Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
Saint Cage, Haven
“ T he full truth.” Thomas pulls back from Ghost reluctantly but keeps his hands resting securely on his lower back in a familiar gesture of possessiveness.
Seeing the two men like this together, it’s clear that they’ve known each other for as many years as I’ve known Lincoln.
Plus, loved each other for as long.
Suddenly, it feels even warmer in the sunshine of the kitchen.
I take a steadying breath of the vanilla, cinnamon, and baked bread aroma.
Lincoln lays his elbows on his knees, resting his head on his hands, as he studies all of us standing together.
Ghost leans to kiss one side of my lips at the same time as Thomas kisses the other. Their lips meet together in the center and linger.
My skin tingles at the sensation: our mouths are connected for the first time.
Ghost and I share this Alpha.
Our Alpha is honored to share Ghost and me.
Even if Ghost isn’t bonded to Thomas yet, I can feel our connection like a spark at the touch of our mouths and I know that the two men can too.
“The truth,” Thomas whispers like he’s steeling himself to be slapped or rejected. In turn, my shoulders stiffen with anxiety. “Then we won’t have any more secrets between us. But I won’t endanger you. This will give both of you the choice to stick to being innocent pack members on Saturday, who won’t take any of the blame, or to join Ghost and me on a risky endeavor. I’ve been contacting a network of people who can help us. But they’re not exactly model citizens.”
Lincoln gives a roguish grin. “Hey, and what am I? Sorry, but you’re already consorting with criminals. You’re in love with two of the underworld’s finest.”
“Three,” Ghost types. “I’m a trickster. What better way than to hide in plain sight? No one suspects a mute, Reject Omega. Perhaps, I should become an assassin.”
He looks hopefully at Lincoln.
Lincoln appears delighted, sitting up straighter. “You’ve already got the name for it.”
“Absolutely not.” Thomas narrows his eyes at Lincoln.
“You spoil all my fun, boss,” Lincoln grumbles.
I don’t miss the way that Ghost and Lincoln are exchanging significant glances that I know both of them well enough to mean we’ll talk about this idea later in private .
Oh well, a worry for another day.
Ghost is the perfect assassin name.
For now, I study Thomas, who is still looking concerned that I’m going to abandon him.
What type of criminal does he mean?
“Whatever this is,” I promise, “I know that you’ll have a good reason for it. You’re fighting to help the whole of Haven and every Omega, as well as to free us. There’s no way that I’m going to sit on the sidelines, while the rest of you are in danger.” I tap over my heart, where the Soul Mark lies. “This means that I’ll stand by your side for the whole of my life.”
“What she said,” Lincoln adds.
“That was beautiful.” Thomas clears his throat. “But it’s not only these other people who are criminals. I’m one too.”
“Fuck off.” Lincoln pushes his hair back from his dancing eyes. “First you try to convince us that you’re a bad Alpha, and now that Mr. Boy Scout is a criminal.”
“I’m a member of the Omega resistance,” Thomas barks.
The words hang in the air between us.
“So am I,” Ghost types.
In the silence, both Ghost and Thomas stand close together, stiff with anxiety.
Thomas tightens his arm around Ghost’s waist. Ghost tilts up his chin.
Lincoln and I exchange a wide eyed glance.
Then Lincoln stands up from the bench and punches the air. “Fucking badass.”
Frozen, I stare at Thomas, who’s still wearing a pissed off expression like he’d wanted the big reveal to sound noble but had ended up coming across as more affronted.
He’s resistance like me.
Lincoln and I planned a secret mission, believing that Thomas stood for everything that we were fighting against.
But we were never enemies to start with.
I’ve felt conflicted about truly opening my heart to Thomas, even knowing the pressures that he was under being the mayor’s son.
Yet he’s been risking the same as me.
More.
What would Raylan do to Thomas, if he found out the truth?
And Ghost? His brother, Fletcher, ran the Institute where Omegas are trained and sold.
Yet both men are standing up for Omega ideals and going against everything that they’ve been raised to believe.
Joy bubbles up in me, and I laugh.
Thomas blinks at me. “What’s happening? We’ve reduced her to hysterics.”
“Shock,” Ghost guesses.
It’s hard to tell whether he’s being serious.
Lincoln doesn’t help by sauntering to join me, leaning on my shoulder and murmuring against my hair, “It is funny.”
