Chapter 28
CHAPTER 28
DANE
T he chill of the stainless steel fridge seeps across my fingers as I swing it open. Morning light filters through the windows, casting long shadows over the near-empty shelves. My stomach clenches—not from hunger, but from the thought of leaving Kayla even for an hour.
“Damn,” I mutter under my breath. The last of the eggs, a solitary carton of milk teetering on sour, and half a loaf of bread that’s more suitable as a doorstop than breakfast. We’re running low. And it’s my job to fix that.
“Ryker,” I call out, glancing over at him where he leans against the doorframe, his eyes shadowed. “Heading out after we eat. It’s looking pretty barren here.”
He nods once, sharp, a silent understanding passing between us. The tension coils tighter in my gut; I don’t want to leave the sanctuary we’ve built here, not with Kayla so new to our world, her trust so recent and raw. But necessity bites harder than desire.
I’m turning away when she walks in with her dark blonde hair in a ponytail. The aroma of her sex wraps around me, a heady perfume that triggers every primal instinct I’ve been trained to suppress. I ball my fists, muscles tensing, fighting the urge to pull her close, claim her lips with mine. But she’s in charge and I’m following her lead until she’s so comfortable with me and sex that I don’t have to worry about her.
“Morning,” she greets.
“Morning.” My reply is gruff, curt, as I grapple with control and not scope her into my arms and carry her to my bed.
I grab my keys and they jangle.
“Can I come with you?” The hope in her voice twists my heart.
“Better not.” My words are sharper than I intend. Safety first. Always. But that doesn’t stop the twinge of guilt when I see her disappointment.
A pout pulls at her full lips, and it takes all my strength not to cave right then and there.
“Then can you get something for me?” Her pout morphs into a hopeful smile, and damn if it doesn’t skip my heart.
“Name it.”
“Get Dessert Rose lipstick, please.”
“Which is...?” I’m combat-ready, not beauty-versed. This is unfamiliar territory.
“Just any pink lipstick,” she insists, her grin growing, and it’s like a punch to the chest, how it makes me feel.
“Alright, pink lipstick,” I echo, committing her simple wish to memory. It’s a small thing, but for her, I’d move mountains. For now, I’ll settle for navigating the aisles of a convenience store.
“Be back soon,” I say, my voice a low promise as I grab my jacket and head out, the scent of her still clinging to my senses.
The ride into town feels like it takes forever cause all I want to do is be back. I focus on the hum of the engine, the grip of tires on the tarmac—anything to keep her image from my mind. But as the town’s outlines sharpen against the morning sky, so does the gnawing feeling in my gut.
I park at the local market, my movements are mechanical as I load up on supplies—a soldier on a mission. The mundane act of selecting cereal and bread is grounding until I hit the cosmetics aisle. Eight shades of pink lipstick stare back at me, each promising to be the one she wants. I grab them all; Kayla’s fleeting smile in the kitchen is worth every fucking cent.
I pay and head to my truck, unloading everything. I put the shopping cart away, but when I return, a man is poking his fucking head in my truck.
“Hey,” I yell, “What the hell are you doing?”
“Nice haul,” the man leaning against my truck drawls, a smirk playing on his lips. Nexus. He’s the same guy from the other day that forced a search on us with his other two goons and Ryker had to hide Kayla in the garage. What the fuck is he still doing in town?
“Got a problem?” I block his view of the cab, where the lipsticks lay among the groceries. Did he see them?
“Curious is all.” He eyes the bags. “Your Alpha bringing the whole pack for a picnic?”
“Our fridge busted and we had to throw out everything,” I lie smoothly, even as my pulse quickens.
He rubs his chin thoughtfully, and I can almost hear the gears turning in his head. “Surprised none of you have left your home much. I thought you’d all be hunting for those missing Omegas. There’s only three now, you know that right?”
My body stiffens.
“Rewards doubled.” His tone is casual, but the implication is clear. “Might want to focus on your job—the one you accepted. Shame to lose out on a bounty over a...broken fridge.”
I maintain my stance, an immovable object before him. Internally, I’m a raging storm, ready to break. I shrug nonchalantly. “I’ll let Liam and Ryker know. Now, get the fuck out of my way.”
He chuckles, retreating a step.
