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“ E veryone alive?” Jax looks around at all of us like he’s taking stock of the situation.

“Yeah, I think so,” I reply, still feeling a little shaky after almost losing Archer and the intense way he was just looking at me. When he kissed my cheek, it woke up the sweetest butterflies in my belly.

Jax seems content with my answer, because he turns back to the rope, fiddling with it to get it down off the tapestry hook. When it finally gives way, it falls straight toward him, and he has to cover his head to avoid getting whipped in the face.

I snort, then quickly bite my lip to stop it. But I can’t hold it in when Jax begins to flail, trying to untangle himself from the rope. A laugh forces its way out of me, and it seems to be contagious. Bear raises his eyebrows as he chuckles, watching the entertainment. Roman covers his eyes and sighs. Archer, being the kind man he is, scrambles to his feet to help Jax .

He shouldn’t be the only one helping, not after what he just went through, so I join him, laughing the whole time, and the three of us quickly get Jax extracted from the rope monster, tossing it on the ground.

Jax looks up at me, shrugging his shoulders and smiling. “I’d suffer a hundred more rope fiascos to make you laugh like that, little mate.” He scowls at the two alphas behind me, pointing at each in turn. “You two, however. See if I come to your aid the next time you get yourselves into trouble. Archer here is the only one I’m coming to save other than my omega.” He swings one arm around Archer’s shoulders and the other around mine, guiding us back toward the group. “Speaking of which,” Jax sets his pack on the ground, unzips it, then digs through it until he finds a steel bottle, “Here, sweet beta. Sit. You too, omega.”

Archer hesitantly obeys the command, sitting on a stone that clearly fell from the ceiling above. I shuffle over, plopping on the ground next to him.

Jax hands Archer the bottle. “Drink. It’s water. You probably need it.”

Archer unscrews the cap, gaze flitting to Jax before he takes a long swig. He tips his head back, and the way his throat moves as he swallows has me zeroing in on the action, squirming a little in place. When a few drops of water escape past his lips and run down the column of his neck, I squeeze my thighs tight, barely resisting the urge to rub them together.

New kink unlocked, I guess? I never paid much attention to that part of a man’s anatomy before. Hands? Yes. Veiny forearms? Hell yes. Those vee muscles a lot of men have that I can never remember the name of and seem to serve no purpose other than turning people on? Abso-fucking-lutely. Guess I’m adding nice throat to the list.

Archer finishes and removes the bottle from his lips, wiping the excess water with the back of—yep, one of the aforementioned veiny forearms. A small cramp twists my belly and slick pools between my legs. Good thing I’m wearing scent dampening panties.

Archer holds the bottle out to me. “You too, sweetheart. Please.”

I take the bottle and sip some. The cool liquid feels like heaven as it runs down my throat. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was. When the water hits my empty stomach, it causes it to growl, ensuring everyone notices I’m probably hungry. All four men’s heads whip toward me. It’s a little creepy, to be honest. It wasn’t that loud.

Jax bursts into action, snagging his pack and appearing by my side in a flash. Before I know what’s happening, I’m being lifted off the ground and set into a warm lap. I tense, because who does that without asking? But then the smell of anise and black licorice hit me and my shoulders instantly relax. Goddess, who knew just being close to your scent match could have that kind of effect on you? I mean, they talk about it in the books and stuff, but I always imagined they were embellishing. Now that I’m experiencing it, I can confirm it’s everything they said and more.

Instead of pulling away, I let Jax tug me back to his bare chest, the heat of his skin like a comforting blanket. He rubs my arms a couple times, then places something in my hands. A granola bar. “Eat, little mate. Let’s take a break and get you refuelled.”

Bear grunts in agreement, taking a seat next to Archer, so close they may as well meld into one another.

“Shouldn’t we be rationing our supplies or something?” I wave the granola bar toward the group in offering. ”I can share.”

Three growls and a firm, “no,” answer me.

“No,” Archer repeats. “You have this one. I’m sure Jax has more the rest of us can share later.”

Jax nods, although I get the impression he’s just agreeing to appease me. They all seem like the type to go without, rather than use up rations. Part of me is flattered that they’d sacrifice for me, the other part annoyed. Put on your own oxygen mask first and all that. “If you all end up passing out because you were too macho to take care of yourselves, I’m not carrying you out of here.”

Jax laughs. “Fair enough, little mate.”

Roman sighs. “We should discuss our next steps. I’d rather find a way out of this hell hole than worry about supplies.”

“Don’t call Lunara’s temple a hell hole.” I chastise. He has the decency to look contrite. The wrapper of the granola bar crinkles as I tear it open. “Hmmm, chocolate chip,” I mumble, nearly moaning as my whole body vibrates in excitement. “I haven’t had chocolate in weeks.” The small supply I brought with me ran out after only three days in the desert. “Goddess, I love chocolate.”

Jax, of course, hears me and snuffs a laugh against my shoulder. “I’ll dip my dick in chocolate for you everyday, if you want,” he whispers with a smile in his voice .

My cheeks feel like they’re sunburned, and I drop my face to hide my smile. He’s so ridiculous, but the thought of licking my favorite food off him is rather tempting.

He kisses the side of my neck. “Seriously, though, I’ll get you all the chocolate you want once we get out of here. Anything you want, little mate.”

If he keeps making promises like that, I might fall in love with him.