Thomas bristles like he’s Sugar. “Is it that unlikely that I’d be a terrorist? I have a dark side and—”
“Welcome to the dark side where we golf.” I can’t help it.
“Plus, read smutty Omega on Omega romance novels in our lunch breaks,” Lincoln adds.
The tips of Thomas’ ears turn red.
“You weren’t meant to have been looking over my shoulder,” Thomas hisses.
“I know that you tried to hide the books inside your Alphas Today magazine.” Lincoln is having too much fun with this. “But since I’m the one with the real dark side freedom fighter skills, don’t think that you can hide things from me, peacock.”
Ghost’s eyes brighten with understanding. “Freedom fighter…?”
His gaze darts between Lincoln and me.
“I’m a resistance member too,” I say, and Thomas looks like he’s won the fucking lottery. “I listened out in case any Omega customers were being abused and then passed on information that could get them help.”
“You’re incredible,” Thomas murmurs.
“See, fated? Badass calls to badass.” Lincoln pats Thomas’ cheek. Thomas grits his teeth. I struggle not to laugh again. “And to think that I came here on an undercover resistance mission to rescue Ghost from you .”
Thomas goes very still, blanching.
Perhaps, telling him that was a mistake. Except, we did promise no more secrets.
Ghost and Thomas both burst into growls at the same time. They clutch onto each other possessively.
To my shock, however, Thomas sweeps Ghost up and drops him over his shoulder. He grips him by his legs in a fireman’s carry.
“He’s my Omega.” Thomas rests his hand on Ghost’s ass. “You can’t have him. He’s mine.”
Perhaps, there’s as much of the primal in Thomas as there is in Ghost.
Still, they’re perfect for me because I find that sexy about both of them, especially seeing them together like this.
Lincoln’s eyes widen. “I’m getting that vibe, daddy Alpha. No one’s challenging you over him. I can tell that he doesn’t need saving. Actually, can we talk about me taking him on as my apprentice bodyguard?”
“No,” Thomas barks, at the same time, as I reply, “not today.”
Because, let’s be honest, there’s no way that Ghost isn’t going to end up in some kind of disreputable role within the resistance alongside Lincoln.
Since Ghost can already fight better than any Omega I’ve seen, why not give him formal skills?
It’s about time Omegas kicked Alpha ass.
Thomas looks horrified by the thought.
Lincoln looks equally excited.
Lincoln rubs his hands together, pacing to the counter. “An Omega mastermind and his powerful Alpha sidekick. I’ll sign up for that, which is lucky since I’ve already got the wolf tattoo.”
“I am not the sidekick,” Thomas says, icily.
Ghost wriggles over Thomas’ shoulder, reaching to spank Thomas’ ass in a way that makes him yelp, and I’m certain means you are .
Thomas hurriedly places Ghost back on his feet.
Ghost nuzzles Thomas, as if being certain that they’re still okay.
Thomas fondly places a kiss on Ghost’s forehead. Then he pushes him into my arms.
“Go on, take this one. He’s too dangerous for me.” Thomas makes a show of rubbing his ass.
Ghost chuckles, sniffing at my scent gland and licking it.
“We’re all dangerous.” Lincoln leans on the counter. “You’re a lucky Alpha.”
“I am, love.”
“Now, what’s the plan? I know that Ghost and you have one.”
My heart speeds up. I bite my lip with anticipation.
Thomas has been working on this for weeks… months .
What if it’s been longer than that? Has he been planning since he returned the first time from the Alpha Center?
“I had to be certain that there was a true chance I could pull this off, before we risked our lives.” Thomas’ gaze is hard. He doesn’t look away from me. “The plan is to not only take down Raylan and the rotten core within the Saints, which will free Haven, but the Snake pack at the same time.”
“What?” I gasp. “Are you mad?”
“Hear him out,” Ghost types.
“You won’t be free, as long as your dad continues to be in your life.” Thomas crosses his arms. “Nor will every oppressed Omega and Beta, including Vito. I’ve spent my life, seeing both our packs bring misery to those around them and abusing their power. We need to cut off both heads of the snake. But tell me now, if you don’t want that.”
My mouth is dry.
Can we truly take on both our families and win? Even if we have the resistance on our side, is it enough to challenge the mob and the political elite?
“I’ve spent my life wanting to be free of my family.” I take a shuddering breath. “I want this for Vito and me more than anything. Go on then. How?”
