Page 22 of A Promise of Forever
He continues the slow exploration, his nose running along my shoulders and then switching to the other side of my neck. It's not sexual exactly, but it’s so deeply personal that it feels like we’ve been lovers for years rather than strangers getting to know each other. When Forrest finally pulls back, pleasure runs down my spine, my body heating up from his touch. I think I like being scented. A lot. I reach forward for him, Forrest chuckling as he shrugs out of his suit jacket and drapes it around my shoulders, the fabric still warm from his body heat. Being wrapped in his scent like this is almost overwhelming. Every breath fills my lungs with coconut rum and leather, marking me as his in ways that go beyond words.
"You tell me if it's too much and we'll leave immediately," Forrest says, adjusting the jacket on my shoulders. "But my brother's pack will be there too. His Omega, Astra, will take good care of you, okay? He's been through similar situations and he'll understand if you need space or support."
I nod, trying to keep myself in the present, but my belly is starting to do funny little flips and my cock has a mind of its own. The moment we step onto the pavement, though, anythoughts of somethingmorefade away to slight terror. I press myself against Forrest’s side, my Valla wrapping a protective arm around my shoulder as he guides me up to what looks like the back entrance. I tell myself that the emergency won’t take that long and that I’ll be back in that cozy little cottage before I know it.
I can be brave for a little while longer.
At least, I hope I can.
Sterling
The moment we step inside, I'm assaulted by everything at once. Scents from dozens of people layered on top of each other until I can't distinguish individual notes. Lights flashing and strobing in patterns that make my head hurt.
I bury my face into Forrest's side immediately, pressing so close that his jacket bunches up between us. His arm tightens around me as he adjusts our path to shield me from the worst of the sensory assault. Everyone we pass seems to melt out of our way, stepping aside and dropping their eyes in deference to Forrest's presence. The respect he commands here is absolute,and I can feel the weight of his reputation in every careful movement people make to avoid his attention.
However, there’s that lingering curiosity and the faint whispers that follow once they think we’re far enough away. They’re all wondering who I am and I couldn’t be more out of my element. The sounds die off the higher up the steps we climb, the chaos of the lower levels fading to something more manageable. By the time we reach what must be the top floor, it's almost quiet, with just muffled bass from the music below and the low murmur of conversation.
I peek out from Forrest's side to see Caelan standing near what looks like a private viewing box, and beside him is another Valla I don't recognize. But what really catches my attention is the Omega sprawled across the lounge with a glass of champagne in his hand.
He looks even younger than me by a year or two, can't be more than twenty-three or twenty-four. But what strikes me most is how happy and healthy he appears. His skin practically glows with good health, his hair is shiny and well-maintained, and there's an ease in his posture that speaks to complete comfort and security. He's wearing clothes that fit perfectly, and when he shifts position, I catch the glint of what looks like expensive jewelry.
I wish desperately that I could look like that. Comfortable in my own skin, confident in my place, secure in the knowledge that I'm wanted and protected. Instead, I'm drowning in Forrest's jacket and fighting the urge to hide behind him completely.
I swallow nervously as Forrest presses a kiss to the top of my head, the gesture both comforting and overwhelming. "You're safe to go anywhere in here," he says quietly. "Do you want to go meet Astra?"
I nod slowly, tightening the jacket around myself. The idea of talking to another Omega is both terrifying and appealing. Maybe he'll understand some of what I'm going through, or maybe he'll just highlight how broken I am in comparison.
Caelan snorts with obvious amusement. "Jesus Christ, your Omega is cute. How come we got the spoiled one?"
The comment has my cheeks heating in embarrassment and I’m not sure if I should be offended or flattered. Forrest just shakes his head as he gives me a gentle push toward Astra. "Sterling just doesn't know how to be spoiled yet."
My belly does a little flip at the thought of being well and truly spoiled but I don’t allow myself to hope, not yet. After all, Wilson is still alive and well and he’ll find his way back into my life as soon as he’s able.
I move toward Astra carefully, hyperaware of the other Valla watching me with obvious curiosity. Astra puts out his hand in greeting, and I automatically shrink back, my body responding to the offered touch with ingrained fear.
Astra doesn't even miss a beat as he redirects his outstretched hand and points at the seat beside him instead, the movement so natural that it doesn't feel like rejection or judgment. "I thought Forrest was going to end up barren and old," Astra muses as I settle onto the plush couch, keeping a careful distance between us. "But you're going to be perfect for him, aren't you?"
The question catches me off guard. "I guess? I... this is a lot."
"I know. It always is. And if it helps, I was in your shoes about a year ago. It took me maybe a week or two before I felt absolutely safe with Caelan and Bryn."
I latch onto the new information, glad to have something to focus on besides my own anxiety. "Bryn? Is that your Valla?"
Astra nods enthusiastically, his whole face lighting up. "God, they're fucking amazing. I love them so much. But you struckgold too, didn't you? I've heard rumors that Forrest has a heart of gold waiting to be uncovered."
A small smile splits across my face as I settle deeper into the couch, Astra’s faint melon scent calming my anxiety. Most of my adult life has been spent around Alphas and Betas and the few Omegas I came in contact with were either just as broken as I was or doing everything they could to stay under the radar.
Astra is nothing like that. He’s adorable and happy and free which makes me wonder if despite Forrest’s world, I could still carve out a little piece of comfort for myself. The moment I get a little more comfortable, Astra just takes it in stride, speaking a thousand miles a minute. Anyone else might have been put off by it but I like that he’s not expecting anything from me.
And then the conversation turns as he wiggles his eyebrows before sipping his champagne. “How are you adjusting? Forrest is kind of all macho and business and shit and while he’s definitely the Valla you want in your corner, the way Caelan described you…” He tilts his head to the side, his gaze searching my face for something.
"I don't really know what to expect," I admit. "I kind of ran away from my last Alpha and the other ones weren’t really… well,good." I drag Forrest’s jacket impossibly tighter around me, instantly searching for where he is in the room. When I find him by Caelan and that other Valla, I relax a little before directing my attention back to Astra. “Sorry.”
Astra snorts. “What for? I do the same thing. I hate it when they’re gone and when I can’t see them but they like being needed.” He takes another sip before throwing me a wicked grin. “As for that bastard of an ex of yours, Forrest won’t let him get anywhere near you. If you ask nicely, he might even put your ex in the ring down there."
The suggestion makes me look out the window of the box we're in for the first time. Below us stands an empty fighting ring,surrounded by what must be hundreds of seats. Lights move across the space in patterns that would probably be beautiful if I wasn't thinking about people bleeding in that space.
However, I don't feel as scared as I thought I would, looking at it. Maybe because it's empty right now, or maybe because Forrest's scent wrapped around me makes everything feel safer than it should. I shake my head firmly. "I just want Wilson to go away." I don’t want him to die but I do want him to suffer. I want him to hurt. I want him to know pain.
