Page 53 of For the First Time
“They missed out on the room, not you,” Everett continued.“Even without their readiness, you tried to help them.If they’re upset, it shouldn’t be with you because I know for a fact that you called them repeatedly to check in, to ask if they had made a decision or not.”
“I should have emphasized the importance of deciding quicker.They don’t know how important it is to be early in these types of decisions.”
“Eve, Babygirl, they’re adults.They understand reservations.And they live in this city, they know how busy it gets during the winter months.Even more, you might be organizing this event for them, but you are not a professional event planner.You have another job.This is a kindness you’re doing.”
“Is it a kindness if I can’t even do it right?”
Everett grabbed the bowls from my lap and his, setting them on the table before he dragged my body to his, my legs burning and stretching as my knees rested on either side of his hips.His beard was growing longer with each week that he didn’t cut it.It still tended to leave a red sting behind after a long make out session.Not that I was complaining.There was only so much that beard oil and conditioner could do against the repetitive rubbing of his facial hair against my cheeks or inner thighs.How did I know his facial hair care routine?
Because I’d started spending a few nights here.None of my pack was going to let me drive home alone, let alone stay alone in my apartment post-heat.That didn’t even consider the fact that Atlas was basically feral after the simple work hours that separated us.Our bond was still so new that he clung to me in the hours he was home.I was pretty sure the only reason he was even able to leave and go into work was knowing I wasn’t leaving his home.And the fact that Everett sent him an update text with a photo of me that I pretended not to notice every hour.
Everett’s grip came to my hips, his hands so large that his thumbs rested in the crevice between my thighs and my core.“Am I your alpha, Babygirl?”
My body slowly relaxed into this position, the aching in my thighs and my ass accommodating this new position.Even my back muscles had to take a moment to adjust, as if holding myself up was an effort.Heats were no jokes.
Everett didn’t ask again, simply holding me on his lap, waiting for an answer.Except, it felt like a trick question.
If I had an alpha, yes, he would be one of mine.But if I agreed, would that be pulling designations into a pack where Atlas didn’t want his?Did Everett have to be myalpha,or could he just bemine?
A growl seemed to leak from Everett at my hesitation.
“Yes?”I finally managed, more question than true answer.
One of Everett’s fingers came up, hooking around the gold necklace and pulling me closer to him.My front gently slammed into his, my hips pressing even harder against him until there was no space between our bodies.His lips were so close that I felt his breaths.“If I’m your alpha, then you need to let me take care of you.I need to know you’re eating, that you aren’t overworking yourself because I do know you, Babygirl.I know that you will put everyone else’s needs and wants before your own, but I won’t let you.”
He brushed his cheek against my temple before continuing down so his lips were next to my ear.“I need to know you’re healthy.That you’re safe.You think it’s just about this perfect body?I will guard your emotions just as aggressively as I would your throat.All parts of you matter.The ones I can hold in my hands and the ones I’m desperate to feel in my soul.It’s...”he took a deep inhale, my scent just beginning to rise as his length hardened between my thighs, “a test in restraint not to bite you right now, so I’ll never have to wonder if you need me.So I can take better care of you.”
His lips moved lower, lightly grazing my neck.He came down to my collarbone, licking over Atlas’s claim, sending a shiver down my body and gooseflesh raising my hairs, before moving back up my neck, pressing a kiss as close to the bottom of my ear as he could manage.“That is where I’d put my claim.I want it to be visible to any fucker who so much as glances at you.No hiding it.No missing it.I’d have to be careful, not in a rut so I don’t hurt you.”
It wasn’t a threat—it was a promise.And I loved it.
“I trust you.”My head tilted even further to the side, like I could’ve enticed him to bite me right in that moment.Even my eyelids slid shut, my body relaxing even further into his.I wanted him to bite me.To claim me.
He groaned, the sound vibrating his lips and my skin where he was kissing me.
I had no idea what the expected timeline was for bonding a beta into a pack.Usually, an omega would bond one alpha at a time, preferably separated by four weeks between each bond in order to ensure everyone is properly adjusting to the new high emotional states.The extra possessiveness, arousal, and clinginess.Most alphas are even given time off to accommodate the new bond.
Did that mean Everett was also going to wait four weeks before he bit me?Or did that timeline not matter since I was neither an omega nor alpha?Or maybe it would matter except Atlas wasn’t a typical omega andhe’dfeel better knowing his packmates also knew I was safe?
It was impossible to know the right thing to do.Impossible to know why they were waiting.
“Fuck me, Babygirl,” Everett groaned.“Tell me what you’re thinking that has that little sound clawing out of your throat.”
Sound?
I hadn’t realized I was whimpering.How very ...unbetalike.
Everett growled, his body tensing when I didn’t immediately answer.“Eve.Tell me what you need.Now.”
“You.I need you.”I refused to beg for his bite, so this was as close as I could admit the truth.I knew he wanted me, wanted to claim me.He told me at least once a day, he’djustfinished telling me where he’d want his claim on me.And yet.It wasn’t enough.I wasn’t an omega.I couldn’t cling to hope like they could from words.From promises.I needed actions.
“You have me, Babygirl.I can promise you that.And as soon as you learn it, as soon as you know it down to your soul, I’m going to make you mine.”
I leaned back, needing to see his face like that would help me understand his words.“What?”
A door slammed open, nearly making me jump, though Everett didn’t so much as flinch.
“Hey, what the fuck?”
