Chapter 10 #2
I reared back. “Excuse me?”
He smirked, clearly having regained his self-control. “Your reputation is quite well-known. So many girls, but oddly not one guy. Care to tell me why that is?”
Shit.
I hadn’t expected to be called out like this.
“And don’t give me a bullshit story, either.” He leaned forward and tapped his nose. “I can tell when you lie. So give me the truth.”
A deep sigh rolled out of me. “Because I couldn’t let Mason go through with this farce.
You didn’t see—or maybe you didn’t care—how miserable he was.
You didn’t hold him while he cried after Jerome told him to strip, then said he couldn’t wait to take Mason’s cherry.
My heart and my brain screamed at me, telling me I had to fix this for my friend. ”
“So, even though you’re straight, you kissed Mason to prove a point?”
“Sir, I would have put him on the floor and fucked him in front of everyone to show he was mine, just so he could live a happy life.”
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “Thank you for that visual.”
“And how did you know?”
“I know a lot of things.” He grinned. “Since you discovered he was a werewolf, did he discuss with you his ability to have babies?”
Odd segue. “We talked about it, yes.”
He leaned back in his chair. “There are some things you might not know about us. Wolves have a very strong sense of smell. Alphas are far more powerful. I called you in because with you here, I can find out if you’re telling me the truth.
We can detect a lie because of the changes in your body.
We can tell who’s had sex because the scent of their partner clings to them, even after several showers.
In all the times I’ve seen you, I never once detected Mason on you in any significant way. ”
“We’re working on it,” I promised. “I want—need—him to get comfortable with me being his Dominant.”
He gave me a pitiful smile. “Kip, I’m grateful you’re doing your best to fit into our world. And I’m even happier that Mason can talk with you about things. You’re good for him, even if you continue on as friends. Now, I can smell Mason on you. I take it things have changed?”
Since it wasn’t as if I had a choice, I decided honesty was the best policy.
“Mason and I never did anything until the night people were watching us, waiting for me to kiss him. I’ll admit, I was freaked out at first, but then I saw his face.
His expression tore at me, because I’d upset or disappointed him, and I hated that look.
So I kissed him. It was rough, almost brutal, because I was angry about everything that was happening to us.
But then Mason surrendered to me, let me be the one in charge, and everything changed for me. ”
The Alpha stroked his chin. “So where does that leave us now? Would you rather we separate you and put an end to this sham?”
If he’d asked me several weeks ago, I would have said yes without hesitation, but I’d sworn to Mason I wouldn’t walk away, that I’d be beside him all the way.
And I’d admitted I loved him.
“No. I won’t walk away from him.”
Alpha John stood. “That’s the right answer,” he said. Then he smiled. “I’m glad you’ll be Mason’s Dominant. He needs someone who can be strong, but also see his value much better than any of us did.”
Holy fuck, I did it.
“So he and I are good?”
“You are. With my blessing.”
I felt as though we’d cleared a massive hurdle we didn’t even know existed.
And I was beyond grateful for that.
Mason
I swiped a hand over my forehead, then winced because I realized I’d just smeared dirt on my face. I couldn’t help but laugh. Since Kip and I had moved into this house, everything seemed so much lighter. I felt as though I could run again, something I hadn’t done in far too long.
And with that came the urge to cut loose.
I watered my plants, then put away my tools.
I headed into the house where I stopped to wash my face and hands before going into our bedroom to strip off my clothes.
The breeze from the open windows felt amazing on my heated skin.
A quick shift and I was ready to go. I slipped through the doggy door in the back yard, then took off at breakneck speed for the tree line.
The thrill of dashing through the trees, letting the scents of the forest wash over me, and experiencing absolute freedom surged within me.
This is what I’ve missed all those years.
I only wished Kip could share this feeling with me.
How silly was it that I missed him horribly when he was at work?
It was the reason I kept so busy in the garden, to distract my mind from not having him home with me.
On the days when it rained, or there were other things that had to be done, I was listless.
I used to enjoy everyone leaving me alone, but now I craved attention and affection from Kip.
Even when others saw me out and about and greeted me warmly, it wasn’t the same.
Being an Omega was something I’d hated with a passion, but now I didn’t mind it so much because I had a Dominant who kept me and my emotions in check.
I wasn’t freaking out about what I was anymore.
It didn’t send me off the rails when someone referred to me as ‘the Omega’.
The only opinion that mattered was Kip’s, and he always called me Mason or ‘his Omega’, when he was talking with others.
Claiming me like that, around others, made me feel important.
As though I finally mattered, and I loved it.
I finished my run, my lungs burning, then headed for the house. A quick stop to check the back garden and I was ready to head inside and take a shower before Kip got home.
“The garden looks amazing.”
I turned and before I could even think about what I was doing, I raced for Kip, leaping into the air and crashing into him—hard. Fortunately no one else saw us, because they’d have thought a wolf was attacking a man, and they’d have reached for pitchforks and torches in a heartbeat.
“Hey, baby.” Kip stroked his fingers through my fur. “Change back for me?”
I did so immediately and he put me on the ground, but didn’t let go. I nuzzled his neck. “Hey, I can smell John.”
“Yeah, he called me into the office to tell me he knew what we did.”
Shit.
“I won’t go with Jerome,” I yelled. “I refuse. You are my Dominant. We’ve bonded.”
That gentle stroking continued. “And he’s given his blessing. You, my dear Omega, are mine, free and clear. No one will separate us.”
The Alpha had given his blessing?
“Do you mean it? I don’t have to leave you?”
“Nope. I’m stuck with you now,” he teased, then kissed the shell of my ear.
I was his.
The fear I’d felt about being found out, of being forced to go to Jerome, evaporated. I wanted to drop to my knees, to remind Kip that I knew where I belonged, rode me hard, but he kept me propped up, cuddling me to him. I was warm, comfortable, and loved.
Who could ask for more?
Kip brushed his lips against my ear, only this time he gave it a playful nip.
“Now, how about we head indoors?”
It was then I realized I was naked. “I guess I should put on some clothes.”
“Not for what I have in mind.” His breath was warm on my neck. “But you’ll definitely need to shower first.”
“Fuck,” I murmured.
Kip’s eyes sparkled. “You took the words right out of my mouth.”