Page 71 of The Omega Project

He gives me a gentle smile. “Changing your mind three times isn’t dithering. You just want everything to be perfect for the pack.”

It’s true. I’ve been caught up with my book launch for the last few days and haven’t been as present as I should be, especiallywith two new packmates of my own. The fact that Emily was assaulted by her ex at work has settled under my skin like a raw bruise. I wanted to be there, to see Finn reduce that fucker to less than nothing, but I was in a pointless faculty meeting that could have been handled in an email.

As I tend to tell my freshman students:Show up, dig in, or take another class.

Derek raises his brows at me. “You’re thinking about Em again.”

“I should’ve been there for her. I knew her ex was an evil prick.”

“You think I feel any better?” He shakes his head at me. “I’ve known him longer than any of you, and this is the second time I failed to protect her.”

I don’t contradict him, since Derek’s protective instincts run just as deep as any alpha’s. Instead, I brush my thumb over his bonding mark, my cock stirring at the way he leans into me. “Are you going to let them bond you?”

“Finn and Creed?” He has a few inches of height on me, and I like the way his lids lower as he looks down at me. “Do you think they’ll want to?”

The hesitation in his voice is sweet, but it also stirs the anger in my belly. Fuck anyone who ever let him feel like less than he is. “One day you’ll realise what a prize you are.” He huffs, like he thinks I’m joking, but I can see he has something more on his mind. “Tell me,” I urge him, sinking my fingers into the muscle of his shoulders. “What’s bothering you?”

“Not bothering me, but do you think it would be okay to take their bond, but keep it platonic for now? I just want to focus on Soren and be there for Em if she needs me.”

Smug satisfaction settles in my gut that he tookmybite so readily, although I know it mostly has to do with him and Em being a package deal. “Of course, you can. But weallneed you,Derek. Even if Soren is fine, this is one of the most important pack moments we’ll ever have. You’re as much a part of this as any of us.”

“You’re good at that,” he says gruffly, leaning in for a kiss. “Most people don’t think a guy like me needs much reassurance, but you always know what to say.”

I’m usually the one who initiates our kisses, so I accept his hungry lips with the enthusiasm of an adolescent. Heat builds in my groin at the eager press of his tongue, and it’s tempting to push him down onto the nest and sink into the warmth of his larger body. But I kiss him gently instead, watching his eyelashes flutter, so long and thick they brush his cheeks. “That’s because the best things really do come in big packages.”

His lips quirk, but there’s no time for flirtation when we can hear the helicopter touching down on the lawn. It’s on the opposite side of the house from the apiary, which means they’ll be coming up the back stairs in only a few minutes. I cast a glance around, taking in the room. Other than the fresh sheets, we’ve lit some of Emily’s beeswax candles and have arranged an assortment of cushions. Chilled water, fresh fruit, and a range of snacks are set out on the bureau. We’ve even stocked the medical cabinet in the bathroom in case Soren needs something other than basic pain medication. Every other comfort, his packmates should be able to provide, although I’ve got half a dozen quick delivery companies on speed dial, just in case there’s something I’ve missed.

Derek is closest to the door, which puts him right in Soren’s path as he enters the room. I’m braced for any mood, but the only violent thing about him is the gush of air he releases as he thrusts himself into Derek’s arms. He’s shirtless and barefoot, his hair sticking up at every angle as he clutches a mohair blanket around his shoulders. He twines around Derek like a vine, then drops to his knees, almost ripping his jeans from hiships. Derek grunts, bracing his knees, then lets out a shocked little sigh as Soren swallows him in a single gulp.

Emily comes in a moment later, looking flushed and windswept. Her eyes widen with delight as she watches her two mates, then hurries over to me, almost falling into my arms. “He tried to do that to Creed in the helicopter,” she says, biting her lip. “Creed kept trying to distract him by pointing out the safety features.”

I stifle my laugh, but it’s hard going when Creed and Finn enter the room, both looking like they’ve just left a warzone. Most people wouldn’t pick up on Finn’s tension, but I can see it in the way he’s holding his shoulders, his gaze sweeping the room like he’s checking for landmines. Creed, on the other hand, walks up behind Soren and drops a hand on his shoulder. “You, mate, are a menace.”

“I’m in heat,” Soren says, fluttering his lashes at the room. “It’s not my fault I’m stupidly horny.”

His hand snakes around Creed’s waist, but Finn cuts him off with a water bottle from the bureau and nods towards the bathroom. “Tests first, orgasms later.”

“Yes, Daddy,” Soren pouts, but gets off his knees, trailing his hands over his mates’ chests. “Don’t go anywhere, big guys.”

Creed just clicks his tongue, but Derek walks over to envelop Emily in a hug. “Are you okay?” he asks her.

“I’m good, but how are you?” She looks pointed down at his unbuttoned jeans. “That was quite the entrance.”

“Yeah,” he chuckles, then shivers in a way that trembles over his large frame. “Damn, but you both smell good.”

She preens, gazing up at him like he hung the moon, and then turns to rest her back against his chest. His arms surround her, and they click together like they were made for each other. “It looks like you’ve thought of everything,” she says approvingly.

“You’ve done well,” Creed agrees, walking over to clap my shoulder.

Up close, his nerves are more visible, and I hold his gaze. “I’ve got this, brother. You just relax and focus on your mate.”

He nods, and as Soren sweeps back into the room on a wave of sweet omega heat, I watch his throat bob in appreciation.

“His readings are fine,” Finn says, coming in behind him, “but Lang is still going to facilitate, just to keep an eye on us.”

“Onme, you mean…” Soren huffs, but I catch his arm as he heads for the nest, pulling him to a stop. Dark eyes blink up at me, his perfume puffing from pouty lips. I can definitely see the appeal, but I limit myself to a tap on his nose. “I’ll bite you, menace, but you’re going to have to wait for my knot. Safety first, right Creed?”

Creed grunts his agreement, but Soren’s pupils blow wide as he leans into me. “Why does it feel so good to be schooled by a hot professor?”

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