Page 80 of Heat Hesitation

"Wait a second, did you just bark at me?"

He chuckles darkly. "No. Your omega is just desperate to obey."

I resist the urge to growl because he's right and, much like my complicated start with the guys, I hate that I love it.

"Soon," he promises when he leans in close and takes a deep inhale.

"You said that last time," I remind him.

He grins back. "Feeling a little impatient? Are you saying you're ready for my cock? For my bite? For me to mark you and make you mine forever?"

“I… Uhh… yea—yes,” I stammer.

"Once I take you, omega, your entire world changes. I'm not like your other alphas. I've been giving you time to adapt to your new surroundings. But once I bond you to me, bite you, shove my massive cock in that tiny little omega pussy, and change you, I invade your soul. You're going to beg me, little omega, and I don't think you've been ready yet. Are you? Ready to present for all of your alphas? Trust us to use you and take care of you?"

My other three alphas are nearly blown, pupils dilated, I'm sure I'm the same. I'm panting, but Sully seems unaffected. The asshole leans down and kisses my cheek, then turns and walks out the door.

I let out a shaky breath. Enzo takes my hand; his is cold in mine, grip tight, like that was the single most intense and erotic thing anyone's ever said in our presence, and we're all just doing our best to hold our shit together. It's a heavy, loaded silence as we make our way to the OFA facility up in the mountains.

When we arrive and the valet takes the car away, tucked between Enzo and Asher, Sully turns and says, "Oh, and Omega? You look stunning."

I huff in frustration, but Theo just chuckles and slaps his packmate on the shoulder as we enter the gala. It's bright, in stark contrast to the warm evening. Scents are strong, and pheromones—our own and everyone else's—float around the room, permeating the air.

People stop and stare at us, but the guys close ranks around me, and I'm grateful. Even Sully is more friendly and relaxed after his display of alpha male dominance back at the house. It makes me wonder if this is a mask, this serious yet friendly guy act.

The guys hold onto me throughout the night. I dance with Theo, who laughs every time I step on his toes. We slow down the steps, and I have his undivided attention as he guides me through the dance: left foot back, then right, left foot glide forward, then right. Asher cuts in and lets us sway in place. He likely watched my pathetic attempts and decided I was best left to what I was better at than dancing—standing in place.

We get bored of the dance floor, tracking down Sully, who's talking with Dr. Rubens. I'm happy to see the old man; he's been growing on me. Last week, we met and compiled a list of the heat clinics that couldn't be vouched for—basically, any clinic that didn't have security or had outstanding reports of assaults against them. Rubens came to realize all the clinics at risk were further downtown and south, though I wasn't surprised. We were progressing, but it was like chipping away at an iceberg with a pick ax.

I saw Imogen from across the room. We made eye contact, and I inelegantly smiled and waved, but her response was tight. She was surrounded by her parents and, every time I looked over, a different pack, including the mayor's. From the impressions I gathered, the packs were courting her parents and vice versa, not Imogen, for all the interest she was giving them.

I couldn't understand why they wouldn't just let her be, to find her own pack in time. She's awesome. Sweet and kind, gentle and delicate. But a victim of her designation, all the same. I could see Imogen wanted more for herself than to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Some of us just want love. And family.

I turn and smile at Asher and Theo, who have me tucked between them.

"Where's Enzo?" I ask when I realize I haven't seen him in a few minutes.

"I think he went to the bathroom."

"Oh, that sounds like a good idea." I lean up and kiss Theo's cheek. "I'll be right back."

"We'll come with you." They've only taken a few steps when they catch the stern look on my face.

"We're at an omega gala. I am perfectly safe walking to the bathroom on my own, gentlemen."

"Of course you are, but—"

"No. I'll be back in thirty seconds unless there's a line. This is going to set a precedent for how our relationship goes. Maybe this is what Sully was talking about when he said I wasn't ready, but I don't think I'll ever be okay with you all escorting me 24/7. I'll be right back."

"Cupcake, I told you you weren't going anywhere without us in that dress," Theo reminds me.

"And I let you be all dominant because I wanted to buy the dress. Stay. Here."

I can see their resolve weakening. Neither wants a miserable omega. And I'm not right now, not at all. But who knows how I'd feel after years of them escorting me to the bathroom or to visit with a friend or to go anywhere by myself.

I turn to walk away when Asher says, "That's not what he meant, by the way."

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