Page 74 of Met Your Mate

"Forgot it."

I really want to scold her for that, but now's not the time, even if this is the exact fucking reason she should have it on her when she's not home.

"Okay, I need you to sit down while I go grab mine on the floor over there." My good omega doesn't complain as I settle her on the hard carpet and rush through the aisle.

Phone in hand, I slam to my knees in front of her. "I'm back. Calling Elliott now," I say while petting her bare arm, knowing she needs the contact.

"You-you left," she whimpers, stalling my heart when she looks up at me with tears in her eyes and a wobbly lip.

"Just to call for help. I'm not leaving you ever," I swear, and kiss her fiercely to get her damn pouty lip to stop breaking my heart.

Freya moans and tries to crawl into my lap.

Mood swings. She's been like this for days. How did we not fucking realize our omega was going into heat? We are so fucking stupid.

"Naughty omega," I growl and nip at her lip. Knowing she needs me right now, I settle her on my lap and tuck her close, even though she's an inferno.

Once situated, I lean back against the stack of books and hit Elliott's name on my phone. It rings a few times, stressing me out even more.

"Fuck, pick up, pick up!"

Freya giggles and mumbles how cute I am when I swear.

"Hush," I warn just as Elliott answers with, "What's wrong?!"

Swallowing my pride, I beg, "Please come get us. Like now. Freya's heat started."

There's shouting and doors slamming down the line before Elliott's voice rings through again. "Fuck, fuck, fuck! I should have known. She's been going nuts in the bond. I couldn't get a read on anything!"

"Hey," I coo. “It's nobody's fault. Now we know the signs. Just get here so we can take care of her as a pack, like we were always meant to."

"Casey doesn't know where my vagina is," Freya calls out.

I'm shocked she's coherent enough to be a little shit, and Elliott's silent for a moment. "What did she just say?" my alpha asks, humor lacing his tone while our omega shakes with laughter in my lap.

"Nothing," I grumble. "We're in aisle four surrounded by covers of sweaty abs."

"Be there in two," Elliott replies hanging up.

I swipe Freya's sweaty hair off her cheeks and give her a mock glare. "I think it's time we taught you what else that mouth can do besides get you into trouble, little omega."

Her lips pop open in the shape of an O, and all I can think about is stuffing it full while giving her plenty of Os herself.

Chapter Fifty-Six

FREYA

This can't be happening.

I can't blink away the pink haze clouding my vision, no matter how many times I blink or try to convince myself this isn't happening.

It's only been three weeks since we all moved in together. I'm not ready. I mean, for fuck’s sake, I'm not ready to pick out my own clothes. How am I supposed to be ready to move our relationship further?

It's dumb, I'm dumb. We have a bond, we're scent-matched mates, and I've had sex with two of my four mates. The other two helped me through my heat and gave me what I needed. None of that felt real, though. It was all under duress. Like severe duress.

I've begun fading in and out, completely missing the drive home and being carried into the house by Elliott. Clarity returned with a vengeance when I was placed in the nest off the pack bedroom.

Light purple drapes hang from the ceiling, creating the most beautiful cocoon around the sunken nest bed. The mattress is covered in my new silk sheet, with a couple of dark purple pillows decorating it. They look soft, but it's not enough.

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