Chapter 23
Twenty-Three
KAELEN
As we settled around the table for dinner, I kept touching Willow, refusing to hold back. I tucked her hair behind her ear, staying as close to her as possible. My gaze flicked to Aidan and Torin, who had Sam tucked between them, showering her with attention.
Goosebumps broke out on Willow’s arms as I nuzzled into her, drowning in her intoxicating scent.
For weeks, I’d restrained myself with Willow, nervous that I would spook her if I approached her with the full force of my alpha. But now, she was my wife. Fucking mine. And nothing would ever change that.
Soon, I would bite her. Claim her in every possible way.
By the time her heat came, she would be ready.
I would bond her.
At the shelter, I saw something shift. Her scent blossomed, and the shell that surrounded her dissipated. My brave girl. Her omega had accepted me that first night, and now Willow had too.
Even if her heart still hammered like a hummingbird every time I got close.
I secretly adored the effect I had on her.
In between talking over Liam, who got louder with each glass of whisky, Willow leaned into me, flicking her tongue over my ear. I dusted a knuckle under her chin, and a nervous bumble of words spilled from her painted lips.
“What if they had looked before the wedding? There are a few days when they could.”
It took a second, but I finally realized what she had asked. My girl was nervous the Italians would figure out when our marriage actually took place.
And come to collect.
I did nothing by halves.
Especially when it came to the well-being of my wife.
While the city clerk had been less than amenable to our advances at first, he relented eventually. I had mistakenly believed money would have been enough to convince the clerk to backdate the license and close up the offices in the interim.
Unfortunately, the clerk was one of the few people in government with any morals. In a civil servant position. It shocked me. It had slowed things slightly. Luckily for us, after some digging, Aidan found payments to a mistress the clerk didn’t want his wife to know about.
So much for morals.
In the end, it worked out for me. Blackmail was more effective and saved me money, with the added benefit of keeping my omega protected.
“Bad luck. City clerk’s office has been closed all week. They’ll never know the difference. I promised you would always be safe with me.”
A series of emotions flittered across her features before landing on a sort of reverence that made my chest swell with pride.
Everyone made pleasant conversation over the delicious meal Aileen cooked. Me, on the other hand, counted the minutes until I could sweep my wife away for the evening and show her the courting gift I had been most desperate to give her.
My body ached at the prospect of being buried in her sweet pussy. I edged myself into oblivion all day. I wasn’t usually a sadist, but, fuck, for some reason, knotting my omega the morning of our wedding didn’t sit right with me.
Now I sat at this table, squeezing her thigh. On the verge of a rut. Desperately in need of release. Ideally, buried inside her.
It didn’t help that I fucking smelled her arousal underneath that pretty gown of hers. I licked my teeth, already imagining peeling her out of that silky fabric and revealing her gorgeous tits and curves.
Sweat glistened on the delicate column of her throat as she pushed a piece of cake around with her fork. I didn’t notice any distress in her scent, and my hand crept higher up her thigh until she squeaked, releasing her fork with a clatter.
Everyone except Sam ignored her outburst. The woman narrowed her eyes at me, only relenting when she connected why Willow had reacted that way. She pressed the rim of her wineglass into her lips, giving me a tiny nod of approval.
“Eat, Omega,” I commanded, lifting a piece of the cherry sponge to her lips.
“Yes, Alpha.”
Fuck.
She was so sweet when she wanted to be. I rewarded her by moving my hand slightly lower, groaning as her lips closed around my fingers. That sweet pink tongue darted out, taking the sugary treat. Her lashes fluttered as her eyes twinkled.
Siren. She knew what she was doing to me.
I was seconds away from sending our guests away and tossing her over my shoulder like an unhinged alpha.
And maybe I was.
Willow made me crazy.
Soon, Aileen retired to bed with a glass of wine while my brothers filtered out one by one. Sam kneeled beside Willow, giving her a big hug, saying Torin and Aidan agreed to drive her home. I leveled a stern glare at the pair of them.
Both were honorable, but I silently commanded that absolutely no fuckery happen between them and Willow’s best friend. They were in a committed relationship, and I never saw them bring another into their bed, but Aidan’s glazed expression gave me pause.
He clutched his chest and dipped his chin. My shoulders dropped as I sent him away with a subtle wave of my hand.
Now that we were alone, I refused to wait a moment longer.
“Come,” I said, extending my hand. “I have a gift for my wife.”
