Page 38 of Forbidden Taste (An Omega’s Preference #3)
twenty-nine
RILEY
The days blur into a haze of music and movement, my fingers flying over the strings as I thrive, playing better than I ever have, preparing for my solo showcase at the Karlen Center.
The notes pour out, my violin and the piano an extension of me, every melody a piece of my heart, free in a way I’ve never felt.
I sneak away with Leo whenever I can, dragging him to the dance practice room, the two of us tucked in the corner, watching Hawk move—sometimes with his classmates, their bodies a synchronized blur, other times alone, his lean frame cutting through the space, all grace and power.
The whispers are still there, a little more now that everyone knows Benjamin and I aren’t going to be a thing.
But for the first time ever, the rumors are about him and what he did rather than about my mates.
However, I’m enjoying not caring, letting the voices fade to static, and it’s made everything so much better with how much Leo is changing.
He’s different now—more confident, sweet, dominant in this quiet, steady way that wraps around us.
He seeks us out more, especially me, his eyes lighting up as he drags me out of the practice room when it gets too late and back to my apartment for cuddles.
Sometimes it’s more—a good, hard fuck, his body pinning mine, his growls vibrating through me but we haven’t done much since his heat, not that I’m complaining.
I just love being loved, being wrapped around my mates, their warmth, their presence, a balm to every jagged edge I’ve carried too long.
I love it even more when I catch Hawk melting against Leo, their lips locked in those sweet, all-consuming kisses or when Leo gets pouty seeking out Hawk across campus, tugging him close like he can’t breathe without him.
And now that we’ve made it to the day before the biggest performance of the year, Leo finished with his last test this morning, we’re taking a break at the edge of one of the dance studios.
Hawk’s practicing his routine, gliding across the floor as he always does, his shirt clinging to his sweat-damp skin.
I’m trying to focus on the beauty of it but the silence in the room is getting to me.
Hawk and Leo never seem to mind the music I play in the apartment, drowning out the little moments where no one is speaking.
Leo hums to me every now and then, when I’m curled around him in my nest. It’s not often, only moments when he wholly leans into that protective but soft instinct.
I intend on dragging it out of him but for now, I just have to do something about the quietness of this room.
Sitting up, I pull my violin from its case and stand up, lifting it to my chin and drawing the bow across the string s
The notes are soft at first, then bolder, the notes weaving into Hawk’s dance, a melody I’ve carried in my dreams, a forest alive with sound, with them.
The music swells through the room, my bow dancing as fast as Hawk’s feet, tears gathering in my eyes, blurring my vision.
I see it—the fantasy I’ve breathed so many times—a forest, Hawk dancing through the small clearing, Leo there offering his own melody, mixing with mine.
I play harder, the notes soaring, every stroke a piece of me, of us.
Opening my eyes, I catch Hawk gliding over to Leo, gently pulling him to his feet and drawing him onto the dance floor. At first Leo’s moves are stiff, a flush creeping up his neck, and then it’s like they were made for this moment.
And then, Leo’s song floods the room, that low baritone angelic voice that adds to the beauty of this moment.
Like a confession of love between the three of us, notes that need no words.
I step closer, playing my heart out as they dance around me, nature seemingly caressing our every move until it becomes seamless, the three of us swaying as one.
My song comes to an end, Hawk grinning as he draws Leo into a soft kiss. “You’re right, Riley. His voice is heavenly. Perfect. ”
“I think I’m falling for you,” Leo offers next.
“For both of you. God, I think I might already be in love.” He throws an arm out for me to curl into, the three of us embracing each other.
“I never thought there’d be someone by my side, loving me for me,” he continues.
“Both of you have shown me an entirely different world—that there’s nothing wrong with me.
That I might be different, but that doesn’t mean I deserve love any less. ”
He kisses me next and I lose myself to their scents, their arms, their firm chests pressed against my shoulders. “I would’ve never found you if you didn’t step down my hallway, sweetie,” I whisper against his lips as I pull away.
“Strangely enough, I passed down Hawk’s first. Not that I knew what that scent was.”
We share a bit of laughter, Hawk’s phone dragging us out of the moment. He frowns as he digs into the pocket of his leggings, all of us confused when we see the name scrolling across his phone.
Rent-an-Alpha Center
“The fuck?” I glare at Hawk, demanding that he explain himself but the pure terror flooding his features tells me this was just one of many things that slipped past us. His face flushes as he hurriedly silences the call, looking up to us with an apology on his lips.
“Don’t worry. I’m telling her I’m out of the program.
Fuck, I just forgot.” He shoves the phone back into his pocket.
“There’s a whole process but I already told her the last time was it.
Not sure why they’re calling.” The confusion trickling through the bond tells me that Leo isn’t as forgiving, Hawk still stumbling over his words.
If Leo wasn’t on edge, I would be laughing.
“Baby, I promise I’m not in the program anymore.
I meant to cancel it weeks ago—it’s just been chaos and I’m glad I didn’t because it wouldn’t have been me showing up at your door.
I’m done with it, I swear.” He reaches for Leo, waiting for our Zeta to give in.
For a moment, I think this might be our very first fight and then Leo breaks into this wide grin, dragging Hawk flush against his chest. “I demand cuddles. Lots of them.”
Deciding to make Hawk’s life a little more difficult I chime in. “And those strawberry chocolates I like and some horrid, sappy TV show.” Hawk’s eyes widen a little but our Alpha said he was ready for two of us. “I demand to continue my Friday traditions, just with more cuddles and sweets.”
Leo readily agrees, Hawk letting out a soft laugh. “God, you guys are going to be the death of me and I’m going to love every minute of it.”