“More!” she pleaded, but I continued at my steady pace. I didn’t have the rush of impatience that alphas often did, and I wanted her to know I was in no hurry to get this over with. I wanted to spend hours on her, keeping her in a heightened state of arousal, making her whole day about feeling good. Her little whimpers made me satisfied, yet she reached again for my cock, gripping it through my sweatpants. “I want!” She cried, and I moved my fingers faster.

“You’ll have it soon enough, omega. Just let me do this for you. I want you to focus on receiving.” She nodded and bit her lip as I kissed her neck, moving my fingers even faster now as I held her with my other arm. She clutched at me as I watched her, enjoying the perfect view. She deserved to not have to worry about anyone else’s needs. When she looked at me, I kept her gaze while I slowly pushed her toward orgasm. I built it up slowly, enjoying hearing her breath grow faster and her squirming become uncontrollable. Finally, she started letting go, and her moans grew louder as I pushed her over the edge. Slick ran out of her, marking the blankets and cushion with her candied lemon and clover blossom scent. It took a while for her to ride it out, but when she did, she became limp in my arms, her eyes sated and wondrous as she looked at me.

“Sweet Bella.” Her arms were holding onto me as I rolled us so she could lay her head on my chest. “I think we successfully christened your nest.” I couldn't contain my smile as I felt her giggle against me.

“My first real nest!” It sounded like she was talking more to herself than to me. I ran my hand over her head, stroking her hair while she absorbed her new space. I made a silent promise to myself that I would make this upcoming heat the best one of her life.

Chapter 36

Bella

I felt like I was floating in heaven. The room was absolutely perfect, and I had just been worshiped and pleased by the most attractive beta in the world. Looking at him now, it was like he became even hotter. He was resting next to me on the cushions, his toned arm thrown behind his head as he stretched out next to me. His dark skin had a sheen of sweat that accentuated his muscles, and he looked completely satisfied even though it was me who had the orgasm. His eyes were glazed and his hair was messy, and I couldn’t wait to see what it was like to have my heat with him.

“How are you feeling, Bella?” He asked, turning toward me and resting on his arm. I turned on my side, facing him as we lay on the soft nest.

“Honestly? Incredible.” I beamed at him and he looked like he won the jackpot.

“I’m at your service, anytime.” He reached out to run his hand down my shoulder again. It was like he couldn’t bear to not be physically touching me in some way.

“But Maddox? I have a question.” His dark eyes looked more serious as he heard my tone. “Kian doesn’t like me, does he?” Maddox started to sit up, reaching for me. I knew he would try to comfort me, but I wanted to know the truth. “Don’t try to sugarcoat it. If I’m staying here, I need to understand and stay out of his way. It’s his home, and I don’t want to bother him.” I already understood he likely wouldn’t participate in the heat.

Maddox curled me up to his chest. “Bella, there’s something you need to understand about Kian. He’s had an interesting life, and because of the way he lived, he doesn’t like to get attached to people that easily. Even with me, I almost walked away from him once.” I gasped at his admission. Maddox continued on. “Kian’s family wasn’t too loving. They were abusive, to put it mildly. He worried that by biting me into his pack he would put me in danger. Even spending time with me made him paranoid that someone would hurt me to get to him.” My brow knit in confusion. Was the Eastern Province really that bad? “But I love Kian. I told him that some things were worth risking. He didn’t agree, and I threatened to walk away. He almost lost me. But obviously, he came around.” Maddox ran his fingers over the silver bite mark on his neck. I reached out without thinking, touching the soft skin while Maddox shivered.

“Sorry!” I pulled my hand back to my chest. Maddox’s eyes opened, and he took a deep breath.

“Don’t be. It felt incredible.” His smile made me relax. “But long story short, Kian keeps people at a distance, even if it pains him to do so. Just give him some time.” I nodded, thinking about their pack.

“And the others?” Maddox grinned.