At the prospect of a present, my omega perked up, an adorable squeak shaking her slim shoulders. That sight undid me as her tiny hand slid into my larger one. Soft skin brushed against my callouses as I entwined our fingers, bringing her knuckles to my mouth and kissing her ring.
A pretty flush crawled up her chest. Instead of letting her walk, I slid my arm under her knees, cradling her like the precious parcel she was.
Something that sounded like a squawk echoed around the room.
She wrapped her arms around my neck as I carried her up the stairs, careful not the step on her dress.
“Kaelen. Alpha,” she hissed, the slight lilt in her tone giving her away. “Put me down.”
“No.”
I nipped at her chin, and she moaned the prettiest noise. The wooden door to our room groaned as I backed into it, kicking it shut harder than I intended. Books rattled on the shelves, and my omega grinned at me with dark, playful eyes.
“Patience, Alpha,” she cooed, running her nails through my beard. “Where’s my present?”
My teeth dug into my tongue as I guided her to the floor, resting my hands on her hips. I adored her like this, unguarded and wanting. While the gown hugged her beautifully, I needed to feel her skin under me as I teased and wrung pleasure from her trembling body.
“Needy thing,” I said, spinning her.
Her chest rose with a tiny, indignant huff, her breasts straining against her dress.
When Willow first started staying in this room, she asked me what all the loud construction was behind the door. I shrugged it off, telling her it was another closet. Luckily, she let it go after that, not the least bit interested in another room for clothes.
I walked her toward her gift, and she looked at me, a cute V nestled between her brows.
“A closet?” she asked, unable to hide the disappointment in her tone.
“No, mo chroí,” I said, opening the door and gesturing for her to step inside.
It was important that I didn’t intrude on her space. I stayed a respectable distance away as she stepped inside. An omega’s nest was special, and only when she invited me to join her would I step all the way in.
I leaned against the doorframe, tracking her movements.
After some persuasion, I made sure Willow’s nest was completed before today. Granted, I still hadn’t physically seen the finished project. My contractor sent me photos after having it professionally cleaned to remove all lingering scents.
With her back to me, I couldn’t see her face. After taking a few short steps, she froze, her head moving as she took in the entire space. Pale slate gray covered the walls, while floor to ceiling windows stood along the side opposite the door.
In the center of the room, an oversized bed draped in sheer silk canopies sat covered in thick, brightly jewel-colored blankets.
She toed off her flats, digging her toes into the plush carpet as she ran a finger over the end of the jacuzzi tub by the windows. During her heat, the tub could be adjusted to a cooling temperature that would soothe her.
When she reached the bed, her head fell forward. Her torso shook with the sobs she couldn’t quiet, and my alpha demanded that I help our omega. Acid burned my esophagus as it felt like shards of glass stabbing me in my chest.
“Invite me in, Omega,” I said, struggling to keep the bark out of my tone.
It had to be her decision. I couldn’t compel it. My nails dug into the supple wood of the doorframe, my entire body tightening.
“Alpha,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion as she faced me with glassy eyes. “Please. Join me. I need you.”
Those three words were a balm to my panicked alpha. In three long strides, I closed the distance between us. My arms curled around her waist, turning her to face me. Her lip wobbled as her eyes darted between me and the bed.
“This is mine? My nest?”
A tentative purr started in my belly, soothing my sweet girl. Her shoulders fell from the pinched position by her ears. I ran my fingers through her silky hair, gently nudging her face to rest in the crook of my neck.
“All yours. If there is anything you don’t like, we can change it.”
“Oh, God. I love it,” she whispered, her voice cracking.
Tiny fingers clung to the lapels of my suit jacket. I continued to run a hand along her back, calming the frantic thrumming of her heartbeat, which finally evened out. She took a step back, looking up at me from under wet lashes.
“But we’re married now. Isn’t the courtship over?”
Taking her face in both my hands, I kissed her forehead. My thumbs stroked a familiar path over her freckles, shaking my head.
“Oh, my innocent little omega,” I said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “Until my mark is here for everyone to see, we are courting. And even after, I will lavish my omega with all things exquisite, shiny, and special, because she deserves no less. Do you understand?”
No matter how long it took, Willow would know how treasured she was. I would devote myself to her happiness. The worry lines on her face vanished as she stared at me.
“I think so,” she said, still looking uncertain. The tip of her nose wrinkled. “It doesn’t smell like us.”
“Not yet,” I said, cupping her chin. “We can fix that. Do you want that?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“Good girl,” I said, nearly drunk on the scent of her thickening arousal. “Turn around so I can peel you out of this gown and drown your nest in our scents while I knot you.”