I open my mouth to protest, but he keeps talking, not allowing me to interrupt.
“I know that alphas sometimes show affection with violence.” His expression softens slightly as he reaches for his mating bite. He lovingly caresses the edge, a small smile playing on his lips. “I mean, they shove their fangs into the people they love the most.” He laughs like it’s a little bit silly. “But I promise.” He cups my face, serious again. “You are safe with me, Autry. And I’ll kill any alpha that tries to hurt you. Including Rhett.”
I smile—surprised and touched by his words. “Talk about a violent love.” I giggle, trying to lighten the mood, and thankfully, he smiles.
“And I mean it, though.” He presses his forehead to mine. “You will never be hurt again, omega.”
My heart soars, and I fall back into his arms, letting my beta hold me.
Some of my guilt is gone, but not all of it.
Myrick bared his soul. He gave me everything—his story, his pain, his trauma. And I could only give him half of my truth.
He has no idea what kind of monster he still lives with.
What Day is It?
Oli
I wakein a haze of warmth and fading heat. The air is thick with the scent of pack and skin and something softer—contentment, maybe. Charlie is wrapped around me like he belongs there, and there’s no space between us, his breath soft against my chest. On his other side, Rhett lies completely still. Maybe sleeping. But I can’t look at the alpha yet. So, instead, I look at Charlie.
My mark on his neck is so dark and perfect and permanent. My heart swells as a whole new kind of warmth consumes me.
My omega.
The words echo through me, fierce and fragile all at once. I should feel victorious. I should feel powerful. But all I feel is stunned. Like the world has shifted, and I wasn’t ready for it.
Even though my precious omega is asleep, I can still feel his emotions buzzing through our bond—quiet, full,happy. His love for his whole pack is intense. Rhett. Autry. Myrick.
Andme.
He loves us. All of us. He lovesme.
And, fuck, it guts me. I’ve never been loved like this. Not with this kind of softness. Not without needing to earn it by bleeding first, and I’m terrified I’m going to fuck it all up.
My stomach growls, pulling me back to the moment. I shift to sit up, slow and careful, so I don’t wake Charlie. But the second I move, I feel it.
Eyes on me.
I lift my head—and there he is.
Rhett.
He’s lying still, arm tucked behind his head, and his eyes locked on mine. Hard. Icy. Unblinking. He doesn’t speak. Doesn’t move. Heglares. That calm, quiet rage that alphas like him wear like armor.
I go completely still.
He should have killed me. Any other alpha would have. I marked Charlie during his first heat.Hisomega. I took something sacred.
But Rhett didn’t kill me.
He let me live. He even let me help Charlie through his heat.
That has to mean something. Right?
Maybe he’s waiting. Measuring me. Maybe there’s still a chance. A chance he’ll let me join his pack. But I know what it’ll cost. He’s going to want my submission. My loyalty. Maybe more. And I hate the thought. I’ve never bowed to anyone, never trusted an alpha enough to offer that.
But this pack…
