Claimed by the Band (Fameverse #1)

Chapter 34 – ASHER

34

ASHER

I push through another crowd of panicked party-goers, every second that goes by spiking my anxiety.

Where is he?

The chaos from my little stunt with the ventilation system has turned into full-blown pandemonium, but I can't find Alex anywhere.

"Any sign?" Knox asks, appearing beside me with worry etched across his features beneath his wolf mask.

I shake my head, trying to keep the panic from my voice. "Nothing. He's not answering his phone either."

"We'll split up," Silas declares, taking command as usual. "Cover more ground. Dante, check the offices. Knox, take the lobby in case he went outside. Damon, stay here and keep searching the ballroom. I'll check the service corridors."

"What about me?" I demand.

"You take the stairs," Silas says gently. "The elevators are packed anyway. And... he might respond better to you if he's hurt or scared."

The thought sends ice through my veins. If anything's happened to him...

I nod sharply and break away from the group, pushing through the crowd toward the stairwell. My hand trembles slightly as I push open the heavy door, but I force myself to focus.

Alex needs me.

That's all that matters right now.

The stairwell is eerily quiet compared to the chaos above, my footsteps echoing off concrete walls. The emergency lights cast everything in an eerie red glow that makes my skin crawl.

"Alex?" I call out, my voice bouncing back at me.

A sound catches my attention—something between a whimper and a cry, coming from the landing below. My heart leaps into my throat as I race down the stairs.

And there he is, crumpled against the wall like a broken doll. His cat mask lies discarded beside him, and his face is flushed with what looks like fever.

"Alex!" I rush to his side, dropping to my knees beside him. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

He shudders at my touch but doesn't pull away. If anything, he seems to lean into it despite himself. That's when it hits me—a scent so familiar it stops me in my tracks.

Roses and rain.

But it's different than before—clearer, more intense. And undeniably tinged with the sweet musk of omega heat.

It's Alex's scent, but... not.

How is that possible?

My brain struggles to make sense of it even as my body responds instinctively to another omega in distress. Because that's what this is—what he is.

An omega.

In heat.

"Oh," I breathe, understanding dawning as I gaze down at him. "You're an omega."

Shame and fear flash across his beautiful face as he turns away, curling in on himself. "I'm sorry," he whispers, his voice cracking. "I'm so sorry."

My heart breaks at the pain in his voice. I still have so many questions, but so many have been answered in an instant.

Why he's so distant.

Why he's so scared .

And most horrifyingly of all, why he had to run away from that awful place. It was bad enough when I thought he was just a neglected beta, overlooked by a cult that worships alphas and abuses omegas, but knowing he's one of them…

One of us .

The thought of what he's been through at the hands of those monsters makes my chest tighten and my blood curdle. I'm usually a pacifist, but right now, I want to hurt someone. Fuck, I want to torture whoever it is who hurt him this bad, who made him feel like hiding himself was the only way he could survive. I want to break every last bone in their body and cut pieces off until they're begging for death.

And it still wouldn't be enough.

I clench my fists hard, hard enough that the pain of my nails digging into my palms grounds me, reminds me that vengeance isn't what he needs right now.

It's protection.

Care.

And most of all, to get the fuck out of this place.

"What happened?" I ask softly, brushing the damp strands of his hair out of his face.

Whether he doesn't want to answer or he's in too much pain, I realize the answer a second later on my own.

"The pheromones," I realize aloud, guilt crashing over me. They must have triggered a heat, blown through whatever suppressants have been managing to keep his secret all this time.

Oh god. This is my fault.

My stupid stunt with the ventilation system...

"It hurts," he whimpers, and the sound goes straight to my core. Every omega instinct I have screams to comfort him, to protect him, to make it better.

"I know, kitten," I murmur, pressing a hand to his forehead. His skin burns against my palm. "Let's get you out of here."

I slip one arm under his knees and the other around his shoulders, lifting him as gently as I can. He weighs almost nothing, and feels so fragile.

"I can walk," he protests weakly, even as his head lolls against my shoulder.

"Sure you can," I say softly, pressing a kiss to his temple. "But humor me, okay?"

He makes a small sound that might be agreement, his fingers curling into my shirt. His scent wraps around me—roses and rain and heat—making my head whirl. But not in the way alpha pheromones affect me.

I've always enjoyed the scent of other omegas in heat, but this is something else altogether.

