My chest ached and tears burned my eyes just hearing the kind gesture. It was something so simple, yet it felt like everything to me.
Lennon gathered me into his arms, holding me close. “I kind of hate that look of surprise on your face when we take care of you, princess. I wish you never had to figure out what it felt like to be unwanted. It was something I struggled with my whole life.”
“You are wanted, Lennon. I love you.”
His breath caught at my words, but I wouldn’t take them back. I opened my mouth to tell him that if he wasn’t ready, it was fine, but he lifted my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes.
“I loved you from the moment I first fought with you, and every minute since. Nobody has ever affected me like you do. I didn’t know what to do with it at first, but I’m so glad you didn’t push me away. You pushed right past my defenses. I’m yours, princess. My whole soul is yours to keep.”
Tears were falling now as I pressed my lips against his.
“I want your bite, delta. And I want you to rut me during this heat. Be the delta you were meant to be.”
“I think I’d like to discover that too,” he said softly. “But we’ve got time, princess. We’ve got forever.”
“Forever sounds kind of nice.”
He carried me downstairs. The others were smiling; they seemed to know something had passed between us.
Before I could sit, Kieran took me from the delta, settling me on the table in front of him. My other alpha slid in next to us.
“We need to discuss this heat, princess. We need you safe, but I also need you to eat. Here, first, electrolytes. That’s pretty much what you’ll be living off of for the next few days.”
“But what about the meeting?” I asked. “We worked so hard for it.”
“Conrad promised he’d take all of our information,” Kieran said. “He’s meeting up with Roxie, and if he has to present alone, he will.”
That settled me enough to open my mouth and take the bite Kieran offered. He slid it past my lips, and I chewed the well-seasoned steak. I glanced down at the plate to see it loaded with vegetables, carbs, and protein, all the things I needed.
I looked back at Cade and pressed my lips to his before turning to Wilder and gesturing for him to join us. He leaned over the alpha, not caring that he was invading his space, and kissed me too.
“Thank you,” I said. “This means a lot to me.”
Everyone else sat around me, eating their own heaping portions. It wasn’t just a heat meal for me, they needed to keep their energy up too.
“Is there anything we need to know about your heat care?” Mason asked.
My cheeks burned, and he narrowed his eyes. “I have a feeling I’m not going to like this answer, and it’s probably wildly inaccurate and fed to you by some shitty pack members.”
“They say I’m needy during heat.”
“That’s the whole fucking point,” Mason burst out, throwing his hands up in frustration.
“Are you kidding me? What, they didn’t like that you wanted them? That you soaked them in your scent and were desperate for their cocks? That’s fucking insane,” Lennon scoffed.
Every insecurity evacuated my body at once. They were right. That was exactly what heat was about. My omega seemed to sit up a little straighter, as if sayingsee, I told you they were the right ones.
“No,” I said softly. “There’s nothing else to add. I’m not sure what I want or need, but I have a feeling you guys will be able to handle anything my omega throws at you.”
“We will,” Cade promised. “We won’t let you down, princess. This is just the first heat of many.”
“I love you,” I said, looking directly at him so he knew it was meant for him.
His whole face lit up, that lopsided smile back in place. “I love you too, princess. You’re the first person to truly stand up for me against my father. You gave me the confidence to become a true pack-leader, and you make me so happy that some days it doesn’t even feel real.”
He kissed me softly, before I set my eyes on my second alpha.
“I love you too, Kieran.”
