Page 50 of Defiant
“He challenged me.”
Pluto grinds his teeth, eyes flashing before he drags a hand down over his face. “Dammit.”
“Afraid I’ll lose?”
“No. Afraid you’ll win and be so cocky I won’t be able to stand being around you for months.”
I let out a harsh laugh and bang on the table. Fucker always knows just what to say.
“You’ve also created a security nightmare for me though. Thanks for that.”
“I’ll give you one of Stone’s oil refineries when it’s over.”
His eyes widen in disbelief. “Do you know how much those things make?”
I just give a grin. “Better earn it, then. Hurry. You have just enough time for you to line out private security before the betas get here. And I have to do some more research.”
I shove out of my seat and grab a laptop and the book on omegas before returning to the table. I’ve flipped open the computer and opened up a few different search tabs when Matthew brings in my omelet and clothes for Pluto. My second changes while I begin to eat.
I take a bite, the cheese inside is hot and gooey, the salty ham a perfect contrast to the eggs. Then I flip open the book, deciding it will be easier to read one-handed than type one-handed while I eat. It automatically opens to the illustration I always seek out; the binding has worn down over the years. I flip backward to find a different chapter, hoping that there's something in here that will help with Elena's wolf. It's odd that her wolf won't reappear at will.
Most shifters have the opposite problem after they come into their wolf; their animal wants out so often that they have to fight to contain it. I know I was that way.
My wolf chuffs as my mind brings up a memory of shifting in my grandmother's kitchen just before a birthday dinner for my mom. The smell of turkey had been too much, and I'd shifted and knocked the bird down from the oven where it had been cooling—still in the pan. I'd devoured the entire thing steaming hot, burning my tongue on the way down, and earned myself several whacks from her wooden spoon.
But a reticent wolf? That's unusual. And I wonder if that’s part of the issue with Elena’s heat. I flip to the Table of Contents, hoping it might help me.
I find a chapter title that seems useful: Omega Wolves and Their Unique Traits. I flip to the starting page and burrow into the dry text, scouring it for something that resonates.
I find this passage.
Omega wolves typically won't go into their first heat until they feel safe and secure. The environment has to be conducive; most omegas prefer to have a nest—typically a cozy, dimly lit space with a mattress, lots of pillows, a fridge, and a number of female stimulation devices. Once their heat has begun, females typically need at least twelve orgasms per day and the typical heat lasts five days. That can be quite taxing for an alpha, so nests should be prepared to help—
I have trouble not stroking my dick over my pants just reading that. The image of Elena panting up at me, chest heaving, tears streaming from her eyes as she begs me for more orgasms, is like a match to tinder and all my lust alights. I've always had a strong sex drive; most of the women I've been with couldn't keep up after round two. It's just another sign that Elena's supposed to be mine, that those tight thighs were made to clench onto me and that soft pussy was meant for this dick.
But a nest is something I never thought about. I needed to give my omega a nest. I quickly scan over all the ideal traits the book lists out for a nest, comparing them with the various rooms in my house.
For the first time ever, I’m bemoaning high ceilings. As a guy who’s nearly seven feet tall, I’ve always loved high ceilings. Most of my house is automatically ruled out. But then an epiphany hits. The attic. I turn and am not surprised at all to see Matthew walking in with a bottle of mineral water for me.
If I couldn’t smell the fact that he’s human and not a mage, I’d swear the man’s a psychic.
"Keys to the attic?" I ask, not bothering to explain.
Matthew's eyes widen. "Um … yes sir." He digs through his pocket and pulls out his key ring as I grab the last giant bite and then stand. I chew quickly and swallow fast.
"Follow me." I stride from my office to the stairs, and he follows me quickly to the end of the hallway on the third floor. I only stop once we are staring at the white door that leads to the attic.
Matthew unlocks the door for me and pushes it open, revealing a steep set of stairs and the musty scent of boxes. He flicks on the light switch and then waits to allow me to go up the stairs first, though he follows behind.
When I reach the top, I see a long low room made entirely of wooden beams extending in front of me. The ceiling slants down on either side so that I can really only stand comfortably in the very middle of the room.
There are tiny round windows at either end of the rectangular space, but otherwise, it’s dim and dingy. Cardboard boxes and old trunks are everywhere. The shit isn't even mine, some of it belongs to the previous owners. Some of the boxes hold records from the prior alpha, stuff I’ve had digitized.
I try to ignore the clutter and imagine the floor with a giant oversized mattress, bean bag chairs, low bookshelves filled with all kinds of toys … the image of me pulling a set of anal beads slowly from Elena's ass has me gripping the top of the railing hard. Maybe a sex swing could be drilled into the rafters so that I can stand in the middle and…
"Clean this place up. I want the thickest carpet imaginable. A huge mattress going wall to wall. A fridge. Shelves. Girly shit."
I’ll let Matthew order all the other things. I’ll order the sex toys myself.
