Page 33 of Scent of Sanctuary
Ambrose’s gaze narrows at me, confusion warring with distrust. “Yeah, why?”
“Because he called me that morning. I didn’t remember until just now because it wasn’t important compared to everything else.”
“Jonah called you from the station?” Lyle asks, the rumble of his growl hitting the edge of his words.
It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one uneasy about him. I drag my phone out and scroll through my call log to get to the unknown number. “He called my phone and said we should all get together at some point.” I show them the call log. “I thought it was weird and he doesn’t know I haven’t stepped outside, but he was Felix’s friend, so I was nice.”
Callum returns to the kitchen, parking his ass on the barstool. “Sweetheart, I don’t think he’s the same Jonah that left. Chief mentioned Jonah’s been mixed up in some shit, and no doubt he’s looking for somewhere to land. I can’t tell you what to do, but I’d prefer you not to pick up if he calls again.”
Relief washes over me, and I nod, opening my contacts to add Jonah’s number, just to avoid answering by mistake. My breath catches as I see three missed calls from him, each less than a second, as if he called and hung up immediately. I don’t remember getting any notifications, though. “He called me a few times after the fire. I don’t know. It feels weird. I feel for him because he lost Felix too, but I…”
“You don’t have to like him, sweetheart.”
I let out a shaky laugh, the tension easing in my chest. “Good, now what’s for dinner?” I need a change of subject from all of this heavy stuff even if I want to gather up all of Felix’s things and drag them into Ambrose’s room for safekeeping, right next to all of the trinkets Ambrose bought for me. My Alphas catch on, each of them springing into action.
Ambrose starts by picking up two of the boxes, Lyle following as Callum helps me to my feet. “How about tacos? We’ve got that spicy beef you like.”
I hum, definitely in the mood for that. “Only if you don’t hog all the hot sauce this time. Otherwise, I’m putting mangos on yours.”
Callum lets out a playful grunt. “Fi, mango does not go on tacos. Ever.Ever.”
“Yes, they do and I still think you’re weird for not eating them. One day, I’m going to make you see that they’re delicious. Felix liked them. Why can’t you?”
“You wound me, sweetheart but I’m still not eating them.”
Ambrose calls from the bedroom. “I’ll eat whatever you make, angel.”
“Me too!” Lyle calls out and I just wiggle my eyebrows, Callum shaking his head as he moves toward the fridge.
“Anything but mangoes.”
“So, Brussel Sprouts?”
“I’m putting you in fucking timeout, sweetheart.”
Seraphina
Thefirstdaybackat work is both terrifying and a comfort I didn’t know I needed. Everyone from the station called to welcome me back, including Jonah but now I’m trying to focus, curled up in the small chair Lyle bought for me so that I could feel comfortable during my shift. I snort at Lyle sprawled out like a starfish on his back on Ambrose’s bed, his light snores and soft scent adding to the calm of my morning.
I’ve only had to answer the phone about a missing cat and another about a welfare check. Leaning back in my chair, I wait for something to happen, startled when my cell rings with a video call from Ambrose.
“Look at this guy,” Ambrose muses, panning the camera to Callum, who’s holding up a purple shirt, his eyes rolling. “I told him he looks good in purple, but he’s telling me no.”
It’s a deep shade of violet, bringing out the golden tones in his dark skin but there’s justoneproblem that has me laughing. “Ambrose, you know I don’t like purple.”
Callum’s chuckles, setting the shirt back on the rack. “See? I told you! Our Omega doesn’t like purple, and you keep trying to put me in it.”
Ambrose groans. “Be nice to me or I’ll have Seraphina feed you mangoes. Hey, Angel, when are you cooking us dinner? Lyle threatened to make something recently.”
More laughter spills out and I giggle, in response. “If you bring groceries, I’ll do it tonight.”
“Sold!”
Ambrose and Callum start bickering over the next color as I wish them all the luck in the world. Ambrose promises to bring me something sweet as Callum yells that’s not fair. I hang up, settling back in my chair to finish up my sheet. Noon can’t come fast enough as I clock out and finally let myself breath amidst the heat growing in my belly.
A sharp pain tears through me, the cramp threatening to drag me onto the floor. My first thought is to burrow myself in my nest until I feel the familiar feeling of click coating my panties and soaking into my leggings. I grip the armrests as my hips rock forward, the sudden need for friction growing.
I nearly scream when a voice cuts through my mild panic. “Come here and take what you need, baby girl.”
