Page 34 of Daisy (Omega Chosen #3)

Daisy

I 'm going to burn this place down.

Not the cabin. The cabin's innocent. But whatever I'm doing to this pasta? This can't be what it's supposed to look like.

"It's supposed to bubble," August says beside me. His voice carries that smile I'm starting to crave more than my next breath.

"Bubble?" I stare at the pot that's practically bouncing on the stove. "This looks like it's about to explode."

He laughs. Oh my goodness, that sound. His warm cedar scent flooding my senses, wrapping around me like the warmest, safest blanket. It's more muted than the alphas' scents. Softer, gentler, but still so much stronger than it should be for a beta.

"Turn it down." His hand covers mine on the dial. Gentle. Sure. The contact sends tingling warmth up my arm and settles somewhere low in my belly that makes me want to squirm.

His scent, his warmth, the way he's looking at me like I'm something precious instead of something to be managed.

My body responds instantly. Heat pools between my thighs.

Slick gathering, my body preparing itself in ways that make me squirm.

I wonder if this is what normal feels like.

If this is what my body is supposed to do when I'm around someone I want.

"Better?" His voice has gone rough around the edges. Deeper. Like something is stirring beneath his careful control.

He can smell me. Without my blockers, there's nothing hiding my reaction from him. He knows exactly what he does to me. The knowledge should embarrass me, but instead it makes my nipples tighten against the soft fabric of my sweater.

"Much better." I look up, and something passes between us. Want . The kind of want that makes smart people do stupid things.

Three days in this cabin. Three days of feeling more like myself and less like Uncle's perfect little omega project. Yesterday I helped Hawk clean the van and got a little dirty. This morning I beat Dante at cards and did a victory dance that made everyone laugh until their sides hurt.

But this? Learning something real, something I actually want to know? This feels different. Like we're building something instead of just surviving.

"What made you want to learn?" August adds salt to the water like he was born knowing how to cook. Everything about him is competent in the most attractive way possible.

I think about it. "I was never allowed in kitchens before. Servants did everything. The perfect omega wasn't supposed to know how to take care of herself."

"Can't have you being independent." There's an edge in his voice I don't hear often.

"Exactly." I lean against the counter, watching him move. He's graceful in a way that's purely him—gentle and scholarly but completely capable. He’s tall for a beta, most beta’s at the Omega House were much closer in height to the omegas.

"But I want to know how. I want to be able to feed myself. Feed the people I care about." I smile and the way he looks at me. Like I just said something wonderful instead of obvious.

"You already feed us, sunshine."

"With what? I can barely boil water."

He stops stirring. Turns to face me fully. "You make us better. Calmer. More ourselves than we've ever been."

My breath catches. "Really?"

"Really." His scent deepens, goes complex in ways that make my pulse skip. "You know what you've given us?"

I shake my head.

"Purpose. Family. A reason to be better men.

" He steps closer. Close enough that I'm drowning in something grounding and warm, like being wrapped in a wool blanket by a fire.

"Cassian's had nightmares his whole life.

Every single night. But since you've been sleeping near us? They stopped completely."

"They did?"

"They did. And Gunner's been carrying guilt about his sister for years. Watching you choose to trust him, watching you bloom under his protection… it's healing something that's been broken inside him since he was seventeen."

Oh my. My chest feels too tight. "I didn't know."

"Hawk's been running from anything real his whole life. Terrified of caring too much. And Dante's convinced he's too damaged to deserve good things." August is close enough now that I can feel his warmth. "But you see all of us. Really see us. Somehow that makes us worthy."

"You were already worthy."

"Not to ourselves. But you make us believe it."

The air between us crackles. Charged. Dangerous. I can smell my own need spiking, sharp and sweet despite those pills. Honeysuckle and vanilla turning rich and musky with need. August's pupils blow wide, and his scent deepens in response, his warm scent going darker, more possessive.

"Daisy." My name sounds wrecked on his lips.

The pasta water bubbles behind us, but I can't focus on anything except how August is looking at me. Like I'm precious. Chosen.

"August?"

"Yeah?"

I take a shaky breath, heat flooding my cheeks. "Are you... are you only into guys?"

He smiles softly, that gentle understanding in his eyes. "No, sunshine. Cassian and I... we both love who we love, regardless of gender." His voice is warm, patient. "And we've both been feeling something for you. Something real."

Relief washes through me. "Oh." I pause, gathering courage. "Then... I want to kiss you."

His breath hitches, and his scent deepens with want. "I've been hoping you'd say that."

When he kisses me, it's nothing like Gunner's sweet exploration. This is hunger. Desperation. August kisses like he's been thinking about it for weeks, like he's been holding back and finally snapped.

His lips are soft but demanding. When his tongue sweeps across my lower lip, I open for him with a sound that makes him groan. The kiss deepens, and I can taste mint and something purely him.

My body responds instantly. Desire flooding my system, suppressants or not. Slick soaking through my underwear in a way that should embarrass me but doesn't. August makes a low rumbling sound that vibrates through his chest, not quite an alpha purr but something deeper.

When we break apart, we're both wrecked.

His pupils are blown, and I can smell his need mixing with mine in the most intoxicating way.

Something thick and musky that makes my omega instincts practically purr with satisfaction.

I can see the outline of his hardness through his jeans, and the knowledge that I did that to him makes more slick pool between my thighs.

We stand there for a moment, just breathing each other in. His forehead rests against mine, and I can still taste him on my lips. Mint and something purely August that I want to memorize.

"That was perfect," I whisper.

