Page 59 of Consider The Lilies

“Wait!” I yell, trying to get off the bed. But the blankets are wrapped around my legs, keeping me frozen in place.

“How dare you.” Jack leans down, snarling in my face, “Omegas need to be submissive, Yuki!” He barks at me like I’ve done something unforgivable, “You can’t treat him like that.”

“Jack.” I force a laugh, trying to calm him down. This is all so ridiculous. “I was only trying to help him explore?—”

“He needs control and a fucking knot!” Jack growls so loudly, it makes me flinch. “He’s not a goddamn toy!”

“Jack.” My mouth hangs open, shocked by his rage. “I didn’t mean to hurt him.”

But Jack doesn’t respond. He just glares at me before turning on his heel and marching off.

“Stop!” I call after him, trying to pry the blankets off my legs. But they’re twisted and tight, cutting my circulation off. “Please!” I yell, shocked to find myself completely alone. “Jack! Bear!” I begin to panic, tugging and kicking out at the horrible blankets. But they’re everywhere. Holding down my legs and arms, and even slipping around my stomach. “

LUCY!” I scream as loud as I can, just as the fabric around my gut snaps tight, and my back cracks in two.

I startle awake, too hot and my heart pounding like it’s going to burst out of my ribcage. Rage and fear swim in my head, making me dizzy as I slowly sit.

Pulling in a deep breath, I force myself to calm down. Lucy is still dead asleep next to me, her soft breath filling the dark room. I listen to her for a moment, letting her familiar presence sootheme, but it doesn't take long for me to realize I’m too worked up to go back to sleep.

A part of me wants to wake the beta up and fuck her sweet body until we both fall back to sleep, but she has to be up in a few hours to oversee breakfast. I can’t wait for my sweet girl to be a part of our pack. She’ll be able to sleep in, rest, and be pampered the way she deserves.

I slip out of bed, moving quietly so I don’t wake her up. I grab a sports bra and a pair of gym shorts off the floor, then I tiptoe into the hallway. The house is so quiet this time of night. Outside of a few staff members, everyone is in bed asleep.

My mind drifts as I make my way down to the kitchens. I think about my dream, about the way Stefan felt and smelled—sweet honey-dipped flowers.

Fuck, my mouth is still watering just thinking about it.

I’m willing to admit to myself that I do like the omega. He’s good to my Lucy—which is honestly the only thing that matters—but he also doesn’t cry or pout like most omegas. He just does his own thing, which is a lovely surprise.

While I’m not exactly an expert in omegas, I did have an omega sister, and she was downright exhausting. I swear Debby cried every time someone blinked around her. I was only ten years old when she left us to attend the local omega academy, but I remember how much calmer the house was once she left. Omegas just require so much emotional energy, and I simply don’t have time for that.

But it seems Stefan doesn’t have those needs, or maybe he learned to suppress them. Either way, he’s somewhat pleasant to be around, and it also doesn’t hurt that he’s attractive.Such pretty green eyes.

Maybe he’ll be good for our pack.

Maybe…

“Yuki.” Darius smiles like he’s been caught when I step into the kitchen. The big alpha is leaning against the counter with a slice of cake in one hand and a glass of milk in the other.

“I thought you’d be home by now,” I say as I head straight to the chocolate cake sitting on the kitchen island.

“I’m staying here tonight.” The dark-haired alpha gives me a sheepish grin. He’s got pretty blue eyes and a smile that would make a thousand omegas swoon, but the alpha has never been one to fuck outside of his pack. It’s a shame. “Danny’s in his rut, and I don’t want to risk getting mine too.”

The chocolate cake squishes slightly as I cut it with a butter knife. It’s so fluffy and moist, almost falling apart as I pick it up with my fingers. “You guys got an omega a few months back.” I lick some of the frosting off my fingers. “How’s that going?”

“We did.” Darius smiles at me like it’s the greatest thing that ever happened to him. “We got Meghan from Havenfield about six months ago.” A dreamy look slips across his face as he talks about her. “She’s stunning. So soft and meek.”

I take a big bite of my cake, loving the way the sugar immediately hits my system. “She didn’t change your pack?” I reach for Darius’s glass of milk, and he hands it over. I quickly drink it down, loving the way the cold liquid clears my throat and soothes my belly.

“Adding anyone to your pack changes you.” He walks over to the fridge and pulls out a gallon of milk.

“I know that.” I already regret that I asked. But I’ve known Darius for years, and if there’s anyone outside of my alphas I can talk to about this shit, it’s him. “I wasn’t sure if all those changes were good.”

Darius nods as if he understands what I’m asking. “Meghan changed us. She made Danny calmer and me more responsible, and Carlos smiles all the time.”

“Carlos smiles?” I’m struggling to believe it.

“Omegas bring out the best in a pack.” Darius refills the glass of milk. “But I will admit,” he sets the gallon down, “it was an adjustment at first, but give it time.” He takes a huge bite of his cake then pats my arm. “You’ve only had your omega for a few days. Give it a few more weeks, and you’ll wonder how you survived at all without him.”

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