“Well, after me, we found Cy. By then Kian was a little more open. When Jameson finally arrived, the pull was instant. We knew we had to have him in our pack. And Kian wasn’t worried about them, they can more than take care of themselves.” I tried to imagine what went on in their lives that danger was so prevalent. “And what about you, Bella? Do you feel comfortable here? Is there anything else we can do before your heat arrives?” I thought hard. “Oh, you said your family might be worried about you? We can get them a message that you are safe, then reunite you when you are ready.” My heart plummeted. Of course he was already thinking about sending me back after my heat. I didn’t want to get too attached to them, even if I already felt like I belonged with them. Some part of me thought they wanted me just as much.

“Actually, I don't want them to worry. I don’t even know if they realize I didn’t return yet. I didn’t call them too often. If they know I’m here in the Eastern Province, they will just worry until I get back. Better not to cause them stress.” I should at least call Piper, but maybe she would freak out, too. And this was something I wanted for myself, something selfish for once. And to be honest, I’d never had deep conversations with any pack before. Most of them wanted to know basic information about me, then kind of tuned out. These guys were at least opening up to me, and I liked it. I reached for Maddox, running my hand down his chest. “Well, there is one thing I want.” His eyes sparkled and he leaned in.

“Whatever it is, say the word.”

“I could really go for some pizza right now.” Maddox chuckled and pulled me with him as he stood.

“That I can definitely get for you. Let’s go get you some food.”

Chapter 37

Kian

I knew when the pack had gathered me into the room back at the safe-house that I wasn’t going to win. I could have demanded that we deliver the omega somewhere safe, keep us all out of trouble, but I also knew that strong arming them would have caused resentment in the long run. So I allowed them to bring her to our home for her heat. But one thing they couldn't make me do was participate in it.

I tried to avoid being around the omega as much as possible. That meant working late, making excuses to stay at meetings longer, and coming home after midnight. But it didn’t stop me from smelling her perfume as it intermingled with my pack mates’ scents, making me ache with need and frustration. My room was furthest from hers, but it didn’t stop her scent from sneaking under the door, permeating my mind while I slept. My dreams were filled with the sweet fragrance of citrus and blossoms, and images of an omega on her knees as she looked up at me, her eyes big and wide as she took me in her mouth. In another moment, Maddox was there, laying underneath her as she spread her legs wider to sit on his face, already wet with her slick as he licked her. In my dream, Cy and Jameson’s scents were there too, and soon they were all involved, their hands reaching out to touch the omega as she readied herself for our knots.

I’d wake up with a raging hard on, cursing as I went to the bathroom to take care of it. Try as I might, I couldn’t get her out of my mind during my sleeping hours. It was hard enough to distract myself when I was awake. Even Maddox, who I’d normally turn to in a time of sexual frustration, was covered in her sweet scent. I’d had to cover my mouth and nose the last time I passed him, knowing from the smell that he’d been in between her legs already. The nesting room was the worst - it was already filled with the smell of her slick, and I knew that when she went into heat I would probably have to sleep in the guest casita out back in order not to go into a feral rut from the noises and knowledge of what was going on with my pack.

I let out a low growl as the warm water hit my back. The shower at least distracted me a bit from the tightness in my balls as I stroked my cock. The dream was so real, so erotic, that I held onto the memories of it as I ran my hand up and down my shaft. I’d never let anyone know just how attractive the idea of an omega - more specifically, that omega - was to me. My family life wasn’t a great model for how to run a pack. My dad was a philanderer who never bonded his omegas, never treated them like a true alpha should. I was wary to bring an innocent one into my life where she’d be at risk, especially with how small and emotional omegas could be. But just tonight, I’d let myself dream.

I imagined we were in her nest once again, looking down at her. But this time she had silvery bite marks all around her neck, and I could feel her desire through the bond she shared with us. In my dream she looked up at me and ran her hands along my thighs, her trust and love unconditional as she gave herself to us to care for. I imagined taking her, laying her down next to my pack mates and throwing her legs up over my shoulders, plunging deep into her as she held onto me, grabbing at me, desperate for more. In my fantasy, she takes me deeply and I knot her, keeping her close to me while she bites me with her little teeth, like she would every heat as she reclaimed me, letting me know she was happy to be with me. Happy to be with us.

I came, hot release marking the shower wall as my body shook from the fantasy. It had to stay a fantasy - I couldn’t risk having her here and putting everyone at risk. But just for tonight, I had to let my desperate desires win, so I could finally sleep.

Chapter 38

Bella