We stay there for a beat too long, my body still trembling with the aftershocks as Tadeo’s cock twitches gently inside me. His breath is hot against my ear, uneven, and the weight of him presses me into the wall like we’re fused together.
Then—three soft knocks.
We both freeze.
The door creaks open, and my stomach drops.
Knox stands there, arms crossed and eyes blazing. His gaze cuts between us, landing hardest on me.
“Are you two out of your goddamn minds?” His voice comes out firm, a whisper-yell that somehow feels louder than if he’d shouted. “Skyla’s right down the hall.” He jabs a finger toward the door. “She’s far too fucking sensitive to walk in on this.” His nostrils flare as he leans in closer, eyes locked on mine. “Omegas need to feel like the center of the fucking universe when they first join a pack. Theyneed to feelwanted. Desired. Not like their brand-new alphas can’t keep their cocks out of each other long enough to give her what she needs.”
I open my mouth—because, Christ, that’s dramatic as hell—but then I immediately shut it. I know Knox has been reading up on omegas all week, scrolling op-eds from clueless betas writing for glossy magazines, acting like they’re experts. But he’s wound so tight today, strung up on nerves and responsibility, that I don’t dare to poke the bear. Not now.
Instead, I nod. Then I glance over my shoulder at Tadeo, who’s still buried deep inside me, stiff as stone. “Pull out slow,” I murmur.
He does move carefully, but it still leaves a sting in my ass that makes me wince, then clench around nothing. My cock twitches from the loss, but I keep my face even as Knox’s glare burns through us.
“Clean up,” he orders, voice like gravel. “Then get your asses in the kitchen so we can figure out dinner. Skyla needs to eat.”
The second he’s gone, the tension in the air shifts.
Tadeo’s breath ghosts hot against the back of my neck before he whispers, almost too soft to hear, “Thank you.” Then his lips brush my skin—a quick kiss to the nape of my neck, gentle in a way that guts me more than the frantic fucking ever could.
I love that I was able to settle him.
Hopefully, the seconds between now and when he’s actually allowed to lay with Skyla, won’t be too hard for the young alpha.
Dinner
Skyla
The tiny tableis crammed full of plates and elbows, the five of us squeezed into a space barely meant for four. Dakota sits a little away from the table in a desk chair they dragged from his and Tadeo’s room. He’s leaning so far back that he looks like he might tip over any second, but he doesn’t seem to care. He’s grinning around a mouthful of food, humming with each bite while his plate balances on his knees.
I keep my head down and push a bit of chicken around.
They all keep looking at me, and I’m not sure what to do or how to act. I know what Ineedto do—eat, be polite, and pray they don’t notice the way my hands shake. But it’s hard not to be nervous with so many eyes on me.
Thankfully, the food is good—better than I expected. I should have gotten more, but I served myself a very small plate, too anxious to eat. The spiced chicken is a little burnt along the edges, but the rice is warm, seasoned, and filling.And, honestly, it’s strange knowing that analphaactually cooked this.
Alphas don’t cook.
At least, not the ones I’ve known.
My fork scrapes against porcelain as I chase the last roasted carrot across my plate. I put it in my mouth, but before I can set the fork down, Knox is already standing, spoon in hand, like he’s been waiting for me to finish.
“Oh, no.” I press my hand flat on my stomach. “I couldn’t eat anymore.” And that’s mostly true. While I didn’t eat much, I’m simply too tired to stomach anymore.
It’s been a long few days.
Knox studies me for a beat too long, like he’s weighing the truth of my words. His gaze flickers to the rest of the food on my plate, then back to my face. “Alright,” he says, slowly sitting back down. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
I nod, not sure what to say. While this pack seems very sweet, Brayden and Martin were sweet in the beginning, too. I’ll just have to wait it out to see what kind of pack they really are.
“What did you think?” Tadeo asks, derailing my depressing train of thought. “Was the chicken okay?” His gaze drops to what’s left of my dinner. “I know it was a little burnt…” he trails off like he’s embarrassed.
“Oh, no!” I say quickly. “I loved it!” And I suddenly feel horrible for not already complimenting the cook.What was I thinking?“It was amazing,” I say a little softer this time. And it was. Even with the black edges on the chicken and the occasional crunchy piece of rice. “I’ve never had anything so flavorful.”
Tadeo’s face instantly brightens like I just single-handedly lifted a weight off his back. His mouth curves into an easy smile, and his shoulders drop a full inch.