“I’ve been coordinating the resistance over the Haven Food Festival.” Thomas smiles. “I have a secret, encrypted way of reaching out to them. I told them that Dad is using the festival as a front for his corrupt business dealings that will destroy local business people. We’ll use his own tactic to turn the event on its head. The resistance have been secretly influencing and infiltrating the elite packs from senators to CEOs. Let’s just say that Dad made a mistake by putting me in charge of what was meant as humiliating busy work like selecting the judges for the cake contest.”
The cake contest, whose prize is being offered by the billionaire Knight pack.
A prize of a quarter of a million dollars, which would transform Vito’s life and save our bakery.
I’m independent. I don’t want to rely on Thomas as the secret anonymous investor forever.
Excitement thrums through me.
A smile spreads across my face. “You’re going to make the event the exact opposite that the mayor intends. It’ll be a celebration of the small businesses.”
It’s simple but brilliant.
Raylan is going to be furious. This plan will destroy his credibility. Every crook that he’s had dealings with, who find themselves made a fool of at this event, will be out for his blood.
But is there more to this plan than that?
“Dad wants to rig the day and contest one way,” Thomas replies. “So, I’ll rig it in the opposite direction. Who says that I need to use honest methods? I should stick to what I know. After all, he raised me this way.”
Who doesn’t love irony?
Or karma?
Ghost ducks his head, glancing at me from underneath his eyelashes for a long moment.
He starts to furiously type, “Do you remember when you told me your secret dream?”
What does he mean?
Then I remember, lying with him in the basement and admitting the secret that I’d never told anyone: How I lay awake in bed at nights, feeling invisible and unrecognized and dreaming about helping other Omegas achieve their dreams.
How I wished that I could front my bakery.
I nod.
“We arranged for there to be journalists and the eyes of the world on the festival. Your cake is going to be incredible. You promised to bake me a chocolate one.”
“It’ll be the most delicious chocolate one that you’ve ever tasted.”
Ghost grins. “With frosting…? You’re the best baker in the state. Think about whether you finally want to step out of the shadows.”
He looks up at me, slipping the phone into his pocket. He traces his finger down my cheek, gripping me by the chin for a long moment to hold me in place, while never looking away.
My throat feels too tight to talk. My words are locked inside.
I simply nod again.
He returns my nod, kissing me quickly.
I wish that I could make the world forever winter for him to return the gesture.
He’s already shared so much of himself with me, and now, he’s trying to make my greatest dream come true.
I’m determined to bake him a chocolate cake every week.
Thomas straightens his cuffs. “When Dad is in public, where he can’t retaliate, preferably with Richard preening at his side like a little boy desperate for attention, I’ll make my final move.”
Thomas’ dominant pheromones flood the room. They’re strong enough to weaken both Ghost’s knees and mine. We grip onto each other to keep ourselves standing.
I gasp.
Thomas stands tall. “If we can achieve victory here and turn one of the most Traditional packs in Virginia from Traditional to liberal, then this can be replicated all over America. It’ll be one of the biggest wins for the resistance movement and every Omega.”
“It’ll give packs the courage to see that it’s possible to rise up.” Hope swells in me.
“People are blindly obedient to authority. Even if they morally know what they’re being asked to do is wrong, they’ll obey and go along with it, if they feel that the person in charge has the legal right like a doctor, cop, or mayor . This is even more likely, if the person who they’re harming isn’t in the same room as them but is a voiceless Omega locked away in the Institute or a faceless bad Alpha who they’re told is being tortured for the good of society.”
When I rub my cheek against Ghost’s, I think of Mom and the way that she’d sing country songs as she baked. “We’re not voiceless anymore.”
“And I have a face.” Thomas’ eyes gleam. “If those in authority are shown to be corrupt, then they won’t be as blindly followed. It’ll have a ripple effect. Sometimes, revolution is about more than taking up arms because change is deeper than that. It has to be.”
Lincoln pats his gun at his side, hopefully. “Can I still take up mine?”
“If you’re good,” Thomas says, dryly.
Lincoln looks satisfied, baring his teeth. “Awesome because it’s been awhile since I’ve destroyed some Alphas. I miss it.”
