“Well, you’ve got both now.” He glances down at his plate, a hint of color on his cheeks. “I was a latent alpha up until a few weeks ago, so this is new to me, too.”
“Seriously?” I look him over more carefully, taking in his lean frame and the sharp lines of his face. He’s not androgynous, exactly, but he’s got an edgy vibe that I haven’t seen in other male omegas. Not that there were a lot of them in the army, but I remember a few from back home; soft, pampered boys while the rest of us were wrestling in barns and barfing on bonfires after drinking a bottle of Boones Farm. “I like your ink.”
“Thanks.” He looks at his knuckles, which spell out Ride and Fly in perfect script. It’s simple and clever, and a lot better than some of the pointless junk I have on my body. “I custom bikes, and tattoo in my spare time.”
“Ah. That explains all the butterflies around here.”
I’ve seen Ark’s ink, of course. His blazing back piece used to get a few raised eyes from unit newcomers until they learned he was the son and heir to the president of a motorcycle club. Whatever shit he wanted to put on his body was his business, and no one was stupid enough to tell him otherwise.
Damn. I rub my swollen eye, remembering the look of betrayal on his face when he punched me. A conversation needs to be had, and soon. But first, I need to get a grip on my new pack dynamics.
“So, are you interested in knots, bites, and the whole deal?”
Wings chokes, his face going red as he coughs up a wad of muffin. “What?”
“Shit. Sorry, but I kinda say what I think. When you’ve got a brain injury, you have to speak plain, or things can get really confused.”
“Okay,” he croaks, setting his plate aside and clearing his throat. “Then, to be clear, I’m still exploring.” He shoots a quick glance past me. “Abbie’s buying me toys.”
Well, shit. That visual has my dick plumping up, and given my naked state, Wings can’t help but notice. “Gotta say, that sounds like a good time, all round. So, if you don’t mind an observer – or even an assistant - I’m putting my hand up. However I can help, I’d be into that.”
He blinks at me again, his voice barely above a croak. “Really?”
“Definitely.” I let him see the appreciation in my eyes, just so we’re on the same page. He’s a stunning guy, his looks only improved by how beautifully he tended Abbie in her heat. His butterfly is clearly the center of his world, and I find that kind of devotion damn attractive. Plus, his omega scent is like warm chocolate syrup, and I bet it will only taste better when he’s melting on my tongue.
His light gray eyes have grown wider as he studies me, no doubt picking up on my horny vibes. “Okay. Thanks for letting me know.”
“Cool.” I pat his shoulder, then scoot to the edge of the bed, rubbing at the big scar on my chest. “Can I get your help now, though?”
I guess I must have made things pretty awkward, because he’s still bright red as he follows me into the bathroom. As expected for the fanciness of this suite, there’s a giant tub in the corner and one of those wicker baskets full of mystery products. “I’m not exactly up on aftercare,” I tell him, “but I thought Abbie might like a bath when she wakes up.”
He nods, his face softening with understanding. “Good call. Abbie is kinda feral about her baths.”
I grimace, since my skills are pretty limited in this area. “Could you maybe help me choose what to put in it? I’m more of a shower guy, and I’m still using the brand of soap brick I got issued in basic training.”
“Oof. Okay, we can do better than that.” He must pick up on my helplessness, because he quickly starts rooting around in the basket. “You can’t really go wrong with any of these products. Abbie likes both bubbles and salts, especially the therapeutic ones. Anything with honey or citrus notes is always a favorite.” He pauses to look at me, probably remembering that my nose is next to useless in situations like this. “Light a couple of candles, maybe toss in a dash of bath oil, and she’s gonna love it.”
“What about rose petals? I saw that in a movie once.”
He bites his lip, nodding. “Sure. You could get them from Lyla, since she’s mostly in charge of the gardens.”
I nod, storing another name away in my faulty memory banks. “Next time for sure, then. But I like the sound of this bath oil stuff. Which one is that?”
He coaches me through filling the tub with a cocktail of glistening, scented things that make the water glow and tickle the edge of my scent receptors. I light a bunch of candles – all different colors, with fancy names I can barely pronounce - and then Abbie appears in the doorway like magic. Pitt has a steadying hand on her waist, but he gives me a small nod as I gesture at the bath. “Wings is teaching me some aftercare.”
Abbie raises her brows at me, but drifts into the other omega’s arms, like they’re connected by a magnetic field. He instantly stands taller, and I wonder at his transition from latent alpha to omega. He’s got a really calming energy about him, but it must have been hard to suddenly wake up with a new designation, especially given the way he’s staring at Abbie like she’s his whole reason for existing.
“What’s next, mate?” she asks, turning in his arms to look at me. “Aftercare, and then what?”
“Whatever you want.” She arches a silky brow at me and I shrug. “Seriously. You want a pony? Then I’m stealing a horse float and sewing you some leather chaps.”
The guys snort at my ridiculousness, but I’m deadly serious. If it’s in my power to beg, borrow, or steal to meet my mate’s desires, then she’s getting whatever the hell she wants.
She twines her fingers through Wings’, tugging him behind her as she steps towards me. “I mean, where do you live? Do you have a job? More importantly, do you have a bike?”
The guys snigger again, but I keep my attention on the vision in front of me. It’s hard not to, especially when her nails skip down my chest, mapping out my scars. “No to the last two. Well, I had both at different times, but my brain isn’t up for more of that just yet. As to where I live, how do you feel about puppies?”
“Puppies?” She stares up at me with wide, curious eyes. “Is that code for something?”
