To my delight, Vivie snorts and burrows further into me. A relieved grin pulls at my lips, and I sink into the feeling of my omega. I urge my tether to hold her a little tighter as my arms do the same.
"Jay?"
I hope my voice doesn't crack when I reply. "Yeah, Vivie?"
"You feel the bond like I do?" She sounds so small and unsure of herself, but the kernel of excitement in her shaky voice makes me smile.
Nodding, I press a kiss to the top of her head. "I do. Definitely not as well as you do, but I can feelmore. Sometimes I'll get flashes of color or an extra spark of what you and the guys are feeling. Even physically too."
"Does that mean you felt when..." Her scent fades as she curls in on herself.
An ache forms in my chest at the thought of admitting it, but I won't ever lie to my mate. "I felt some of it, but it took me a while to actually get through to you. Even then, I was very overwhelmed and didn't really understand what was going on."
"Just you?"
I nod and trail my fingers through her hair. It's been a long time since I've needed more than short sentences from her to understand what she means, and I'm not going to start now. "No, they don't feel what I do."
Her warm breath heats my chest through my shirt when she exhales. The scent of salty rain expands, albeit hesitantly, as she relaxes in my lap.
Since I'm thinking about this new awareness I have, I feel her hunger building through our connection easily. She doesn't say anything as I stand with her in my arms.
I let her do her business in the bathroom, but she lets me get her dressed in a pair of loose shorts and a T-shirt. Then she's back in my arms because I can'tnothold her right now.
I'm careful with her head and feet as I shuffle through the doorway, and I pay attention to my steps on the stairs since I have precious cargo.
Vivie perks up when she hears Kade, Silas, and Riot in the living room. Instead of going to the kitchen, I start there first. She'd love a snuggle from one of them.
Kade's eyes light up brighter than I've seen in too long when he sees us. He's off the couch immediately and plants a sweet kiss on her lips while I hold her. "Hi, little Omega. How was your nap? I felt the bad dream."
Vivian nods and pushes at me to get down, but I don't let her. Brushing past our pack lead, I step between the couch and coffee table to deposit her between Silas and Riot.
It's not lost on me how close they're sitting. Because I can and also because I want to see how Riot responds, I grab my beta around the throat and slam my mouth down on his.
Silas groans and arches up to let me tongue fuck his throat. Before his hands can pull me down on top of him, I yank backwith a low rumble of appreciation. "Thank you for helping our omega fuck herself on my knot earlier."
If I hadn't been waiting for it, I might not have heard Riot's harsh whisper. "Fuck."
Silas looks ready to be bent over and fucked eight ways to Sunday. Vivie looks amused when I stand to my full height. She raises a brow, then steals the pillow from Riot.
"I was using that," he huffs at her, but makes no move to steal it back. When he figures out how to open himself up properly, they will be perfect for each other. Vivie needs someone to butt heads with sometimes.
I can't help but chuckle when Vivie shrugs. "Alright, I'm going to make a snack for Vivie. Anyone want anything?"
Kade and Silas nod, but Riot shakes his head. "No thanks. I just had a protein shake, so I'm full."
"Okay. Vivie, what are you in the mood for?" When I turn my attention to her and attempt to read her hunger cues in the bond, it's not there anymore.
She shakes her head and smiles appreciatively before snuggling into her blanket. Four sets of eyes are on her, wondering the same thing.Why isn't she hungry?
"I felt your hunger a few minutes ago, Vivian," I say, needing some clarity.What the hell happened between the bedroom and now?"I'll get you a few apple slices at least."
She needs to eat. Turning to get my mates some snacks, I notice the pile of bags on the ground by the front door. "What's all this?"
Riot growls low and sighs, but Silas jumps in to explain with humor instead of annoyance. "Kade is courting Riot."
A pillow flings from one side of the living room, smacking Silas across the face with athud. "Fuck off," Kade snarls, but there's a lightness in his tone that sets us all at ease. "Riot needed his own clothes and a phone. I provided."
"Sure," Silas replies with a shit-eating grin.
