Chapter 18 North
North
‘Baby, I think you’re an omega.’ Jack’s words replayed in my mind over and over again as the two alphas and my omega gazed at me in shock.
I didn’t know what to say or do at this point. This was too much to even consider.
It was fucking insane.
Of course, I wasn’t an omega. My bloodwork and physicals over the years was a testament to that.
“No, you’re wrong,” I said firmly, shaking my head. “I would know if I was an omega. That’s not exactly something that springs up this late in life.”
“But it can,” she said gently.
I hated that she was being so delicate with me, like I might break at any moment. I wasn’t fragile. I was just confused.
They had to be wrong. There was no other explanation.
Jack let out a soft growl and moved closer, climbing onto the couch next to me and burying his nose in my neck as if he couldn’t stop himself. The deep rumble from his chest in response was like a splash of icy cold water.
Fuck.
“She’s right,” he said, his voice full of gravel now.
I shivered at the sound of it, but even as I tried to deny it, I could feel wetness seeping into my boxers, my cock hardening, aching for the alpha and omega so close to me.
“You smell so fucking good,” he growled, shifting his hips against mine.
“You might need to give him space, Jack,” Aspen said.
That looked like the last thing my alpha wanted to do, but she was right. I needed time to clear my head… to think.
“We should go down to the closest omega clinic tomorrow,” Aspen suggested. “They can do a quick blood test. It’s simple and quick. They’ll be able to tell you at that same appointment what your designation is.”
“Okay,” I managed to choke out. As much as I wanted to deny it, I also knew I wouldn’t rest until I knew the truth. I owed it to myself and my pack to figure this out.
“You’ll come with me?” I practically begged her.
She snuggled closer, her hand finding mine and tangling our fingers together, holding on tight. “Of course, I will. We’ll figure this out. I know it’s probably scary, but there’s nothing wrong with being an omega.”
An omega. “Oh God. What if I go into heat?”
“Jack and I are here to help you through it,” she said firmly. As if the answer was that simple.
“Cole would, too, if you wanted him to help,” Jack said gently, looking at his brother for confirmation.
“Of course. I’m here if you need me,” Cole said. There was no hesitation, even as he looked unsettled by the prospect.
“No offense, but you’re like a brother to me. Absolutely the fuck not.” I wrinkled my nose at the idea of taking our relationship from brotherly to sex.
Cole shuddered and laughed. “I was thinking the same thing, but I would never let you hurt if there was something I could do about it.”
“Just keep your knot to yourself and we’ll be fine.”
“Well, you don’t have to keep it to yourself. I’m more than happy to take your knot,” Aspen teased, making both Jack and I gag at the thought.
“I feel the love in here,” Cole joked, but it was half-hearted. He knew there was no offense meant. “Plus, I can run the kitchen and supplies during your heat. Help from the background.”
“Thanks,” I said before closing my eyes and letting the idea of it all settle over me. The shock hadn’t worn off yet, so it all felt so strange to consider.
“How about those decorations?” Jack said. I opened my eyes to see his hand waiting for mine.
I swallowed hard and placed my hand in his. It was a relief to know that my pack was here if their suspicions were true.
Jack pulled me into his arms instead of just helping me up, holding me tight as I tried to come to terms with the new possibility.
Something inside of me, a presence I didn’t truly recognize, seemed to give me an eye roll. My eyes widened as I realized exactly what I was feeling.
It had to be the omega side of me, right?
God, it really would make sense. The way I couldn’t get Jack out of my mind. The way it all felt a little bit like fate when our pack formed.
As I buried my nose in his chest and breathed in, I found his scent was different as well. It was stronger, making me react in ways I never had before. Sure, I was always attracted to him, but this was on another level.
I wanted to bury my nose in his neck and never stop. I wanted him to hold me close and take care of me. It was the kind of pull that made me feel like I wanted to crawl into his skin and live there, being as close as possible.
The jingling of Christmas bells and ornaments rang out, and I finally pulled myself together enough to face it.
Cole and Aspen were setting up the stack of boxes. Some packages showed they’d been shopping in town; others were something I assumed they found here at the estate. Lord knows Karina has plenty of decorations to go around.
I moved closer to Aspen’s side to give myself a second to breathe, but it backfired. Her scent had changed, too, it was sharper and sweeter now, and so fucking good. It was intoxicating and addictive, making me lean closer and bury my nose in her hair just to take another hit.
Holy shit. I was in trouble.
“It’s going to be okay,” she whispered, reaching out and giving my hand a squeeze again. “Everything’s fine. Or at least, it will be.”
“I’m not going to freak out yet,” I lied right to their faces as I dug into the box and picked up a sparkling star ornament. “Let’s decorate this tree.”
They humored me and focused on our task. We unboxed everything, including some garland and lights, winding them around the tree before hanging all the ornaments. Every single one of us was meticulous, making sure it fit perfectly, not just throwing them anywhere and everywhere.
It was funny how easily our pack fit together, and maybe that was the only reason I wasn’t freaking out, because I could see just how much we made sense.
And the truth was… me being an omega made sense. I was softer than most beta men, unable to talk to people how I should, and my obsession with Jack that I could never seem to shake.