This is different.

This is... right.

I'm halfway up the stairs when the door above us slams open. Dante and Silas burst through, clearly following our scents. They freeze at the sight of us, their eyes widening as they process what they're seeing. What they're scenting.

"Is he—" Dante starts, but I cut him off.

"Not now," I say firmly, tightening my hold on Alex as he trembles against me. "We need to get him out of here."

They exchange looks but don't argue. Silas immediately pulls out his phone, probably texting the others, while Dante moves to clear our path.

"Car's waiting out back," Silas says, his voice carefully neutral even though I can tell Alex's scent is affecting him. Dante, too. "Knox and Damon are already heading there."

I nod, grateful for their efficiency. For their lack of questions even though I know they must have almost as many as I do. For the way they fall into formation around us as usual, protecting us both as we make our way through the service corridors toward the exit.

Alex shivers in my arms, pressing his face into my neck like he's trying to hide from the world. I can feel his heat through our clothes, can smell how the pheromones are affecting him.

"Almost there," I murmur against his hair as we approach the exit. "I've got you. You're safe now."

He makes a small sound that breaks my heart, his fingers tightening in my shirt. "Don't hate me," he whispers, so quietly I almost miss it. "Please don't hate me."

My steps falter for a beat, but I force myself to keep walking. "Never," I promise fiercely, my chest aching at the vulnerability in his voice. "We could never hate you, Alex."

He tenses slightly at that, but doesn't respond. Maybe can't respond, given how the heat is clearly overwhelming him. His scent grows sharper, more desperate with each passing moment.

The cool night air hits us as we burst through the service entrance, and I'm grateful to see our SUV idling exactly where Silas said it would be. Knox jumps out to open the door while Damon slides into the driver's seat.

"Home," I say as Dante helps me maneuver Alex into the backseat. "Fast."

No one argues. No one asks questions, even if I can see the confusion mingling with the curiosity and worry in their eyes. They're all alphas, and if I'm this affected by Alex's scent, I know it has to be just as intense for them.

And something tells me they're having the same thoughts I am. That this isn't just another omega in heat. It's something that's going to change our lives, and our pack, forever.

But that's something we'll all have to deal with later, once Alex is somewhere safe, where we can protect him. Shelter him. The alphas move with practiced efficiency, getting us away from this nightmare as quickly as possible.

I settle Alex across my lap in the backseat, not caring about proper seating arrangements. He needs the contact, needs to be held, and I need to hold him.

"What happened?" Knox asks softly from the front seat, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. His pupils are dilated the way they always are when I'm in heat, but I've never seen him get this affected by one of my flings. More proof that Alex is different.

"Later," I say firmly, running my fingers through Alex's hair as he trembles against me. "Just... get us home."

Home. To the tour bus that's become more of a home than anywhere else. Where we can take care of him properly, help him through this heat that's been forced on him.

If he'll let us.

Alex whimpers against my neck, his body trembling as another wave of heat crashes through him. His scent calls to every instinct I have, making me want to wrap him up and never let go.

"Easy, kitten," I murmur, stroking his hair as he presses closer. "I know it hurts."

His fingers clutch at my shirt, desperate for contact. The fabric is damp with sweat where his skin burns against mine. I've never seen a heat hit this hard, this fast. Whatever was in those vents, whatever Trakiss created, it's brutal. And if that's what he's showing off at parties…

"Can't we just give him suppressants?" Dante asks from the front seat, his voice tight with concern. "If he's in this much pain..."

"Not safe," Knox mutters, glancing back at us with worried eyes. "Taking an omega out of full-blown heat like that could make it way worse, and we don't know what he's already on. It could interact, or cause an overdose."

Relief floods through me that I don't have to explain. Knox would know—he's done more research on omega biology than any alpha I've ever met. He's the one who reads the incredibly lengthy inserts on every suppressant I've been prescribed. Usually it annoys me how overprotective he gets, but right now I'm grateful for his knowledge.

Alex makes another pained sound, his hips shifting restlessly against my thigh. The movement sends a fresh wave of his scent through the car, and I hear Silas inhale sharply beside me. It's doing things to me, too, but I can't focus on that right now.

"Almost there," I promise, pressing my lips to Alex's temple. His skin burns against my mouth. "We'll take care of you soon. Give you everything you need."