"It was." His thumb strokes my cheek, so gentle it makes my chest ache. "How do you feel?"

I think about it, surprised by the answer that comes. "Like I want more. Like I'm ready for more."

The certainty in my own voice catches me off guard. A few weeks ago, I was terrified of my own shadow. Now I'm asking for things I want. Choosing what feels right.

"More of this?" August asks softly, his other hand coming up to frame my face.

"More of everything." The words feel brave and terrifying and absolutely true. "I want to understand what this could be. All of it."

Behind us, the pasta water boils over.

"Oh no." August turns to deal with the mess, but he's grinning.

I watch him move around the small kitchen.

Efficient and calm even while cleaning up.

But I can smell the lingering arousal in his scent, see the flush in his cheeks.

The way he keeps adjusting himself when he thinks I'm not looking.

The knowledge that I affected him that much makes something low in my belly throb with want.

"August?"

"Mmm?" He's dumping pasta into the pot, focused.

My face burns, but I push through. I'm allowed to be curious. I'm allowed to ask. "Can I ask you something? You read a lot of books..."

He glances at me, eyebrows raised. "Shoot."

How do I even say this? "Is it normal to feel this strongly about alphas? I mean..." I fidget with the hem of my sweater. "Every alpha I ever met before you all made me want to run. Made my skin crawl. But you and the others..." I trail off, embarrassed.

"But we don't," he says gently, understanding immediately.

"You don't. You make me want to get closer. Make me feel safe and..." My face burns hotter. "And other things. Things I never felt before."

August sets down the spoon, giving me his full attention. "What kind of other things?"

"Like..." Oh my goodness, I can't believe I'm about to say this.

"Like I want to know if Hawk tastes like caramel if I was to lick his abs.

And Gunner makes me want to bury my face against his neck and just breathe him in forever.

" The words tumble out in a rush. "Is that normal? Or is something wrong with me?"

The look August gives me is soft and wondering. "There's nothing wrong with you, sunshine. Nothing at all."

"But why is it so different with you all? Why do I feel..." I search for the word. "Safe but also excited? Like my body knows something my brain doesn't?"

August is quiet for a moment, and I can practically see him thinking. "Sometimes," he says carefully, "people just...fit together. In ways that go deeper than what makes sense."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean maybe your body recognizes something in us that just feels right. Even if your mind doesn't understand it yet."

The idea makes something flutter in my chest. "Like what?"

"Like maybe you were meant to find us," he says softly. "All of us."

I take a breath. My mind made up. "Now. I want to try now."

"Now?"

"While I'm feeling brave. Before I lose my nerve." I can smell my own determination mixing with nerves and want. "Would you ask Cassian to come to the bedroom? I want to talk to both of you. Really talk."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Terrified but sure. My scent must be broadcasting my desire and determination in equal measure. "I want to get to know him. I want to understand what I'm choosing. All of it."

August's scent blooms with pride and affection. And something else—something that makes my omega instincts practically sing with satisfaction. "Okay, sunshine. Let me turn this off and I'll get him."

"August?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For everything. For making me feel like I can choose."

"You can always choose. That's what love means. Having choices and making them freely."

Love. The word hangs in the air between us, and neither of us takes it back.

I head to the bedroom, my heart pounding with nervous anticipation.

I sit on the edge of the bed, smoothing my hands over my jeans.

Another thing I never expected to wear and enjoy.

Elite omegas weren’t allowed to wear jeans.

They were a beta-born clothing that I was beneath my status.

I love them. I only ever want to wear jeans and sweats forever.

I hated all the silk dresses I was forced to wear. But now, I get to choose my clothes.

A few minutes later, a soft knock at the door. I'm about to choose again. Reach for something I want instead of accepting what others think I deserve.

"Come in," I call softly.

For the first time in my life, that feels like power instead of rebellion.

The door opens. August enters first, followed by Cassian.

Even in the small space, he takes up all the air.

His presence is overwhelming in the best and most terrifying way.

His scent hits me immediately. Rain and musk and pure alpha that makes my body respond instantly.

Fresh slick pools between my thighs, and I have to press them together to keep from squirming.

But when his amber eyes meet mine, I don't see danger. I see gentleness. Patience. A man who's been waiting for me to be ready. And something else… heat. Want. The same desperate need I can smell in his scent despite whatever control he's fighting to maintain.

"Hi," I say softly.

"Hi." Cassian’s voice is carefully gentle.

"I want to talk. About all of this. About us."

"Whatever you want to know," August says, settling beside me.

Cassian stays by the door. Giving me space. But the air between us feels charged with possibility and barely restrained desire.

"Sit." The authority in my own voice surprises me. "Please. I want you closer."

Surprise flickers across his face, replaced by something softer. He moves to the chair by the window. Still giving me space but close enough that I can really see him.

"Better?" He asks.

"Better." I steel myself. "I want to know about you. Both of you. I want to understand what I'm choosing." I pause, my cheeks heating. "And I need to know if... if you're both okay with me being with you. Together and... separately. I don't want to come between what you have."

August and Cassian exchange a look, one of those silent conversations couples have.

"We've talked about this," August says gently. "About you. About what we all want."

Cassian nods, his voice rough but simple. "We want you."

"Both of us," August adds, reaching for Cassian's hand. "However feels right to you."

Relief floods through me. My heart pounds as the reality settles in. I'm still learning that I get to choose. That my choice matters.

And for the first time since this started, I'm not asking because I'm supposed to. I'm asking because I want to. Because I'm finally brave enough to reach for what I actually desire.