Consider The Lilies (Broken Omegas #5)

In Stefan’s Nest

Stefan

S itting in the center of my nest, I stare at a few bald spots, desperate to fix them. “I think I need more pillows.” I glance around the room, but I’ve taken every cushion I can get my hands on. I even tried prying tufted seats off the armchairs, but they’re sewn in place. “Do you think Jack would be upset if I took those?” I point to the bed.

Lucy turns to look at the other side of the room with me. “I think he’ll understand.” She moves away from my nest, grabbing them for me. I assess my little corner of the room, taking in the pile of couch cushions, blankets, and array of throw pillows. It’s not very pretty, but it is comfortable.

“Here you go.” Lucy plops the pillows on the floor next to my nest before sitting down on the edge of the coffee table. I want to invite her to sit next to me, but I can’t. It’s so silly, but I can’t have her set foot into my nest until it’s done. I need it to be perfect.

Grabbing the extra pillows, I mold them against the wall. But it’s still not right.

“I need more.” I look at Lucy, hoping she can help me.

The beta perks at that, eager to help. “We can check the laundry,” she says. “We have tons of comforters and pillows down there. Plus,” she hitches a thumb back at Jack’s bed, “we can get Mr. Stanley some replacements.”

Crawling toward the beta, I force myself to leave my nest, praying Jessica doesn’t come in here and mess it up. It’s not likely, but I’ve seen the maid several times today. She’s been roaming up and down the hallway, almost as if not sure what to do with herself. I think Jack asked her to keep an eye on us since he and Bear are busy.

“I wonder why Yuki isn't watching over us,” I say as we walk down the long corridor.

“Ms. Ito had work outside of the house today,” Lucy says as she leads me down the long staircase to the entryway. “Can I ask you something?”

I grip the handrail when a fog pushes into the corner of my mind. It’s been like this all day. I’m sure it’s my bond with Jack. It’s slowly taking hold, making me feel a little off-center. “Of course.”

“You said earlier you were happy I didn’t get reassigned.” Lucy pauses on the last step, waiting for me to stop next to her. “Did Mr. Stanley tell you he was going to move me?”

Realization hits me, and I suddenly feel like such a jerk. “I’m so sorry.” I cover my mouth. “I thought Jack had already told you he was moving you. I wouldn't have said anything if I thought you didn’t know.”

Lucy gives me the sweetest smile. “It’s okay.” She laughs, making me feel a little better. “But,” she presses her lips together, gathering the courage before saying, “he wanted to reassign me. Right? Does he think I’m a bad fit?” She looks up at me with those big blue eyes. “Does he think I’m doing a bad job? Because I really do want to make you happy.”

I’m not sure how to answer her question without insulting her. I’m sure Jack would still like to move her, but he’s letting her stay only because I asked. “Jack mentioned reassigning you last night,” I pick my words very carefully as I take her hand in mine. “I told him I really wanted you to stay, and he quickly agreed. I didn’t really have to do anything to convince him. He knows how happy you make me.”

Lucy’s smile grows. “I make you happy?” She gazes up at me with the most adoring look.

“Very much.” I suddenly feel very brave. It's unusual for me to be so forward, but there’s something in the back of my mind that’s pushing me to be courageous. Maybe even a little fierce. “You have such a lovely presence, and,” I gather my courage, “I really like you.” My words come out a little husky.

A blush creeps across the bridge of Lucy’s nose, deepening the color of her freckles. “I like you too,” she whispers, and her hand trembles in mine. “I, uh, I didn’t get a chance to thank you the other day for what you did.” She stares at her feet. “For protecting me.”

A wild urge grips me, and I move without thinking.

Leaning down, I kiss Lucy’s cheek. I linger there, my face right next to hers, scenting her. Her skin is so soft, and she smells so good—sweet and fresh, like an ocean breeze.

Slowly, I stand back up, looking down at the flushed beta. She lifts her head, looking up at me with those big blue eyes. Her chest rises and falls with restrained excitement.

Suddenly, my face is incredibly warm as I stare into her eyes, savoring the intense moment. Lucy’s pink tongue pushes over her bottom lip, and the urge to suck it out of her mouth slams into me. I wonder if she tastes as good as she smells.