He shudders at my words, a soft whine escaping his throat. The sound goes straight to my core, making something deep inside me ache with the need to comfort him. To protect him. To make him feel as safe and wanted and cherished as he is.

The SUV finally pulls into the bus lot, and I've never been so grateful to see our home on wheels. Knox is out of his seat before Damon even fully stops, yanking the door open so I can maneuver Alex out without jostling him too much.

"Got him?" Knox asks softly as I shift Alex in my arms. His woodsmoke scent wraps around us protectively, and I catch the way Alex unconsciously turns toward it in his heat-addled state.

"Yeah," I say, adjusting my grip. Alex feels even lighter than before, like his bones are hollow. How long has he been running? How long has he been denying this part of himself?

The questions can wait. Right now, he needs comfort and safety and pack. Everything else will sort itself out later.

"Home," Alex mumbles against my neck, his voice small and confused. Like he can't quite believe he's allowed to want this.

"That's right, kitten," I say softly as Knox holds the bus door for us. "You're home now."

His only response is to press closer, his scent spiking with another wave of heat. My own body responds instinctively, wanting to comfort and protect and claim.

I carry Alex through the narrow bus corridor, instinctively heading for the large bedroom the pack shares. The familiar space is filled with our combined scents—leather and bourbon, woodsmoke, earth and stone, cedar and cardamom, and honey. It feels right bringing him here, surrounding him with pack scents.

Gently, I lay him on the massive bed, noting how he immediately burrows into the blankets. His roses and rain scent mingles with ours in a way that feels so fucking right. Like it belongs there. Like he belongs there.

"What do you need?" Dante asks from the doorway, his dark eyes full of concern. The other alphas are hanging back, not wanting to crowd us, but I see their worried expressions over his shoulder.

"Water," I say, smoothing Alex's sweat-dampened hair back from his forehead. "And then maybe some space, just for now. Until he's more settled."

Dante nods, disappearing and returning almost instantly with a cold water bottle. The others hover in the hallway, their protective alpha energy filling the space even as they maintain their distance.

"We'll be right outside if you need us," Dante murmurs, squeezing my shoulder before joining the others.

Once we're alone, I turn back to Alex. He seems a bit more coherent now, though his skin still burns with fever. The pack's combined scents appear to be helping ground him, which is a relief. They always do that for me, but the five of us are bonded. I want to get him out of those clothes that reek of artificial pheromones, help him settle properly.

"I'm sorry we can't get to a nesting store," I tell him softly. "But I've got plenty of supplies here you can use in the meantime."

His dark eyes meet mine, clearer than they've been since I found him in the stairwell. "Thank you," he whispers, and the vulnerability in his voice makes my heart ache.

"Here," I say gently, reaching for the buttons of his burgundy shirt. "Let me help you get more comfortable?—"

He jerks away from my touch, panic flashing across his features. The sudden movement sends another wave of his heat scent through the air, but it's tinged with fear now.

"I'm sorry," I say quickly, holding up my hands. Alex's fearful reaction is another knife in my gut, a reminder of just what he's been through. I think I'm going to have to make a career change from rock star to hitman after this, just to get through the list of people I need to kill for ever touching what's mine.

"No, it's not you, I—" he cuts off, wrapping his arms around himself protectively, and shudders like another wave of pain just hit him. "I... there's something else I need to tell you. Something I've been lying about, and it's going to change the way you see me."

My hands fall to my sides as I take in his defensive posture, the way he's curled in on himself like he's expecting a blow. "Whatever it is," I say softly, "it's okay. You can tell me anything."

He laughs, but it's a broken sound that makes my heart hurt. "You keep saying that, but..." He swallows hard, not meeting my eyes. "Being an omega isn't... it's not the only thing I've been hiding."

I wait patiently, giving him space to find the words. Every instinct screams to gather him close, to comfort and protect, but I force myself to stay still. To let him do this in his own time.

"I'm not..." he starts, then stops, taking a shaky breath. His fingers twist in the silk of his shirt, knuckles white with tension. "The person you think I am. Not just because I'm an omega, but..." Another deep breath. "I'm not... this ." He gestures to himself, his hands still trembling.

Understanding dawns, and suddenly so many things click into place. The distance he painstakingly maintains. The way he flinches from certain touches. The oversized clothes. The secrets within secrets.

