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“All night?!” I ask incredulously, feeling more wetness seep down as shyness takes over. But he’s already seen everything.

“Yes, just keep your legs open while you sleep. Will you do that for me, honey?”

“Sure,” I whisper, my face burning as I keep my legs spread for this giant of a man.

Whatever game these men are playing, I’m getting deeper and deeper into it. And the scariest part is, I don’t want to stop.

seventeen

. . .

Kane

The sound of laughter floats from the kitchen as I make my way downstairs the next morning. I’m usually up by now, but I hardly slept last night.

Even now, my eyes feel heavy with exhaustion. All I can think about is Mia and the hold she has over me.

When I enter the kitchen, I find Mia sitting between Jace and Finn at the kitchen island. They all seem lost in conversation, grins on their faces. It's good to see Mia warming up to this new arrangement.

“Good morning,” I say.

Mia’s whole demeanor changes right before my eyes. Her laughter dies on her lips, and she shrinks back slightly in her chair, a shift only I notice. The sight makes my heart sink.

It appears she is only comfortable with Finn and Jace. But with me, she’s terrified.

I can’t deny that it stings, but I really can’t blame her.

“Just grabbing some coffee,” I say as I take a mug from the cupboard. The wheels in my mind are turning as I pour the coffee. If we are to make Mia our omega, she has tofeel comfortable with all of us, including me. I need to make this right.

I sit across from her on a barstool. She’s breathing hard from nervousness, I can tell.

“I have some things I need to take care of,” she says, looking away from me and preparing to jump off the barstool to her room.

“Hold on, Mia, I’d like to speak with you for a moment.”

Her eyes widen, and her spoon clinks down into her cereal bowl. “Yes?”

“No need to worry. I just want to set things right after yesterday,” I say. “Can we talk outside?”

Mia turns to Jace, who nods. At least she trusts him enough to give me another chance. I can work with that.

“Fine,” she says slowly, rising from her stool.

I lead her out to the back porch, my coffee cup clenched in my hand. When I close the door behind us, I take a moment to gather my thoughts. I can’t risk speaking without thinking again.

“Look, Mia, I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I was under tremendous pressure, and I responded inappropriately.”

“It’s fine,” Mia says, looking down.

“No, it’s not fine, and I want to mend things between us. I see that you're getting more comfortable with Jace and Finn, which I’m glad to see,” I say. “But I want us to get there too. I don’t want you feeling nervous around me.”

“I want that too,” she replies timidly. Despite my apology, she remains hesitant to trust me. It will take more than a conversation to repair what’s between us.

“I’d like to take you on a little outing today,” I suggest, looking out at the horizon. “Maybe getting out of the house for a bit will help.”

Mia seems to be considering the offer. Her eyes flicker to the house and then back at me. “Okay, I can do that, I guess.”

I feel a wave of relief wash over me that she isn’t still furious.