Page 8 of My Omega's Gift

We went back to eating, not saying much more.

Afterward, we threw out the disposable plates, put the jar of peanut butter on the counter and the butter back in the mini fridge, and looked at what was left. There was plenty of food, which was great because no part of me wanted to eat the protein bars in my backpack. I was grateful for them but wanted them to keep their position as backup.

“I’m gonna go now so you can sleep,” I said. “Thank you so much for this.”

He leaned his back against the counter in the least threatening position I’d ever seen from an alpha who was about to get bossy.

And was he ever about to get bossy.

“There’s a bed in there. You’ll be sleeping on it.” Not a question.

“No, this is your place.” He was the one paying for it, the one who’d booked it, the one who deserved it.

“It’s not mine more than yours. Theo made a mistake. You shouldn’t have to suffer over that.”

I wasn’t going to fight him too hard. This place was warm, and my wolf felt safe with the alpha. “Fine, but you get the bed. I’ll get the couch.”

“No, I don’t get the bed because I will sleep in my fur. Tonight, I’m probably sleeping by the fireplace because I love that. So your choice is to leave the bed empty or sleep in it. I prefer you sleep in it.”

“Okay.” If he really did sleep in his fur, it wasn’t like I was taking anything away from him. At least that was how I justified it to myself.

“But speaking of shifting, my wolf needs to run around for a while. He’s not used to being away from the pack. A hunt will do him good.” He paused. “When I come back, I’ll sleep in my fur by the fireplace.”

He really was vested in my sleeping in that bed.

“I promise not to bother you. But please, sleep in the bed.”

“It’s not just you, you know.” He looked at my belly. “You’re being stubborn, but it is best for you both to get a good night’s sleep.”

I hated how right he was, not because he was accurate but because I let my pride not even take that into consideration. It wasn’t just me. And yet, I’d been thinking about myself. “Thank you. I will.” I needed to think of my baby above all else, right now. “I promise.”

Chapter Six

Kurt

As my wolf reminded me, I’d essentially promised him a run anytime he wanted on this vacation, I couldn’t deny him now. Not that I wanted to. If I didn’t let him blow off some steam, he might find a way to do it I would like a lot less. He was all about comforting the omega, but a run in the forest and a chance to hunt would do more good than almost anything I could think of.

When we were out there earlier, in the forest behind the gas station, all the little creatures remained in hiding and, of course, we were full, but now he would be motivated. If it had been cold earlier, it was three times that now, with the wind kicking up and the snow blowing all over the place. But my wolf didn’t mind.

I undressed on the porch and laid my clothes over the railing before taking my fur. When I checked in, Theo, a burly bearded man who looked a lot like a certain saint famous for climbing down chimneys said it was fine to fun in the area, especially at this time of year.

What he hadn’t said was that there was someone already in the cabin he rented me. And once I got there, one thing led to another, and I was afraid that if I went back to try for another cabin, they might not have anywhere for him to stay.

Everything about the place was nicer than nice, a brochure in the cabin telling us about all the amenities. In the main building, there was a pool/hot tub area and one with a glass dome where guests could sit and look up at the northern lights or even the moon and stars. Or, during the day, watch the clouds streak across the winter sky. It would be nice during a snowfall too. Would Wade like to come in and do that one day? Maybe with a cocoa and some cookies?

We headed out, bounding over the snow and low-lying shrubs along the pathway until we reached the edge of the resort. Muzzle tipped up, my wolf took the last bit of control from me and went on the hunt.

I’d never enjoyed this part of sharing our skin, but I had to accept that my wolf had needs and desires that did not always match mine. And some of them were less than awesome for my human side. When he tore into prey, I just tried to hang back and pretend I was elsewhere. He was doing his wolf thing, and mostly he had to tolerate me running around pack lands and putting out metaphorical fires.

Hunting had to be better than that.

We put a few miles under our paws and snacked on creatures foolish enough to allow themselves to cross our path. He needed to get the energy out before we could go back and face the omega. He was already off-kilter and didn’t need erratic energy from an alpha to make him worry more. Wade had been through so much, but I had to stuff those thoughts down because they only served to aggravate my wolf further, and he’d already eaten enough animals; any more would be simply victims of his rage.

Finally, he allowed me to turn us toward the resort again, tired and panting but no less determined to ensure the omega was protected from whatever hurt him in the past. And my wolf did believe the best way to do that was to destroy anyone who ever caused Wade the least bit of harm. Mentally, physically, or emotionally. I agreed, but if I started saying so, we’d both be out of our heads.

As I trotted back into the resort, on my way to the cabin, I passed the main house and paused. I needed to have a conversation with someone that I didn’t want Wade to overhear. Even if I went outside, shifter hearing might enable him to know what I was saying. And I had some big and confusing thoughtsgoing on. I needed to talk to my senior beta, Marco, because he was the one I always bounced ideas off of.

I knocked at the door, even though it was technically a public space, and a hearty voice called, “Come in.”

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