Page 36 of The Omega Project

Which probably means it’s their pack nest. In a house this big, I’m guessing they’d have a suite each but come together in a space centred around their omega. Sneaking a glance at Soren, it’s hard to feel like anything but a cuckoo bird who’s come to shove him out of his nest.

The guilt must be written all over my face, because he gives my hand a comforting squeeze as he pushes open the door. “I’ve only seen pictures, remember. This is all new to me, too, and I can’t think of a better way to break in a pack bed, can you?”

His wicked grin draws me into the room, my breath catching as I stare out the floor-to-ceiling window. We’re high enough to see over the top of the fruit trees and past the undulating sand dunes to the endless expanse of sparkling ocean. It’s stunning, but so is the room I’m standing in, with a soothing blue and grey palette that runs from the silk wallpaper to the soft throw rugs on the massive bed. I swallow as I stare at the nest, since it’s the first one I’ve seen outside of a magazine. It takes up at least a third of the space in the large room, and I don’t know whether to feel comforted or alarmed by the enormous, curved mattress with its piles of silky cushions.

“We should agree on some ground rules,” Creed says from behind me, and I whirl around to take in the three alphas. They’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder just inside the doorway, which to my heightened libido is like a splash of oil on a naked flame. Their combined scents are even more pronounced now we’re so close to the nest, and I have to clutch my hands togetherto avoid tearing off my clothes or sinking to my knees – both bad options when Creed is talking about ‘ground rules’.

“Firstly, there won’t be any claiming bites,” he says in his gravelly tone. “I know that might seem obvious, but it needs to be said. This is Emily’s first heat, not a pack bonding experience, okay?”

He looks around as he says it, and I know it's to make sure we’re all on the same page. I appreciate him putting into words something that would normally be decided long before we ever got this far, but I also have to swallow down a sliver of disappointment. My rational side knows that my hormones shouldn’t be the deciding factor in a lifelong commitment, but the needy omega in me likes the thought of being claimed -a lot.

“Okay, that’s good,” I force myself to say. “Anything else?”

“If you want us to, we can get a facilitator in here. There are a lot of good guys in the business, professionals who are discreet and experienced in first-time heats. They’d be in the room, but they wouldn’t engage unless something went wrong.” At my curious look, he explains, “During a heat, it can be difficult to remember the basics, like eating, sleeping, and staying hydrated. A facilitator would implement a schedule, as well as making sure none of us cross any boundaries.”

Soren gives a soft snort. “He means if I flip the crazy switch and try to bond you against your will.”

“That won’t happen,” Finn says in a voice that cuts through the tension like a hot knife through butter. “Creed is right. There are professionals we can call to come facilitate, but if you’re comfortable with it, I’d like to offer my services.”

I’m not the only one who looks surprised. “Your services?”

“If something needs to stop, I’ll take care of it.” He doesn’t need to say how, since he’s clearly the most dominant person in the room. A command from him would keep everyone on their best behaviour, but I’m not sure how I feel about him sittingout my heat. In one way, it’s a relief to know he’ll be our safety net, but there’s no denying my attraction to him. When Langston said they were all in, I just assumed he meant everyone in this room.

“That means you won’t be a part of it,” I say slowly, watching his face closely for a reaction. “At all?”

I’m not sure what emotion passes through his pale eyes, but he gives me a small nod. “It’s best that I remain detached. The others may slip into a rut, and a little distance will help me keep my head.”

I absorb that as I slowly approach the nest, my fingers brushing across a silver throw rug that’s almost exactly the same shade as his eyes. This might all be new to me, but I’ve read enough to know that an omega’s instincts crave strong mates even more than they like soft, silky things. Given that I don’t have a pack, I will be drawn to the most dominant alphas I can find, which obviously includes Finn. I appreciate him looking out for my wellbeing, but the simple fact is I’m not sure Iwanthim to keep his distance.

He’s your boss, Emily, and you need to respect his boundaries, even if he smells like chocolate-sprinkled sex.

Swallowing back the needy words hovering on my tongue, I tuck my hands under my arms. I’m not sure if it’s a defensive move or to stop myself from reaching for temptation. “Are there any more rules I need to know?”

“Just that you’re always in control, even if it doesn’t feel like it,” Langston tells me, coming over to stand beside me and brush a curl off my cheek. “You can start, stop, take a pause, or change things up, any way you want them. We’ll be guided by you, sweetheart.”

“We should also share our medical history,” Creed adds, pulling out his phone. “We’re all clean, with no health issues, but I’ve sent the records to your email so you can see for yourself.”

The information is hard to absorb with Langston standing so close, but I manage a nod.Clean, healthy, and ready to go.“I’m on birth control, and Derek and I both got checked before we… well, you know.”

This is starting to feel very awkward now, the reality of what we’re about to do almost overshadowing the need clutching at my belly. Thankfully, Derek glances inside an adjoining room and comes to the rescue. “How about a bath, Em? Looks like they have some amazing water pressure here.”

“Great idea,” Soren says, popping up from the edge of the bed. “Can you guys keep busy while we go freshen up?”

Langston nods, but I grab his sleeve. “Um, could you give me your shirt, maybe? Just… leave it on the bed.” I look around, suddenly uncertain. “I don’t know if that’s a normal thing to ask for…”

“It’s perfect,” Langston tells me, already slipping out of his leather jacket. “Take your time, and we’ll get the room ready.”

I’m also not sure whatthatentails, but I’m grateful for the chance to retreat and catch my breath. The bathroom is almost as big as the bedroom, and I give a gasp of pleasure as I take in the rainforest shower and huge claw-footed tub. But my attention quickly moves to Soren, who’s looking up at Derek with a wicked twinkle in his eyes. “Soak or spray? A bath would probably help with the cramps, but she might not be able to relax until she’s had her first knot.”

“She loves her baths,” Derek says slowly as a faint blush climbs his neck. “But I don’t think she’s ever had the pleasure of a double shower like that one.”

The grin that breaks across Soren’s face is filthy in the extreme. “Well, you definitely get more bang for your buck with a double showerhead. The problem is going to be keeping her on her feet, though. Are you up to holding her, big guy, or shouldwe all get in the bath? Not as easy to manoeuvre, but also less chance of a slip.”

My eyes have grown wider with each comment, because there’s something incredibly arousing about all the innuendo flying around. I watch, mesmerised, as Derek’s smile turns almost as sly as Soren’s. “Soak or spray, Em?”

“Spray,” I manage to croak out, and they exchange a knowing grin as they strip out of their shirts. I don’t even pretend not to stare, since watching my boyfriend undress at any time is a treat. And it looks like Soren is enjoying the view, too, his pupils dilating as he takes in Derek’s muscular frame. I sweep my gaze over his broad chest, and when I catch his eye, his dimples pop. “Need some help there, Em?”

My hands are frozen on my zipper, but I shake my head as I quickly strip my trousers off, then start working on my blouse. My fingers are trembling too much to deal with the tiny buttons, and Soren comes to the rescue with a kind smile. He’s a few inches taller than me, but stripped down to a pair of boxers, he looks almost delicate next to Derek. When our gazes meet, he gives me a wry shrug. “I’m not quite the hunk of manhood I used to be.”

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