Page 72 of The Omega Project

“Because he’s looking out for you,” Emily says, walking over to stroke his back. “We’re all here to look out for you, sweetheart. So, tell us. What do you need?”

The sass seems to leak out of him as he pulls her close, pressing his nose to her neck. “It’s all so nice,” he mumbles. “I’d kick the arse of anyone who tried to destroy it.”

I know he’s referencing his own actions, when he suffered his torturous heats at the facility. I bought so much replacement bedding for his nest, I’m now a thread-count expert.

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Emily says in her calm way. “But maybe you want a few things to add to it?” She looks up at Creed with innocent eyes. “I’m sure your alphas are happy to donate their pants.”

Things seem to move quickly after that, Soren making a needy sound and starting on his alpha’s belt buckle. He snaps orders for the rest of us to disrobe, and I contribute a shirt from mylaundry basket to the growing pile. Creed and Derek strip down to their boxers, but Finn stops at his hoodie, gripping Soren’s face and looking into our omega’s glazed eyes. “Are you ready to be bonded, Omega?”

Soren licks his lips but doesn’t reach for his belt. “What about you? Creed said you prefer to watch.”

“He’s right,” Finn replies, feathering his thumbs over Soren’s pale throat. His dominance is always there, simmering beneath the surface, but right now he’s as calm as a lake. “But if you need me…”

“I do.” Soren tilts his neck, his hand coming to rest over Finn’s heart. “You’re my alpha.”

A complicated expression passes over Finn’s face. Pride and hope, mixed in with guilt and sorrow. I’m not surprised that the guilt wins out. “They used my commands, Soren. That’s why you couldn’t resist the switch. And that’s why I’m partially responsible for your suffering.”

“You think this is news to me?” Finn frowns, and Soren rolls his eyes. “I recognised you the moment we met. Maybe not your commands specifically, but I knew you were already under my skin.” His fingers drift down to pinch Finn’s waist. “So, why don’t you bite me, Alpha, and finish the job?”

Finn is still frowning, but when Soren wiggles impatiently, his hands cup his face, his lips feathering over his temple before he sets his mouth to his throat. “You’re mine and I’m yours,” he says, his dominance rolling over the room as he sinks his teeth into the tender flesh.

Soren murmurs the vow back, but then sucks in a deep breath, his eyes rolling closed. I glance at Emily, who’s wrapped in Derek again, their heads close together as they watch Finn’s first claiming. But as soon as she feels me looking, her gaze swings my way, her eyes soft. “Pack,” she mouths it more than says it, but I feel it pulse through our bond.

This is the moment. Not just of secrets and vows, but for the cracks that have haunted our pack to start to mend.

It’s hard to drag my attention away, but I step towards Soren, watching as he absorbs Finn’s power boost. “Wow.” His eyes flutter open, so bright they could be stars. “So that’s what it feels like to be struck by lightning.”

He’s not exaggerating either, his knees giving way, but Creed is there to catch him. Finn follows them over to the nest, his gaze fixed on Soren’s blissed-out face. “You’re mine, mate.” It’s not a question, but Soren nods his head vigorously, pressing trembling fingers to his throat. “Then let that darkness go. That was the past, and we’re your future.”

I don’t know specifically what he’s talking about, but the bond gives us a glimpse of each other’s souls.

Soren gulps, but nods again, burying his face in Creed’s throat. My packmate lays him down on the nest, and Emily and Derek move forward to join them. I watch as they kiss and stroke him, drawing his heat to the surface. The air thickens, pheromones mingling with the sweetness of omega slick, and whatever addictive perfume my betas are adding to the mix. I watch as Creed slowly peels his jeans off, kissing every inch of his skin and making Soren writhe beneath him.

I don’t realise Finn is at my side until his hand touches my shoulder. “Join them.”

“I can’t. He might still need…”

“He’s fine. Better than, actually.” His eyes grow distant, like he’s running code through his head. “I can feel him. His heart rate, his emotions, even his body temperature.” His gaze snaps back to my face. “Is that normal?”

“It’s unusual, but not surprising.” Finn, after all, isn’t a typical alpha, and with two switches in our pack, who knows how our designations might grow and change? “Are you really sitting this out?”

“What Soren needs is knots right now,” he murmurs, his gaze locked on the bed. “I thought I might invite your mates for a bath.”

I sit up straighter, looking at Derek and Emily. “Both of them?”

“How would I separate them?” He doesn’t sound like he wants to try very hard. And watching the way they arch against each other, lost in their mutual adoration, I can see how it would appeal to his voyeuristic tendencies.

“Well,” I smirk, standing and reaching for my belt. “As they like to tell us, they’re a package deal.”

Emily

Finn’s claiming curls through my bond with Soren like the sweetest of addictions. For a moment I feel like his heat might be catching, but it’s just Derek’s big body pressing against mine, his eyes alight with that same hungry echo. He gives me a drugging kiss, our fingers tangling together as we watch Creed take Soren’s slick-coated erection into his mouth. Soren arches with a cry, and our bond pulses in my chest. I have to wonder if I’m drunk on their pleasure or my own, every inch of my skin buzzing as Derek nibbles across my neck. A few tantalising moments later, Soren clutches the comforter and the sweet scent of his cum fills the air. When Creed growls, lost to a slick haze, I turn needy eyes on the alphas in the corner.

Only to find Finn striding towards the nest, his hands extended in our direction. It takes me a moment to realise what he means, and I draw Derek off the bed with me like a tide rushing back to the shore.

“Come bathe with me.”

It sounds like a command but feels more like a promise, and I almost trip over my feet to follow him. As we step into the ensuite, Finn’s back flexes under his thin tee, and I trace the shadow of black ink under the thin cotton. “You have a tattoo.”

---