Cursed Love (The Vallaverse)

26. Koa

Koa

My Omega is running the show right now and honestly? I don’t mind it one bit. She’s taken over completely, content to be right where she wants—curled up in one of my men’s laps, held safe and warm like I belong here. And I do. That thought is still a shock, somewhere deep in the back of my mind, but I’m not about to question it. Not when it feels this good.

Hunter’s arms are wrapped around me as I perch on his lap, nibbling on the last of the rolls from dinner. We’re in their office, the soft hum of electronics and the faint clicking of keyboards filling the space, and it’s surprisingly comforting. Hunter’s at his desk, one hand absently rubbing circles on my hip while his other taps away at something on the screen. Every now and then, he mutters under his breath, clearly focused on whatever he’s working on, but he never shifts me out of his lap. Never makes me feel like I’m in the way.

Across the room, Amel is sprawled out on the lounge, a stack of papers beside him as he scribbles something with a pen. His eyes flicker up every so often, catching mine, and he gives me this soft, knowing smile that sends warmth straight to my cheeks.

Moses, meanwhile, is at the other desk, frowning at his computer screen like he’s ready to tear it apart. “I thought you said you’d be done soon,” I murmur, glancing up at Hunter with a teasing grin.

Hunter snorts, the sound rumbling through his chest as he pulls me closer. “Soon, baby girl,” he says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “This part’s taking longer than we thought.”

That was half an hour ago, but I’m not worried about it. It feels nice not to have to worry about anything at all, actually. Just to sit here, surrounded by their warmth, knowing that I’m safe and that they’ve got it handled.

I never thought I’d feel like this—so... content. Not when the idea of a mate, of Alphas, used to make my skin crawl. But here I am and it’s like I don’t know who I was before this. My Omega is absolutely thriving on this attention, the softness, the safety. Amelia warned me that my viewpoint might change the moment I met the person or people meant for me. That all that fear and anxiety would sit back and let me enjoy the idea of truly being loved.

It’s such a stark contrast to the way things used to be. To the constant tension, the fear, the feeling of always having to watch my back. Right now, none of that exists. Right now, it’s just Hunter’s warmth, Amel’s soft smiles, and Moses’ quiet strength filling up the space around me.

I shift in Hunter’s lap, finishing the last bite of my roll as I stretch out, letting my head rest against his chest. “Take your time,” I mumble. “I’m not in a hurry.”

Hunter’s hand tightens around my waist, a low hum of approval rumbling through his chest. “Good,” he says and there’s something possessive in his tone that makes me shiver. “You just stay right there.”

“Don’t plan on going anywhere,” I reply, nuzzling into him with a contented sigh.

The peace is shattered in an instant when the office door bursts open. I jolt, my head snapping up as an Alpha stumbles in, out of breath and clutching a report like his life depends on it. “Sir,” he gasps, his voice trembling, “this is important—”

Before he can finish, Hunter’s arms tighten around me, his grip like steel as his entire body goes rigid. His growl is low, barely audible, but I can feel the vibrations rumbling through his chest. Moses is out of his chair, the snarl that rips from his throat so vicious it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. The room feels like it’s been plunged into a storm, the air thick with tension and dominance and I can’t help but shrink into Hunter’s hold.

My eyes widen as the scene before me unfolds, the memory of The Night of Scarlet flashing through my mind. The chaos, the blood, the primal violence of a Valla losing control—it all comes rushing back, and for a moment, I wonder if the same thing is about to happen here. My heart races, my breath hitching as I press myself further into Hunter, trying to make myself as small as possible.

The Alpha standing in the doorway looks like he’s about to piss himself, his face pale as he holds up the report like it’s a shield. “I-I’m sorry,” he stammers, his words tumbling over themselves. “I didn’t mean to intrude—”

Moses stalks toward him, each step toward the entrance making the Alpha flinch. The smell in the room shifts, a sharp, acrid note cutting through the air that makes my nose wrinkle. Fear. The Alpha reeks of it and it only seems to make Moses more dangerous.

“Get out,” Amel’s voice cuts through the tension like a blade, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Now.”

The Alpha doesn’t need to be told twice. He scurries out of the room, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste to leave. Moses follows, his growl still lingering in the air, and Amel is right behind him, closing the door firmly behind them.

The room is quiet again, but the tension hasn’t completely faded. Hunter’s hold on me hasn’t loosened, his arms still wrapped around me like he’s afraid I’ll slip away. I lift a hand, lightly tapping his forearm as I tilt my head to look up at him. “Hunter,” I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m okay.”

His eyes flick down to me. “You sure? I can’t believe he was stupid enough to step in here.”

I nod, offering him a small smile. “Yeah,” I murmur. “I’m sure.” When the brothers were against me coming to the office, saying that I was too close to my heat, I realize now it wasn’t just because of me. It’s because of how they would react should anyone try to encroach in the space I’ve made my own. My makeshift nest is here, my scent filling the room. Another person, let alone a strange Alpha in this space would no doubt set them off.

“I’m sorry,” I finally say, resting a hand on his arm. “I didn’t know. Maybe I did but I just didn’t want to stay at home by myself.”

“No need to apologize, Koa. But maybe let’s stay at home until your heat, yeah?”