Carnage Island (Reject Island)(76)

“It’s possible,” I say, sharing the photo with Volt. He grins in response, then goes back to sharpening his knives.

This is why having a jet is useful. Not only can we work while we travel, we can carry weapons with us.

We’ll be dropping Alpha Pan, Alpha Lance, and Alpha Mackin off in Richmond first. Then we’ll be heading to North Carolina to pay the Nantahala Pack a little visit.

Beta Lock will be with us, as well as a handful of Carnage Wolves that Alpha Duncan quietly sent our way after Caius brought him up to speed via a secure line.

It took some doing, what with Alpha Dirk’s clan overseeing telecommunications on the island.

But Alpha Duncan is the chief security expert for a reason.

Between Caius and Alpha Pan, they found a way to reach out.

And six more trusted wolves were able to join us before the jet took off.

They’re all eager for blood.

We debriefed them about Alpha Kin and our plan to take down Bryson. Their savage grins told me they’re ready.

They’re all helping Volt prepare the weapons, the hunger for blood a lethal kiss in the air.

My phone vibrates as Alpha Ebony sends me another text over the secure line we established.

D is working on setting up surveillance at the Senator’s house.

Your Omega is still fine.

The second message comes through while I’m reading the first, making my lips twitch.

She sends me another photo, this one of Clove yawning with a plate of food on her lap.

“Let me see,” Caius says, noting the grin on my face.

I show him and he smiles, too.

Volt just smirks in response.

More updates and photos continue to arrive as we make the trip to Richmond. Each one helps me relax a little more, especially the last few of Clove sleeping in the corner of the couch. She’s covered in my sheets, not from the den but from the bed we fucked in last night.

It’s not a nest. Not quite. But it’s close.

Volt and Caius both study the photo a little longer than the others, their eyes softening.

“You need to claim her,” Volt says, his voice gruff. “She’s ours, T. We’ll figure out the heir later.”

“I mentioned Clove to my dad earlier when I called him about Alpha Nick,” I admit. “He reminded me that there’s no timeline involved regarding my heir. And that Pack Alphas make the rules more than traditions.”

It wasn’t necessarily his way of blessing the union, just him being wise. A good father. An even better Alpha.

I look at the photo again and the sense of wrongness hits me again. “She should be here,” I admit. “And she would be if we’d bitten her.” I meet Volt’s dark gaze. “It’s my responsibility to make the best decision for our clan. But I’m struggling.”

“So let us help you,” he says. “That’s why we’re here.”

“He’s right.” Caius’s gray irises are highlighted by a rim of gleaming silver. “We understand your burden and need for an heir. But Clove isn’t a normal Carnage Wolf Omega. She’s been raised to process everything differently.”

“Just because she may be able to live with it, doesn’t make it right to produce an heir with another Omega,” I state flatly, irritated by the reminder of what she implied last night.

Caius snorts. “That’s not what I meant, T. I’m saying her heat process is unique. She’s only just met her wolf, it makes sense that there’s a delay. However, in regard to what you just said, is your wolf giving you any reason to doubt her ability to give you an heir? Is he hesitating at all?”

“No. He’s following his instincts and not considering potential repercussions for the future,” I reply.

Caius stares at me. “Maybe because he doesn’t sense any potential repercussions.”

“Mine certainly doesn’t,” Volt says, stealing my phone to type something to Alpha Ebony. I don’t even try to take it back. Not with that wicked blade beside him.

“Mine doesn’t either,” Caius says. “And while I may not need an heir, I certainly want one. Especially if it’s with Clove.”

“A pregnant Clove.” Volt sounds like he’s daydreaming. “Yes. Yes, I like that image.”

So do I, I think.

“You need to consider it, T..” Caius infuses a hint of steel in his tone, something that’s not all that customary for him unless he really wants to make a point. Which he clearly does now. “Consider that your wolf isn’t hesitating because he knows there’s nothing to worry about.”

My animal purrs in approval, making my chest ache at the need to release the sound. But I swallow it instead, much to his irritation.

“Hello, gorgeous,” Volt murmurs, my phone at his ear now. “I just wanted to say that I miss you.”

Caius and I share a glance, surprised by the softness in Volt’s tone. He’s usually amped up and ready to kill by now, but he appears to be completely relaxed.

“I miss you, too,” Clove says, my shifter senses allowing me to hear her loud and clear. “Are you being safe?”

“Always, sweetling.” Volt puts her on video chat so he can show her the plane and takes her on a tour.

“I’ve never seen him so smitten,” Caius tells me. “He usually just wants to break women and leave them.”