Page 76 of Sweet Heat

“Oh gosh, Dad.No.You’ve got it all wrong!” Posie exclaims, stepping in front of me. “Miller didn’t leave me for one second. He’s my scent match.”

All heads swing toward Posie, and questions start flying so fast that we can’t respond to any.

“What do you mean?”

“You can’t have a scent match, sweetie.”

“How can that be possible?”

But one voice stands above all the rest.

“I told you, he’s filled her head with nonsense and fairytales,” Owen booms, looming large in the doorway as if he was waiting for this moment to make an entrance. “You all said Miller was too good for that. You didn’t want to believe that he was taking advantage of Posie. Just look at her. Look atthem.”

His demands cause a stir in the room, and I tug Posie against me, my hackles rising, ready to protect her against any threat—even her own family.

“Please. Let me explain,” I beseech. “It’s a long story.”

“Willie, we need to listen to the boy,” Samuel cuts in, grabbing his packmate’s shoulder. He gestures to the seats across from them. “Let’s all sit. Anyone can see how happy our girl looks. She’s fine. They both are.”

Willie snorts like an enraged bull, but after a tense moment, he allows himself to be guided into a chair. His eyes never leave us, warring between concern and rage.

Stepping closer, with Posie still tight against me, I cautiously take a seat, even though my beast is still close to the surface. I tug Posie into my lap and only calm once she leans into me, dropping her head onto my shoulder. Her sweet cotton candy scent surrounds me, and although it’s ripe, there’s no fear in it. She trusts me to take care of this, and I will. My poor Puff should be relaxing, napping, and replenishing her body after the demands of her heat—not dealing with this bullshit. Resentment gives me strength, and I meet Willie’s glare head-on before launching into the story.

Doing my best to keep it short and to the point, I explain about finding out we were scent-matched young and not knowing how to handle it. There are some details I omit; they don’t need to know about the trackers and stalking. Although my omega has accepted some of my darker needs, I don’t think her fathers would approve—though, being an Alpha himself, he just might. I explain how I tried to stay away, but as time wore on, my need to be near her grew until it was undeniable.

“Sirs and Mama Rosa, I love Posie. I always have. I swear I’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy until I take my last breath,” I implore, hoping they’ll understand that I never had a choice. I fell fast and hard for my Puff—my life’s not worth living without her.

There’s silence once again in the kitchen, all of them staring at me with inscrutable expressions. All except for Owen, who has his arms crossed over his chest and murder in his eyes.

A gentle sniff catches my ear, and I turn my head to glance over at Mama Rosa. She’s dabbing her eyes, and Posie stiffens in my arms.

“Please be happy for us, Mama,” she intreats, “I’ve never been so content. So at peace with my omega.”

At her words, her mother bursts into tears, rushing around the table and enveloping us both in an enormous hug. Sobs wrack her small body, and I have no idea what to do. My eyes land beseechingly on Willie, who just chuckles at my predicament.

Okay, Father-in-law. I see you.

But it makes me feel better. If he were opposed to our mating, he wouldn’t be laughing, and for the first time, I have a glimmer of hope that it’s going to be all right. Seeing my plight, Samuelhas mercy on us and rounds the table to grab Mama Rosa, whispering something in her ear that has her nodding and giving us a watery smile.

“I can’t imagine a better pairing,” she murmurs, her voice cracking with emotion. “You’ve always felt like my second son. And I’m thrilled to find you’re a perfect match for my daughter. I know you’ll take the best care of each other.”

Samuel tucks her into his side, snuggling his omega close. He reaches out his hand for a shake that I eagerly reciprocate.

“I’m in full agreement with the Missus here. You’ve always been a big part of the family. But, Miller?” I gulp, waiting for him to hit me with an ‘if you hurt her, they won’t ever find your body,’—not that I need a warning… I’d off myself first.

I meet his eyes, showing him the respect he deserves. “We want grandbabies.”

“What the actual fuck!” Owen explodes, slamming his fists on the table. His face purples with rage, and his pulse visibly pounds in his temples. For the life of me, I can’t figure out what his damn problem is. I understand she’s his baby sister, but this has gotten completely out of control. Standing slowly, I shift Posie until she’s behind me. Her brother has become a wildcard, and I refuse to take my omega’s safety lightly.

“What is your objection, son?” Willie asks, a frown on his face as he takes in Owen’s aggressive stance and my protective posture. “Of all the people your sister could have chosen, Miller brings me the least concern.”

“He’s a fucking liar,” Owen roars, thumping the wooden table so hard that it creaks and slides across the tile floor. “He has her convinced they’re scent-matched—but has everyone forgotten about heranosmia? It’s ridiculous. He must have been grooming her all along—right under our noses. Pretending to be my best friend, just to get close to her.”

Owen stomps toward me, and I bristle, warning him back with a growl. My instincts are begging me to rip into him with my bare hands, tear him limb from limb for daring to suggest any such thing. His answering growl echoes around the room, and although I’m the more dominant Alpha, he doesn’t yield.

“Back up. I don’t want to hurt you,” I bark, keeping my omega squarely behind the bulk of my body. Of course, she doesn’t like any of this and, quick as a flash, darts around me and right into the path of the advancing Alpha.

“Cut it out right now. Both of you,” she chides, stepping between us. “He didn’ttellme we were scent-matched. I found out all on my own. Not to mention, my sense of smell returned after we bonded. There’s no doubt for me, so there shouldn’t be for you.”

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