“How about you crawl in next to me, Autry?” Rhett moves to the side of the bed closest to the bedroom door. He adjusts his pillow before sliding in, then he pats the spot in the middle of the bed. “Come and lie down.”
My hands go cold as I move to the foot of the bed. I place my knee on the very edge, then I lift up, making sure I don’t crawl over Rhett’s feet as I make my way to the center.
Myrick waits until I’m under the covers, then he turns off the light. The bed dips as he crawls onto my other side, then I brace myself.
Just as I expect, Rhett’s big hand curls around my middle, pulling me closer. But instead of pinning me beneath him, he curls his big body around my back, tucking me firmly against his chest. It feels good, but it’s a weird position. Alphas normally prefer their omegas to be on their backs or on their hands and knees when they rut them….at least that’s what I was taught.
“It’s okay, Autry,” Rhett whispers, his voice a low purr that vibrates against my back. “Go to sleep, sweet girl.”
I stiffen, then turn my head, trying to see the alpha’s face in the dark. “Are we going to…” I trail off, suddenly feeling very shy. I hate that I can’t see his eyes.
“Not tonight.” He kisses my temple. Long fingers find my hair, slowly pulling the bobby pins away. I think it’s Myrick. “You need to sleep.” Rhett pats my hip, telling me that’s the end of the conversation. “We all do.”
Swift rejection lances my chest, making my body curlinward. While it’s completely dark in here, I still tuck my chin down, hiding my face from both of them.
“Good night, Autry.” Myrick kisses the top of my head, and tears fill my eyes for the second time tonight.
They don’t want me.
Why did they buy me? Is this some kind of trick? What if they know what I did? Or who I really am? What if Oli is bringing the police here right now?
I squeeze my eyes shut tight, trying to reel in my spiraling emotions, but it’s no use. Rhett is refusing to rut me, because he doesn’t want me.
“What’s wrong with her?” Myrick whispers. “She smells… off.”
“It’s been a long day,” Rhett whispers as he tries to brush the hair out of my face. But the long strands stick to my tear-streaked cheeks. “The nurse said they gave her a short-term heat suppressant as well as a sedative.” He sounds angry. “I’m sure it’s all the drugs leaving her system, coupled with the stress of the day. Honestly, I’d be concerned if she wasn’t distressed.”
Myrick says something else, but it’s muffled by the rolling purr that begins to radiate from Rhett’s chest. The vibrations push into me, unfurling the knot in my belly and lump in my throat. Before I know it, my muscles feel like jelly.
I try to hang on, listening to the pair whisper, but my mind refuses to focus on what they’re saying. I think I hear Charlie’s name. Maybe Oli’s too.
Their deep voices wrap around me, their hands warm and gentle. And slowly, my fear melts into quiet.
I drift.
And sleep takes me under.
Morning
Autry
When I blink awake,the first thing I register is warmth—solid and steady beneath my cheek. A heartbeat. A slow, comforting rhythm that lulls me halfway back to sleep until I realize I’m draped across someone’s chest. It’s firm and lean. Definitely Myrick.
I squish my face up as I roll away from him, then I rub my eyes and mouth. Embarrassment overtakes me as I wipe a mess of drool off my chin with the heel of my hand.
No!
A narrow beam of sunlight slips through the curtains, and in that soft morning light, I spot it—the patch. There, on Myrick’s pajama top, is a dark, wet smear where my face had been.
Seriously? I drooled on him?
The first night with my new pack, and I’ve already ruined everything. They didn’t want to claim me last night—and now I’ve left spit all over Myrick like some kind ofunhousebroken puppy. Before I can spiral further, Rhett’s low voice cuts through the air.
“Omega?”
I jump, heart lurching as I turn toward him.
His dark eyes are half-lidded with sleep, hair mussed, his voice rough enough to scrape against my nerves in the best possible way. He reaches out, his big hand finding my belly like it belongs there—broad, warm, possessive.
