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But my stomach growls again, and I can’t ignore my hunger anymore.

I shake my head and hit him playfully with a pillow. “I’m just going to head downstairs and see what they have. I’ll get you something, too.”

It’s a bed and breakfast, after all. And I will not miss any chance to try award-winning food.

Ben’s brow furrows, making the concerned expression that he loves to use for me. “You don’t have to?—”

“I know! But I also don’t want you to get dressed.” I rake my eyes down his body, licking my lips.

He chuckles. “Ah. You just want to ogle me, then.”

Truth be told, I’m a little…possessiveright before my Heat, too. I want Ben to myself, and that means keeping him confined in my nest.

Mine, my inner Omega purrs.Mine, mine, mine.

I love being inlovewith Ben.

Tears prick at the corner of my eyes, and I quickly wipe them away.

I amnotabout to burst into tears because of how much I love my boyfriend.

Hopping out of bed, I toss on my discarded cream knit sweater and pull on my light wash jeans.

Feed me!my inner Omega roars.

I know Ben wants me to stay in the room with him. I can see he’s biting his tongue, trying to argue with me to come back to bed, but I want to get out just for a moment.

As much as I love it, it’s still sort of weird to have Ben do almost everything for me. Holding open doors, picking me up food, giving me rides to work…I’m not entirely used to it.

Sometimes, I’m still the girl who bounced around foster homes and was scavenging for food whenever I could.

But Ben knows that, so he tries not to push when I want to do something myself.

Promising to return soon, I head out the door, leaving behind a very naked Ben. The smell of savory and garlicky food wafts through my senses, and my mouth waters. I head past the long hallway, taking in the antique mirrors that line the walls and brass sconces that light the way.

The Aurora Inn is gorgeous. I’ll never get over it.

I round the corner and am met by a bright green pair of round, expressive eyes.

“Oh!” I gasp. “Hi!”

There’s a massive, rotund black cat sprawled on a mahogany end table, his furry stomach spilling on either side of him. His white mustache gives him a regal look, and he blinks lazily back at me, his black tail swishing back and forth.

I love him immediately.

He doesn’t back away as I extend a hand, allowing him to smell me. He nudges my fingers with his chin, and a deep purr sounds from his throat.

“You’re so handsome,” I murmur, stroking his head gently. His purr increases, and I reach out to check the name on his collar.

Wilsonis written in fancy script.

“Oh, my god,” I gasp. “You’retheWilson?”

Skylar has a plush of Wilson that her packmate gave her. It took me a moment to put it together, but I realize now that this is the famous cat from Aurora that has become a sensation.

I’m in the presence of feline royalty.

Without a second thought, I scoop the cat into my arms, groaning at his weight.