That immediately has everyone’s attention.
“Erin just called.”
Grayson drops the piece of cheese he’d been about to eat, his fingers going slack as he sinks back down onto his butt.
“Spit it out. You’re making me nervous,” Rowan grumps, shifting to his knees and squeezing between Finn and Nix’s legs. He tugs at the blanket wrapped around Nix, trying to unwind him. Nix must not mind the manhandling as he doesn’t push him away or even look annoyed. Instead, he simply stands, making it easier.
Finn stands as well so he can see his whole pack when he delivers the unexpected news. “She wants us in the mountains in three days and said that Hayes is getting antsy. The court found an ancient venue. We just needto confirm we can make it.”
“No, that’s crazy,” Grayson says, shaking his head. “He just had a heat. They can’t expect him to be ready.”
It’s what Finn had been thinking—not that it mattered. “They’re not willing to be flexible.”
He’s only got eyes for Nix, whose face shuts down. Maybe the immediacy of the decision has set in for him, too.
Gideon puts his chicken on the table and begins pacing the room while Leo stands nearby, arms crossed over his massive chest. Jay puts a hand on Grayson’s neck. Their scents combine, making the whole place stink of anxious alpha, but at least no one is angry.
“Leo, how are we getting there in just three days?” Jay always leaves the logistics of travel for the pack to Leo. He’s the most experienced traveler, having seen parts of the world the rest can only imagine.
“I think we can get that private charter we used when we flew out to Atlanta last fall. You know the one?” Leo says.
Finn had only heard good things about the flight company. LRH always worried about their carbon footprint as much as possible, but the private plane had been a lifesaver when Grayson’s rut made them late for a concert date.
Jay nods absentmindedly. “Yeah, there’s no way we can travel commercially, and driving is out of the question. Will you handle it this morning, then? We can fly out later today if we can get them on board.”
Leo palms his phone and dials, not taking his eyes off Gideon, who hasn’t stopped his agitated pacing.
Everyone jerks when Grayson slams a palm on the coffee table, his eyes flashing red before shifting back to blue as the enigma wrestles his wolf back under control. He probably doesn’t like the idea of Jay being the only final decision-maker.
“I am going on record as saying this is bad timing. It feels off to me, and we’re giving that bastard what he wants. Nix needs another week—at least.”
Nix lets Rowan unwrap him bit by bit from the heavy blanket burrito.
“Nix?” Finn asks. “What are you thinking?”
“Let’s get it over with, yeah?” Nix looks at Jay. “I’m ready. My heat wasn’t even that long—it was your very outstanding rut that made it three days, Jamie.”
He doesn’t ask anyone’s opinion, and he doesn’t apologize. The time has passed for any of that, and everyone has already had their say.
“I feel really good, and I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
The others seem to let that sink in, focused on their thoughts—all except Rowan, who finally has their omega unwrapped all the way and wedges his nose in Nix’s groin.
Nix giggles, despite the somber mood, and pets his head.
“Rowan, what in the fuck are you doing?” Jay asks, placing his hand on Rowan’s shoulder—only for Rowan to snap his teeth and growl, making Jay jump back.
“Whoa. Hey.”
It hits Finn like a runaway train just as Luca’s eyes widen. Throwing off his blanket, nearly tripping onto the coffee table (and almost taking the tray of snacks with him), the beta approaches Rowan slowly.
“Hey, big alpha. Can I smell, too?”
Rowan looks like he might decline, but in the end, he nods. He doesn’t back out of the way—only leans to the side so Luca can lean in.
“Guys, come on. This feels weird,” Nix whines, cheeks pink.
Luca smiles encouragingly, breathing deeply as he sticks his nose under their omega’s belly button. It must be good because his eyes roll back, and he groans.