Once he’s out of sight, I slide into the driver’s seat, slamming the door shut. My heart pounds against my ribcage just like whenever I was on the battlefield.
But I’ll be damned if I let Nexus—or anyone—lay a finger on Kayla.
My knuckles are white around the steering wheel. The drive back is a blur; all I can picture is Kayla’s face when she hears the news. Sweet, strong-willed Kayla. My mind races with possibilities—ways to protect her, to keep her safe and here with us.
When I finally pull up to the mansion, gravel crunching under the tires, my muscles are coiled tight, ready for anything. I haul in the groceries.
“Meeting,” I bark out, not bothering with pleasantries.
“What about?” Liam yawns, scratching his head.
“Get Ryker and Kayla. Now.”
“Gesh. Did they not have your expensive eggs today or what?”
I glare at him and he holds his hands up backing away.
“Fuck. Fine,” he says.
Quickly, I unload the stash of groceries that need to be refrigerated or frozen, everything else can wait.
Ryker leans against the counter, arms crossed, but he knows when I call a meeting, I don’t say shit until we’re all present. Liam takes a chair at the table, leaning back in it like he’s ready to be done.
“Kayla,” I say, once she joins us, her dark blue eyes searching mine for answers. “We’ve got trouble.”
I lay it out for them—the encounter with the Nexus guy, the increased bounty, the captured Omega. I watch as fear clouds Kayla’s blue eyes. “And they’re watching the house. For now, we gotta keep Kayla inside, hidden.”
“Those bastards,” Ryker snarls, slamming his fist down on the counter. “They think they can just take what they want?”
“They—they were my friends. All four of us got picked up to be taken to Nexus that day.” She sits beside Liam, her hands in her lap.
“What can you tell us, Kayla?” I ask. “Anything can help.”
She swallows hard, trying to compose herself. “The guards... they jumped out of the bus, then after it crashed they came back for us.”
“Fuckers,” Ryker spits out. “They should’ve stayed on the bus and tried to help.”
“Anything else you remember could help us figure out which of your friends they have,” I press gently, knowing every detail counts.
Kayla’s voice trembles as she continues, the dark blonde strands of her hair half-hiding her face not enough to mask the raw emotion in her eyes. “One of them... one of the guards used a tazer.” She shakes her head, her whole body shuddering. “I will never forget the sound it made. A sharp crackle, followed by this… sickening buzz.”
My fingers curl into fists at my sides. “They used a taser on an Omega?” The words taste bitter, anger laced with disbelief.
“Y-yeah,” she stammers out, and it rips through me—the fragility in her normally strong voice. “One of them chased Casey into the forest, and the third one came after me.”
“That’s the one I told you guys about when I found Kayla. The one I clocked on the back of his head. Didn’t know they fuck tasered an Omega.” Liam’s mouth presses into a thin line.
I glance over at Ryker seeing the same fury mirrored in his eyes.
“That’s fucked up,” Liam says, his voice steady but his hands clenched tight, knuckles white.
My gut twists, a visceral knot of dread. I lean back, my hip hitting the counter, muscles tensed as if readying for a fight. Liam’s right. This is beyond messed up; it’s a sign of something darker, a sinister game Nexus is playing. And now, Kayla’s caught in the middle—her and her friends.
“Did you see which way they went after the crash?” I ask, desperate for something actionable, some way to get ahead of this.
“I’m not sure. I-I think one of my friends fled into the woods opposite me, but it was chaos,” Kayla whispers, “I don’t know much after that. It was dark and raining… and then Liam saved me.”
“Alright,” I say, pushing away from the table, standing. “We have to be smart about this. We’re not just going to run into this blind.” I lock eyes with each of them, determination fueling me. “We need a plan. First, we need to keep you safe and the only way to do that is if we all three claim you.”
“Yeah, let’s make it official.” Liam gets down on one knee. “Kayla, will you be our Omega?”
She giggles and it’s the most amazing sound that I’ll never get tired of. “Yes. Yes to all of you.”
“Damn straight you’re our Omega.” Liam stands hauling her into his arms and swinging her in a circle in the kitchen. Then he kisses her and Ryker clears his throat, pulling her out of Liam’s arms and into his.
Ryker kisses her then I step in. Her kiss is sweet honey, but as much as I want to take her up to my bedroom, we’re not done with ensuring she’s ours.
