Oliver glanced at Lucas—who was deep in conversation with another officer—then back at Blake. “But what if I’m not ready? I don’t… I haven’t managed anyone before. Can I still back out?”
Blake threw his head back and laughed. “What? You mean shit-loads more stress, no work life balance, and a fuck-ton more paperwork doesn’t sound appealing?”
Oliver grimaced and tapped the tip of his toe against the van step. “It’s not that, it’s managingpeople.”
Blake nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “Eh, yeah. Managing you has been a sodding nightmare. I won’t lie.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No. I’m trying to make sure good people get to where they’re needed.” He dropped his head so the others couldn’t hear. “You’re wasted as a DC in child protection. It’s about time you did something about it.”
Why did people keep saying that? As though he’d be procrastinating his whole fucking life. But then an impish grin spread across Oliver’s face as he thought about theotherpersonwho had offered to ‘support’ him through promotion—so long as he could be wrangled into submission by a mate.
Oliver dropped his head and whispered, “Did it piss the boss off?”
Blake chuckled. “Royally,” he whispered back. “Oh, and Oliver? Sort out your shit with Lucas. He’s been sulking for days, and Icannotbe managing this raidandyour personal drama.”
Oliver grimaced as he stepped back onto the van, the soles of his trainers squeaking on the rubberised floor. The bus stank of the previous occupants—no doubt public order officers that had slowly cooked in their riot gear. He remembered those days in uniform well, and not fondly. The camaraderie had been nice, andman, he missed driving everywhere with his lights and sirens going. But lugging around five stone worth of riot gear on match days was the stuff of nightmares. Not to mention the jock itch caused by the fire proof underwear.Shitit made his balls tingle just thinking about it.
Having no desire to speak to anyone else on the journey to Tintern-on-Wye, he shuffled to the back of the van and slumped into a seat near the window. Hopefully, he’d be able to catch up on some shut-eye during the forty-five-minute ride to the next town over, becausefuck, he was tired. The sudden and intense on-set of estrus had absolutely wrecked his body from top to toe, and he was regretting not taking a few more days off.
Perhaps he should go to the doctor—get some blood tests done, and his hormone levels checked because who knew what was going on with his body now? A few weeks ago, he’d been terrified by how his body reacted to Lucas, and all the sudden, unwanted changes. He’d felt alone, like a child wandering around in the dark, but now? Now the thought of losing what he had gained terrified him even more.
He wanted Lucas.Fuck,he wanted Lucas so badly it hurt.Letting out a long breath, he held his head in his hands. He’d made a real sodding mess of things.
“Late night, child protection?” A cheerful voice said.
Oliver looked up between his fingers as Sidney—the cock-sure Special Branch alpha from the dealership raid—slumped into the seat opposite.
“Something like that,” he replied, leaning back to look out the window.
“Same,” Sidney said, thumb brushing over the gun holster at his hip. “We had some crazy lady try to throw herself in the river. Absolutely off her tits on heroin.”
“Did you shoot her?” Oliver asked, only half joking because he knew how much firearms officers loved their toys.
“Nah, just stood on the riverbank with a water safety kit like an absolute lemon.”
The thought made Oliver laugh. “Did you shout, ‘releasing the floatation device?’”
Sidney chuckled, “Nah, more like ‘grab the floaty bit, you mad bitch!’”
“Wow. Such compassion,” Oliver drawled.
And he couldn’t help but notice just how differently Sidney was treating him—no more roaming eyes or suggestive remarks. He’d been present when Lucas unleashed the primal howl. Had it left that much of an impression?
The alpha’s face dropped as his gaze trailed upwards. Without a word, he stood and moved to the other side of the van, the smell of gun oil wafting after him. Oliver turned, vaguely aware of the van door sliding shut.
Lucas towered over him, one hand gripping the overhead handles, the other on the back of his seat. Oliver swallowed, sucking his lower lip. The alpha’s eyes darkened as they drifted to his mouth, then at the empty chair opposite.
“It’s free,” Oliver murmured, nervous energy twisting his gut.
As the van shuddered to life, some over-excited idiot sounded the bull horn, making him jump. Despite that, he did not break Lucas’ gaze as he watched the alpha slip into the seat. It was cramped and their legs touched, with Oliver’s knees pressed between Lucas’ massive thighs. The stab vest made the alpha look even larger than usual, and combined with the messy top knot, combat trousers and black boots he looked every inch the poster boy for Special Branch. Andshithis arms looked fucking delicious with the sleeves turned up on his black t-shirt.
“Have you slept?” Lucas asked, voice so deep it made the hairs on the back of Oliver’s neck stand on end.
“No,” he replied, running his tongue across his teeth.
Lucas huffed. “Have you eaten?”
