The shower was not in my plans this evening, but since I skipped it in favour of a bath when I got home, I decided to use it as an escape for Kash. His scent was all over the place and I had been doing my best not to react to some of it. A cold shower would be best for tonight. He was killing me.
Holding back the marking of my mate was hard enough, but the way his scent changed when I answered the door. Man, even his cute face when he could not look away. As if I would miss him eating me up with his eyes. I groaned. Why did my mate have to be so damn sexy without knowing it?
My shower was much longer than I expected since I was unable to stop thinking of his intense scent. Kash was causing me to react like a damn hormonal teenager. Part of me hoped he went back to the couch, but my possessive side had other hopes. What I did not expect was the sight I would get walking back into my room.
The blankets did not get moved. The whole pile was right beside my bed where I tossed them. Inside the blankets was Kash, curled up and sleeping deeply. His one blanket was over top of his little nest but the one I gifted him, was bundled up against his chest. Without even being around when he curled up, I knew he used the scent of the blanket to sleep with. I was bursting with Alpha pride.
There was no way to control my pheromones this round. My increase in scent had Zion awake and mind linking me. 'Boss you good?' Chuckling at his concern I took a few seconds to respond. He took this as not okay and came to my room. "Boss, why are you standing in your doorway?"
A small growl escaped at his intrusion but I stepped aside. He was not a threat. "I did not know you were still up. Kash had trouble sleeping so I told him to make his own space. I did not expect this to be what I saw when I got back."
Zion sucked in his breath. "This is a good thing. I am glad you picked the Luna's room for him now. Umm, boss why do you look like you just came from the shower?" Zion missed nothing.
"Ugh, don't ask. Kash is driving me crazy in so many ways. These two weeks will be a huge test of my patience." Just shaking my head with the thought of him so close. "I forsee many cold showers in the future."
Zion burst out laughing causing Kash to stir. He dodged my hand and chuckled some more. "Boss, he sure has you wrapped around his little finger. Or is it his waist? Not sure."
"Laugh it up." I sighed. "I am going to sleep. We leave at first light."
Kicking Zion out I crept into my room. Thank goodness the door was quiet as I closed it. Light off I let my eyes adjust before stepping forward. No need to accidently step on him now. As I was crawling in, I could hear Kash speak quietly in his sleep.
"Stupid Royal..."
Biting down a laugh, I curled up near the edge of my bed while gently scenting the room with safety.
The next day we all woke at a good time and got ready to head out. I noticed Kash looking a little lost and tried to bring him into the thick of it. "Kash? Can you help Zion with the bags? I will call Jace and let him know we are gone so he can send cleaners."
"Sure I can do that. Where is Zion?" Kash had been keeping distance from me since he woke this morning. It was as though we took another five steps back from where we were.
"Is everything alright there Kash?" Doc stepped in and wrapped his arm around his shoulders. I had trouble holding a growl in. Doc seemed to know and smiled looking back at me. "I can take you to Zion. He has all the bags at the car already."
"So, I would not be much help then?" The expression of defeat was written all over his face. Soon it turned to anger. "This is fucking stupid." He tossed Doc's arm off and stormed out to where Zion was.
"Well that was a little emotional." Doc looked back at me. "You never asked when his heat was due did you?"
Shaking my head, I let out a little cough. "No. It was not really brought up. He had issues sleeping last night after we shut things down."
Doc put his hands on his hips and faced me. "You need to understand that a small conversation that is uncomfortable is much better than not being prepared." Soon he dropped his hands. "I might not be his doctor, or know much about him medically. However, I know signs of a heat. His behaviour screams preheat. All that is missing is the need to nest."
I stopped in my tracks. "Need to nest? Is that not a normal thing, no heat needed?"
"Well of course it is. To have a safe place to rest. But the absolute need to nest is different. Especially with an Omega that feels misplaced. He will go through panic attacks if he is not ready." Doc was looking out the window watching Kash helping Zion.
"Last night he said he woke with a feeling of unsafe. That could be a sign? I thought it was because he never has been away from home." This brought an urgency to have the talk with Kash soon. "I will talk to him on the flight. Make sure I have an area set up he feels safe in."