So I pull back, telling my cock that now’s not the time. “Okay. We need to get registered and then Nexus’ blessing.”
“How do we do that?” Kayla crosses her arms. “As soon as they see me, they’ll know I’m the one from the bus and escaped. And that you three lied to those Nexus guys who came here.”
I nod. “Which is why we need to go underground. I know a guy who does freelance registrations for Nexus. He owes me a favor. We get him to write up the registration and we go direct to Nexus to get it approved.”
“All while avoiding those Nexus pricks who were sniffing around for Kayla,” Ryker growls.
“Exactly.” I keep my tone neutral for Kayla’s sake and don’t remind them of the jerk that cornered me in the parking lot.
“Let’s do it,” Liam agrees. “Who’s your registration dude?”
“Charlie. I’ll hit him up.” Guy owes me for saving his life in the army. But if he betrayed us, I’ll gut him. “You ready to do this, Kayla?”
“Whatever it takes.” She nods. “I’m tired of hiding.”
Quickly, I tap a cryptic message to Charlie, just in case. The weight of this responsibility settles on my shoulders. If we can do this under the radar, that’s good. No way we want to take this to court where it can be proven we lied to Nexus officials. Whatever happens, we’re in this together and I’ll be damned if I let Nexus take Kayla from us.
“Thank you,” Kayla murmurs, her dark blue eyes meeting mine, and something fierce and protective wells up within me. She’s our Omega, and I’ll move heaven and earth to keep her safe.
Kayla
L iam and Ryker head upstairs to the office while I help Dane put away the groceries that are for the pantry.
Can’t believe I found my Alphas and all three of them are wonderful. Part of me worries that something will screw this up since I’ve never been this happy in a long time. But I squash those feelings down because I can’t change anything that’s going to happen. Still doesn’t keep the butterflies of excitement and anxiety from crashing into the walls of my stomach.
Dane checks his cell phone when it vibrates, then shakes his head, putting it back in his pocket. “Don’t worry, Charlie will text me back.”
I nod even though my heart squeezes. What if his friend refuses to do the registration paperwork for us?
No, I need to keep busy and not worry about that. I keep unloading the groceries. In the next bag, I pull out two lipsticks, then glance in the back and find a handful more and my heart swells.
“Did you buy out the whole store?” I ask with a smirk, holding up several of the lipsticks.
“Could’ve warned me that there were so many shades.” He puts up a bag of pasta. “But none of them had your Dessert Rose one,” he says like he’s upset that he couldn’t find what I asked for.
“These are perfect.” I walk over to him and kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”
Being this close, the scent of him—cedar and cinnamon—hits me. My body reacts before my brain can catch up, heat unfurling inside me with alarming intensity. A gasp escapes my lips, loud in the quiet kitchen.
“Kayla? What’s wrong?” His dark eyes search mine.
“It’s just my—” The words are strangled by my panting breaths, each one sharper as the heat demands attention. It’s like when I was alone with Ryker. My heat is happening all over again, but this is different, stronger. Primal. I’d thought it was bad then, but this is a wildfire.
“Your heat?” Dane guesses, his brow wrinkling.
I nod, squeezing my thighs together in a futile attempt to quell my rising desire. It’s no use; my body remembers the relief Ryker provided, craves that release again, now more urgent, more desperate.
Dane reaches out, his hand warm on my shoulder, trying to be supportive. But God, his touch is gasoline to the flame. Heat radiates off me in waves, and I can’t control the impulse that has me practically tackling into his solid body so hard we crash into the pantry. A shower of cans clatters to the floor.
“Kayla,” he starts, but I silence him with my mouth, crushing my lips to his with an urgency that leaves no room for doubt.
He kisses me back, his lips moving with a tenderness that contrasts with the raw hunger ripping through me.
Dane’s being a gentleman, letting me set the pace, but hell if I want gentle right now.
I rasp against his mouth, and guide his hand to my breast, needing his touch like I need air.
A groan vibrates from his throat, a sound so achingly male that it seems to resonate directly between my legs. My panties might as well be nonexistent for how wet I am.
“Kayla, you’re burning up,” he murmurs, breaking away just enough to look into my eyes. His pupils are blown wide with desire, and I know he feels it too, this magnetic pull that’s impossible to resist.
