Page 71 of Consider The Lilies

I jerk when she uses my first name, not sure how I feel about it. “Jack?” I repeat, and Lucy blinks repeatedly, almost as if shocked she said that.

“I’m so sorry, sir.” She takes a sudden step back, and I have to resist the urge to growl. “I didn’t mean to be so informal. I shouldn’t have?—”

“You can call me Jack,” I say, and Lucy’s mouth falls open once again. “Butonlyin private.” I wait for her to nod before walking back to my desk.

As fun as Lucy is to play with, I have a lot of work to do.

Just as I sit at my desk, my bond with Stefan tingles, deep worry filling his mind. While I can’t read his mind, I’m sure he’s fearful for Lucy. He asked about her several times as I escorted him to his room.

But right now, all I can think about is how the small beta before me made him feel.

Stefan was so turned on. I don’t know how, but IknewStefan was kissing someone. He was feeling their body against his. Exciting him. Making him hard. I couldn’t help but to push my own desires through our bond, urging my sweet omega to indulge in his reckless actions. At the time, I assumed it was Bear. It was exciting to think of the big, sexy alpha breaking the rules. I love punishing him. It gets both of us off like nothing else.

“Mr. Stanley?” Lucy’s soft voice pulls me from my thoughts. “Are you okay?”

I pull in a deep breath, deciding exactly what I want to do. “So you like Stefan so much, you were willing to risk death for a simple kiss?” I stare at the slight beta on the other side of my desk.

Lucy frowns then mumbles, “At the time, it didn’t feel that dangerous. All I thought about was how handsome he was.” She drops her gaze, staring at her feet. “It was stupid and selfish.”

I’m a little impressed by her honesty. Most people lie through their teeth when faced with my wrath. They beg for forgivenesswhile insisting they had no control over the situation. But Lucy is owning her mistake. It’s a little refreshing.

“And what did it feel like to kiss my omega?” I lean forward, desperate to hear her describe it.

Lucy glances up at me through her lashes. She takes in my eager expression before whispering, “It was nice.” She bites her bottom lip. “Soft. He tasted good.”

My cock grows, intrigued by the thought of such a sweet young thing touching my omega. They’re both so timid and sweet. They would be so sexy to watch.

“Stefan wants to fuck a woman,” I say bluntly, and Lucy snaps her head up. “And I want to give himwhateverhe wants. If he were an alpha, I’d get him a prostitute and call it a day, but omegas don’t function that way.” It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. “Apparently, they need a deep connection. Friendship. Love.”

Lucy listens carefully, seemingly not affected by my crass suggestion. She shouldn't be. The beta has heard much worse over the years. “What are you saying, Mr. Stanley?”

I cut to the chase. “Do you want to pursue a relationship with Stefan? And think this through very carefully, beta,” I quickly add. “Because omegas bond for life. You won’t be able to fuck him and leave him if you get bored. This would be a true commitment.”

“Betas bond for life too,” Lucy says, almost as if offended.

I’m a little surprised by the confidence in her words. I’ve known many betas who bounce from relationship to relationship, never really settling down. “Is that so?”

“Yes,” she says firmly. “Betas who are taken in by packs feel just as deeply as their alphas and omegas. We aren’tthatdifferent.”

A deep laugh pushes from my chest. “I can assure you, little one. We areverydifferent.”

Lucy gives me a polite smile, but she doesn’t push back. “So,” she bites her plump bottom lip, “what does this mean?”

I tilt my head, not sure what she’s asking.

“You said I can pursue a relationship with Stefan,” she says, her voice timid, almost scared. “Are you inviting me to eventually become a member of your pack? Or am I simply Stefan’s girlfriend? Or just a friend with benefits until you decide to get rid of me?”

Once again, I’m impressed by her straightforward questions. While Bear is more open, Yuki is shit at communicating. The she-alpha tends to do whatever the hell she wants, until she’s caught, and I’m pissed. I’m sure it has something to do with the way she was raised. Her father was a violent and unforgiving man. And while I tried to change Yuki in the beginning, I now accept this is just the way my beautiful she-alpha is.

“I’m asking you if you want to join my pack,” I say to Lucy, being as direct as she is.

Lucy stands a little taller, pushing her shoulders back. “Yes,” she says confidently. “I’ve always deeply admired you and your packmates. And, if you’re willing to take a chance on me and assuming Stefan wants me, I would love to be a member of your pack.”

“Do you love Stefan?” I ask.

Lucy’s eyes drift over the carpet. “I don’t fully know how I feel about the omega,” she says with a thoughtful lift in her voice, “but I won’t lie. My pull to him isverystrong.”

“Okay.” I nod, taking it all in. “Just answer me this.” I place my elbows on my desk, steepling my fingers. “There’s one thing I haven’t been able to figure out.”

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