Page 127 of Mark & Don't Tell

But even as their warmth and scent and praise surround me, doubt still slithers through my veins like ice.

I never thought of myself as needy.

That was before I met my scent matches.

That was before my heat.

I know why they were hesitant to mark me. Logically, it makes sense. But my heart doesn’t listen to logic, and as much as I try to drown out the voices, I can’t help wondering if I’ve fallen too hard and fast once again.

Forty-Five

DARIA

The guys have been extra sweet with me in the days since my heat. They cleaned the nest. They kiss me every chance they get. They feed me. Hug me. Touch me. They’re so amazing, but doubt has my heart in its taloned claws, like one wrong move could rip the organ from my chest and leave me a hollow shell.

I hate that.

I hate that, when they smile, I brace for disappointment.

So, out of habit, I start to shield myself, building a barrier to protect my heart from the fallout.

I know they sense what I’m doing, but for a few days, they don’t call me on it.

We’re in the middle of dinner when everything breaks. I’m pushing food around my plate. Kai and Lincoln are talking about work, their eyes straying to me every once in a while. The heat of their attention has my cheeks burning. I smile, but it’s not real.

It’s fake.

As fake as my tone when Vic asks me what’s wrong. “Nothing.”

He heaves out a breath. “Little doe.” The nickname is growled, and I stiffen at the undercurrent of sheer frustration.

My eyes lift from my plate to meet his.

A hard line cuts between his eyebrows, and his eyes flash with anger. “No me mientas,” he says, then translates. “Don’t lie to me.”

“I—”

Vic’s eyes narrow even further, cutting me off. “You’ve been acting weird since your heat.” He glances at Kai and Lincoln, who’ve fallen silent to listen to our conversation. “You’re still mad.”

“I’m not mad.” And that’s the truth.

“Sad, then,” he says, shaking his head. “You still doubt us?”

“No. Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. I...” I trail off and shake my head. “I’m being dumb.”

“Don’t talk about my mate like that,” Kai says.

My eyes fall to my lap.

“Bunny,” Linc coaxes. “I’m sorry we didn’t mark you, but you have to know we’re all in. We moved you into our house.”

I nod. These are all things I’ve told myself. But my instincts don’t care. “I know.”

“And yet you still pull away?” Kai prods.

Biting my cheek, I glance at him, hating the confusion.

“Maybe you need to be punished, hmm?” Vic begins. “Maybe our omega needs to realize how serious we are.”

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