“Stefan,” Lucy whispers my name, and an alpha in the distance laughs. I jerk as the fog in my mind recedes, and I’m ripped from my trance.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, suddenly horrified that I kissed her. “I shouldn’t have done that. I?—”

But then Lucy pushes up onto her toes and presses her lips to mine.

My heart races and my eyes float closed.

It’s a timid kiss, soft and sweet. Nothing like Jack. His kisses are forceful. Almost commanding. And while they’re so completely different, I find I like both.

Lucy moans as she slants her mouth over mine, and a fresh wave of desire slams into me. Instinct takes over, and I wrap my arms around her waist. I need her closer. Touching every inch of me.

I hold her tight, molding her curves to mine. The wild urges in the back of my mind grow, demanding more of me— Push your tongue into her mouth. Caress the curve of her hips. Grab her ass.

My privates begin to swell and my abs flex. I break the kiss, suddenly very overwhelmed. “I’m sorry,” I pant, even though I’m not.

Lucy blinks several times, looking up at me almost as if drunk. “Don’t be.” Her words are just as breathy as mine. “I liked that.” She bites her bottom lip, and my bottom grows slick. Jack would go wild if he could smell me right now.

Jack.

Fear hits me as I realize what I’m doing.

I just kissed Lucy.

What would Jack say if he saw us? Alphas are known for being very possessive of their omegas. Did I do something wrong?

Before I can settle the terrified thoughts in my mind, the front door swings open. Yuki steps inside, followed by a large, dark-haired man. His arms are covered in tattoos and thick scars, and he has a deep cut on the bridge of his nose.

Yuki freezes when she sees us, her dark eyes zeroing in on my arms still around Lucy’s waist. But then the alpha’s nostrils flare and her gaze cuts to me. There’s something so intense in the way she’s looking at me. Something wild. Primal.

“Ms. Ito.” Lucy walks toward the she-alpha, leaving me on the bottom step. “Mr. Rossi.” She greets the other alpha in a nervous, high-pitched voice. “Mr. Stanley should be in his office.” She keeps her head down, clearly too scared to look at Yuki. “He’s expecting you.”

Yuki’s hard gaze drifts from Lucy to me. “What do we have here?” The she-alpha moves past Lucy, toward me. Her expression is so dang hard to read. She doesn't look angry, but she doesn’t look happy either. She looks… intense . “Lucy, take Rossi down to Stanley’s office.”

A fresh wave of fear slams into me.

Did I cheat on Jack?

Lucy stands there for a second, clearly conflicted. “Ma’am?” She begins to shake her head. “I don’t think?—”

“Go,” Yuki says loudly as she comes to a stop right in front of me. Lucy doesn’t protest, but I know she wants to. The beta ducks her head, then cuts toward one of the long hallways. Mr. Rossi stares at me, examining my face as he slowly follows Lucy.

The dark-haired alpha shakes his head and then snorts. “Can’t believe Stan actually got an omega.”

A chill cuts through me, and I drop my gaze, waiting for Yuki to say something. But the she-alpha is deathly quiet, forcing me to cook under her heated gaze.

I hate it.

The tense silence physically hurts. It’s making my throat tighten and my gut clench.

“Did you just kiss my beta?” Yuki finally asks, and I snap my head up. Her beta? Does Lucy belong to her? “Because that’s what it looked like to me.” Her dark eyes flash with excitement as a tiny smile lifts one corner of her lips. Is she excited? “Answer me, omega,” she commands me softly.

I nod, not wanting to, but I’m unable to defy her.

“And?” Yuki closes the space between us. I’m still standing on the bottom step, making me a few inches taller than her, but the look in her eyes is so intense, I feel like I might as well be three feet tall. “Did you like the way her pretty lips taste?” Her shocking question makes me jerk, and I quickly shake my head.

“Alpha,” I whisper, terrified I’ll say something wrong. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know Lucy was your beta. I thought?—”

“You thought you’d wrap your arms around her and slip your tongue between her soft lips?” Yuki’s smoky amber aroma grows, filling my lungs and fogging my mind. I inhale deeply and my eyes float closed. The she-alpha’s scent is potent, filling my mind once again with dirty, selfish thoughts. “Did my little Lucy get you hard?”

I nod, unable to stop myself from answering her. The need to submit and please is just so strong.

“Stefan.” Yuki’s lips are right at my ear. “Do you want to—” She stops cold, and my eyes snap open. She stares at my neck. At my mating bite. “Did Jack mate you?” she whispers. Her voice is so soft, it’s difficult to hear.

