Page 90 of Alpha Brock
Astrid
I’m sure Brock’s friends will be anxious to hear that he’s awake and well, but for right now, I want to keep him all to myself for a little while longer. I’ve been waiting all my life for my mate, so I feel like it’s okay to be a bit selfish… and besides, he isn’t exactly clamoring to leave this bed right now, either. Not when we’re both basking in the afterglow of our lovemaking and fresh markings. I can’t remember ever being this happy.
Brock holds me close and we both doze off, and by the time I wake again the sun has gone down. I lift my head to see that he’s already awake, just watching me. It would be creepy if it wasn’t for the unbridled adoration in his eyes.Swoon. What is it about a tough guy softening for you that’s just so damn irresistible?
When he sees that I’m awake, Brock angles his body toward me, running his hand down my side until it comes to rest on my hip. He doesn’t say anything, and he doesn’t have to, because the way he’s looking at me says it all. This man loves me. Cherishes me. Worships me. And I’m just so grateful we found each other.
The scar of the fresh mark I left on him stands out in contrast to his tan skin, and I reach out to trace my fingertips over it, smiling to myself.Mine. Brock’s mine and I’m his. The serum makes it so we’ll forever bear the scars of our marks to show the world that we belong to one another.
I trail my fingers up his neck, his jaw. To his eyebrow, which also bears a new scar. Brock was so close to death after the fight with Xavier that his shifter healing couldn’t keep up, and he now has scars that tell the tale. This small slash through his eyebrow, a deeper scar on his right shoulder, and another on the left side of his abdomen. I saw the scar on his eyebrow once before, in a vision.
Before he woke up, I examined all of them, obsessed over them. Wondered if they’d heal and fade or truly remain as scars. They’re still there, so evidently the latter. Is it odd that I find them really sexy? They’re a rugged reminder of how Brock will literally go to war to protect me. Again,swoon.
“I should probably stop hiding you in my room,” I murmur, my fingers dancing back down his jawline. I cup his face in my palm, staring into those gorgeous forest green eyes.
“Why?” he growls, his hand slipping from my hip to wrap behind me. He reaches down and squeezes one of my butt cheeks. “Who says we can’t hide out in here forever?”
I giggle, squirming in his grasp. “Well, your pack, for starters. Won’t they miss you?”
“Nah,” he scoffs. “Brent can handle it, the dude has always had alpha envy.” His eyes suddenly light up, a grin tugging at his lips. “Actually, on second thought, fuck that. The pack has a new Luna to celebrate.”
I can’t help but smile in response- as the daughter of an alpha, I always wondered if I’d have my own pack to run as Luna someday. Guess I will, after all.
“There’s your friends, too,” I breathe. “Every time I go downstairs they ask about you. We should probably put them out of their misery and let them know you’re okay.”
Brock raises his arms, stretching them over his head. My eyes drop to his chest as every muscle ripples and flexes with his stretch. “Fine,” he sighs, kicking the sheets down around his ankles. “Let’s go.”
We peel ourselves out of bed, deciding to grab a quick shower before we head downstairs. Which of course leads to shower sex because it’s me and Brock. I’m not sure whether it’s the mate bond or making up for lost time after being apart, but we can’t keep our damn hands off of each other. He’s obviously feeling a lot better, because he makes me come twice and fucks me so thoroughly that my legs are still a little wobbly by the time we’re clean and dressed and headed downstairs.
As soon as we round the corner to head to the large living room at the back of the packhouse, I can see that everyone’s already gathered there. There’s Cole and Sam, Cole’s advisors, Rico from IT, and the six-pack alphas and their mates. No doubt it’s for another strategy session- they’ve been nonstop since Xavier’s narrow escape the other night. I haven’t participated in them thus far since I’ve been by Brock’s side, but I’m sure that’s about to change in 3… 2…
“Hey, look who’s up!” Jax exclaims, springing to his feet as we enter the room. He rushes over to Brock, throwing an arm around him and slapping his back in a bro-hug. “Welcome back, buddy.”
Gray, Reid, and Theo also immediately get to their feet, coming to crowd around Brock, but it’s Fallon who pushes her way in for a hug next.
“So glad you’re okay,” she breathes, throwing her arms around Brock’s neck. I feel a little pang of jealousy- which is absurd, considering everything- but it’s hard not to, when a gorgeous girl who your man refers to as ‘Barbie Beast’ is pressed up against him.
Her own mate must feel the same way, because Gray wraps an arm around Fallon’s waist, pulling her away from Brock before stepping in for his own half-hug. “How you doin’, man?” he asks, clapping him on the back.
“I’m fine,” Brock grumbles, and though he sounds like his surly self, I can tell how happy he is to see his friends. The five of them are close like brothers and their energies seem to feed off of one another.
Reid gives Brock a hug next, and when it’s Theo’s turn, he hugs Brock a little longer than the others. I think he’s more sentimental than he lets on. When he steps back, Quinn and Brooke both take turns as Cole and Sam make their way over.
I find myself holding my breath as they approach Brock. My mate, my brother, and my ex… what could possibly go wrong? But to my surprise, Brock is actually the one who reaches for Sam’s hand first, shaking it.
“Glad to see you on your feet,” Sam says, giving a little nod.
“Thanks to you, I hear,” Brock responds. I might’ve mentioned how Sam jumped in after Brock lost consciousness- figured that it could only help the relationship between the two of them.
“Nah, you did all the heavy lifting,” Sam grins. “Thanks for getting our girl back. And congrats, by the way.” His eyes flicker down to my mark on Brock’s neck, then between the two of us.
Brock’s arm comes around my waist, pulling me into his side protectively. “Thanks,” he breathes, glancing down at me. His eyes are filled with so much pride and adoration that my heart feels as if it could burst.
“Looks like we’ve got a lot to talk about,” Cole says, stepping in and extending his hand to Brock. He takes it, shaking it firmly. “Welcome to the family,” Cole adds before tossing me a wink.
I always wondered if Cole would go all protective alpha big brother on my mate whenever I found him, but I guess this set of circumstances tempered any reaction he’d have. After all, now he knows how hard Brock will fight for me- and isn’t that what every big brother should want for his sister?
Brock gives him a nod, and something passes between the two of them in their gaze- I swear, these strong silent types just get each other.