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C ora seems as unsure about our impromptu dinner as Roman, but once they both see Jax take a bite, they dive in. Can’t be picky eaters when you’re trapped underground in a hidden temple with no way out.

Shit, my omega shouldn’t be trapped down here. She should be safe, protected, cared for. My beta, too. How the hell am I gonna get them out of this? My muscles clench thinking about all that tomorrow could bring, and I push my food away after only a few bites.

“You alright?” Archer asks, noticing my soured attitude.

“Yeah, just not so hungry anymore.” I give him a smile and hand him the rest of my snake. “You eat it.” Leaning close enough that the others can’t hear, I add, “You need to keep up your strength. As soon as we’re out of this, I have plans for you and our girl.”

His pupils dilate, breath hitching at the innuendo, but he starts chewing on his thumb in that nervous way of his again. I don’t think he’d appreciate me asking what’s wrong in front of everyone, so I just take his hand and gently tug it away from his mouth.

Cora yawns, her food already devoured. “I’m just gonna…” She yawns again.

“Here, love,” Jax pulls a toothbrush and toothpaste from his pack and holds it out to her.

“Are you trying to imply something?” she asks with a smirk that says she’s only teasing. I’m sure my own breath is about as bad as a real bear’s right now.

“Only if you want it,” Jax says. “Anyone else is welcome to my toothbrush, too.” He wiggles his eyebrows at Archer, who shyly looks down at his feet.

Cora takes the toothbrush. “Thanks.”

While she gets herself ready for bed, Jax unrolls a sleeping bag and places it on the opposite side of the fire from where the rest of us are sitting, then comes back to finish the last of his meal.

The rest of us are quiet as we finish eating. Cora goes to the fountain to brush her teeth, then crawls into the sleeping bag. I can’t take my eyes off her as she settles on her side. Her breathing slows, and her features relax into sleep. The only sound is the soft crackling of the fire.

Once Jax finishes, he stands, stretching his arms overhead as he takes a step toward the sleeping bag. “Guess I should turn in, too.”

“You’re not sleeping in there with her,” Roman says.

The professor kept his distance from Cora throughout dinner, but he watched her as closely as the rest of us. Only, his attention felt more like someone keeping an eye on a wild hound they think might pounce at any moment. Fuck, I guess she did. When she jumped on me like that… Yeah, I can still feel the imprint of her body against mine, the way her ass felt cupped in my hands as the heat of her bare pussy pressed against my stomach. The way she smelled when I pressed my nose above her core. That all too brief taste of her. I shake my head.

Scent match. Who woulda thought?

“Sleeping bag’s plenty big enough for two. Maybe more.” Jax smirks and winks at me. “And I’d rather not sleep on the ground.”

Roman steps between Jax and Cora. “She needs to sleep, not have you trying to fuck her all night. In fact, all three of you should sleep over there.” He points to a different pool that's at least fifty feet away. “Far enough that maybe your cocks won’t be in control of your actions.”

“That so?” I step up. There’s no way I’m letting this alphahole tell me what I can and can’t do with my mate. Not that I plan to do anything tonight. She’s clearly exhausted, but I need her close. “And where will you be while we’re all sleeping over there?”

“I’ll be doing the honorable thing and keeping my dick in my pants while I protect her.”

Jax gives Roman a pointed laugh, jabbing him in the chest with his forefinger. “‘Cause you were such a gentleman earlier and kept your back turned while she bathed.” His tone drips sarcasm.

“You looked at my mate?” I growl.

“You try looking away when a beautiful woman is coming just a few feet away from you. ”

“She was… what ?” I shift my attention to Jax.

He licks his lips, a dazed look in his eyes. “She came on my tongue. It was fucking heaven.” He’s sporting a soft smile like a lovesick fool. It’s kinda creepy, but I’m not sure I would be much better if I’d gotten to feast between her thighs. The brief brush of my lips against her core wasn’t nearly enough.

“Look, everyone needs to take a step back so we can have a normal conversation.” Archer pauses as if in thought. “Actually, you each should take a literal step away from each other, too. All this alpha posturing isn’t helping anyone.”

