Page 67 of Mercy & Her Devils

Lark reaches out, holding the stuffie by his frayed ear for a moment, before clutching him to his nose.

He breathes in deeply. “He smells of Kai.”

I gape at him. “What?”

Wow.

Now I have the image of a handsome brunette boy, running through the Scottish countryside and using his teddy to order everyone else in his village to kneel before their prince.

Lark gives me a funny look, when I can’t stifle my laugh.

“What kind of Alpha comforts an Omega with something scented by him like this?” Lark’s lips thin. “An Omega who he’s not even bonded to?”

“A liberal,” I mutter.

In the Saint pack, where I grew up, as well as the Ace pack, liberal is a dirty word.

But I’m learning that the way I was raised wasn’t right.

Another way is possible.

And I’m prepared to fight for it.

Lark looks thoughtful. “He’s a criminal.”

“I’m a criminal, and you like me, don’t you?”

Lark’s gaze becomes half-hooded.

He twists and drops the stuffie off the bed. “This next part won’t be suitable for Prince Bear Behind’s eyes.”

He pulls open the drawer of the bedside table, scrabbling through the books and papers there with a frustrated hiss, before crowing in triumph.

“Ah, ha! I knew it.” He turns back to me, brandishing a condom. “No good host would set up a guest room without at least one. I may not have learned much but I know how to run a good household, and that includes condoms in bedside tables.”

“Teach me, wise master.”

“Cheeky.” He grabs me by the hip and firmly pulls me against his side.

My breath hitches, and instantly, I’m wet.

Lark’s expression becomes unexpectedly serious. “I adore you, Mercy.”

He claims my lips, dominating the kiss.

I feel happy and free.

I’m shivering with a lightness that I didn’t even know Omegas could feel.

Antonio saved me.

Kai took me in and built me this nest.

And Lark is offering me love and worship in his arms.

Once, I was alone.

But I’m not now.