Everyone was worried even as they tried to hide it. They were all not-so-subtly stealing glances at me, as if they thought I was going to lose my mind and break down at any second.
I would’ve been just as worried if something like this had happened to one of them.
But for some reason, the designation idea seeped in over the last hour, settling into place.
I wasn’t the type to panic, and with the way Aspen and Jack’s scent changed and shifted for me, becoming more intense, it was hard to deny.
Our alphas would take care of us, and I knew that if I had Jack and Aspen by my side through a heat, then I’d be just fine.
Everything I’d heard about heat had always made me jealous. I loved the idea of being locked in a cozy space with my pack, losing my mind while they took care of me.
Plus, haven’t I already nested in my own ways? Maybe not as obviously as an omega, but my house was purposefully small and cozy. I loved soft things, including clothes. I only let certain people into my spaces, and I always slept better in a blanket pile, with plush pillows and soft blankets.
“We’re going to have to talk about where to go from here,” Aspen said, breaking the silence that had stretched on a bit too long. “Where do we live? I hate the idea of separating now.”
“No, that’s not an option,” Cole agreed, sharing a look with Jack who let out a low growl at the idea.
Hadn’t the goal always been for us to share a life together here at the estate? I knew this place was a part of them and had been in their family for generations before even his parents formed a pack. I’d always hoped he’d wake up and want me here, too.
To me, it was always an inevitability.
“If North is an omega like we expect, that means we have to prepare. He could go into heat. Especially just coming into his designation. It’s probably coming soon.”
They all eyed me like I was going to freak out again, but I just shrugged. “I feel okay right now.”
“You let me know if that changes,” Jack said firmly. “We want to take care of you.”
“I will,” I promised. “But like I said, right now, I’m fine.”
It was almost a relief by the time we were all yawning and ready to head to our rooms.
Once I was inside my room, reality kicked in. I was alone and I didn’t fucking want to be. That just meant my thoughts would take over and I’d spiral. Instead of second-guessing it, I snatched my pillow and turned right back around.
Of course, then I was stuck outside their rooms, unsure whose I should choose. I could easily go to Jack or Aspen, but we all made it a point to go our separate ways tonight, to give each other space.
I hated it.
It appeared my omega did, too. Aspen was stepping out of her room, freezing when she saw me and then her face lit up.
“I didn’t want to sleep alone,” she said. “I’ve done enough of that.”
“Me, too,” I agreed, mouth going dry before I could form the words to ask her to stay with me.
“Slumber party?” Aspen suggested with a hopeful smile. She was too adorable. There was no way I was turning down that opportunity.
“Oh, absolutely. Your room or mine?”
“Yours,” she said, heading into her room to grab her pillow before coming with me.
She had changed out of her cozy Christmas outfit and was now wearing something that was going to be burned into my memory forever. The short shorts and tight-fitting tank top accentuated every curve and showcased her hard nipples just begging for my attention.
“You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” I asked. Omega or not, my voice was deeper now with need.
Aspen rolled her eyes. “Says the man who wore gray sweatpants. I know you haven’t been locked up in your bakery long enough to not know the meaning of that.”
I let out a startled laugh, shocked that she’d even notice. I shouldn’t have underestimated her. Of course, my omega noticed me.
“So, you’re saying you find me sexy?” My grin was wolfish and flirty, showing just how much I needed her right now.
“I thought that before we even realized we were mates. That scent of yours should be illegal, too. Now, it’s even stronger. There’s almost a hint of sugar and cinnamon mixed in with the gingerbread and nutmeg. You’re like the perfect wintery treat.”
“My lips are right here if you want a taste, omega,” I said.
It was cheesy, and she laughed, but she also moved closer, her lips quickly finding mine.
“Oh, I absolutely want a taste,” she said, nuzzling into me, her chest brushing mine.
She was warm and solid and so fucking perfect.
Any lingering doubts were washed away as my body responded to her kiss. She deepened it, her tongue teasing against mine, her soft whimpers filling my ears.
The desire that surged through me in all its aching fury was strange. Slick dripped between my cheeks in response as my hips canted forward, rocking my hard cock against her warmth.
I half expected her to pull away, for this to be too much too fast, but she simply pushed me onto my back.
“I should probably tell you that I’ve never done this, Aspen,” I said, cringing at how fucking pathetic that sounded.
She leaned back, surprised, but no judgment in her gaze.
“With anyone? Ever?” she questioned. “Or just with an omega?”
“Anyone. It just never felt right when all I wanted was Jack. I know that’s probably embarrassing to admit for a man that’s almost thirty, but I wanted sex to mean something.”
“I understand,” she said, starting to back away.
My hands locked onto her hips, holding her against me, grinding her down on my erection.
“You can’t tell me this doesn’t mean anything,” I said.
“It does,” she whispered. “But your first time should be something special. Are you sure you don’t want to spend it with Jack?”
There was vulnerability in what she was saying, but I had a feeling that if I said yes, she would absolutely understand.
“I want it to be with my scent-match,” I said. “That includes you, Aspen. Please don’t pull away from me now. I’ve waited long enough.”
She chuckled softly. “I only wanted you to be sure.”
“Please, omega,” I whispered. “Let me have you.”