There’s that good boy side of Arch again, trying to appease everyone and stop conflict. I take the first step back. “He’s right, and we don’t want to wake Cora. Let’s move by that pool if we’re gonna see who’s dick’s the biggest.”

A choked sound comes from Archer at my statement. Mmhmm, you know it’s mine, don’t you, baby.

Shuffling over, Jax and I each take a rock, but when Archer tries to find his own seat, I snag him around the waist and pull him between my legs.

“Um, I can–”

“You’re staying right here.” Did he think I wouldn’t claim him in front of everyone? Fuck that. He’s as much mine as Cora is, and I need to make sure he damn well knows it.

Tension leaves his shoulders as he relaxes against my chest. My body responds similarly, my alpha riding me a little less hard now that I have my beta in my arms.

Roman is the last to join us, closing his eyes and rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. It’s time we face this issue head on. I’ve got my suspicions about what’s got him acting like a giant alphahole, but I want to hear him say it. And I’m not afraid to push hard to get him to confess.

“Are you gonna tell us what the hell your problem is, Dr. Slate?” My tone is quiet, but demanding. “Because I think I speak for all of us when I say that no one—especially not a stuck up alphahole like you—is going to keep us from our mate.”

Roman crosses his arms and looks back over his shoulder at Cora.

I’m shocked he’s not arguing with me or telling me it’s unprofessional. That I should keep it in my pants until the dig is over. But he just stands there, staring at Cora.

“You gonna answer the man?” Jax asks. “‘Cause he’s right. You gotta lose the stick up your ass. I got plans to do a lot more with my mate than I did this afternoon. And unless we get out of here tonight, you’ll be getting another show. No way my dick’s gonna last another twenty-four hours.”

Roman swings his head to glare at Jax like he wants to kill him, but he keeps his lips pinched shut.

Ever the mediator, Archer tries to prod Roman more gently. “Seriously, I know this is a weird situation so emotions are running high, but are you okay, Roman?”

“Not really.” The professor surprises me with his soft, direct reply, his shoulders dropping along with his gaze. “I’m sorry. You all are mates and—” his voice breaks, surprising me even more.

Shit, I knew scent matches were a sensitive subject for him, but never expected the prof to get this emotional over it.

Roman clears his throat. “We’ve been in close quarters for weeks, and now we’re trapped in a dangerous situation. And… um…”

It’s exactly what I thought. “You like Cora.”

He doesn’t respond.

Shit, this has got to feel like all his worst fears coming true. He told me about his brother and how much he wanted to avoid being in that same position, but now someone he cares about has found her scent matches before he even had a chance with her.

“Of course he fucking likes Cora,” Jax scoffs. “Is that really news to you all?”

“It’s kinda news to me .” Roman sinks down onto a rock like he can’t hold himself up anymore.

“We’ve already established you’re an emotionally stunted alphahole.” There’s amusement in Jax’s voice as he taps Roman’s foot with his. “It’s pretty fucking obvious you’ve got a massive crush on our pretty little omega.”

Roman rubs the back of his neck. “I’ll get it under control. I know…” He pauses and swallows. “I know she’s yours, and I’m gonna have to…”

Jax laughs and rolls his eyes. “And you all are supposed to be the smart ones.” He stands up and brushes the dust from his jeans, a fruitless effort considering where we are and where we’re about to sleep. “News flash, professor, she wants you, too.”

With that he walks off, laying down next to Cora.

“She doesn’t,” Roman says softly, shaking his head .

“I don’t know.” Archer studies Roman. “Jax is…” He pauses like he’s searching for a diplomatic word.

“Eccentric.” I help him out.

“Yeah, lets go with that. But he’s also oddly intuitive, and I kind of think he might be right.”

“She doesn’t want me,” Roman’s protest is stronger now. “How could she? I’ve been a total ass.”

“Yeah, you have. And she deserves better.” I stand up, pulling Archer with me. “So step up. Or back off.”

Roman’s gaze follows Archer and me back to the fire where we lay down next to Cora. I can understand his hang ups, but I really hope he can get over them, at least while we’re down here. I have a feeling we’re gonna need to work together if we want to get out of this place alive.