Page 30 of For the First Time
I shook my head, disagreeing with him.“Why would you have a present for me?”Was I making a big deal out of this?After all, I hadn’t opened the box yet.Maybe it wasn’t even a necklace.I had no idea what else would fit into that small box, though.Decorative coasters?Decorative potholders?Those were gifts I could accept.
I grabbed the box, careful as I lifted the lid.
I was right, it was a necklace.It was gold, and dainty, not that either fact made it less expensive.I couldn’t look away, as if a single glance up at Atlas and the necklace could fall out of its box and break.
“Do you see it, pet?”
Atlas’s question had me frowning.I was literally looking at it, obviously staring at it.
“Take a closer look.”His finger came to point at the front where the gold twist and turned.It was difficult to make out, but I swore the gold spelled out ‘Wilder’ along the length.The word didn’t dangle like a charm.It was a part of the necklace, the same as the rest of the material.Not quite a choker, it would probably rest just over my collarbones.Their name on the side of my neck.Like a claim.
My jaw dropped open as I simply stared at it.
This was a claiming.Granted, a less permanent claiming than being bitten by the omega in front of me.Nonetheless, it was very clearly a claim from pack Wilder.
“Atlas?”His name was all I could manage.I finally pulled my gaze away from the jewelry to look up at his face.He was already staring at me, watching me.“I don’t understand.”
“We want to court you.”
“Court me?You can’t court me.”
“Why not?”
I looked around, hoping someone would suddenly appear to help me explain.Where were Everett and Oaks?I gave it a moment in case the alphas wanted to make a dramatic appearance.They didn’t.“I’m a beta.You don’t court betas.”
“You can court anyone.It just so happens that most packs court an omega before they settle down.We’re just going to court you as the last pack member.Designation has nothing to do with it.”
“Courting is specifically designed for omegas.The dates and gifts—”
“All of which an omega might appreciate, sure.But are you telling me you don’t like dates?You don’t like gifts?You don’t like the idea of wearing this necklace, so everyone knows you’re mine?”
My body gave a weak attempt at arousal.I had been thoroughly satiated, but it was willing to try and restrike the match at his words.This was probably the quickest recovery time I’d ever had.“I do.”
“And if our intent with giving you this gift is to court you, then I don’t see what the problem is.What designation has to do with any of it.”
“Because!”
“Because what?”
I groaned.“Even if I do accept this ...courting gift,” damn, that was hard to even admit out loud, “what then?I just become a part of your pack?You don’t need a beta.”
Atlas growled, tossing the necklace onto the bed as he stepped closer to me, fisting my hair in his hand as he pulled, forcing my gaze to meet his.“Enough with the designation shit.We want you, Eve.Not some random beta.Not anyone else.”
“But I don’t understand.Why?I won’t be able to help in your heats—”
“Of course you can.”
“I mean, sure, I can provide sustenance for Everett and Oaks.I know omegas don’t tend to eat, although you really should.You lose a lot of your hydration, and you burn a lot of calories with the rigorous sex.But if that’s all you want, then you could really hire a heat-advocate to help you through the session.”
“Do you honestly think that if my heat came, and you were around, that I’d let you out of my nest for even a second?”
“Um.”I was going to say yes, except the tone he’d used made me think that wouldn’t be right.
“Eve, pet.If I went into heat and you were here?I would sink my cock into you and bite your neck on pure instinct.My omega is obsessed with the idea of locking you down and a bite as well as a babe in that belly of yours is the perfect way to do it in his opinion.”
The mention of pregnancy had me gasping, staring at him with wide eyes.I didn’t hate the idea.And that was just as scary.
“If I’m honest, we have talked about the fact that you’re a beta.The others are worried that when my heat hits, I’m going to be so obsessed with breeding you that I’ll make your little pussy raw.That I’ll make your belly swell with how much cum I’m going to pump inside you.”He was standing so close that his hips pressed forward, grinding into me as he made each point.“You think I don’t want you?That my omega doesn’t want you?I thought you were an omega expert.Do you know any omegas who aren’t fully obsessed with their packmates?”