"Alex," I say gently, waiting until those beautiful eyes meet mine. "Are you trying to tell me you're trans? Because there's nothing wrong with that. And I would never think you were lying just because you didn't feel safe disclosing that yet."

His eyes widen slightly, but he shakes his head. "No, I… it's not that," he says with a shaky breath. "I'm not trans, I'm… I'm not a guy at all. I'm a girl, at least as far as I'm anything. As far as I'm a person at all. I'm just… broken."

It takes me a moment to process what I'm hearing. To read the truth between his— her— fractured version of it.

Then, I think back to what she told us all that night. About the cult. About her so-called family, and the way they viewed female omegas.

Breeding stock.

There's that murderous rage again.

I reach out and gently touch her cheek, my heart aching at the fear and shame in her eyes. "Listen to me," I say softly. "I don't care if you're a man or a woman, an omega or a beta, or anything else. But you are not broken. You're the strongest person I've ever met."

The words pour out of me before I can stop them. "I love you . Nothing else matters."

She goes still under my touch, those dark eyes widening in shock. My head spins as I realize what I've just said, how completely inappropriate the timing is.

"I'm sorry," I stammer quickly. "That's not... I mean, I shouldn't have just blurted that out. Not when you're dealing with all this. The timing is awful, and you're vulnerable, and I'm an idiot, and?—"

She cuts me off with a kiss, her lips soft and desperate against mine. For a moment, I'm too stunned to respond. But then she makes this small, needy sound in the back of her throat, and something inside me snaps.

I kiss her back with everything I've been holding back these past weeks. All the longing, all the protective instincts, all the love I've been trying so hard not to show. My fingers tangle in her hair, still damp with sweat from the heat, and she melts against me with a whimper that makes my chest tight.

It feels like that final wall I've been trying so hard to break away, piece by piece, is crumbling all at once. And finally, I understand. Everything she's been hiding, everything she's been holding back.

It all makes so much sense now.

"Did you mean it?" she whispers against my lips, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. There's so much vulnerability there, so much hope warring with fear.

"Every word," I tell her fiercely. "I know the timing is terrible, and I know you probably need time to process everything, but yes. I meant it. I love you. Who you are, not what you are, Alex."

Her eyes fill with tears, and for a moment I'm afraid I've said the wrong thing. But then she kisses me again, and I can taste the salt of her tears mixing with the sweetness of her lips.

"Jordan," she whispers against my lips. "My name is Jordan."

My heart soars at the revelation. The intimacy of hearing her real name for the first time. It feels like every bit as much of a victory as hearing I love you back, but I know that one's going to take some time.

"Jordan," I murmur, taking her hands in mine, rubbing her palms with my thumbs. "What a beautiful name. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Jordan."

A particularly rosy shade of pink colors her cheeks, and she leans closer, her hair falling into her eyes. "Are the others as understanding as you?"

"They'd better be," I tease, pressing my forehead against hers. "I've brought a lot of people home over the years. Jordan. Men and women. But you're the only one my pack has ever wanted to keep."

Surprise flashes in her eyes, and I can tell she's warring with herself. Trying to let the voice in the back of her mind tell her she's not safe to be this vulnerable, not worthy of being as adored as she is. But I'll just have to be louder. I'm good at making my voice heard.

She shivers, another wave of heat clearly hitting her. A small sound of discomfort escapes her as she tugs at the sweat-soaked fabric of her shirt.

"Let me help?" I ask softly, reaching for the buttons. This time she nods, though I can still see the nervousness in her eyes.

I take my time with each button, giving her plenty of chances to stop me. The soft fabric parts to reveal the binder beneath. It can't be comfortable during an induced heat like this.

"This too?" I ask gently, touching the edge of the binder. "It's probably not good to wear during heat. The constriction might make the fever worse."

She hesitates, vulnerability written across her features. "I... you're sure it doesn't matter? That I'm..."

"That you're the most amazing person I've ever met?" I finish for her, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "The bravest, strongest, most incredible omega who somehow managed to survive hell and come out fighting? Yeah, I'm pretty damn sure about that."

A small laugh escapes her, though it's shaky with unshed tears. "You're ridiculous."

"Maybe," I agree, smoothing her hair back from her face. "But I'm also right. Now, will you let me help you get more comfortable? No pressure, just... I hate seeing you in pain."

She studies my face for a long moment, like she's searching for any sign of deception. Finally, she nods. "Okay."