Thomas studies him. “You both have never followed authority, have you? I was so focused on trying to defend my Omega twin that in school, I could only watch with admiration, while Lincoln broke every taboo, kicking knothead ass with his Omega at his side. I could tell you both belonged together. I wish that I could have broken free then from expectation and duty and my place on the pedestal as Haven’s idol. But now, I’m smashing that pedestal and breaking the ropes of responsibility and family name. It may have taken me longer to become a rebel but I’m ready to burn my elite world with the flames of revolution.”
Ghost grins savagely, leaping up and down in agreement.
His slicked back curls escape forward, making him look like a fallen angel who’s been sent to earth to seduce people to their own destruction.
How can he look both innocent and deadly at the same time?
I’m swept away by emotion.
Thomas is a passionate, strong leader.
The Alpha who I need and have dreamed about.
My fated.
For the first time, I’m confident that we could win tomorrow against the Mayor.
“Can I tell you how drenched my pussy is for you right now?” I breathe.
Thomas gives a shocked laugh.
“Can I tell you how hard I am?” Lincoln’s eyes glitter, as he pushes away from the counter and stalks toward Thomas.
Thomas doesn’t know whether to look at Lincoln or me, swiveling his gaze between us.
He should know not to look away when he’s being hunted by Lincoln.
This is going to be fun.
Lincoln darts behind Thomas, snatching him by the hair and wrenching his head back hard enough to make him hiss.
Yet Thomas’ eyes are blown wide.
Ghost’s tongue darts out to wet his lips. He’s as turned on by this as I am.
It’s a real change to see that he’s not growling and shoving Lincoln away to protect his Alpha. The time that they’ve spent together must have allowed him to break free of his conditioning.
I grip Ghost’s arm, smiling at him.
When he turns his head, his wide eyes appear to brighten with understanding. He smiles back and rumbles an answering purr that pulls at my core.
“Remember that permission to suck my cock?” The look in Lincoln’s eyes is wicked.
Hell, I know that look.
He’s really going there.
Lincoln tugs harder on Thomas’ hair, baring his neck.
Thomas allows it.
Lincoln rewards him by sucking a deep kiss down Thomas’ scent gland. He always did like breaking rules, conventions, Alphas .
Thomas looks half broken by the rough kisses down his bared neck already. He’s vibrating with tension and doesn’t appear to know what to do with his hands. He’s impossibly hard in his tight suit trousers.
Lincoln shoots me a smug look that’s all devil, before sliding his hand down to the front of Thomas’ trousers and palming his cock through the expensive material.
Thomas lets out a desperate moan.
“Can you kneel for a Beta as well as you just did for an Omega?” Lincoln rumbles deeply into Thomas’ ear, never letting up on his harsh rubbing of Thomas’ cock. “Are your pretty Alpha lips any good for sucking as well as speechifying?”
Thomas’ eyes flash. “Shall we see, love?”
Lincoln shoves Thomas to his knees roughly. But then, Thomas doesn’t become any less hard in his trousers. He kneels with his hands on his lap.
In fact, his cheeks flush darker.
“Only…” Thomas looks like he’s struggling to get out the words. Lincoln wrenches Thomas’ face closer to his crotch and rubs his nose against his trousers in a move meant to dominate, “I wouldn’t do this for any Beta. I would for you .”
Lincoln slowly pulls Thomas back. “Me?”
Thomas drops his gaze, fiddling with the hem of his jacket. “This is a first for me.”
Lincoln gentles his hold on Thomas’ hair, stroking it back into place like Thomas likes it.
It reminds me of the familiar rituals in the morning, where Lincoln does up Thomas’ tie for him or kneels to buff the shine on his shoes.
Except, Thomas is the one who’s kneeling now.
I can feel both Thomas’ nerves through the bond but also, how turned on he is. Simultaneously, the bond allows me to sense how touched Lincoln is that Thomas would share his submission with him alone.
That he’ll share his first time with him.
Of course, Lincoln doesn’t say that out loud.
Instead, he pets Thomas’ hair, at the same time that he says, cockily, “You’re going to make me come before your virgin mouth has even touched me, saying things like that, peacock.”
Lincoln undoes his suit trousers and pulls out his thick cock, which is already hard.
I bet it hardened the moment that he bared Thomas’ neck…and Thomas let him.
“Fuck, it looks a lot bigger from down here,” Thomas grumbles.
“Welcome to the world of Omegas.” I arch my brow. “Now you know how I feel.”
See, karma strikes again.
