Heartsong (Green Creek 3)

Joe said, “I’ll help you. I should check on the Omegas too before we settle in for the night. Make sure we won’t have any more issues.” He followed Gordo up the stairs.

Ox didn’t say a word.

He was watching. Waiting.

Carter came next, though he was trying not to seem too eager. He told the wolf in my lap to move. The wolf ignored him. Carter tried to push him out of the way. The wolf growled at him without opening his eyes. Carter sighed and sat next to him on the floor. The wolf turned his head and pressed his nose against the side of Carter’s head. “Yeah, yeah,” he muttered. “I get it.”

Jessie sat next to Elizabeth.

Chris and Tanner hesitated. They looked at each other, having a conversation without saying anything out loud. They nodded at the same time. They crossed the line of silver, approaching me warily, like they thought I would lash out at them.

But they came anyway.

They breathed a sigh of relief as Carter pulled them down next to him.

“Finally,” Mark said. “Finally.” He walked over, shorts hanging low on his hips. He ran his hand over the top of my head before settling down against Jessie, laying his head on her shoulder.

Rico remained next to Ox, scowling at the floor.

Ox looked at him.

Rico sighed. “I hear you, alfa. Just… give me a moment, okay?”

Ox nodded.

Rico took a deep breath. He raised his head, looking directly at me. He said, “Robbie.”

“Yeah?” I asked, feeling overwhelmed. They were choosing me. After everything, they were choosing me. And even if Rico didn’t, it was at least a start.

“You better not steal the blankets like you used to do,” he said. “Cabrón. Always stealing blankets like you’re the only one who gets them.” He was still cursing me under his breath as he crossed the silver toward us. He didn’t come near me, but I thought it was enough.

And still Ox didn’t come.

For a moment I thought he wasn’t going to.

That it’d been too much.

That I’d been too much.

But he knew what was in my head. Of course he did. He said, “In a moment, Robbie, I promise.”

It wasn’t long before Gordo and Joe returned, arms full of blankets and pillows. They were careful not to let them drag in the silver, stepping over the broken line with exaggerated steps. Chris and Tanner were yawning as they took a blanket from Gordo, standing in order to lay it on the floor. Joe threw the pillows on top of it, and Mark and Jessie were the first to lie down on it. Gordo snorted as Mark raised a hand toward him. He pulled his shirt off, leaving him in only a white tank top and shorts. Mark sighed as he curled around Gordo, fingers trailing over the stump at the end of his arm.

The others settled, leaving space for those of us who remained.

Kelly stayed beside me on the cot.

Only then did Ox cross over. His steps were slow and measured. He never looked away from me.

He said, “I dreamed of this. All of us together again. And it hurt. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

I blinked rapidly.

He lay down next to Joe, kissed the side of his head.

“You ready?” Kelly whispered to me, though everyone could hear us.

I shook my head. “Just give me a moment.”