Page 17 of My Omega's Gift

“That’s for me to decide. Just tell me—do you have feelings for me?”

This was the point where the responsible omega wolf would have lied, where they’d have said they felt nothing. But I couldn’t. Instead, it came out in a whisper.

“Yes.”

He reached up and cupped my cheek as if it was perfectly normal and not a marred mess. “Then, that’s all that matters. My wolf recognizes you as his mate.”

“Mate? That’s not possible. I had a mate. He wasn’t my mate by choice, but—”

“He’s dead. He was not your fated mate, but you are mine. And I want you. I don’t want to pressure you—I know you’ve got a lot going on right now—but I want you to know where I stand. What does your wolf say?”

“It doesn’t matter. I can’t have you lose your pack. They’ll never accept me.”

“The history of my pack says otherwise. They will accept you, even if you weren’t my mate. That’s who we are. But evenif we got there and they decided you were the worst wolf in the entire universe—I simply do not care. I’ll take you and our family, and we’ll start our life elsewhere. Because my pack is with you. Always.”

Our family. He wasn’t just asking for me. He wanted the entire package deal: baby, scars, and all.

“What does your wolf say?” he asked again.

“That you’re mine.” It was faint, and the few times he tried to communicate it to me, I wasn’t quite sure it hadn’t been in my imagination, but he’d said it. “But I say it. You’re my mate.”

Before I could second-guess myself, his lips brushed sweetly against mine.

I was home.

Chapter Twelve

Kurt

We sang, Christmas carols on the little sound system, the warmth of the fire wrapping around us. I had my arm around Wade, the omega’s head resting on my shoulder.

“Dinner was so good,” I said. “That was really the first time you made lasagna?”

“The very first. My experience was limited to game stews and basic things like that, but I’ve always thought it would be fun to learn how to cook things like Italian and Chinese dishes.” He sighed. “Now I’m hungry again.”

“And tired, I’ll bet.” I brushed a kiss on his hair. “Why don’t you go get in bed, and I’ll bring you a tray.”

“What kind of stuff…oh my gosh. After that huge dinner, I shouldn’t be hungry.” He sat up straight. “Maybe I will just drink a glass of water.”

“Over my dead body.” I stood up and held out a hand. “Come on, omega. On your feet.” I helped him up and turned him toward the bedroom. “I’ll follow to tuck you in with cocoa and some cookies.”

“That sounds perfect except…”

I paused, halfway to the kitchenette. “Except what?”

“Except I hope you’ll bring enough for two.”

I wasn’t sure if he meant what I hoped he did. I wanted him desperately but would never make the first move after all he’d been through. “Omega, just to be clear, are you asking me to stay with you in the bedroom tonight?”

“Just to be clear, I am asking you to make love to me in that bed tonight.” He spoke bravely, but his cheeks bloomed with color. “And I never thought I’d want that with anyone. But I want you.”

I was at his side in a trice. “Are you sure?”

“Sure enough to say hold off on the cocoa and cookies for a while and come with me now.”

“How could I refuse you, omega?” I scooped him in my arms. “Let’s go see if that bed is as comfortable as it looks.”

“It is. You’ll never want to sleep on the floor again.”

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