Lincoln slaps his cock against Thomas’ cheek, reveling in having his Alpha boss on his knees.
Thomas narrows his eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’ll coach you.” Lincoln traces his thumb over Thomas’ lips, before encouraging them open. “A Beta must always support their Alpha.”
I don’t think that’s what the manuals about ABO dynamics mean.
“ I’m going to come from seeing my Alpha on his knees for his Beta…doing that,” I pant.
Thomas is kissing the head of Lincoln’s gorgeous dick like he’s testing the taste. He swirls his tongue around the titanium vertical barbell, and Lincoln allows him the time to explore.
“Yeah, just like that.” Lincoln looks down at Thomas with hooded eyes. “Now, wrap your hand around the base. That’s it — fuck . What a good Alpha. Wrap your hot lips around it, then lick and…shit, that’s good.”
He never looks away, as his dick slips in and out of Thomas’ mouth but holds himself back from thrusting his hips.
I can tell how much Lincoln wants to, but he’s trying to make this good for Thomas, since it’s his first time.
I can’t look away myself.
Finally, Lincoln growls, however, unable to take the sensation any longer. He throws back his head, urging forward his hips.
“Fuck,” I whisper.
Ghost snatches my arm and forces me to look away from the scene and face him instead.
His pale cheeks are flushed, but all his focus is on me.
I ignore the wet sounds of the blow job behind us and Lincoln’s increasingly pleasured moans.
Ghost growls. His blue eyes flash. He thumps his chest, before pressing the flat of his warm palm above my heart.
It’s clear: he wants me to be his first as well .
“Please.” I push into the feel of each of his fingers, which cover the Soul Mark like I can brand it onto him as well. “I can coach you too. Omegas should also always support Omegas.”
Ghost huffs, before his eyes darken and his plush lips curl.
Uh oh, I think that I’m the one who’s going to be taught a lesson.
I’m seriously okay with that.
Ghost loops his arms around my waist, and for one long moment, he rests his head against my neck.
I bury my nose in his soft curls, breathing in his rich scent that’s deepened with desire.
Then he growls, deep and feral in the back of his throat. The rumble vibrates against my skin, as he nips me warningly.
I’m flooded with an answering desire, which makes my knees buckle.
He drives me back with surprising strength toward the table, before pulling back and kissing me, frantically.
He twists me, pressing me down over the table. My chest is resting over the burned marks of a snake. I reach out to stroke over the ghost design, which is next to me.
Ghost’s own pack tried to sell him.
They stole his voice.
They abandoned him in order to save their own skins to an enemy pack.
Yet here he is — loved and accepted.
He has an Alpha, Beta, and Omega who adore him.
He’s orchestrating his own revenge.
He’s standing up to inspire both me and every other Reject Omega who has been labeled defective to believe that we are valued.
We’re worthy.
“Show me how you love me.” I glance over my shoulder, meeting Ghost’s smoldering gaze.
When he growls, there’s no need for more words.
He reaches beneath me with steady hands to undo my trousers. Then he snarls as he rips off my panties.
The air is cool on my ass and thighs. I shiver.
I’m wetter than ever.
I clasp the edges of the table to steady myself. My chest is rising and falling.
Ghost rests one hand on my shoulder, pinning me in place. I hear the rustle of him opening his own jeans.
Then his cock is nudging at my pussy. I’m already slick and ready for him.
Ghost’s hand tightens on my shoulder, before he guides himself into me with one deep thrust.
I cry out.
Then I’m lost in a haze, as Ghost lies over my back like he’s trying to get as close to me as he can, alternating bites and kisses to my neck, while he pistons into me with animal-like fervor.
No Omega should fuck like this.
It’s wild.
Untamed.
Breathtaking.
Our combined cries rise to a crescendo.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
My knuckles become white, as I clutch tighter onto the edge of the table. Holding on like this is the only thing that’s stopping me from flying apart.
Ghost slams his hand down hard onto his emblem on the table.
He bites hard into my shoulder, as his hips stutter, and he comes.
He doesn’t stop thrusting into me, however, and at the pleasurepain of his bite, I scream and tumble over the peak myself.
Even if we’re caught on Saturday and this freedom that we’ve built to be ourselves comes tumbling down, then at least we’ve had this.
Except, now that I’ve experienced what love with my Saints can be like, I want it to last forever.
I can’t lose this.