Chapter 48 #2
My Alpha lunges, though, begging to take a swipe at the one undermining our pack. I fold the urge to snarl into a slight growl. Bridget feels it in my throat and quivers, but leans closer to me. Because even when I’m the one raging, she knows I’m her safe place.
Good fucking girl .
“Actually,” I rumble, staring into Alicia’s duller blue eyes. “Bridget is the reason I took over the Locke Pack.”
They both freeze. Bridget’s gaze flies to my face, gaping every bit as much as her sister.
Fucking hell.
This bitch told my omega she would never have a real pack who loved her. She forced her to settle in the most degrading way, and convinced Bridget it was simply common sense.
My face conveys every ounce of hatred burning through my body as I level Alicia with a glare. “I never would have been interested in becoming their alpha if Bridget hadn’t been their omega.”
Rotating the woman in my arms and wrapping her closer, I look down into her bright eyes, adding, “She’s incredible. Everything I’ve ever wanted. As soon as I saw her in the society papers and read about her work with children’s charities, I knew I needed her to be mine.”
Bridget’s gaze roams over my face, searching. Trying to determine whether this is part of our long-abandoned rouse. When I stare back, projecting the solid weight of my certainty, her full lips tremble once, twice… then they spread into the most glorious grin I’ve ever seen.
My scent spikes instantly. Bridget’s brightens in reply. Its slicing edge clatters to the floor as sweetness swells in its stead.
The bitterness that makes my Alpha rage in frustration is still there, but it affects me differently than before. Urging me to bite her, claim her.
Almost as if the voice inside me wants her more because of whatever isn’t right.
Canines aching, I barely register Alicia’s dainty gasp. And the deafening silence that follows.
When Bridget and I glance over, we find her wide-eyed. Openly shocked. She flounders, her painted lips opening and closing several times before she manages, “So… you’re…?”
A real pack? Bonding with one another? Getting my sister an actual engagement ring?
I wish I could say yes, to all of the above. But Bridget hasn’t agreed to any of those things—and today is the time for me to show her how much I want to keep her.
“Staying with Bridget,” I finish, giving a steady nod. “Yes. We are.”
Bridget watches me. For a second, I wonder if she’ll argue, but she only stands a bit straighter. Holding her head high as she bobs it once, turning to Alicia with a satisfied expression.
The woman absorbs the look on her sister’s face and narrows her eyes.
“Well, in that case, I suppose you wouldn’t mind bringing your whole pack to the Ospreys’ Charity Gala next weekend?
It is your preferred philanthropy, right?
And all of polite society will be there to witness your…
” She pauses, raking me with suspicious eyes. “… good fortune. ”
I start to growl, ready to chuck my manners aside and fight this other alpha for impugning my omega’s honor. But Bridget’s scent actually gets sweeter . And her smile blossoms .
“Really?” she bursts. “You wouldn’t pitch a fit about me coming? Because I really want to go, but you said I shouldn’t this close to my heat?—”
Alicia’s face takes on a bored quality as she examines her nails, waving dismissively. “Oh. That. Well, I assume it won’t be an issue, now that you have alphas.”
Bridget either accepts her blatant lie or chooses to ignore it. Either way, she shrugs, her grin growing in a way that tells me she’s getting what she wants and isn’t going to gripe about the details.
Practical. And too smart to dally over bullshit with a person she doesn’t trust.
Which is so very her , it makes my heart hurt.
My patience snaps under the weight. I nuzzle my face into Bridget’s hair and start to turn us away. Not sparing Alicia another glance. “If you’ll excuse us, I have plans to spoil my omega.”
“Little blue?”
Bridget hums, slowly peeling one eye open. I take a mental picture, knowing I’ll want it later.
She’s always a vision, but this may be the sexiest I’ve ever seen her. Stripped bare, with all her makeup washed off and her fiery hair pulled into a toppling pile. Lying on her belly, with a black satin sheet pooled at her waist and a sheen of oil glistening on her curves.
Freckles. Womanly rolls. Wide hips. The onyx fabric clinging to her round, full ass.
It’s all divine; but none of it can compare to the honest softness in her brilliant blue eyes. The serenity steeped into her delicate features.
Fucking hell .
