Page 158 of Bred

"Of course, I'm fucking right!"

My mother's voice carried over the crowd as she yelled at my father, "How much have you had to drink?" Dad whipped around, his eyes wide.

I rushed off, not interested in listening to her scold him. She harassed him endlessly about what he ate, when he slept, and if he was stressed. He complained about her fussing, but he also loved it. Mother simply adored him and wanted to keep him for as long as possible.

Lily looked up as I approached and our eyes locked. A slow, sweet smile spread across her face, and everything went quiet. She was the only thing in existence anymore. My beautiful mate.

"Lily," I said, holding out my hand. Her big eyes sparkled as she looked up at me. "May I have this dance?"

She ducked her head for a moment before whispering a quick "yes" and slipping her hand into mine.

The dance floor was crowded, everyone enjoying the lively music.

I stayed near the edge of the dance floor, trying to keep some distance from everyone so Lily wouldn't be too overwhelmed. Encircling my arm around her waist, I held her gently. It was the closest we had ever been to each other. My resolve to be patient, and wait for the end of the party to take her to our new home suddenly became razor thin.

"I didn't think you'd ever ask me to dance," Lily said, tipping her chin up to look at me. She was a little over a foot shorter than me and smelled un-fucking-believable. Sugared honey and cherry blossoms. The intoxicating aroma was so thick this close, and it made my canines tingle.

"You were talking to your friends. I didn't want to be rude."

"Well, I'm glad you changed your mind." She smiled sweetly, and I pulled her a little closer. Her body pressed against my chest, and a shiver worked through her. My wolf grew restless, urging me to claim my mate.

"Rowan," she whispered, her fingers trembling as they lay flat against my chest. "I know we should wait for the speeches, but…." Her cheeks blushed a violent red, and she looked everywhere but at my face.

Realization hit me, and I leaned down into her ear. "Are you wanting to leave?"

Forcing herself to look up, she bit that perfect plump, pink lip. Then she shocked me by nodding.

A NEW HOME

LILY

Mypalmsdrippedwithsweat, but Rowan didn't seem to notice. His fingers twisted around mine. Proof of just how big he was was evident in how his thick fingers spread mine apart very wide.

I tipped my chin all the way to see his face. A faint trace of a red glow burned through his brown irises. His beast was ready to consume his prey…me.

Why did that excite me?

While I was thankful that Rowan let me sit with my parents and talk to my friends before calling it an evening, I was eager to start my new life with him. When he kissed me last night, something inside me cracked open. A need to be near and with the alpha kept me up all night. I had never felt this way before.

Rowan pulled me to a stop in front of a small cabin. I looked around, surprised to see we were in the main part of the village housing. Mina and Ivor's home was only three doors down, and Summer's parents were at the end of the road.

"You look surprised," Rowan said, squeezing my hand gently.

I pushed out a nervous laugh. "I expected us to live near your parents."

"Only the high-ranking officials live there," he said. "I'm just a lowly guard." We both knew that wasn't true. Who your parents were was very important, and mine were considered lowly as far as influence went. Rowan leaned down into my ear, "I thought you'd like to live near your friends."

My chest warmed, and I smiled at my kind alpha.

"Come, my omega," he said, his voice a little husky.

My pulse quickened, and I inhaled deeply, readying myself to complete our bonding. Rowan pulled me inside and through the living room. I didn't stop to look at anything, too nervous about what was waiting at the end of the hall.

A huge bed sat in the center of the room covered in heavy blankets and pillows. My eyes pulled to two familiar quilts folded neatly at the foot of the bed. I released Rowan's hand and walked to them. One of the blankets was from when I was a pup, and the other I had slept on every night since I presented as an omega. The comforting scent of something so familiar made the tension in my shoulders ease a bit.

"I asked your mother to bring them," Rowan whispered. He placed a hand on my hip, and my skin tingled, my abs tensing. I was so aware of his every movement and breath. I was both scared and excited at what was coming next. "I thought it might help make our new house feel like a home."

I looked over my shoulder at my mate. My affection for his thoughtfulness made my chest warm. It clashed wildly with the tension sitting heavy in my gut. I was all tangled up inside.