Page 19 of Absolute Devotion

“’Mmm, day is it?”

I laugh at the jumbled words coming out of her mouth. “Monday, I believe.” I gather her up in my arms and sit her on the edge of the tub before standing and pulling the plug to drain the water. Nala is on the edge of sleep, her eyes half-lidded but I know she’ll sleep better after an actual shower. She allows me to pull her to her feet as I turn on the heated spray, our Omega leaning against my chest for support.

“I was okay?”

“You were perfect. 10/10 would do again.”

Laughter falls from her bruised lips. “Nobody says that, Xylo.”

“Got you to laugh, though, didn’t it? Let’s get you clean and then we can sleep longer. And yes, we’ll all be right there with you.”

I grab the bar of soap just as she says words no Omega should have to. “Thank you for staying.”

“I wouldn’t dream of leaving. None of us. Not because of your scent or anything else. And whatever demons you think you’re hiding, I can assure you they aren’t scary enough to run us off. We’re not leaving, Nala.”

nineteen

NALA

I’m raw and sore but couldn’t be happier in this little cocoon of space two days after my heat started. I’m pressed up against Montgomery, the Alpha wrapped around me, and Zahria who is behind me. I twist around to see Xylo sprawled across the edge of the nest and Bear suspiciously missing. Seeing them together wasn’t what I had expected and while I’ve been taught that Omegas are jealous, I loved seeing them love each other.

Even if Bear was blushing as Montgomery fucked him. I’m not sure who was more surprised at that moment—me or my Alpha.

“He’s fine,” Montgomery purrs in my ear. “Just making food. How are you feeling?”

“I hate that question.” I scrunch up my nose and press my face into his bare chest. Zahria scoots a little closer, kissing my neck, just above my gland. A shiver runs down my spine as I try to wriggle out from between them but Montgomery isn’t allowingme to escape without an answer. “Surprisingly okay. I don’t feel like I’m in heat anymore but my heats are never that short.”

Zahria chuckles as she sits up, running a hand through my hair. “Dr. Ashford said that your body was under a lot of stress, that your heat might manifest differently this time around. Your body is trying to find a new schedule but that will happen soon enough and we’ll be right here to help you through the next one.”

My cheeks heat at the thought of all this happening again as I lose myself to my Omega instincts and drag them all into my nest. Both of my mates catch on as they finally let me scramble from the nest and race to the door. A shirt hits me in the back of the head, Montgomery’s words following. “As much as I love seeing you like that, princess, unless you want a redo, you might want to put something on.”

Embarrassed, I slip it on and escape to the kitchen, Bear stealing me to place me on the kitchen counter. He steps in between my thighs, searching my expression before kissing me softly. “Didn’t think you would be awake, Nala but your color is back. You look better.” He caresses the side of my face, his thumb running across my lips. “Hungry? It’s almost dinner time but I was in the mood for breakfast.”

My stomach speaks first, gurgling as I take in the aroma of freshly toasted bread and a hint of cinnamon. Chocolate spreads through the air afterward as I search for the owner of the scent. Bear chuckles as he retrieves a pan from the stove and prepares a mug before handing it to me. I frown at a half-filled mug of chocolatey goodness until a small marshmallow pops to the top.

It’s like an explosion of snow, Bear filling the rest of the mug with the little marshmallows. “There’s colors?” I ask, excited at the pale blue, green, pink, and yellows. The addition of color to my chocolate makes me happy, almost as if my heat has given us a new beginning.

“I thought that might make you smile. They don’t have flavors, don’t worry. I would never ruin your drink like that.” Bear kisses my forehead and returns to making breakfast—a large spread of French toast and eggs. I happily sip my chocolate from where I am, chewing on the marshmallows as my other mates soon filter into the kitchen. Each of them dole out several kisses and light hugs, the mass of bare skin making my skin heat.

I’m too sore for a repeat but my Omega doesn’t seem to get the memo, each of my mates chuckling at my flushed skin and the way I’m holding my mug with a death grip. “Sorry,” I mumble.

Zahria snorts as she leans against the counter beside me, Xylo handing her a mug. She’s the only one wearing a shirt but I’d gamble there’s nothing under it. “Don’t apologize, Nala. Knowing that you want us the way we want you makes us happy. Sure, it might take a little to get there outside of your heat but we already told you that we’d wait a lifetime if that’s what you need.” She steals one of my hands and raises it to her lips for a quick kiss on my knuckles.

I focus on Montgomery whose gaze darts between me and Bear, the Zeta’s cheeks flushed just as mine are. I didn’t expect last night but I’d pay for a repeat. Watching my Alpha sink into Bear’s ass while he fucked me senseless is a fantasy I won’t soon forget. Zahria and Xylo stole me away seconds before Bear gave me his knot, knowing that I wasn’t ready for a three-way like that.

Soon though.Soon.

Montgomery starts mumbling something into Bear’s ear, a warm smile spreading across their lips as Bear leans into the Alpha’s chest. Bear hums a response and then glances over at me. “Are you okay with this, Nala?”

I choke on a sip of chocolate before swallowing and pressing my thighs together. My scent answers for me but they deserve an actual response. “Yes. I’d be okay if it happened again.” Bearpulls from Montgomery and pats my thigh. I can see the worry in his eyes because most Omegas want all of the focus but I like seeing that this is more than just me. It’s a family. “I like knowing that you have each other too. I’m okay with this.” I cover his hand with mine and then slide down from the counter. “I need to go get ready for work. Wait, what time is it?”

It's a wonder my heat happened over the weekend and only took over my Monday. God, I haven’t checked my phone or called my brother or—

Montgomery is suddenly in front of me, cupping my cheeks in his large hands, blocking out the rest of the world. I’m ready to protest when he just shakes his head. “It’s nearly six pm, Nala and the school is aware that you took the week for your heat.”

“But I don’t need a week!”

“That’s what you’re allowed and I’d feel more comfortable if you took a few days off, princess. However, if you really want to return, we aren’t here to tell you what to do.”

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