"You're okay," she breathes, touching his scarred face with zero hesitation. He buries his face in her shoulder, probably so she can't keep looking at him, and she nuzzles into his neck.
The sight makes my chest ache.
She used to flinch when any of us got near her.
Now look at her.
"Our turn. You've cuddled enough," I say, staggering over.
I need to touch her, to make sure she's real.
She lets me bury my face in her neck, drinking in that sweet honeysuckle scent. My hands shake as I pull her close, careful not to crush her smaller frame. To my shock, she melts into me, nuzzling under my jaw like a content little cat.
"You came for me," she murmurs.
"Always will, wildcat."
Plague and Thane crowd in too, all of us surrounding her, needing to reassure ourselves she's safe. For once, she doesn't bristle or try to escape the attention.
She just lets us scent her.
Touch her.
Hold her.
Something else is different about her, too. Can't put my finger on it at first as I drink in her scent, but then it hits me.
Her neck is bare.
The silver collar that marked her as property is gone. My hands shake as I trace the slightly paler strip of skin where itused to sit. She doesn't pull away, just tilts her head to give me better access.
Holy shit.
She's been free this whole time. Between Valek taking off with her and all this chaos, she's had a dozen chances to run.
But she's still here.
Shechoseus.
All that bullshit they fed us about omegas being mindless animals that need alpha dick to cure them... I already knew it was a fucking joke. If anything, it's the other way around.
Just look at Wraith. Ivy's pussy might as well be the Council College because bro's practically a scholar since he went there. Don't think I've ever seen him so calm and collected, especially right after a high-voltage battle.
I snort at the thought, earning a questioning look from Ivy. "Nothin', wildcat. Just thinking about how you've got Wraith tamed."
"Ah, yes. An omega's touch can tame any savage beast," Valek slurs from where he's propped against the wall, blood dripping steadily from his split lip. I kind of hate that we're on the same wavelength here. "How sweet. When is my turn?"
Wraith growls at him, low and dangerous, but Ivy rests her hand on his massive forearm and his frigid blue eyes soften instantly. Just melts at her fucking touch. Ivy gives him a sweet little smile before giving Valek a glare that would make any alpha shit bricks.
"Fuck you, asshole," she says flatly.
Valek's silver eyes glint with that manic light, but he looks a little less cracked out now. Better watch him if the meds and Plague's karate chop are wearing off. "Is that a promise?"
"If neutering you counts, sure," she shoots back.
Valek just grins. "Is that also a promise?"
I can't help but grin as Thane pulls Ivy closer, drinking in her sweet scent like a man dying of thirst. His big hands shake as they cup her face, thumbs brushing over her cheekbones with impossible gentleness.