I mean, should I sway my hips or bat my lashes? I give a few practice flutters as I pull the shirt off my shoulders, but then something falls into my eye and I scrunch up my face.
“Everything okay?”
I force my eye open wide, leaning over slightly. “Yeah… I think it’s just an eyelash.” I blink repeatedly, happy to feel that it’s gone. “Sorry about that.” I look up, then freeze. The alpha is directly in front of me, forcing me to tip my head back to see him. He’s so tall. At least a foot taller than me, if not more.
“Why are you sorry?” he murmurs, his voice a deep, velvety hum.
“I don’t know,” I admit with a shaky laugh. “I think I’m just tired.”
“It’s been a very long day.” He smiles like heunderstands, then he leans down. For a second, it feels like he’s going to kiss me, but instead, he grabs the hem of my nightie, and lifts. The silky fabric glides up my body and over my suddenly very sensitive nipples. They pull even tighter as the cool air hits my skin. Rhett tosses the garment away, leaving me in my tiny red panties. I immediately look down at the floor, and my stomach churns.
Does he like what he sees?
What if he doesn’t?
I’ve always had a big chest. I started developing when I was thirteen, but the rest of me never really caught up. I have narrow hips and a rather unimpressive butt. An alpha once told me I had nice legs, and I always get compliments on my hair, but I never got the attention the girls with hourglass figures got.
“Look at me, Autry,” Rhett issues a gentle command. It’s so soft I could ignore it if I wanted, but I’m determined to be a good mate.
Taking a deep breath, I force my head up. The second my eyes meet Rhett’s, his expression brightens, and he smiles. It’s genuine. Warm. Like I’m exactly what he wanted.
“Arms up,” he says in a throaty purr as his gaze drops to my breasts. He licks his lips, waiting for me to obey.
I obey, heart pounding. Every second stretches out. Is he going to touch me? Kiss me? Instead, he pulls the gray shirt over my head. My skin tingles with confusion.
He’s… dressing me?
What’s happening right now?
There’s a soft knock on the bedroom door, and it cracks open. “Sorry.” Myrick pokes his head in, sheepish. “I’m here for my pillow.” He tiptoes across the room with exaggeratedmovements. It’s clear he’s hoping we’ll ignore him, but it’s almost impossible not to stare.
“Why are you taking your pillow?” Rhett asks, frowning.
Myrick blinks. “So you two can… bond.”
“Why would we bondwithoutyou?”
I freeze and stare at Rhett, searching his face. He’s clearly not joking. Most pack alphas insist on claiming their omegas alone—especially the first time to establish themselves as the head of the household. Then, over time, omegas are allowed to be intimate with the other alphas of the pack, with the betas being last.Alwayslast.
But it seems that Rhett wants me to see Myrick as important as him. At least I think that’s what is happening here….
It’s sweet.I think.
“Rhett.” Myrick’s hands hang loose at his sides, and his posture seems to sag. “We’ve talked about this…” he says softly. “It's important that you?—”
“You’re staying.” Rhett’s voice drops a full octave. “Shut that door and get into bed.” It’s a hard command with zero room for arguing.
Myrick’s shoulders fall. He looks at me, like he’s asking for permission. Or forgiveness. I feel so bad for the beta.
He seems like a really sweet guy. And he also looks unbelievably stressed. I don’t know if it’s because of me, or the fact that Oli isn’t here, or maybe it’s Charlie’s presence, but I feel the need to fix this. I need everyone here to feel good about this new arrangement.
“Do you want to be the bread or the butter?” I ask Myrick.
“The what?” His blue eyes flicker to Rhett, but the alpha looks just as confused.
“Do you want to be the bread or the butter?” I repeat myself as I point at the bed. “Do you like to be squished in the middle or sprawled out on the edges?”
Myrick lets out a nervous laugh at my lame joke. “I’m happy anywhere,” he says, and I honestly believe him.
