Page 24 of Best Friends

“When have I ever said I wanted nothing to do with you?” I demand. “All I ever asked for was that we keep our private life private until I felt comfortable coming out to everyone. Coming out is a big deal for me.”

“I realize that. It is for me too. But any negativity was worth it to me if that meant I had you.”

I grimace. “I feel the same. But I’m not as confident as you. I needed more time to get there. Why don’t you understand that?”

“I do understand that.”

“Doesn’t seem like it.”

“Look… I love you,” he says gruffly. “But you keep moving the goal post. It’s confusing the hell out of me. It… it feels like you’re just making up excuses so you don’t have to be with me.”

I huff. “I was with you. I just didn’t see why a bunch of strangers needed to know about it.”

“And I was pretty damn patient about that at first.”

“You weren’t that patient,” I mutter.

“Oh, really?” He lets out a harsh bark of a laugh. “Jesus, you asked a girl out on a date and I let it go.”

My face heats. “You know why that happened. I explained that to you.”

“Yeah,” he says gruffly. “You were worried about hurting Amanda’s feelings. What about my feelings? Why don’t you ever put my feelings first?”

I hesitate. “I do. All the time.”

“No, not when it comes to our romantic relationship. From the first it had to be your way. We had to play by your rules. Nobody could know anything about us. And I did my best to just go along with it. But once I claimed you, well, I’m sorry, but keeping that a secret felt wrong.

” He blows out a breath, cheeks flushed.

“I just wanted privacy,” I mumble.

“I know, which kind of hurt my feelings. Because I… I was so fucking happy. I… I wanted to let the world know you were mine . That’s not weird of me.

That’s a normal alpha response to claiming an omega.

What red-blooded alpha claims an omega and then hides it?

But you made me feel like a jerk for wanting what any other alpha would want. ”

“I didn’t say it was wrong of you to want that.” I frown. “I was just hoping you’d understand why I wanted more time.”

“I know, and I respected your wishes the first time around. I kept my mouth shut about us. But once I claimed you, you still wanted to keep hiding. I’m sorry, but that feels wrong. If you asked any alpha how they’d feel in my shoes, I think they’d agree it was hurtful.”

“Well…” I grimace. “I… I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I was just trying to come to terms with why you’d even want to claim me.”

He lifts his brows, looking bewildered, his forehead creasing in genuine confusion. “What are you talking about? Of course I’d want to claim you. I fucking love you, C. Even though I want to strangle you sometimes, you’re still my favorite person in the world.”

The warmth in his voice makes my chest tighten, but I cross my arms defensively. “Well, it doesn’t seem like it,” I grumble, my gaze dropping to the floor between us. “Not if you’re trying to get me to remove your bite.”

“I thought that was what you wanted.” He sounds exasperated. His hands clench at his sides, knuckles going white. “I thought having my bite disgusted you.”

“What? Why would you think that?”

He scowls, his jaw ticking with tension, and I can see the hurt flickering behind his anger. “Because you wanted to hide my bite under a damn Band-Aid. Most omegas are proud of their alpha’s bite, but you were the opposite. What was I supposed to think?”

We fall silent, staring at each other. Maybe it’s because I have his bite on my neck, but I feel as if his physical stress is my own.

I’m more in tune to him than ever before.

My heartbeat pounds in my ears as I take in the rise and fall of his chest. He’s stressed.

Agitated. Scared. His scent is a mix of fear and pain.

His hands tremble slightly as he clenches and unclenches them.

All at once my anger fades. I finally understand what’s happening between us.

It took me a while to grasp it, but it’s sinking in.

We’re both terrified of being rejected. Because of that, we’re being prideful.

Stubborn. I’m insecure about why he wants me, and he’s insecure because he thinks I’ve already said I don’t want him.

Neither thing is true, and I can see that so clearly now.

I take a deep breath and I push up onto my feet.

I cross the short distance to him. I feel his shock when I slip my arms around him and lay my head on his chest. His arms immediately close around me and we hold each other.

It feels so good to be in his strong arms. I feel like I can finally breathe again, and I suspect he feels the same.

He groans, nuzzling my hair, his breath hot against my scalp.

“I’m sorry, Malc,” I whisper. “I… I’ve been so scared. I… I don’t want to lose you, but I feel like I already have.” My eyes burn as I admit that.

His arms tighten. “No, God no. I love you, C. So much it kills me.” His hands slide up my back, pressing me even closer. “You’re mine, okay? You’re never going to lose me.”

