But right before he thrusts into the delirious omega, Rhett captures my chin and brings his face closer.
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispers, then he kisses me softly.
Charlie’s Heat
Autry
I’m exhausted.
It’s been two days. Maybe three. Hell, it could be a thousand for all I know.
Everything hurts. My back, my thighs, and even my pussy. It’s painfully raw from relentlessly fucking Charlie while Rhett and Myrick rest. It also doesn’t help that I’m not in heat so I only have a mildly steady flow of slick, not the downpour needed for this kind of friction.
“I need water,” Myrick mutters as he rolls off of Charlie. The omega’s eyes flutter, then close. Then a soft sigh leaves his lips as his brow finally smooths out for once. “I think I’m chafed.” Myrick cradles his balls, then winces. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”
I nod slowly, my gaze still locked on Charlie’s sleeping face. My teeth sink into my lower lip to stop myself from saying what’s been pressing on my chest for hours.
“What?” Myrick asks, catching the look on my face. “What are you thinking?”
“Nothing,” I lie, offering a weak smile before wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders. “I’m just tired.”
“Liar.” He doesn’t even try to smile. “You’re thinking this is why packs need more than one alpha, aren’t you?”
I wince, even though his tone isn’t accusing. He’s just stating the obvious. “Yeah,” I whisper, hating myself for it. “I guess I am.”
Myrick leans into me, resting his forehead against mine for a breath. We sit there in silence, each of us struggling to stay upright, too drained to move.
“I don’t want to ask Rhett,” I say after a minute. “He’s only been asleep for a few hours.”
We both glance toward the far corner of the room where Rhett lies sprawled out on the floor. There’s a thin comforter beneath him, but that’s it. He refused to sleep in our bed down the hall. He said he wanted to be close, and I really love him for that.
Every time Charlie whimpered, Rhett was there—holding him tight and rutting him hard. He even made sure Charlie drank and washed him up while Myrick napped. The alpha has been a machine.
But even machines wear down.
And now he’s out cold, dark circles carved under his eyes like bruises, and mouth slightly parted as he sleeps harder than I’ve ever seen before. He needs the rest.
But so do we.
Myrick exhales beside me, shifting enough to press his cheek against my shoulder. “I can’t do this anymore,” he says, voice small and hoarse. “I’m trying, but betas aren’t built for this. We make sure our mates are fed and clean during their heats and ruts. But we’re not a substitute for an alpha.”
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper as my exhaustion tugs at my emotions. “I wish I could do more. I wish?—”
“Stop it,” Myrick cuts in gently. The strength in his voice is gone, burned out hours ago. “You’ve done more than I ever could.” He presses a gentle kiss to my lips. “You’re perfect.”
Charlie moans softly, his face twitching like he’s having a bad dream.
Myrick sighs, long and ragged, watching the omega. “I’m...not wired for this,” he says. “I can’t regulate an omega’s scent or calm the hormonal storm Charlie’s caught in. We’ve done everything we can.” His voice drops, defeated. “And it’s still not enough.”
My eyes drift toward Rhett.
We need another alpha.
We need Oli.
Charlie’s mate.
The words feel like a betrayal in my mind, but they’re the truth. And the worst part? I think Myrick knows it too.
