Chapter 10
Hudson
They helped me unpack, but I insisted on handling my toiletries and my toys. Some things are better kept private.
Sure, I’ll be temporarily living with three alphas, but they also have jobs. Other than during heat leave, there will be times I’ll be alone. And my body doesn’t wait until there’s someone around to service me.
The untouched food tray makes me feel guilty.
Still not hungry, though.
“Movie?” Mason asks. I nod, careful to breathe through my mouth. Too much of their scent and I’ll be in heat before the opening credits.
Not sure I’ve ever been so damn affected.
Though I suppose it could simply be because I’m here solely for the purpose of riding out my heat then possibly being bred.
It’s ingrained in alphas to rut and breed just like it’s ingrained in omegas to please their alphas and, you know, be bred.
Which is why I’ve ensured I’m not only on birth control but have always insisted the alphas and betas I’ve slept with wear condoms.
A shiver runs down my spine when I realize I’ll feel these alphas bare. For the first time since I became sexually active, I’ll get to enjoy the feeling of not just being barebacked, but the sensation of the alphas filling me with their cum.
Sure, a knot helps push the pain and fever away, but it’s short lived. Cum is the number one way to give omegas more down time, more time to rest between waves of their heat.
Alex approaches and takes my hand, twining his fingers through mine as he smiles down at me.
All three are maybe an inch or two above six feet, but still so much taller than me.
I’m not as tiny and dainty as so many female omegas, but these alphas make me feel so…
I don’t know. Fragile. Like I want one of them to lift me into their arms and carry me around while I nuzzle my face in the crook of their neck.
Mason and Des follow behind us as we make our way down the hall and then down the stairs. The couch in my quarters is plenty big enough for the four of us, but this will give me an opportunity to get a better lay of the place.
“You know, you really haven’t given me much of a tour. Other than my space, I mean,” I point out to Alex.
“You’re right. Let me show you alllll the reasons you should agree to stay with us for…well, as long as it takes or as long as you want.” He then lifts our raised hands and presses a firm kiss to the back of mine.
I chuckle because, yeah, he’s already given me one pretty good reason to stick around for at least the duration of my cycle.
Mason and Des leave Alex to walk me around the giant house. I’m going to get lost if they don’t draw a map.
Alex plays tour guide, leading me through rooms that look torn from a magazine – sunlit stone fireplace, shared office, indoor and outdoor pools, even a wine cellar. The place hums with a life waiting to happen.
What kind of law do these three practice to afford all this?
And why the hell didn’t I go to law school?
That’s right – because I was put out on the streets at sixteen and didn’t even get to finish high school.
Not that I’m not smart. I just don’t have that piece of paper to tell the world I at least have a high school education.
Should I mention that to these three?
Nah. What’s the point?
Besides, I don’t want them feeling sorry for me or even trying to use it against me to sway my decision. I want anything that comes to be completely organic.
In one quiet wing, he opens a door to a playroom. It’s bigger than my apartment, and already filled with books and toys.
Wandering further into the room, I run my fingers over a super soft pile of blankets, nudge the rocking chair to get it moving, then stop in front of a set of French doors that have about twenty locks on them.
Just outside is a huge, custom-built playground. How long has it sat unused?
Tears burn the backs of my eyes for their loss, for the yearning and heartache they must have felt every time they’ve approached an omega with the same offer they gave me only to be turned down.
Before I have time to contemplate or stop my mouth from opening, I hear myself say, “I’ll do it.”
There’s a hitch of a breath behind me. Turning to look Alex in the eyes, I blink a few times as his face becomes blurry with the tears I’m struggling to keep from streaking down my cheeks.
“What did you say?”
Taking a deep breath and steeling myself, I nod. “I’ll do it. I mean, I’ll try. I can’t guarantee I’m even fertile after being on birth control for so many years, but…yeah.”
It doesn’t matter how many times I blink – the damn tears fall over my lashes and run in hot rivulets down my cheeks.
“Are you sure? I swear I didn’t show you this to entice you either way. I want the decision to be completely yours.”
I nod as he speaks but I’m pretty sure I made up my mind within the first few minutes of meeting these men.
Holding up a hand, I stop him as he begins to rush toward me. “As long as it stays honest. If I ever find out you’re not, I walk.”
He stopped when I held up a hand, but now that I’ve stopped speaking, he rushes me, wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me from the ground.
A ridiculous giggle leaves my lips as he buries his face in the space between my neck and shoulder and spins me in circles until my feet swing outward.
“Thank you,” he whispers against my neck, his lips and breath so warm. “Can I tell my mates, or would you prefer to give them the good news?”
He finally sets me on my feet, cupping my cheeks so he can look me in the eyes. Why does that feel so natural? Why does his touch feel so damn good?
I can’t stop smiling.
Neither can Alex, Mason, or Des.
Alex bursts into the room, me still in his arms, shouting the news. Mason tackles us in a hug; Desmond just cries.
I don’t have the heart to remind them nothing’s certain yet.
Hours later, I’m curled on the couch with my head in Alex’s lap, while Des rubs my feet, and Mason constantly fusses over me. It’s domestic, sweet, surreal.
I’m sure this level of attention will fade with time, but for now, my omega instincts are soaking it up.
Eventually, my lids grow heavy. I mean, we’re currently on our third movie and I did end up eating a crapload of junk, but only after they begged me to eat something. Because I have to keep up my strength and nurture my body, after all.
Not sure popcorn, chips, soda, and a buttload of chocolate will nurture anything, but it was fun being hand fed by three gorgeous alphas.
As my lashes flutter and my eyes close, I sink further into the cushions and nuzzle my cheek against Alex’s thigh when a purr lifts on the air and settles my heart in a way no drug or alcohol ever could.
Then I’m floating. Except there’s something firm and warm wedged against me. I’m just awake enough to realize I’m being carried but not quite with it enough to open my eyes.
Doesn’t matter; I’m surrounded by peppermint and whipped cream as though I’m sinking into a Christmas treat.
Mason. I’m in Mason’s strong arms. His chest vibrates with a purr, lulling me further into dreamland.
I don’t remember being lowered onto the mattress, don’t remember having the duvet pulled up to my chin.
The last thing I feel before sleep claims me is rightness, as though I’ve already come home.