A Night Away by Carrie Ann Ryan Read Free Book Online Page A

a talk, right?” He looked down at Finn, and Maddox could have sworn the little guy winked.
    “At eleven months, he can understand you, Maddox,” North chimed in, the ever-helpful doctor.
    “I would hope so,” Maddox grunted. “But the reason I’m here is because, between the Pack and this little guy, Mel and Kade can’t breathe. So I thought I’d try and talk a little sense into him. Whatever it takes.”
    A shadow passed over Ellie’s face and raw pain washed into the room. Maddox inwardly cursed. Her brother had used a different method of talking sense into her. Damn it. But he wouldn’t say anything. That wouldn’t do either of them any good.
    North cleared his throat, a scowl on his face. “Ellie and I were just stopping by on our way from dinner to see if you needed anything.”
    Anger swept through Maddox. He tried to gauge North’s emotions, but his twin had always been the best at shielding him.
    “We’re great. Nothing to worry about.”
    Ellie raised a brow and took Finn from Maddox’s arms. Their skin brushed, and he held back a growl.
    Her face didn’t betray her reaction, and she bent to inhale Finn’s baby scent.
    Maddox clenched his jaw and stepped toward her, his arms outstretched. “Go back to your date.” He bit out the last word. “I can handle Finn. Go.”
    Ellie frowned but gave Finn back. His nephew rested his head on Maddox’s shoulder, seeming to know that Maddox needed a hug. Though he wouldn’t have admitted that to anyone. Not even to himself.
    North led Ellie out of the room by placing his hand in the small of her back, and Maddox’s wolf growled. His wolf didn’t speak much. If ever. Maddox guessed it was just another way he was fucked up.
    He let out a breath and bounced Finn up and down in his arms.
    “Okay, we’re going to go get something to eat. Your job is to make sure it doesn’t land on me. Got it? I don’t care if you’re going to be my Alpha in the distant future; I’m the Omega. I win right now.”
    Finn gave him an amused expression, and Maddox scowled. Damn kid.
    He carried Finn into the kitchen and set him up in his highchair. Maddox fed him and ended up coated in strained peas and carrots. Apparently Finn didn’t like veggies too much. Well, he was a werewolf after all.
    He gave Finn a bath, ended up wet to the skin himself, then re-diapered him. Finally, he got a bottle of breast milk ready for Finn and fed him while sitting in the arm chair. Maddox looked down at the blue-eyed kid noisily sucking on the bottle.
    “How on earth do your parents do this every day?”
    Finn didn’t answer, and Maddox shook his head.
    “I can see why they needed a break.”
    Finn let go of the nipple and looked like he was about ready to cry again.
    “That’s not what I mean, Finn. You know they love you. I was just saying they needed some Mommy and Daddy time.”
    Finn reached up and traced the long, jagged scar on Maddox’s cheek. He froze. No one had touched it before. They were all too afraid. They’d deny it, but they couldn’t hide their emotions from him.
    Finn looked into his eyes and patted his cheek before blinking and letting his hand fall. He latched onto the bottle again and closed his eyes.
    What was that about?
    His body relaxed marginally, and Maddox patted Finn’s bottom and rocked him. Finn’s mouth went lax, and the nipple fell from his mouth, a little dribble of milk running down his chin. Maddox quickly cleaned him up, burped him, and held him close, liking the heavy weight in his arms.
    When Finn slept, his emotions were muted, sort of like in a dreamy haze. Maddox relished it. He could feel the whole Pack as it was. The frustration running through his father’s veins at the thought of the Centrals, the lust and love running through Reed’s body during Hannah’s…um…time, the contentment running through Kade, the happiness running through Jasper.
    The quiet despair and desperation running through Adam.  The fragile strength running