Chapter 71 The Fun Kind
[Nyx]
The way he said it—sharp, certain—made me pause. "What do you mean?"
"I mean—" He stopped, seemed to wrestle with something internally. "Just... be careful around her. Don't assume her recklessness is innocent."
"Why?" I studied his profile. "Did something happen?"
"Instinct," he said after a long moment. "Call it Gamma instinct. Something about her doesn't sit right."
I wanted to press further, but the set of his jaw told me he'd said all he was going to say. At least for now.
"His family doesn't know yet," Lysander continued, shifting the subject. "Not really. They'll receive official notification, but..."
"It's not the same as hearing it face-to-face," I finished softly. "Knowing someone cared enough to come personally."
"Damon will handle it," Lysander said. "As the host Alpha—especially since this happened during an event your sister organized—it's his responsibility. He'll probably travel to Silverpine territory personally to offer condolences."
I thought about that young man. Twenty-two years old. Maybe he'd had parents waiting for him to come home. A girlfriend who'd never see him again. Friends who'd expected him back from a ski trip.
Instead, he'd died alone in the cold and dark. Suffocated under tons of snow while we dug frantically for my sister.
"We should go with him," I said. "Moonblade had guests there too. We share the responsibility."
Lysander glanced at me, something warm flickering in his exhausted eyes. "After you've recovered. Three days minimum. Doctor's orders."
"Three days," I agreed. Then, softer: "That young man... he probably just came for a vacation. Probably laughed and joked with friends hours before... and then..."
"I know." Lysander's hand found mine, warm and solid. "I know."
We drove the rest of the way in contemplative silence, our hands linked between the seats.
The resort suite was spectacular—all warm wood and soft fabrics, with a massive stone fireplace already crackling. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the mountains, though the view carefully avoided the avalanche zone. A king-sized bed dominated one wall, looking impossibly inviting.
"Damon really went all out for the rescue team," I said, taking it in.
Lysander set down our bags—somehow he'd managed to get our things from wherever they'd been. "He takes care of his people. And ours, since we helped."
I sank onto the plush sofa, suddenly aware of how bone-deep tired I still was. Three years of barely using my wolf, then two intense transformations in less than twenty-four hours. My body was staging a revolt.
Lysander sat beside me, close enough that our thighs touched. "How do you feel? Really?"
"Better. Still tired, but better." I leaned my head against his shoulder, breathing in his scent. Pine and snow and something uniquely him. "Thank you. For staying. For... everything."
His arm came around me, pulling me closer. "Always."
We sat like that for a long moment, the fire crackling, the suite warm and safe. Then he shifted slightly.
"Oh, and Mia called yesterday. While you were in the hospital."
I lifted my head. "Mia called?"
"She was worried about you. Also needed to discuss some Eclipse matters—board meeting rescheduling, budget approvals, some partnership proposal."
My mind immediately shifted into work mode. "I should call her back. Set up times to review the—"
"Nyx." His voice was gentle but firm. "You're supposed to be resting."
"I can rest after I handle a few urgent—"
"No." He pulled me closer. "Three days minimum. That's what the doctor said. No work. No stress. Just recovery."
I wanted to argue. Really, I did. But lying here in his arms, warm and safe, with the soft morning light filtering through the windows...
"Fine," I conceded. "But after three days, I need to schedule meetings. Get caught up on everything I missed."
"After three days," he agreed. "But for now, we have time. Time to just... be here. Together."
"Three days of doing nothing." I traced the line of his jaw with one finger. "What are we supposed to do for three days?"
"The resort has amenities. Hot springs, spa services, hiking trails—"
"All of which sound incredibly boring."
His lips curved. "Does it?"
"Mmm." I let my hand drift down his chest. "I can think of better ways to spend three days."
"Such as?" His voice had dropped lower.
"Well..." I shifted closer, my leg sliding between his. "I was thinking we could explore what 'us' looks like when we're not dealing with corporate takeovers or avalanche rescues."
His hand slid to my hip, gripping carefully. "That sounds... interesting."
"Just interesting?" I rolled on top of him, straddling his hips. "I was hoping for something more enthusiastic."
His eyes darkened, amber going almost black. "Very interesting. Extremely interesting."
"Better." I leaned down, lips brushing his. "So here's what I'm thinking. Three days. No interruptions. No obligations. We figure out what we want from each other."
"I already know what I want." His hands tightened on my hips.
"Do you?" I rocked against him deliberately, feeling him harden beneath me. "Then tell me."
"You." The word came out rough. "However I can have you."
Heat pooled low in my stomach. "That's a dangerous thing to promise."
"I'm not afraid of danger." His eyes locked on mine. "Not when it comes to you."
"No?" My hands slid down his chest. "Maybe you should be."
"Why's that?"
I leaned in close, my lips at his ear. "Because right now, I'm thinking about all the ways I could make you beg."
His breath caught. "Nyx..."
"What?" I pulled back to meet his eyes, my expression innocent. "I'm just making conversation. Discussing how we might spend three days together."
"That's not conversation." His voice was strained. "That's torture."
"Is it?" I rolled my hips again. "You don't seem to be complaining."
"I'm not—fuck—I'm definitely not complaining."
"Good." My nails dragged lightly down his chest. "Because I have plans for you."
"What kind of plans?"
"The fun kind." I kissed him slowly, deeply, claiming. When I pulled back, his lips were swollen and his breathing ragged. "The kind where you do exactly what I tell you and—"