Page 70 of Who We Were

I barely remember the walk back out to the car, so I'm surprised to see Freya sitting in the back with me, holding a cup of ice she must have stolen from the brewery.

"We're getting you to your alpha," Freya whispers, touching the cool glass to my overheated forehead.

I whimper and scramble to kick my shoes off. My toes feel like they’re screaming for some space just like my tummy. I tug at the button holding my jeans together, and release a puff of air when I finally get it undone and the zipper down.

"Get it off, get it off, get it off!" I flail, needing the jeans off altogether. My crotch feels like a fucking inferno, but the sweat coating my thighs makes the material cling.

"Amaya, can you listen to me for a second?" Kate interrupts my panicked shuffling in the backseat.

It takes considerable effort and does not alleviate the constant twisting and tightening in my abdomen, but I still make eye contact with her in the rearview mirror.

"This is just a heat flare, not the real thing. But it's only going to get more aggressive as the days go on. Your omega is going to be frantic knowing your other mates are so close, but not helping you."

I open my mouth to deny what Kate's saying, but she continues fast like she's worried I'm going to stop listening any second. "Even if she's mad at them, and doesn't normally want them, she's going toneedthem during your heat cycle. You'll have a few days of flare-ups before your heat truly begins. It's going to be hell?—"

"Kate!" Freya snaps.

"I can't lie to her! I'm her support, Freya!" My friend glares at the omega beside me. "Amaya, without your whole pack there, it’ll be really hard and painful. The only thing that will help settle your omega to a bearable level is Vincent. And... a mating bond."

"What?" I whimper, my hands coming to clutch my chest. When she asks me if I understood what she was saying, I nod.

The tires squeal as she turns us down my road. "I know. I know it sucks and I'm so damn sorry. Your alpha is going to take care of you, if that's what you want."

I nod, my eyes burning, but I can't tell if it's sweat or tears trying to blind me. "What about..." My eyes land on my other three mates' house.

Throwing the car into park, Kate whips around and pins me with a heavy stare. "Your needs are going to go haywire and thatmight include them. Your omega might just need them around without intimacy. What you and Vincent decide on is up to you. The only advice I can truly give you after I dumped all that information on you is to follow your instincts."

What the fuck does that mean?!

Then Vincent is rushing down my front porch and throwing open my car door.

"Little mate!" my alpha rasps snatching me from my seat and tucks my face into his neck.

As I burrow my way into his lemon scent that makes me feel at home, I realize what Kate meant. All I want, all I need right now, is Vincent and I plan to follow that instinct until I don't know where he ends and I begin.

45

VINCENT

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK!

This can't be happening.

Well, of course it's fucking happening!

My alpha instincts are practically prowling with a sadistic grin beneath my skin. He's chanting for his mate while I'm practically oozing inadequacy.

How am I supposed to do this by myself? I won't be enough. This is why omegas havepacks!

It's just a spike. Juuust a heat spike.Shaking my hands out, I blow out a deep breath. Fucking hell, I thought I was cooler than this. My omega all to myself. No sharing. No fighting for one-on-one time.So why the hell am I thinking about the three other shit sticks down the road and cursing them to hell for leaving me alone in one of the most important moments of my life?

I won't ever get another first heat cycle with my mate. This is it. No going back if I fuck it up.

How am I supposed to keep both of us fed, mildly clean, and hydrated over the next week and a half?!

A snarl rips free and before I realize what's happening, I have the front door open ready to stomp my way over to their houseand drag them back here to fix all the shit they ruined so our mate can have everything she deserves.

Amaya does not deserve her first heat to be with a singular, inexperienced alpha. Well, not inexperienced in the sex department, but caring for an omega when they are in desperate need of affection and stability.

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