“Then burn with me,” I whisper, the world narrowing down to the man in front of me, the only one who can quench this searing need right here, right now.
His hands move to my shirt, lifting it with a swift, decisive motion. The fabric catches on my heated skin, sticking slightly before it gives way, and the cool air of the kitchen blows across my stomach. But it’s not enough, not nearly enough.
“Off,” I gasp, and Dane complies, his fingers deft as he peels the damp material all the way off me. Then his attention shifts downward, and I shiver as he unhooks my bra with an ease.
The moment his mouth closes over my nipple, heat coils tighter within me. His tongue swirls, and a moan slips from my lips. He lavishes the same attention on the other, and I’m lost in the sensation, every lick and nip stoking the flames higher.
“Dane...” My hands tangle in his hair, pulling him closer, urging him to take more of me. It’s not just lust; it’s something primal, a need clawing at my insides demanding satisfaction.
The intensity of my heat spikes again, surging through me with a ferocity that has my legs shaking. I press against him, desperate for friction, for anything to alleviate this relentless ache.
“Please,” I plead, and Dane responds as though my words are a command.
Lifting me effortlessly, he cradles me against his chest—my legs instinctively wrap around his waist, locking us together. My lips find his, and I kiss him with everything I am, all my fears and desires melting into this single, consuming moment.
As he carries me, each step he takes sends shockwaves of anticipation through me. “Dane,” I pant between kisses, my fingers digging into his shoulders.
“Shh, I’ve got you,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough.
I’m clinging to him, the heat within me growing more and more intense.
“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice full of impatience and need as the throbbing between my legs intensifies.
“My bedroom.” Dane’s answer is a growl that resonates deep within me.
“That’s too far,” I protest, my breath hitching. I nibble on his earlobe, a desperate whine vibrating in my throat. “And I’m so hot, Dane.”
“Yes, you fucking are, Kayla.” With a swift motion, his foot connects with the door of one of the guest bedrooms, sending it flying open. He strides in, the door left ajar behind us. The thought of being caught sends an illicit thrill through my veins, pushing me further into this madness. Is this who I am now? A sex-crazed fiend?
I’m burning up from the inside, and every cell in my body screams for relief. Dane sets me down, and our hands fumble with clothing, urgency making us clumsy. My pants fall to the floor, and he swiftly peels away my panties.
Impatient, I reach for his shirt, but he’s quicker, shedding his clothes in a rush of movement. Here we stand naked in the dim light of his room. Dane’s body is a landscape of hard muscle and battle-won scars—a testament to his strength and his past.
“Wars?” My fingertips ghost over a star-shaped scar on his lower abs. And his cock is hard and standing at attention, ready for me. I want to taste him, but also the need to have him inside me is nearly making me dizzy.
“Yeah.” His voice comes out strained like the memory brings both pride and pain. The rough timbre of it nearly buckles my knees.
As though he can’t wait another second, his mouth crashes against mine, and we’re lost in each other.
I arch into him, craving more—more heat, more contact, more... everything.
“Dane,” I breathe against his lips, my hands roaming over his chest, feeling the play of muscles beneath my fingers. His hands explore my body, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.
Right now, there’s only the two of us, and this heat, this hunger.
Dane’s mouth leaves mine only to travel down my body, his cool lips pressing against my heated skin. The roughness of his stubble grazes my soft flesh, and goosebumps break out across my arms. He lays me down on the bed and I can’t help but squirm with anticipation under his intense gaze.
His mouth is closer now, kissing the sensitive skin of my inner thigh, and I shiver, feeling the warm puff of his breath against me.
“Kayla, you smell delicious,” he murmurs, his voice like velvet. It’s a compliment that has heat coiling tighter within me, and my heart thumps erratically against my ribcage.
When he finally touches me where I’m most desperate, it’s like a lightning strike straight to my core. Dane’s tongue circles my clit, slowly at first, then with a purpose that has my back arching off the bed. His lips suck gently, then more insistently, and I can’t stop the moans spilling from my throat, raw and needy.
I need more pressure, more of him, just more. My hips lift off the bed, seeking the friction his mouth provides but also craving something deeper.