I help her sit up, supporting her weight as another wave of heat makes her tremble. "Just breathe," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Working together, we manage to get the binder off without too much difficulty. I pause for a moment, taking her in. Every inch of her exposed skin, smooth and soft to the touch as velvet. It’s all I can do to resist palming her perky breasts and dusky pink nipples, but I know I need to let her take the lead. Tell me what she's comfortable with. The soft taper of her waist and the swell of her hips. She's still petite, but there are curves there that weren't before and my hands burn with want to explore them. To know every part of her she trusts me enough to reveal.

"You're so beautiful," I tell her firmly. "Every part of you."

She flushes, but doesn't pull away. "Even though I'm not what you thought?"

"You're exactly who I thought," I say, pulling her close. "You're perfect. The packaging doesn't change any of that, but it's perfect, too."

She curls into me, pressing her face against my neck. Her scent wraps around us both and I turn my face into her throat, breathing her in greedily.

She relaxes against me, a shuddering sigh escaping against my throat. Her skin burns against mine where we touch.

I run my fingers through Jordan's hair as she trembles against me. The heat is clearly getting more intense—her skin burns where it presses against mine, and small sounds of discomfort escape her throat.

"Jordan," I say softly, waiting until those beautiful dark eyes meet mine. "Let me help you through this? Please?"

Her blush deepens, but she doesn't look away. "You... you want to?"

"More than anything," I tell her honestly. "But only if you're comfortable. There's no pressure."

She bites her lip, and I have to resist the urge to kiss her again. "What about..." Her eyes dart toward the door. "What about the pack?"

I stroke her cheek gently, feeling the heat of her fever beneath my palm. "That's entirely up to you, kitten. If you want them here, they can come in. Now or later or never—it's your choice. But..." I hesitate, not wanting to pressure her but needing her to understand. "You'll probably need an alpha's knot eventually to help ease the symptoms."

She looks away, but I also catch the way her scent spikes with interest. "Yeah," she breathes. "Probably."

"But if you're not ready for that," I continue quickly, "we have other options. I've got knotting toys we could try, different things that might help take the edge off."

Jordan shifts against me, another small whimper escaping her throat as the movement sends a fresh wave of heat through her. "I... toys might be interesting," she admits. "But I wouldn't mind trying with them either. If they want to. If you're okay with that."

My heart soars at her words, at the trust she's placing in us. "They want to," I assure her, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Trust me, they want to. And I'm more than okay with it."

She's not just some omega I'm taking to my bed. She's our scent match. Our mate. I knew it the moment I found her in that stairwell, and I can tell my pack knows it, too, but that's way too much pressure to put on her right now.

"But we can start slow, just you and me for now if you'd prefer?" I offer.

She nods, relief evident in her expression. "Maybe... maybe later? When I'm more..."

"Whenever you're ready," I promise, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. "We'll take this at your pace. Whatever you want, whatever you need."

"Just you," she whispers against my lips. "For now, just you."

The words make my chest tight with emotion. After everything she's been through, all the walls she's built to protect herself, she's choosing to trust me with this. With her vulnerability, her truth, her heat.

“Tell me what you need,” I murmur, pulling her closer.

She presses closer, her bare skin burning against mine where our bodies touch. "Touch me?" she asks, her voice small but wanting. "Everywhere. Please?"

I've never heard anything more beautiful than that soft plea. "I've never wanted anything more," I promise, sliding my hands down her sides.

Her only response is to kiss me again, deeper this time, and I let myself get lost in the taste of her. In the way she melts against me, trusting me to catch her. To take care of her.

I trail kisses down Jordan's neck, marveling at how soft her skin is. The scent of dew-laden roses fills my lungs with every breath, making my head spin in the best way. She tilts her head, offering more of her throat in a gesture of trust that makes my chest tight.

My teeth graze her pulse point and something primal stirs inside me. I've never wanted to mark another omega before—that's always been something I let my alphas do to me. But the urge to sink my teeth into her delicate skin, to leave my mark where everyone can see it, is overwhelming.

"Please," she whimpers, and the sound goes straight to my core. Her fingers tangle in my hair, holding me close as I suck a dark red mark into her throat. Not quite a claiming bite, but a promise of one.

I've never felt quite this possessive over anyone before, let alone another omega. But Jordan is different. Special. She's mine in a way I can't quite explain.