"About time." Doc then chuckled. "Zion told me he nested beside your bed last night."
"Zion tells the truth. Honestly, I never expected him to stay in the room when I explained how he could feel safer." The event made me smile. I wished I took the chance and snapped a picture.
"I am taking vacation when Kash accepts you and your bond. There will be no sleep in the palace!" Doc turned around and headed back towards the kitchen. "By the way. His reaction last night was a little more than a heat coming. It was him allowing his Omega instincts to take over, which allowed him to accept more of the bond. Even if it was subconsciously."
"I would rather it be conscious level. That way he knows it is his own choice." Sighing I went to grab my phone when I heard Kash yelling at someone outside.
"This is my life. You do not get to choose for me anymore. You have lost all my respect right now." As I walked outside, I could see Alpha Dax standing beside Kash and Zion off to the side ready to intervene if he was needed. "You have hidden things from me my whole life. You have expected me to obey without question, which I did like an idiot."
"You are a member of this pack. The choice of allowing you to leave is mine alone. This is all from a childish temper tantrum and you will stay." Alpha Dax was so sure of himself it angered me. "Beside, your heat is due soon. Your behaviour suggests to me that you should be setting up your little cell."
Kash's face went beet red with his father's statement in front of everyone. It was worse when he turned my way and noticed I was watching. Even from my distance, I could see him holding in tears. I took the chance and stepped in. Zion moved from his position seeing me come over. Now closer to Kash with his eyes on me waiting for my order.
"Alpha Dax. Can I ask why you are here preventing us from heading out? I was under the impression that we still have to come back in just under two weeks. As you know I am a very busy man and time is very costly." Without a second thought I used my pheromones to put him in place. "Kash is more than just a guest. Am I to assume you are going to deny my mate from visiting?"
His father actually had the balls to scoff at my remark. "He has not agreed or accepted the bond. It would be better if he stays here. Would it not be improper for an unmated omega to travel with Alphas near his heat? What would the other's say?"
Kash went pale. He looked at me for a few while I held my anger in. Then he turned to Zion before I could see his expression. "Just put the bags in my fathers car."
"Alpha Atlas, would you mind if I stayed behind and cared for him in your place?" Doc had now stepped in. "Since he is choosing to stay to keep peace, it is the least I can do."
"What do you mean choosing? It was not a fucking choice! It never is with him. He is my Alpha not just father. His order is absolute." Tears of frustration now escaped. "Trust me, if I had a choice, it would not be to stay."
"Then don't" I was smiling now. "You are better than this. Take a stand if you want to come with us, then do it."
Kash looked at me like I was stupid. "How?"
Zion put his hand on Kash while looking at Alpha Dax. "Just tell him no."
Alpha Dax was no long smiling. "He can't."
Kash looked back towards me and seemed to come to a decision. He turned back towards his father. "Alpha Dax. You no longer have control over me. I will be joining Alpha Atlas. See you in two weeks." I saw a small shudder as he turned away, but his pheromones came across like an Alpha. His royalty being used for the first time, and it was for his freedom. I was proud of him.
"Alpha Dax. When we return, I expect you to have all your reasons behind the hiding of Kash ready for me to go over. It had better be satisfactory to not just myself, but Kash."
"Of course. I look forward to your visit." He turned tail and ran. I could not believe this. Turning to Kash I smiled. "Has he always been like this?"
He only shook his head. "Never."
"Would you mind if I have my team looking into it? I am concerned he is under threat and feels he has no way out without you. For your safety, and this pack, I offer this to you." Kash was quiet as he watched his father drive off.
When he turned to me, I never expected the smile I would receive. "I would like that very much. Though I no longer see him as a father, I am worried about Jace and the pack."
Damn he was sexy like this. I was going to need another cold shower. Then it hit me. His pheromones were calling to me. Ugh, how could I be so stupid. "Uhh, Kash, lets get going. We have a long drive after the flight."
Doc and Zion were laughing. The bastards already knew