Then he scowls at me. “Don’t.”
“What?” I grab a water bottle, screwing off the top and taking a drink. “It’s not my fault that Jokes…”
I’m hoping that Joker will fill in the gaps with whatever he’s supposedly done, which is bad enough that he thinks I’ll run from him. He clearly hasn’t discovered everythingI’vedone, if he thinks that I could be scared away.
“Stop,” Bird says sharply enough to make me spill the water. He never speaks like that. “We don’t know everything about yourpast, Honey. We worked out from your methods that you’re ex-military and that’s all. Ro is trying to get you to tell us. She is smart like that.”
“Little Bird,” I hiss, “you suck at interrogation techniques.”
“Ro,” Bird’s eyes gleam, “this is calledconversationwith our Beta. I know how you were raised. I can’t possibly understand how hard things were. But Joker has just been through his heatanda transition. He needs care right now, and I’m giving it to him. How about we just talk and get to know each other without…?”
“Tricks, interrogation, or torture?” When Joker tilts up his chin to meet my gaze, I notice the fine tremor running through him. Guilt churns in my stomach. Joker places his palm over his heart. “Scouts honor.”
I roll my eyes but hold the water to his lips.
Surprised, he studies me quizzically for a moment.
“It’s not poisoned,” I mutter. “Or a truth serum.”
Joker swigs on the water, before pulling back. “Now our Omega.”
Theouris pointed.
I hold the water to Bird’s lips and take pure satisfaction as he sips.
“It’s okay if you don’t have any feelings for me,” Joker says, quietly. “Everyone experiences things differently. I’ve dreamed about having an Omega in my bed. If you just want me to be the Beta with Omega rutting benefits, however, then I’m down with that.”
I’m shocked enough to pull the water back from Bird, spilling it down his chin.
Bird splutters. “Hey, throwing things at me is one thing. But how about we don’t add chucking water at me.”
“Throwing things?” Joker tightens his arm around Bird like I’m the threat in the bedroom. “No Omega abuse.”
“He likes it.” I absentmindedly brush the water off Bird’s chin. “Is that what you are for Phantom? Nothing but a Beta with rutting benefits?”
Hurt flashes across Joker’s face before he can hide it. “He bonded me.”
I want to bond you.
I manage to keep the words locked behind my teeth but only just.
Bird twists on Joker’s lap, kissing him hurriedly. “I’m sorry. We’re just trying to understand. We want you in our pack.”
“Do you?” Joker’s gaze slides past Bird to me.
I avoid it by busying myself with the bottle, sliding it back onto the metal tray.
Bird nods. “Ro said that you wereprettyand not like any Beta she’d met. She thinks that you’ve proved your loyalty and worth, which means a lot to her. Plus, she says that your scent?—”
Flushing, I cough loudly to stop Bird from spilling anything more embarrassing.
Joker is already looking too smug.
“My scent is delicious.” Joker appears far more relaxed, tossing his hair. “Aworthy, prettyBeta like me?—”
“Needs his ass spanking,” I growl.
“Are you offering?” Joker asks, eagerly.