My hands slide down her sides, memorizing every curve she's kept hidden for so long. Her skin burns beneath my touch, fever-hot from the heat. When my thumbs brush the undersides of her breasts, she arches into the contact with a needy sound that makes me want to devour her.

"So beautiful," I murmur against her collarbone, pressing open-mouthed kisses down her chest. "Every inch of you is perfect."

She shivers beneath me, another wave of her heat scent filling the air. "Asher," she breathes, and my name has never sounded better than it does on her lips.

I take my time exploring her body, learning what makes her gasp and whimper. Her nipples are incredibly sensitive—just a gentle brush of my fingers has her writhing beneath me. When I replace my fingers with my mouth, sucking one tight peak between my lips, she actually cries out.

"Shh," I soothe, pulling back to blow cool air across her heated skin.

Her hands clutch at my shoulders as I lavish attention on her breasts, alternating between gentle touches and firmer pressure. Every sound she makes, every twitch of her body beneath mine, feeds something primal inside me.

My mouth trails lower, pressing kisses down her stomach as my fingers work at the fastenings of her pants. She lifts her hips to help me slide them off, along with her underwear. The scent of her arousal hits me, making my mouth water.

"Is this okay?" I ask, settling between her thighs. I need to hear her say it, need to know she wants this as much as I do.

"Yes," she breathes, spreading her legs wider in invitation. "Please, Asher."

The sight of her spread out before me, wet and wanting, nearly undoes me. Her inner thighs glisten with slick, and I can't resist leaning in to taste her. The first swipe of my tongue has us both moaning—she tastes even better than she smells.

"Oh god," she whimpers as I explore her with my tongue, learning what makes her shake apart. Her thighs tremble on either side of my head as I find her clit, circling it gently.

The way she responds to every touch, every flick of my tongue, is intoxicating. Her fingers tangle in my hair, holding me close as I work her higher.

"That's it," I murmur against her sensitive flesh. "Let go for me, beautiful. I want to taste more of you."

She comes with a cry that she muffles against her arm, her whole body shaking. I work her through it gently, not stopping until she tugs me away with trembling hands.

"Come here," she pants, pulling me up for a desperate kiss. I know she can taste herself on my tongue, and the thought makes me groan into her mouth.

My clothes feel too tight suddenly, too restrictive against my skin. Jordan seems to agree, because her fingers are already working at the buttons of my shirt. I help her strip me, everything but my briefs now, needing to feel her skin against mine.

When we're both finally naked, I take a moment just to look at her. Her skin is flushed pink, her dark hair spread out across the pillow like a halo. Her lips are swollen from kissing, and the mark I left on her throat stands out beautifully against her pale skin.

"You're staring," she murmurs, a hint of self-consciousness creeping into her voice.

"Because you're gorgeous," I tell her firmly, capturing her lips in another kiss. "The most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

She melts into the kiss, her hands exploring my body with growing confidence. When her fingers brush over my nipple piercings, I can't help the moan that escapes me. They're incredibly sensitive, and she seems fascinated by them.

"These are so hot," she breathes, tugging gently on one of the bars. The sensation shoots straight to my core, making me grind against her thigh.

"Glad you think so," I manage, my voice rough with need. "They're fun to play with. But they're not the only ones."

Her eyes darken at that, pupils blown wide with curiosity that brings a smile to my lips. She leans up to replace her fingers with her mouth. The wet heat of her tongue against my pierced nipple nearly makes me see stars. I've always been sensitive there, but something about the way she touches me makes everything more intense.

"Jordan," I gasp as she sucks harder, her teeth grazing the metal bar. "Fuck, that feels amazing."

She hums against my skin, clearly pleased with my reaction. Her other hand slides down my stomach, teasing along the waistband of my underwear. I'm already embarrassingly hard—being with her like this is more arousing than anything I've ever experienced.

"Can I touch you?" she asks softly, her fingers dipping just below the elastic.

"Beautiful, you can do whatever you want to me," I whisper against her lips. "I'm yours."

Her breath falters at that, but she grows bolder.

I gasp as Jordan's fingers trail lower, teasing along my length through the thin fabric of my briefs. Her touch is curious, exploratory, and it makes my heart race to see the fascination in her eyes. I lift my hips, sliding my underwear off so she can explore freely.

