Page 43 of The Omega Project

“Yeah. I’ve wanted to be a real pack… forever, it seems.” He pulls back to look into my eyes. “I couldn’t have dreamed you up in a million nights of wishing, though.”

I almost purr at the compliment, rubbing my face against his sweaty chest as he engulfs me in his big arms. His heart is still racing from his workout, and I soak it in, loving his warmth, and iron scent, and the fact he could snap me in his arms but is holding me as if I’m something rare and delicate. “Does it feel like this with you and Soren? Like he’s a firefly trapped in your chest, buzzing around and warming you up at the same time?”

Creed smirks as he nuzzles my skipping pulse. “More like a sledgehammer. Talk to Soren about it, but it didn’t go as I would’ve liked. He was in a rut when he bit me…”

I jerk back, peering up into his face. “Hebityou?”

“Mmm. We were out of control, but there’s no doubt we both wanted each other.” Something flickers through his eyes, a mixture of admiration and regret. “I just thought I’d be the one doing the biting.”

“Can I see?”

There’s a lot to take in as he peels his tank over his head, but my focus snaps to the silvery scar over his heart. It’s not wide but it’s deep, and I swear I can see Soren’s sly grin in the imprint. “That’s so pretty.”

I expect a manly grunt, but Creed just gives a wistful sigh. “Strangely, he never looked more beautiful than when he was taking a chunk out of me.”

I trace the scar, picturing the Soren I first met, livid with frustration and pain. He was like an iridescent candle, more likely to burn the world down than light up his mate’s soul. “I’m sorry it happened like that for both of you.”

“I don’t regret it; I just wish I could’ve cuddled him a little after.”

I bite my lip to hold in my grin. “I just came from the nest, and he seems pretty cuddly now.”

“He does, doesn’t he?” He leans down and runs his lips over Lang’s bite, making me shiver. “And you, sweetheart? You think you’ll ever have room on that pretty throat for me?”

I hum as he mouths the skin, nipping just enough to make me whine. “I think so, but you should sort things with Soren first. He’s your mate, and he needs you.”

That makes him draw away, his eyes a soft chocolate brown as he studies me. “You’re a beautiful person, Emily. We’re lucky to have you, even if you only ever belong to Lang.”

Strangely, those words send a painful spark through me. I love the warmth I can feel in my chest, and I take comfort from knowing that even in his dreams, Lang is aware of me on some level, but I don’t want Creed to think that’s all I want from his pack. “That doesn’t mean I don’t need you, too.” My belly chooses that moment to give a painful clench, and I whine as I plaster myself against him. “I need younow, Creed.”

He groans, his nuzzling taking on a frantic element as I squirm against him. “I can feel your heat licking over my skin like little hooks. Fuck knows how Finn stayed glued to his chair through that.”

I shake my head, because my feelings about Finn are too raw to think about right now. While I believe I could get comfortable with Creed very quickly, I’m not sure I’ll ever really unlock Finn enough to really know him.

Why does that knowledge make my heart ache?

To distract myself, I tilt my head so Creed can nibble across my neck, a wave of heat turning liquid between my thighs as he sucks gently on my mating mark. I don’t understand all the changes happening inside me, but I’m pretty sure that my younger self is in ecstasy right now. For years I wondered if I’d ever earn the love and protection I was denied growing up, and while it’s maybe too early for love, I know I’ll never have to doubt Creed’s protective instincts.

“I want you, Creed.” I wind my fingers through his hair, tugging sharply on the silky strands. But that’s not strong enough for the way I’m feeling, and I drop the blanket, rubbing my breasts against the rigid muscles of his chest. “I need you inside me, Alpha.”

Heat crackles in his dark eyes as he scoops me up, hitching me over his hips. “You want me to take you back to your nest, so you can be comfortable?”

“No, I like the way it smells in here.” I lean forward and lick the side of his neck, tasting the amber musk in his sweat. “And every time you work out, you’ll be thinking of how you knotted me on these gym mats.”

“Oh, fuck,” he groans, his hands pinching the soft skin of my butt. “You keep talking like that, and I won’t last long enough to knot you.”

“I have tremendous faith is your ability to go the distance.”

He snorts at my sly grin. “That makes one of us.”

“Does that mean you don’t want me to dothis?” He watches me like a hawk as I slither out of his arms, his pupils blowing wide when I land on my knees. He stoops like he plans to follow me down to the mats, but I grip his thighs, smiling up at him as I bite my lip. “I’ve been thinking about this ever since I sat on you in your car.”

“Shit.” He rocks back on his heels as my meaning sinks in. The flush that works its way up his neck makes my mouth dry, and Ican’t resist a needy moan as he grips his hard length - which is currently living up to every sweatpants fantasy. “ButIshould be taking care ofyou, Emily,” he says as he gives his erection a hard squeeze. “It’s your heat, and you deserve all the attention to be on you.”

Maybe that’s how other omegas prefer it, but I’ve always believed there’s just as much reward in giving as receiving. “Finn said I need some alpha juice after taking Lang’s knot. Maybe you could take care of that after…”

“Why wait?” He moves so fast, I’m flat on the mat with my thighs open before I can blink. He drops beside me, and I think I’m about to get a wrestling lesson, only his attention is all on the slick dripping down my thighs. He grips my knees in his huge hands, staring down at me in awe. “That’s the prettiest pussy I’ve ever seen.” He brushes a finger over the edge of my folds, making my hips twitch. “But Finn’s right. There’s a little abrasion here, right on these sweet, pink petals.”

I think I’m a little shocked by the flowery compliment, but nothing prepares me for the slow, raspy slide of his tongue. Soren took me apart in the shower with just a few quick touches, but his mate seems to have all the time in the world as he licks me. He takes extra care with my puffy folds, and I writhe at every tender stroke. I’m not sure if it’s his alpha juice that is making me shudder, or the way his dark eyes burn as he tends to me. “Sweet and spicy,” he murmurs, a thick finger dipping inside me and swirling through my juices. “Who’s been in here other than Lang?”

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