She’s so beautiful.
Relaxed. With nothing to worry about except her own enjoyment.
The massages were sublime, but I spent the entire two-hour block with my head turned toward her whenever possible. Watching to make sure she was comfortable. Huffing deep inhales of her sugared brightness.
Our omega’s lemony perfume has never been this close to perfection. It unlocks something deep inside me, but it also enrages my Alpha.
It’s so goddamn good . Why does something still feel off ?
The slightest fissure in a flawless kaleidoscope of stained glass. So brilliant and colorful, the crack is all-but invisible. I know it’s there, but I can’t find it with my eyes anymore.
Is it odd that part of me misses it?
My Alpha might not love whatever keeps her from registering as our mate, but I love everything about her. Not being able to find the thread of bitterness I’m used to almost feels like losing a piece of her.
And every bit of Bridget is utterly precious to me.
Purring, I bend over her massage table and nuzzle the nape of her neck. “How was that, love?”
A shy, gorgeous smile curls her lips. “It was incredible, Adrian,” she whispers, full of feeling I don’t understand until she adds, “I’ve never been anywhere like this before. Thank you for bringing me.”
I nip at the side of her neck, rumbling, “We’ll come back. I promise. But for now, I thought we might shower this oil off and have lunch by the pool?”
Genuine delight sparkles in her gaze. I memorize it, resolving to put the same gleam there as often as humanly possible. A teasing twitch quirks her lips higher. “Okay… but you might have to carry me. I feel like I don’t have any bones left.”
Fuck, her perfume is so delicious. Decadent cream, lemon zest, torched sweetness. I scrape my teeth over her pulse without meaning to. When she moans, I do it again. With purpose.
“ Adrian ,” she breathes, stretching under my hands. “W-what are you doing?”
I skim my fingertips down the line of her spine and span my hand against the small of her back. She arches into the touch as my purr deepens. Under the towel wrapped around my hips, my cock goes from hard to raging .
“I want you,” I rasp. Deciding she needs to hear the raw truth instead of some playful version. “I need you.”
God, she’s perfect. Her scent climbs higher, a shiver wracking her body when she perfumes for me. Any trace of doubt or teasing vanishes, her features full of lust and genuine tenderness.
“Okay,” she hums, turning onto her side. Opening her arms to me. “What can I do for you?”
Sweet baby girl .
She might be the smartest, most self-possessed woman I’ve ever met, but she’s also the kindest . I pet her head, sifting my fingers through the bright strands. Our gazes lock.
“I want to taste you,” I tell her. “If you’ll let me.”
The way her scent sharpens is enough to gut me. And tweak my knot fuller. Fuck. Bridget .
I love her so damn much, my heart can’t contain the sensation anymore. It spills over and out, pouring through my abdomen. Pooling in my lungs. Shooting into my limbs.
I love Bridget .
And I think she might love me, too. Even if she doesn’t realize it.
Because instead of denying me or curling in on herself, this time, she bites her lower lip. Earnest fear fills her face. “It—might not be… good.”
Impossible.
I don’t dismiss her, though. Clearly, someone put these thoughts into her mind. Made her think this way.
Massaging the crown of her head with gentle fingertips, I brush one final kiss along her unmarked throat. Shoving down the urge to bite .
“Do you trust me?” I whisper.
Her answering nod is quick and a little shaky. It might make me smile if she didn’t seem so anxious. “What if someone comes back in?” she whispers.
I straighten, reaching over to lock the door to the cozy room. Soft gray walls glow as candlelight fills Bridget’s curves with flickering warmth and sensual shadows.
“I paid for an extra block of time,” I assure her. “Then tipped the masseuses enough to keep them ‘busy’ for a while. No one is going to disturb us.”
Bridget’s expressive nature has to be one of my favorite things about her. I can actually see the moment she decides she’s ready to try. Determination brightens her blue eyes as she starts to push herself upright.
Brave, but still fretful. Casting fluttery glances around the room. “How do we do this?”
She won’t be doing anything. I touch under her chin, lifting her eyes to mine. “Who takes care of you?” I demand.
Bridget swallows. “Y-you do?”
I kiss her forehead. “Good girl. Now, lie back for me.”