Page 29 of Omega's Breed

He understood how a run could arouse a powerful shifter. He wasn’t surprised that Finn hadn’t been able to wait until they were back in their room. And, he had no doubt that this one interlude wouldn’t be enough.

“No, thanks. I mean it sounds awesome, but we’ll need to head back soon, and then I have to take my turn at the perimeter. Deirdre and the gammas have been covering for me while we mated.”

Will turned enough to look at his mate. “Is there trouble?”

Finn carded Will’s hair back. “Not really. The neighboring pack gets a little aggressive now and again. Nothing for you to worry about.”

“Okay.” That answer didn’t surprise him. Even if there were a serious threat, no beta would confide that kind of information to an omega. Guilt did niggle at him, however. “I’m sorry I’ve been keeping you from your duties.”

“Oh, baby.” Finn rolled him onto his back and kissed him silly for a few seconds. “Breeding you has been the best kind of duty. And, the most important one.”

Will gave a weak smile in response. What had he expected the guy to say, anyway? Will had been essentially forced on the beta. Of course he saw him as a duty, even though pleasure went along with it. This wasn’t some love match. If Will expected tender feelings from his mate, then he was a bigger ninny than Magnus had always accused him of being.

With another quick kiss, Finn pulled away, rolled onto his knees and helped Will do the same. “Sorry, baby, but we have to shift and go back.”

Seconds later, even before Will’s human mind processed the decision, they were both in wolf form. Finn trotted away, and Will followed, like the good omega that he was.

Later, Will woke from a deep sleep when Finn returned to their room after his stint guarding the compound. The darkness that greeted his half-open eyes told him that it was still the middle of the night. As his mate slid onto the pallet, Will instantly moved to present his ass for mounting. He knew this was what the beta would want after hours of his wolf running, except for the first time in his life, he didn’t cringe at the thought. Everything was different with Finn, including fucking. This wouldn’t hurt him, and although he was practically still asleep, he might find pleasure in it, as well. His only hope was that the beta wouldn’t demand the offered blowjob. Will felt too sleepy for something so active.

Finn surprised him, as he often did, by wrapping an arm around Will’s waist and tugging him into a spooning position. “No fucking,” he whispered. “Just sleeping.”

Really? Will could feel the hot length of cock pressing against his ass. At least part of his mate wanted him. Yet, the beta gave a deep sigh and settled against Will without another word. Soon, his rhythmic breathing confirmed that the guy had dropped off to sleep. Comforted by the sound and feel of his sleeping mate, Will slipped off with him.

****

Finn used his thumb to wipe the trickle of tears from his mate’s cheek. He hated seeing Will so upset, yet they had to make a decision about Annie. Even a few days of delay created greater risk. He’d given Will those days to think over what Andrea had told them, but he could see that the omega would keep putting the problem off out of fear. This is where being the boy’s dominant mate came into play. He needed to force the issue for the sake of their entire, new family.

Will sniffled loudly and rocked Annie in his arms. “It’s so hard!” He kept his tone low so as not to upset the pup, but his statement was no less fierce.

“I know.” He stroked both Will’s and Annie’s head. “We can’t wait any longer, though. It has to be now or never.”

Will gave him a heart-breaking look. “Can you please make the decision for me? I’m breeding and too emotional, and my stupid omega brain can’t handle something this important.”

Finn frowned back at him. “You are not stupid. Never say that again. And, it’s no wonder you’re being emotional. This is about your pup. Of course it’s upsetting. It’s upsetting me, too.”

“It is?” Will shook his head. “You’re a beta, and everyone knows that betas are smart and sensible. Besides,” he added with a flutter of his lashes. “Annie’s not your pup.”

Momentarily stunned by that observation, Finn pulled back and considered how he felt about it. On the one hand, he understood what Will meant—he hadn’t sired Annie and had only known her a short time. Still…

“She is my pup,” he declared. “I couldn’t love her any more even if I’d sired her. I want what’s best for her.”

“Which is what? Please, Finn, help me see my way clear.”

Gazing down at the omega’s pleading look, Finn nodded. “I think that the risk of changing her now is worth it. Annie has beta written all over her, but if she can never shift, she will always be an outsider within her pack. She won’t be able to truly participate in leadership because she won’t know what the other pack members go through. And, I expect she won’t be able to breed her own pups, either.”

He heaved a sigh. “She’ll grow to resent that we never tried to give her a normal shifter life. That’s my view.”

Will sniffed again. “You’re right. As frightened as I am about the outcome, I can’t deny her heritage. Can we do it now, please, before I change my mind?”

“Of course, baby. Let’s go find Andrea and Lorcan.”

As soon as they stepped out into the hall, though, a long, loud howl echoed throughout the longhouse. Finn put his arms around his mate and listened for the answering call, his stress rising when he heard it.

Will jerked. “Is that the sentries?”

“That was Deirdre and Liam. Strangers have entered our pack lands. Come on.”

Finn hustled his family into the great room, where the sigmas and other omegas had already started to gather along with their pups. The alpha strode in on the tail end of one group, carrying his mate and pup in his arms.

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