Her eyes widen slightly as she takes in the sight of me fully naked, her gaze immediately drawn to the glint of metal. "You have piercings there too?"

I can't help but grin at the wonder in her voice. "Mhmm. A dydoe up top and a lorum underneath." I gesture to the piercings on the top of my crown and on the underside of my cock at the base in turn. "I may not have a knot, but trust me—they make things interesting."

"Did it hurt?" she asks, her fingers hovering just above my skin like she's afraid to touch.

"Like hell," I laugh, but the sound cuts off as her hand wraps around my shaft and my voice grows strained with need for her to keep touching me. "But that's part of the fun."

She explores me slowly, as if she's fascinated by the way the metal catches the light. Her touch is tentative at first, but grows bolder as she gauges my reaction. When her thumb brushes over the metal studs of the dydoe piercing, my hips buck involuntarily.

"Sensitive?" she asks with a small smile, doing it again deliberately.

"Very," I manage, my voice rough. "But in the best way."

Her fingers trace down my length to the lorum piercing, and I have to bite back a moan. The dual sensations of her exploring touch and the metal moving against sensitive flesh is almost too much.

"Jordan," I warn as she continues her gentle exploration, "if you keep that up, I'm not going to last. And when I'm not in heat, I need recovery time after coming. I want to make you feel good first."

She looks up at me through her lashes, and the combination of innocence and heat in her expression nearly undoes me. "What if I want you to feel good too?"

"Trust me," I say, catching her hand and bringing it to my lips, "being inside you will feel amazing. Let me take care of you?"

Her scent intensifies at my words, roses and rain and need filling my lungs. "Yes," she breathes, spreading her legs wider in invitation. "Please, Asher. I want… I need you to fuck me."

I groan at the sight of her, the sound of her begging for the very thing I need on a fundamental level. Positioning myself between her thighs, I rub the head of my cock through her slick, letting her get used to the feel of the piercing against her sensitive flesh.

"Ready?" I ask softly, searching her face for any sign of hesitation.

She nods, pulling me down for a desperate kiss as I start to push inside. The sensation is overwhelming—she's so tight and hot around me, her inner walls fluttering as they adjust to the intrusion.

"Oh god," she whimpers against my lips as I sink deeper, the piercings adding extra stimulation with every movement.

"You feel incredible," I tell her, fighting to keep still and let her adjust. "So perfect around me."

Her hands clutch at my shoulders as I begin to move, setting a gentle rhythm. Every thrust makes the piercings on the base of my cock shift and catch against her walls, drawing the most beautiful sounds from her throat.

Nothing has ever felt so right, so perfect, so meant to be. The way she moves beneath me, the way she responds to every touch, every kiss—it's magic.

"More," she gasps, her legs wrapping around my waist to pull me closer. "Please, Asher, I need..."

"I know what you need," I murmur, sliding a hand between us to circle her clit.

She arches into my touch, her body trembling on the edge of release. The scent of her arousal mixed with her heat is mouthwatering.

"That's it," I encourage as she starts to tighten around me. "Let go for me, beautiful. I want to feel you come around me."

Her climax hits hard, her inner walls clenching rhythmically around my length as she cries out my name. The sensation is almost too much, the tight grip of her body, the way my piercings catch and drag with every movement, the sound of my name on her lips.

I follow her over the edge with a groan, burying myself deep as I come inside her. Her body milks every drop from me, drawing out my ecstasy until I'm shaking with the intensity of it.

We collapse together, both panting and trembling from what we just did. I gather her close, pressing soft kisses to her face as she curls into me.

"You okay?" I ask softly, stroking her hair back from her forehead.

She nods, a small smile playing at her lips. "More than okay." She shifts slightly, gasping as the movement makes my piercings brush sensitive spots inside her. "Those really do make things interesting."

I laugh, pulling her closer. "Told you so." I press a kiss to her temple, breathing in her scent. The heat has subsided a little, but I know it won't last. Not without a knot.

She'll be writhing and desperate again soon, and time will tell whether she's ready for the rest of the pack to join us, or if she still needs more space. "Rest while you can. This is just the beginning."

She hums contentedly, nuzzling into my neck. "Stay with me?"

"Always," I promise, holding her tighter. "I'm not going anywhere."

The thought of leaving the nest while she's still in heat is unthinkable. It's always been my safe place, and now, it's ours.