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“You,” I whine. “Just you.”

Dez spreads his arms, smiling like I’ve just offered him the world. “Then take me.”

TRIAL BY FIRE

DEZ

Daphne Barnes is stunning.Freckles dot her skin like stars, illuminated against the heat’s flush and those beautiful blue eyes. I want to paint her. Want to memorialize this moment as the one that changed my life. Because this woman is my omega. No doubt about it.

It was never like this with Shelby. I wanted her. Craved her attention and affection, but she didn’t make me want to untether myself from society’s rules and let instinct take over. The ones screaming at me to push Daphne down and shove my cock inside her. My teeth.

I wonder if Connor feels the same, and that’s why he’s running. Not too far, but enough for our omega to question everything. I hate that part of me feels like this is a reimagining of the same shit we’ve already been through.

“Dez.” Daph’s nails dig into my skin, pulling my attention back to her.

There’s a bundle of squirming, delicious omega in my arms, hot breaths huffing against my skin as she tries to drown in my scent. Sweat beads at her temples and it’s easy to push everything else aside. She needs me right now.

“What do you need, gorgeous?”

“You.” I’ve heard omegas whine before, but this one penetrates my brain, dragging my instincts to the forefront.

Needy omega. Rut. Breed. Claim.

“Don’t feel good.” Daphne’s hand flies to her lower stomach, face paling while her fingers spasm from the pain.

Fuck, that kills me. Forcing myself to think past that primal path is difficult, but I remember the heat courses we took after signing up here. She needs to be in her space. “Can we get into your nest, omega?”

My heart stops as I wait for her answer. Being allowed into an omega’s nest is the most precious gift for an alpha. An honor most don’t respect because they don’t understand. Only the trusted, the desire, can enter.

Daphne invites me into hers with a guttural, “Fuck yes.”

I’ve waited so long for this moment, my first step into a nest, and it’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

Fisting her curls, I pull our mouths together, taking her taste for myself. Ravishing her. My instincts demand I take care of Daphne. Show her what it is to be loved softly, reverently.

To hold her tightly and embrace her as she is. I get the feeling she’s not used to that, and it fills me with a deep sense of purpose to be the one to show her.

I’m clumsy as I maneuver us into the nest, dropping her onto the plush mattress. The one-way mirror for the monitor is too obvious, but I force myself to ignore it. The possessive desire to squirrel her away so only my pack can watch her ismyfucking problem.

“Perfect omega. I’m going to be so good to you.” The best alpha she’s ever had. Get her so addicted to me she’ll never want to leave.

Before I’ve really settled above her, the little minx cradles me between her thighs. Hips grinding, searching for friction eventhrough our clothes. Those soaked shorts showing me exactly how ready she is.

“That’s it, gorgeous. Take what you want. You’re in control here.”

I expect her to ride me harder and steal an orgasm to take the edge off. Instead, that whine returns and tears track Daphne’s cheeks, absolutely gutting me.

“I don’t want to be in control,” she wails, throwing her hands over her face. “I just want to be fucked stupid and knotted until I pass out. Please?”

Poor, sweet girl. My heart breaks at how overwhelmed Daph is. I’ve been so focused on my feelings that I forgot we’re not the only ones who met their match today. From what Nate told me while Connor fixed his fuck up, she’s got scars that’ve barely finished healing.

Fingers wrapped around her wrists, I pin them next to her head. “Don’t worry, Daph. We’ll take good care of you. Just tell us if you don’t like something, okay?”

“That’s it?” She looks doubtful, so I give one long, luxurious roll of my hips and nearly die when her slick soaks through my pants.

“That’s it. Can you trust us and let us trust you back?” Her nod is so sweet. Shy, almost. “Need the words, Daph.”

“I’ll tell you if I don’t like something.”