode onto the stage, we meshed like an eighties leotard.

“Dance like that when there’s an audience and you’re going to bring the house down. ”

“Oh, there’s an audience, believe me.” I help him to his feet, admiring, as always, that a guy his size can move so gracefully across the floor.

He does all the heavy lifting in our pas de deux , which makes sense, because he’s an alpha.

Something that might be a problem for us if he wasn’t very happily packed up with his own omega, who happens to be a dance instructor in our company.

“You really okay with me running out on you?”

Afternoon rehearsals usually involve us working through our trickier sequences, but I’ve received a pass from our director to leave early today.

“Go,” he laughs, slapping me on the back as we head to the wings. “You deserve a little downtime after the hours you’ve been putting in.”

He’s right. I’ve been working myself to the bone in preparation for opening night, but I can’t help hearing my mom’s voice in the back of my head as I grab my bag and wave to our director. If you stop pushing for the top, someone will be waiting to pull you back down to the bottom.

It’s a shitty way to bring up a kid, let alone one who suffers from both anxiety and perfectionism.

But the horror of my childhood fades away as my audience rises from their seats.

Kate and Lachlan are both staring at me with stars in their eyes, and it’s a better feeling than when I won a place on Claude Venet’s summer program — considered, by those in the know, to be the greatest dance coach on the planet.

“You were amazing,” Kate says, swiping at her damp cheeks.

I’m pretty sure she came into the theater looking like that, but when I pull her in for a kiss, she smells happier than she did before.

“So, so beautiful, Dash,” she gushes, gripping my arms. “And that last part? The death dance? Oh God, I was worried I’d distract you with how loud I was sobbing. ”

I can’t resist nuzzling her damp face. “Ah, at least these ones taste like happy tears.”

“All of them,” she assures me, even though I can sense there’s more to her emotional reaction than just my fabulous moves. “I can’t wait to see you when you’re in full costume.”

Probably not a good time to mention how keen I am to see her in nothing at all. An unfortunate fact is that dancing makes me incredibly horny. But then, just being in the same room as these two is enough to whip my hormones into a pirouette.

I look up at Lachlan, feeling almost shy. “What did you think, QB?”

There’s a new appreciation in his dark brown eyes, which are a lot like molten lava right now.

“That was a hell of a workout, Dash. I know dancers are athletes, but you took that to a whole new level. And your acting? Shit, man. I wanted to grab a sword and get up there and fight alongside you. I seriously have goosebumps on the back of my neck.”

I almost shiver as the compliment works its way down my spine.

Kate is my everything – my dream person in terms of temperament, heart, and beauty – but Lachlan is the perfect mix of cocky jock and deep thinker.

It also doesn’t hurt that he has a ripped bod and hands that touch me like I’m his favorite pigskin.

“If you bump into a reviewer from the Times, feel free to give him that quote.”

“Sure thing.” He flashes me one of his All-American grins and loops an arm around Kate. “So, what now? You must have worked up a hell of an appetite.”

“I usually head to my apartment to shower,” I tell them, since I’m sheened in sweat, my scent a little on the pungent side as I quickly slip into my streetwear. “But I decided to spare you that experience and booked us a little surprise. Ever been to the Oasis?”

Kate’s eyebrows shoot up. “The omega spa? A lot of the clients of the store are regular visitors, but it’s always been too pricey for me.”

I grin as I swing my bag over my shoulder and lead them out of the theater.

Gray clouds are scudding across the sky, and we all pick up speed as we hurry across the plaza.

“The guys bought us a membership,” I tell them, rubbing my hands together in glee.

“We get the VIP treatment. Food, baths, massages. Whatever we want.”

Kate looks intrigued, but Lachlan clears his throat and gestures at his broad chest. “Ah, one small problem. Beta here. Or am I not invited?”

“You’re very much invited,” I assure him, linking arms with them both. “Come on, I smell like week-old sweat and hunger pains, and that shit is unattractive.”

Oasis is across Columbus Avenue, nestled between a boutique hotel and a graphic design studio.

Unlike a lot of the modernist buildings in the area, the exterior is almost Parisian, with dusky marble pillars and gold accents on the portico.

It’s exactly as fancy as I imagined, and I can’t hold in my grin as I usher the others inside.

The beta on the reception desk gives us a friendly smile before fluttering his lashes in my direction.

“This is so exciting! We’re just thrilled to have you take out a platinum membership with us, Mr. Devereux. ”

“Well, thanks so much,” I beam back at him. “I’ve heard such good things from my dance partner’s mate. And if it makes a difference, the membership is a gift from our alphas.”

I wave a hand to include both Kate and Lachlan and the beta’s eyes widen in appreciation, and maybe a touch of jealousy.

“Wow, talk about an excellent courting gift. Okay, these are your key cards, which give you 24/7 access to the spa, and are also programmed to your exclusive hideaway. You’re in the woodland nook today.

Would you like a tour of our VIP facilities, or straight to your suite? ”

“I’ve just finished rehearsal, so I should probably shower before I mix with your other members.”

The beta gives me an understanding smile. “Then right this way.”

He leads us down a corridor that showcases a glassed-in waterfall on one side and fluttering rose petals on the other, powered by some invisible wind machine. The air smells delicious, and a soothing jazz number follows us across a brightly lit atrium to our suite.

It’s larger than I expected for a ‘nook’, with a bench area for eating and relaxing, a shower and steam room, a mosaic-tiled plunge pool, and a cute nest pod built into the wall.

With the warm floorboards, low ceilings, and curved surfaces, it feels like we’ve entered a cozy mountain retreat, despite being in the heart of a concrete jungle.

“This is our four seasons feature,” the beta says, pointing to a mounted screen. “Just select your setting, and you can slip from summer breezes to winter woods.”

He demonstrates, the glass panels in the walls revealing the vista of a snowy alpine forest. The lights dim on cue, and I swear I can smell frost in the air, along with some smoky pine and cinnamon notes.

“Perfect for cuddling in the nest pod,” he grins, and I decide I’ll have to be extra nice to Corbus and Bram when they get home.

“There's a fully stocked bar with a range of healthy snacks,” he goes on, gesturing to the small kitchenette space, “or you can order from our in-room menu. Every dish is organic, locally sourced, and cooked to your specific requirements.”

My stomach growls on cue and the beta bows out of the room, telling us to call him if we need anything. As soon as he’s gone, Kate lets out a squeal of delight and leaps at me, squeezing me tight. “Are you kidding me? This is like all of my childhood fantasies coming to life.”

Lachlan gives her a fond smile, eating up her happiness with his eyes, and I feel a jolt in my groin.

Displays of devotion have always been hot as hell to me, and I distract myself by nuzzling her neck.

“I really want to hear more about these fantasies, but shower first. Why don’t you guys order some food while I freshen up? ”

They grin at each other, and I leave them poring over the in-room menu while I dash into the tiny bathroom.

It converts into a steam room, but I ignore the bench seat and fancy dials as I quickly strip and wash down.

I’m planning a long soak in the plunge pool later, so I just make sure I’m clean, then wrap myself in one of the spa’s bathrobes.

As I pad back to the front room, everything is suspiciously quiet, and I stop dead as I find the others already neck-deep in the plunge pool.

Kate is leaning back against Lachlan’s bare chest, and I cock a brow at him.

“Did you order, or is Kate on the menu?”

She laughs and flicks water at me, but my gaze is glued to her naked shoulders. She’s piled her hair on top of her head, and my mouth waters at the dusky shadow of her breasts just under the surface. “We ordered,” she assures me. “Lots of healthy salads for you and fried chicken for us.”