Page 16 of Untamed Omega

“Bullshit,” Rob said.

“Rob…” Locke growled.

“What? I can say anything to you I want to. You’re not the alpha.”

“It’s an unwinnable argument. We’ve given up for the most part.”

Sam nodded. “What can I do to help around here? Nothing in this life is free.”

Something else he used to say.

“For now,” Kellan said, touching his other hand. “Get stronger. Eat plenty. Take care of yourself and rest. Once you feel ready, there are always jobs to do around here.”

“Like inventory.” Locke smiled this time. He really did hate inventory.

“If you’re done eating, I thought I would give you a tour of the lands.”

Rob chuckled. “Thought you did that yesterday.”

“Shut up.” I laughed anyway. Rob really had no boundaries when it came to his big mouth.

“That sounds nice. But I think I already need a nap.”

“You can do that too.”

We only made it to a few places on the lands before Sam let out a loud yawn. I felt his tiredness through our bond. It felt like it solidified by the second.

“Let’s get you to bed,” I said.

“Yes, please, alpha.”

No better words in the world.

Chapter Sixteen

Sam

As the week passed, I was healing; the bruises faded into nonexistence and I grew stronger. Shifting frequently helped, as did sleeping in the arms of my mate. We’d come back together as if no time passed. A tribute to Fate or the Goddess, and I’d never been sure they weren’t one and the same.

“Why are you out of bed?” My mate appeared as if out of nowhere to find me standing on the porch of the cottage. “You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I can’t stay in bed every moment of every day,” I protested. “I’ve already memorized every ripple in the paint on the ceiling and the number of leaves on the tree outside the window.”

“Every leaf?” he asked, skeptical.

“Well, every one visible to someone flat on their back in bed.” I flung myself into the rocking chair someone had left here as an offering to the healer, its creak warning me to be more careful next time. “Everyone here is doing something to help, and I’m supposed to just stay put and be useless.”

“You’re not useless,” he protested. “You’re my mate, and your health means more to me than my own life.” His voice cracked, and he held his arms out.

I stood up and into his embrace. “You’re terrible, do you know that? Taking advantage of the fact that you know I can’t resist you?” I breathed in his scent, soothed by it and by his warmth. “But I can’t stay in bed forever. Surely there’s something I can do around here.” I nuzzled his throat. “Please, alpha.”

“And you know I can’t say no to you.” He kissed the top of my head. “Even when it’s for your own good. I’ll ask Locke if there’s anything you can do without too much exertion.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, let’s go in and have some lunch. If you’re going to insist on spending calories on work, we’ll need to up the ones you are taking in.”

“I’m starving.”

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