Page 40 of Welcome to Bone Town
“And how exactly do you know that?” Archer nearly growls. I’ve never heard a beta make a noise like that.
Bear turns the snake so we can see its head, then points to its nose. “You see the shape of its nose here? It's a soft curve, which indicates it’s a non-venomous species. Venomous snakes have pointed noses, it’s a quick way to tell them apart.”
“Damn, does that mean the professor over here will live? Shame.”
At Jax’s comment, I gape at him. “Why would you say that!?” My eyes narrow into a glare as I chastise him.
He lifts his hands in a placating gesture. “Sorry, love. Sometimes I say the inside thoughts out loud, you’ll have to get used to that.” I open my mouth to yell again, but he hurries on. “But!I’ll try not to wish death on any other pack members. Okay, little mate?”
Pack…members? I couldn't have heard him correctly. Or he just used the term because we’re all stuck here together. Yeah, that has to be it.
Pushing the odd statement from my mind, I close in on Roman. Once I’m standing in front of him, I gently take his arm and pull it out to look at the injury. Two even holes pierce his skin, a trickle of blood leaking from each one. Not enough to be concerned he’ll bleed out, but I don’t want to leave it unattended.
As if reading my mind, Jax takes out a bottle of water followed by a rolled up bandage. He hands it to me like a peace offering, then backs away.
Bear should be the one taking care of Roman, as our medic, but my heart is still beating a mile a minute, and I need to do this. I can’t even explain why. Omegas instinctively have the need to care for their alphas, but Roman isn’t mine. Meeting Roman’s gaze, he must see the question in my eyes because he nods, holding his arm out further to give me better access.
“I’m sorry,” I say softly. “This will probably hurt.” Roman lets out a hiss when the first drops of cold water hit his skin, but bites his lip and takes a deep breath tohide his pain. I don’t linger, simply rinsing the wound as best I can, then gently wrapping the bandage around his arm to keep it protected. It isn’t great, but it’ll have to do until we can get out of here.
Satisfied with my work, I lean back, but don’t leave him. Instead, I give Roman a quick peck on the cheek, muttering a soft, “I’m glad you’re okay,” before quickly stepping away.
35
The poor professor looks like he’s about ready to fall over in shock. His fingers brush the cheek Cora kissed, and I have to admit, I’m a little jealous. I pull Archer to my side and kiss his temple.
Jax picks the snake up off the ground.
“What are you doing with that?” Cora asks. Roman is still staring at her, mouth half hanging open, but she’s got all her attention fixed on the limp reptile.
Jax lifts it over his head like a trophy. “Dinner.”
Roman covers his mouth like he might gag, daze broken.
I chuckle. “It’s actually pretty good.”
“You’ve eaten snake before?” Cora asks.
I shrug. “Only once.”
Her expression makes it clear she’s waiting for an explanation.
“It isn’t some epic survival story or anything. You know how young alphas can be, always trying to one-upeach other on the manliness scale.” I shrug. “What was that show with Gear Brylls?Alpha Versus Wild! Anyway, in one episode he cooked up some snake, and the next day my buddy Sean caught one in the woods behind his house and dared us to try it.”
Roman rolls his eyes when I finish my story. Like he didn’t do a little posturing with his friends growing up.
“It’s not an uncommon food in some parts of the world,” Archer adds. “In fact, I read an article recently that argued it’s more sustainable and better for the planet than the meats we typically eat. High in protein. Low in saturated fat. And it doesn’t require a lot of resources to raise snakes.”
I kiss Archer’s temple again. He’s so cute when he’s being all knowledgeable about shit. Cora watches us with the slightest blush on her cheeks.
“See, dinner.” Winking at Archer, Jax slings the snake over his shoulder, then takes Cora’s hand.
“It can’t be dinner time already.” Roman looks at the fancy analog watch on his wrist, his brows drawing together as he shakes his head. “Shit, it’s after eight.”
My empty stomach rumbles, glad we’ll have something to eat. That, combined with all the exertion and adrenaline, and I’m sure we’re all feeling hungry and tired. Jax said he has some granola bars, but those will only last so long between five people. We need to use any natural resources we can in case we end up stuck down here for a while.
Snake is far from the worst thing I’ve ever eaten. It’s bland, but not bad. And that one is big enough to give us a semi decent meal.
Jax leads the way around the slight bend in the hall, toward the blue glow.