I inhale his warm piney scent, shuddering against him. “You wanted me to remove your bite.”

He swears under his breath, pulling back to study my face. His eyes are red-rimmed as he whispers, “I didn’t know what to do . I thought you regretted The Claiming and I just didn’t know how to fix it.”

“I don’t regret it. I hoped one day you’d claim me,” I say softly. “I didn’t expect it to happen so soon, but I’m not unhappy about it at all.” I rub my cheek against his shirt, relieved to be in his arms. “I thought a lot about why I’m being such a coward.”

“You mean why you wanted to hide our relationship?”

“Yeah.” I wince. “It’s embarrassing to admit, but I don’t feel worthy of being your omega. You’re so amazing and everybody loves you. You could have any omega you want.”

He pulls back, and he lifts my chin with one finger, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You’re the amazing one, C. I told you, you’re it for me. I was serious. You’re the omega I want. You’re the omega I’ve always wanted. I was just terrified to tell you in case you didn’t want me back.”

My pulse picks up speed. “Of course I want you back. I can’t stand the idea of you with anyone but me, even if I don’t feel like I deserve you.”

He laughs, looking relieved. “We’re a couple of real insecure idiots, aren’t we?”

I smile grudgingly. “Apparently.”

He lets out a shaky breath. “If… if you still want to keep our relationship a secret, I’ll do it, C. Just don’t keep me waiting forever, okay?”

My heart aches at his husky offer. “It’s okay. I… I think we should be honest with everyone.” I touch the bite on my neck. “I don’t want to hide anymore. I don’t want to do anything that makes you feel like I’m not proud of being your omega.”

“But if you’re not ready to come out, I… I can wait.” He grimaces. “I’ll try to be patient.”

“No, I think we’ve waited long enough,” I murmur. “Other people will just have to get over it if they don’t approve. Fuck them.”

“You sure?” he looks worried.

I smile, rubbing my finger over the line between his brows. “Yeah, I’m sure. I want to put us first. You’re right, I haven’t been good at doing that, but I want to be.”

“That means a lot, C.” He puts his big, warm hand on my stomach. “Will you be okay if you’re pregnant with my baby? Or would you rather… wait and try again later?”

I put my arms around his neck and I kiss him. Then I whisper, “I hope I am pregnant. I want to have your babies, Malc. The idea turns me on.”

His eyes flicker with heat. “Yeah?”

I nod. “Never wanted to have anyone else’s babies, but I want yours.”

“Fuck, that’s hot,” he mumbles, rubbing my stomach. “I can’t wait until your belly is big and fat with child.”

I shiver. “That’s sexy to you?”

“Oh, yeah. It is if it’s you.” He lowers his hand to cup my groin, smiling salaciously when I groan. “Can’t wait to fuck you when you’re fat with my offspring, C. I could come just thinking about it.”

We kiss and I’m trembling by the time he lifts his head, his eyes still glittering with lust. But then his frown returns.

“What about your job?” he asks hesitantly. “What about the fact that Captain Jones might try to put you on desk duty if you’re pregnant?”

I scowl. “If Captain Jones tries to put me on desk duty before I’m even showing, I’m going to throw a fucking fit. I’ll go to the police union if I have to. It’s not fair that I’d be riding a desk when the baby is the size of a grain of rice.”

“I agree. Me and Chey will back you up. I promise.” He pulls me close again, kissing the side of my head. “I’m so fucking happy right now. You sure it’s okay if people know about us?” He glances down, his gaze searching.

“I’m sure.” I grimace. “I won’t lie, there’s some nervousness about coming out. It’s going to be hard on me since I like my privacy. But you’re worth it. I refuse to lose you because I’m worried about what people think of me. You’re too important to me.”

His smile is warm and he looks relieved. “God it feels good to hear you say that. I was so scared I’d fucked up and lost you for good.”

“No, we both made mistakes. We were both scared.”

He nods, kissing me softly. His mouth is hot and needy, and when the kiss ends, he whispers, “We don’t need to be scared. We love each other and we’re so good together. I need you by my side forever.”

My cheeks heat and my heart aches with affection. But instead of responding in kind, I give my usual smirk. “You’re a needy son of a bitch, Malcolm. I don’t know why I keep you around.”

His chuckle is warm. “You should stop lying to yourself, C. I keep telling you, I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

I open my mouth to give him one of my smart-ass comebacks, but instead I say softly, “Yeah, you are, Malcolm.”