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For however long her heat lasts, this omega is mine to cherish, to pleasure, to enjoy. My issues have no place in this suite, in this nest. Until Daphne’s through her heat, fear will have to wait.

She’s absolutely wrecked beneath Dez. Chest flushed and bare, nipples deep pink and peaked. Her pussy cleaned of slick and ready for me. My cock gets hard so fast it hurts to kneel beside them, but I do. I let myself trace her skin, feel the pleasure when she does it back. It’s like we can’t be this close without touching, like every stroke binds us.

“Look what a mess you are, angel.”

“You haven’t been here.” Daph’s in full-on omega pout. Watery eyes, fat bottom lip and a frown to top all frowns.

Omegas in heat are all instinct and desire. That she noticed I was gone means she wanted me here. Needed me, even. I’m alpha enough to be happy she missed me, though I don’t like leaving her wanting.

Brushing those incredible curls back, I know we need to tie them up soon or she’ll have one hell of a wash day after this. “Had to get things sorted, but I’m here now.”

“Are you staying?”

I hate how Daphne asks it. Quiet, eyes downcast like she doesn’t want to see me when I answer. Like she’s used to being disappointed. Nate’s question echoes in my mind.

Can’t you see she’s scared?

I can. Knowing that Daphne’s fighting demons too seals it for me. If we do this, we’ll fight them together, rewriting history with every caress, every breath. I think I’ll enjoy replacing the bad memories with ones of her.

“Yeah, angel. I’m staying.”

“The nest doesn’t smell right.” She whispers like she’s scared I’ll be upset, and I could kick myself for making her worry about my reactions.

“We can change that right now.”

Daphne steals each item as I strip, tucking a shirt here, a sock there, only pausing when she realizes I’m naked. Her eyes travel from my toes to my face and when ours catch, she’s wearing this glazed look that I’d like to see again.

“You’re beautiful.” It slips from my mouth without thought and I don’t even care. If we only have a short time together, I’m going to wear the words out.

“I want to lick those tattoos.” Daphne’s tongue darts out, wetting her mouth like she’s going to do it right now. My cock jumps, desperate to be inside her already. She’s frozen with indecision, though. Instincts desperate to fix her space and get knotted at the same time.

That could be fun later.

“Finish your nest first, angel. We’ll be here when you’re ready.”

Daph gives me the sweetest smile, then digs for Dez’s things on the floor. Nate strips without being told until she’s got a pile of clothes and the bags of fabric beside her. She sniffs at them, purring softly. He reaches to help, and she snaps her teeth.

Nate pulls back with a yelp, though I know she didn’t get him.

“No touching,” I say quietly.

“Yeah, I figured that out.”

After bullying Dez off the bed, Daph stares at us. One long, incredible purr rumbling through her. An omega satisfied with what she sees. Knowing she’s compatible and finds us attractive is doing wild things to my head, but fear is a patient monster, creeping in at the happiest of moments.

This is the calm before the storm, it tells me. She’s going to bleed you dry to make herself happy.

Daphne stops, head tilting with predator instinct. An omega sensing a problem with her alpha. “Where did you go?”

“Right here.”

After another long minute, she points one round nail at my feet. “Stay.”

“Not moving,” Dez promises, but she waits until I nod to turn her back on us. She’s trusting me at my word. She’s trusting me not to bail.

No matter what my fear says, I can’t let her down.

THE HEAT