29. Chapter Twenty-Nine #2
Gazing down into her softened, tentative expression, feeling her hands resting at my waist, I smile, unable to disguise the warmth her gesture sparks. It's exactly here, against my chest, safely within my arms that I want this brave, beautiful omega every moment of every day.
I pull her close, knowing she has freely chosen this. Chosen me. Desires me.
And fuck if mornings have never felt sweeter.
I press a soft kiss on her lips. As I reach out to turn the bacon once more, Emma’s voice breaks through the cooking sizzle. “Could I…could I help, Soren?”
Blue eyes gaze at me, ready to withdraw at the smallest hint of hesitation. She wants to do this with me . It takes everything in me not to send a gloating look at Asher and Phoenix.
“I told you. Anything you want, you can have.” I guide her in front of me, between my body and the stove. Her slim form fits perfectly within my frame, my arms lightly caging her as I hand over the spatula, my heart hammering strongly beneath my ribs.
“Here.” I guide her delicate wrist carefully over the sizzling pan. “Tilt, then flip.”
Her hair brushes along the edge of my jaw and my dick lets me know how much I enjoy it.
I shift back a little, not wanting to scare her away.
She carefully slides the spatula under a piece of bacon, hesitating as it sticks.
I place my hand over hers, steadying and guiding under and up until we flip it together.
She tips her head back to look up at me, her expression thrilled. “Like that?”
“Exactly like that.” I’m not talking about breakfast.
Her hand is warm under mine, trust radiating from her every gentle movement as we flip bacon and turn eggs.
Each slow and deliberate motion fills me with pride, my omega leaning easily into my secure hold as we cook together, her movements growing less hesitant and more confident with each passing moment.
Conversation flows around us as we bring our bounty to the island and start to eat, Emma fitting into the easy rhythm of our pack.
She's still careful with her answers, but I watch her all the same, noticing she grows more at ease and meeting our gazes.
Every sign of comfort, every indication of trust she gives us, sends potent satisfaction radiating out from deep within.
As the last bites disappear, Phoenix reaches across the table to grab an empty glass jar that once held coffee grounds. He holds it up with bright eyes and his boyish grin. “Hey, Tough Girl, sun's shining again. What do you say we go see if the waves left any good shells behind for us?”
Emma’s face lights with unguarded joy. Her eyes widen, sparkling bright and open. It's the first time I've seen spontaneous excitement burst so openly across her face and, fuck, it’s breathtaking.
“I'd love that!” Her gaze drifts down again to her oversized sweater, fingers nervously twisting in the sleeves. “Could I—could I go change first? I don’t want these clothes to get wet.”
“Emma, you don't have to ask. You can do whatever you want,” Asher says.
“I’ll be back as quickly as I can.” A relieved little smile curls her lips, brightening further as she leaves the kitchen.
I can’t help but hope she’ll return later with salt on her skin and sand on her toes again. The perfect excuse to slide her slowly into another warm, relaxing bath.
The vivid image sparks immediate heat racing straight down my spine, pooling low and hot inside me.
I shift in my chair, adjusting my jeans in vain.
Gods, it's almost absurd how hard I always am around her, but I can't even bring myself to care.
Not when every longing look, every hesitant touch from Emma says trust, warmth, and hope.
Each innocent gesture invites me further into sweet torment and careful anticipation.
And I wouldn't trade this exquisite torture for anything.
“Hey, Soren, get that look off your face,” Phoenix mutters across the table, pointing his fork at me. “We can all see exactly where your mind went. Just so you know, if she comes back sandy and salty again, I'm going to be the one to bathe her this time.”
I stare at him for a split second before the sheer intensity etched on Phoenix’s normally easygoing face forces laughter to erupt from me .
“Is that right?” I manage, shaking my head with genuine amusement. “And you think that’s your call?”
Phoenix scowls, crossing his arms. “Tell me I’m wrong. You got your turn already. I watched you come out of that bathroom last night looking ridiculously damn pleased. This next time it's me and only me.”
“This is not a competition. We all respect her choice—whatever and whoever she chooses. As it should be.” The confident, easy grace behind his statement settles heavily in the air, smoothing our banter into quiet determination.
“Of course. I just wanted to be next.” Phoenix is clearly crushed, shoulders sagging as he sighs, head shaking slightly in resigned defeat.
“I get it. But did either of you catch that new note in her scent just now? It’s different to heat spikes. Stronger. More complex. I’m still hard and she’s not even in the room. I think her body is preparing for heat,” I say.
Phoenix straightens, his playful resignation gone in an instant. “I scented it, too but I was scared to even hope. Her body blocked those cycles after everything she endured. If she's really approaching a true heat cycle, that's...”
“More than biology.” I nod. “If she's heading into a real heat, it means she feels safe around us. Secure enough emotionally, physically, to allow her body to relax enough to fully awaken. She’s healing.”
A charged silence fills the space between us as we absorb that truth. It's monumental. A victory we weren't sure she'd ever reach.
“This is good. Better than good. It means what we're doing—giving her control, building trust—is working. She's not just surviving. She's thriving.,” Asher says.
Tension coils through me because when she goes into heat, she’ll be even more vulnerable.
We’ll have to ensure she’s safe and, given the threats circling around us, that task will be tricky.
But she’s ours to protect no matter what situation we’re in.
“We’ll keep a close eye on her. With the danger we're already in, hiding out, her heat will add another layer of vulnerability, of intensity.”
Asher pins us with a serious stare. “We stay aware, and ready. ”
“So worth it,” Phoenix breathes out, gratitude and fierce protectiveness radiating from him. “To see her finally coming out from under everything she endured.”
Asher nods, eyes steady, jaw tight with purpose. “She deserves this. And, whatever happens, we'll keep her safe.”
Our pack bond thrums with quiet agreement.
This is the real power of an omega. She’s our center.
Our heart. She weaves us together and makes us stronger.
She’s also the woman we all love, who is finally beginning to flourish between us.
Nothing, not Pack Carmichael, nor her trauma, nor even our own hangups, will keep us apart.