“Your scent woke me up,” he continues, moving closer with slow, deliberate steps. “Rich and sweet and desperate. Told me exactly what you needed. And as your Alpha, it’s my responsibility—my privilege—to be there for you. However you need me. Whenever you need me. Even if I’m asleep and you think I’m someone else.” His grin turns wicked. “Though I’ll admit, hearing you moan Noel’s name while riding my cock was a bit of a blow to the ego.”
“Kane—”
“But you came apart so beautifully, squeezing me so tight I could barely think, and I figured I could forgive you for the name mix-up.” He’s standing right in front of me now, close enough that his scent of warm gingerbread, campfire smoke, and orange zest wraps around me. “Between you and me? I’m yours to use however you want. Rub up against me at three in the morning, climb into my bed when you’re burning up, scratch whatever itch needs scratching. Don’t ever think it’s anything else. Don’tdoubt for a second that I didn’t enjoy every fucking moment of having you.”
My heart is racing so hard I feel dizzy. The way he’s watching me like I’m something precious and sexy and exactly what he wants weakens my knees.
“I just…” I don’t know what to say. “I thought I?—”
“I was very much a willing participant in everything that happened.” His voice drops lower, intimate. “Best wake-up call of my entire life. Next time, though, maybe get my name right? Do wonders for my self-esteem.”
Despite everything, I laugh. It comes out slightly hysterical, but it’s genuine.
We stand there in charged silence, his scent curling around me, making my body remember exactly how he felt inside me. I turn toward the door before I do something stupid. “Well, I should go, then.”
I slip into my heels, and he’s suddenly there, opening the front door with exaggerated courtesy.
I step outside into the crisp morning air. Fresh snow covers everything, the driveway already cleared in clean lines. Trees surrounding the property are frosted white, branches heavy with snow, and birds chirp somewhere in the distance. It’s beautiful. Peaceful.
And Kane is right there.
“So where are we going?” His tone is cheerful, like we’re about to embark on a grand adventure.
I turn to face him, glancing up at him. “I’m going to visit Scot’s uncle. You’re staying here.”
He laughs, not quite mocking but close. “I’m coming with you. This way to my truck.”
“That’s not necessary?—”
“Noel told me everything this morning.” He’s walking toward the garage, and I’m following because what else can I do? “Aboutthe party, about Scot being a dick, about you moving in with us?—”
“Temporarily,” I jump in quickly.
He shoots me a look over his shoulder that says he doesn’t believe me for a second. “Right. Anyway, Chris, Noel, and I had a chat at dawn. We all agree that with your pre-heat scent being so strong and your needs potentially spiking without warning, it makes sense for you to have one of us with you at all times.”
I stop walking. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I have work to do, clients to see. I don’t need a babysitter.”
He clicks a button on his keys, and the garage door lifts smoothly. “A partner. Someone to have your back. Someone to help when your body decides it needs an Alpha’s touch.”
“Look, last night was one thing, but I have a heat clinic I can go to if?—”
“And now you have three Alphas living with you who will take care of you.” His voice is firm. “We’re your scent matches, Hannah. That means we’re supposed to be there for you.”
“Why are you so infuriating?”
“I’m just being logical.” He grins.
I laugh, slightly hysterical but real. “Logical. Sure. My life spiraling into chaos is totally logical.”
“Give it time. You’ll see.” He gestures toward the garage. “But first, let me drive you to see Scot’s uncle. Make sure that asshole doesn’t show up and cause problems.”
“Fine.” I throw my hands up. “You can come with me today because I need a ride. But then you drop me at Lily’s so I can get my car and go back to some semblance of normal?—”
“And then come back here where you have a home until you sort out your next steps,” he finishes for me. “You think we’re going to let our scent-match Omega wander around town, potentially slip into heat somewhere without us nearby? You need to understand something about us. We’re possessive.Overprotective. And when we claim something as ours, we don’t let go.” His eyes lock with mine. “And you, Hannah, are ours.”
He disappears into the garage before I can formulate a response. My brain is still processing his words. The casual possessiveness. The absolute certainty. The way he saidourslike it’s already decided, like I don’t get a vote. I should be angry. Should be pushing back against this Alpha nonsense. But instead, I’m standing here swooning like some romance novel heroine, and I hate how much I like hearing him claim me.
An engine roars to life, and an electric-blue-pickup truck emerges from the garage.