He looks up at me through hooded eyes, and there’s a question in them. “Are you sure? You could still be sore.” His concern cuts through the haze of my desire, grounding me for a moment.
“I know.” My voice shakes with want. “But I-I need you.” I’m not lying; this isn’t just about physical need—it’s about needing him, every part of him, filling the hollow spaces inside me.
“I want you so fucking bad, Kayla.” Dane crawls up my body. His kisses leave a trail along my skin, marking me.
“Tell me if it hurts,” he says, reaching my mouth again, his kiss tender despite the urgency thrumming between us. His hard cock pressed against my leg makes it clear what he wants. I nod, my breath catching.
“I will,” I promise, knowing that any pain would be worth this—worth the feeling of having Dane inside me.
And to show him that I really do need this, need him, I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him like he’s the air I need to breathe.
He positions himself at my entrance, and I feel the slow push as he enters me. He’s careful, so damn careful, and it’s everything tender and sweet—a complete contrast to the wild desperation screaming inside me.
As he slides almost fully inside, there’s a slight resistance, a reminder of the first time, but it’s not bad, not like before. More of a dull ache.
But there’s a deeper feeling inside me of wanting him more, of wanting him to stretch me and fill me completely. So I move up, pulling him in deeper, and he watches my face for any sign of hesitation.
“Kayla, if this is too much—” Dane starts, but I cut him off.
“It’s okay,” I insist, my voice thick with arousal. “Please, don’t stop.”
He nods, the tension in his jaw easing as he begins to move. His hips retreat, then press forward again, and each stroke stokes the fire burning through me. One hand finds my clit, and his fingers work me with the same rhythm, sending me spiraling toward something monumental.
“Shit, Kayla,” he groans, his voice strained. “You’re so wet, so tight... you feel fucking incredible.”
I can’t form words, just sounds—pleasure-soaked affirmations that urge him on.
“I’m going to cum in you, fill you, knot you!” His words come out rough, edged with the raw dominance that makes my insides quiver.
A moan rips from my lips before I can answer, “Yes.” The word is breathless, filled with the dizzying need I have for him to claim me completely.
His movements become more deliberate, aligning with my desperate rocking. He pumps in and out of me, slow at first, then gradually building up speed.
Each thrust sent a jolt of heat through me, a delicious ache that climbed higher with every ragged breath.
My whimpers turned into wordless pleas. And then it happens—my climax crashes over me in waves, shaking me to the core. My vision blurs, stars dance before my eyes, and my body clenches around him, trying to draw him even deeper.
Dane’s response is immediate; his control shatters. “Fuck, Kayla, I’m gonna—” His growl cuts off as he orgasms with a force that rocks us both.
With a searing rush that steals the air from my lungs, he fills me completely. The pressure builds as his knot swells. The thick swelling at the base of his erection creates an intense pressure inside me, stretching me, locking us in place. It’s both arousing yet strange…slightly overwhelming. Each subtle movement sends a jolt through my body, making me super aware of this intimacy. But there’s also a blossoming warmth, a possessive fullness that spreads deep within me, sending shivers of ecstasy down my spine.
I’m anchored to him. And instead of feeling terrified, I feel safe. The world fades away, leaving only the rhythm of our breaths and the slow, thickening pressure of his knot filling every space inside me.
His mouth finds mine for a searing kiss.
He holds me tightly against him, his heart pounding against my chest. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs between kisses, and I believe him. In his arms, stripped bare in every sense, I feel beautiful—I am wanted—I am cherished.
Waves of contentment lull me towards sleep, his warmth enveloping me. With Dane knotted inside me, a deep sense of security washes over me. I sigh, my eyelids fluttering closed. “You make everything so perfect,” I murmur, my voice thick. “And I want to thank you or something, but that seems so inadequate for how you make me feel.”
He chuckles, rolling us onto our sides, and kisses my forehead. “Nah, you’ve got it wrong, sweetheart. Been imagining this for too long, but reality’s even better. Your taste, your scent -I can’t fucking get enough of you. Give me a minute to catch my breath, and I’ll show you what else I’ve been thinking about.”
Kinda want to take him up on his offer, but we can’t do anything until his knot comes down. Despite the strange sensation, there’s something oddly satisfying about being tied to him like this.
And with his arms around me, I feel safe, happier—more than I’ve been in a very long time.