“Yes, ma’am.” I swallow hard, waiting for her to react.

And I swear her lips twitch like she wants to smile.

“I guess you’re officially a member of the pack.” Yuki angles her head to one side, looking deep into my eyes. “You’re an equal member of this family now.” The way she’s talking makes me feel like she’s teaching me something. “Remember that, Stefan.” She places her fingers under my chin, not allowing me to shy away. “What you want is just as important as the rest of us.”

I’m nodding again, but I don’t know why. Is she not angry that I touched Lucy?

“What’s going on here?” Jack’s booming voice startles me.

Yuki turns, revealing the pack alpha. His dark eyes narrow, sliding from Yuki to me. My body instinctively curls inward at the intensity rolling off of him.

“I was simply welcoming our new mate to the pack.” Yuki’s fingers slip down my neck and over my mating bite. A swift shiver cuts through me, and my privates grow even harder. I wish it would stop. It’s uncomfortable. “But you might want to set some boundaries with him.” Yuki’s voice turns hard as she moves away from me, pausing next to Jack.

Fear pounds in my veins as the she-alpha glances over her shoulder back at me.

Is she going to tell him I kissed Lucy? Will Jack be angry? Will he yell at me? Hurt me? Beat me?

“Stefan was wandering around the house without a proper escort.” Yuki’s smirks, her gaze still holding mine. “There are some bad men in the house, and it’s not smart to be alone like that.” Her smile softens as she turns to Jack. “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to him.” Then she walks off without another word.

“Thanks.” Jack watches her walk off. Her plush hips sway, and I clasp my hands in front of me, trying to hide my erection. “Omega.” Jack’s dark eyes narrow into slits as he moves to me. “Why aren’t you in our bedroom?”

Our bedroom.

And just like that, shame beats down on me.

This alpha has opened his arms and his home to me. He’s protected me, taught me, and comforted me like no one ever has before. And I betrayed him by kissing a pretty beta when he wasn’t looking.

I know Jack is a stern alpha. He’s continued to punish Bear for claiming me even though he seems happy to have me as a mate. But that seems to be how Jack is. He has high expectations for his packmates, and he takes it very seriously when they cross the line.

And I fear that’s what I’ve done— crossed an unforgivable line.

“Stefan?” Jack cups my cheek as he searches my eyes. “How did you like your scrambled eggs this morning? Were they good?”

I nod, and bitter guilt churns in my belly. “I kissed Lucy,” I blurt out, then squeeze my eyes shut tight, praying my punishment is swift.

“What?” His voice is so soft it sends chills up my spine. “You kissed Lucy?” He circles one hand around my wrist, pulling me off the bottom step. My feet touch the hardwood floor, and the alpha suddenly looks ten feet tall. “Did she kiss you back?” His voice rises, and his eyes flash.

I’m not sure how to answer that. I want to be honest, but I don’t want to get Lucy in trouble.

Keeping my head down, I struggle to find the right words. “Um…” I pull in a deep breath, and Jack’s hand comes into view. He touches my chin the same way Yuki did, tipping my head up.

“Talk to me, omega.”

“She kissed me back.”

A shadow crosses Jack’s face and his scent grows hot and sharp. Please, don’t hit me.

“Shit,” Jack growls, and I flinch hard. “I’m going to lose my goddamn assistant.” He rolls his eyes and I freeze. It’s not the reaction I expected. “You really like her?” he asks me like he’s just making sure.

Is it a trick question?

Is he hoping to get me to open up so he can punish me fully?

Do I really have a choice?

“Yes,” I say, deeply confused by what’s happening. Why isn’t he yelling?

Jack frowns then pushes out a sharp huff. “Okay.” He snaps his fingers, pointing up the stairs. “Back to our room.”

Not sure what else to do, I slowly turn and walk up the steps. “Is Lucy in trouble?” I ask as Jack follows me up.

“Go, Stefan.” He gives me a pointed look. He still smells angry, but his voice isn’t nearly as sharp. “We can discuss this later.”

A part of me wants to demand that he tell me now, but he’s being so weirdly calm. Maybe he’s hiding his true emotions to keep from scaring me, or perhaps he’s okay with what I did because he likes Lucy, too.

Or maybe he’s livid, and he’s going to kill both of us just like he did those alphas on the back porch…