Me
I’ll be there soon. Negotiating terms to escape. We haven’t left the house in days.
Nico gazes hesitantly at me before twisting his lips to the side as if he’s making a decision. He pushes his hand into his pocket, removing a small box.
“I never gave you an engagement ring,” he says slowly. “It didn’t feel real before, but it does now. I want to give you a ring from all of us.”
Opening the box, he presents me with a black diamond princess cut ring with gold floral filigree up the sides. It’s an absolute work of art, and he holds out his hand with a small smile.
“We’re yours, wife. This is our symbol of our love,” he says. “I’m sure we’ll have our ups and downs, but we’ll fight it ten toes down, won’t we?”
“And dirty as hell,” I agree, remembering a conversation during my heat. I place my hand in his, and he slides the ring over my finger. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”
“It doesn’t feel right to let you leave without my bite,” Dario mumbles, drawing my gaze. “I was waiting because I kind of wanted to make sure you could choose it. I know I’m just a beta and it doesn’t really count.”
“Bah!” I say, hopping down from my chair as I toss up my hands. “Who said you could talk badly about yourself? Do you need me to put you on your ass?”
“Ahh. No?” he asks, eyes wide. “It’s the truth though.”
“It sounds as if we have some unfinished bonds to make before our little queen leaves the house,” Ciro murmurs, pushing Pablo gently until his back touches the island.
Vero returns, stumbling as she watches as Ciro cages Pablo in his arms, and Dario turns me around so I’m sitting between his legs. Coming closer, she lifts my hand, grinning happily as she sees the ring.
“About damn time, Nicolai. You’ve been sitting on that ring for ages.”
“Did everyone know?” I laugh.
“Ugh,” Nico mutters. “I bought it a couple of days before the charity event. It hasn’t been that long. I wanted to wait for the right time to give it to you.”
“What am I missing? Why are you staring at our omegas as if they’re lunch?” Vero asks.
“If we bite our omegas, is that considered eating them?” Ciro asks.
“Only if they come,” Vero shoots back. “Well, people are waiting for her. Hurry up. You don’t have time to make them come.”
Dario rolls his eyes, pulling my shirt to the side before kissing my shoulder. Ciro follows his lead and pulls up Pablo’s shirt, finding a place on his chest to bite with a grin.
“Yes, Princess,” Dario grunts.
“However we can best serve you, Verona,” Ciro chuckles, knowing she can’t hit him without hurting Pablo as he bites down.
Dario’s lips twitch before he sinks his teeth into my shoulder, enjoying how Ciro can rile Vero up. I’m learning to enjoy themoments where Dario stops walking on eggshells in his effort to keep everyone happy. I gasp as the pain hits me, while Pablo groans loudly. Fuck. I can feel my panties get wet from slick as I react to his noises, knowing I don’t have time to change them.
My nails dig into Dario’s skin until he releases me in favor of pressing his lips against mine.
“I feel better now,” he murmurs, blood smeared across his lips as he smiles at me.
“You made me blow a load in my pants,” Pablo groans. His words make me chuckle, and I gasp as the doorbell rings.
Shit. Time’s up.
“You can bite me back when you’re done with whatever Lyle wants,” Dario says. “I’m happy now.”
“We have time,” I agree, the thrum of the weak beginnings of the bond tingling through my body. I never want Dario to feel less than because he’s surrounded by alphas.
He did a lot of heavy lifting taking care of us all while we were lost in the heat. I drank water and not just cum at his insistence.
“Okay, okay. Someone answer the door!” I laugh as the doorbell rings again.
