Page 43 of Claimed

She rests her head on my leg and focuses those pretty blue eyes on me, her tail swooshing back and forth. It’s impossible not to be charmed by her, even in her wolf form.

“Hi there, little omega,” I say, running my hand over her head. She doesn’t move, just continues staring at me, so I ask, “You want a snack?” She doesn’t move. “A drink.” I tilt my head. “I wish I knew what you’re thinking.”

She lifts her head and jumps up on the couch beside me then shoves her head under my arm, making me laugh.

“Oh, I see. You want a cuddle.” I can’t believe I just said that word. It wasn’t even in my vocabulary before I met Cherry. She dips her head, and I’m unable to resist.

“Okay, let’s get comfy. Hold on,” I tell her, switching the TV on and moving to a lying position so she can lie along my side between me and the back of the couch. It takes us a minute to get True Blood playing on the TV and us comfortable. She finally settles partially on her side and back, her front paws in the air, and my hand stroking the soft fur on her belly.

“This is nice,” I say after we’ve been watching TV for a few minutes. “Thanks for helping me relax.” She rubs her nose along my chest and I sigh in contentment. “Sometimes I get lost in my research,” I admit, feeling it easier to talk to her in her wolf form.

Knowing she can’t respond somehow gives me the courage to keep talking, admitting things I’ve never said out loud. “I know I’ll never be as strong as Bain or as brave as Chase,” I tell her. “I certainly don’t have Hunter’s empathy, and Maddox’s alpha energy is off the charts.”

My fingers continue stroking her belly as I admit, “So I make sure to learn everything I can. That’s my contribution to our pack. Our family. So when I know there are answers out there, just waiting to be found, I know it’s my job to find them, and I find it hard to stop until I’ve learned everything available to me.”

I glance at her, seeing her wide eyes watching me, seemingly listening to every word I say. “Have I ever told you about my upbringing?” I ask and she gives her head a small shake. I lie my head back down, stroking her belly and staring at the ceiling as I tell her my story.

“My dad, who’s American, is a beta. He met my mom, who’s also a beta, while on vacation in Korea. They knew straight away that they were fated mates, so he flew her back here to live with his pack. She grew up in a very strict household, and she imparted that on me. Intelligence and hard work were pushed on me from as early as I can remember. Neither of my parents accepted second best when it came to anything I did.

“When I presented as an alpha, they were thrilled. My father started forcing me to spend my days training my body, convinced that I could run the pack one day. I did as he asked, but at night, I grew my mind, learning markets and code and literally anything I could find online. I learned how to make money and became really good at it, even making a large amount for our pack alpha.

“But it wasn’t enough. Our alpha kept wanting more and more. He wasn’t grateful. He was greedy. I started to resent not just him, but the entire pack leadership, and my parents. The things they wanted me to do wouldn’t strengthen our pack. They would strengthen them, personally.

“When I refused, they threatened my place there, and suddenly a mate contract was thrown at me under the guise of strengthening alliances. But I saw through their bullshit. They were trying to secure me and my finances within the pack's bloodlines.

“That was the final straw for me. I figured out a legal way to leave without being chased down as a rogue and left immediately. I met Maddox and Bain pretty quickly, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

I turn my head to Cherry and give her a soft smile. “I just thought it would help you understand why I work so hard. If I hadn’t spent all my time researching, I never would have figured out how to legally leave the Maple Bay pack. Knowledge is power.”

I watch my finger trail through her fur as I tell her, "I've learned a lot about omegas from those books. For example, as one of your alphas, I’m biologically programmed to want to care for you. My instincts are telling me to figure out what you need and give it to you. To make you happy. And you, as my omega, your instincts are screaming at you to let me. You feel safe with me, and always want to be close, just as much as I want to keep you close.”

Resting my hand on her chest, I look into her eyes and let out a deep sigh. “Is that how you feel right now? Safe?”

As much as I’ve enjoyed being able to get all of that off my chest, I look forward to having a conversation with her human side. I give her a tight-lipped smile and lean forward, kissing the tip of her nose. Her body trembles, and as fast as I can blink, her wolf form is gone. In its place is my beautiful human mate, staring up at me with wide, excited eyes.

Unable to stop myself, my eyes travel south to her perfect breasts, one of which is currently in my hand. “Shit!” I curse, releasing it, but am unable to pull my arm away as it’s wrapped around her back. “Fuck, I’m so sorry, Cherry, I didn’t mean⁠—”

“Gage,” she says, cutting me off as my eyes move to hers. My name sounds like music coming from her, and I hold my breath, hoping she’ll speak again. Then she smiles, and I let out my breath, knowing she’s not upset. She grabs my hand and shocks the hell out of me by placing it back on her perfect tit.

My eyes fly to hers in question. “You’re right,” she admits, although I have no idea what she’s talking about. I’m too preoccupied with trying not to squeeze her breast, the weight of it practically killing me with temptation.

Is she trying to kill me?

“Huh?” I ask, ever so eloquently.

“I do feel safe with you.”

“Oh,” I say, licking my lips and unsure what to do.

“Do you really feel that way?” she asks, tilting her head. “That you want to know what I need and give it to me?” Her voice comes out husky, and I have to remind myself to breathe.

“Always,” I tell her truthfully.

“You know, you’re my only mate who hasn’t kissed me,” she admits, her eyes dropping to my lips.

Oh. Oh.

What she needs… is me.