Page 28 of Generation Omega: Claimed (Originverse #3)

MACKENZIE

I follow Tillie toward the stairs leading to the top of the yacht.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was floating, something a person of my stature is incredibly unlikely to do.

Midway up the steps, I realize the tiny woman who is my home has paused, her hand reaching toward me, seeking the connection of our touch.

Once my hand is intertwined with hers, she continues, her heart fluttering in time with mine, a dance felt by the first alpha who adores her.

I’ve never known love, so I can’t be surprised that there is no jealousy, no selfishness, no need to claim and own—just a heartfelt desire to accompany this amazing woman on the journey life chose for us, no matter where it leads.

At the top, she turns, her eyes a shockingly lovely blue, their grey obscured by the brightness all around us.

I’m suddenly imagining how the reverse would be true if I ever have the chance to introduce her to Scotland and the grey granite and equally grey skies so common in Aberdeen.

Joy fills me at the thought of Tillie meeting my sister and my best pal.

Maisie and Dougal, wherever they are, would be so thrilled to know her and that I am where I’m meant to be at last.

“I thought this might be a good place to take care of those…” Her words fade, but her gaze fixes on my many bites.

“I’m pretty much done being inside—it’s all a little too stuffy right now, but here…

” She smiles at the expanse around us, both above and below, and then waves her hand toward the mattress meant for sunbathing, though it’s currently covered by a shade.

“I’m glad to be with you, anywhere is fine.”

Tillie points at the awning. “I’m guessing you’re no better with the sun than I am, though I probably need some.” Her attention lingers on the bed that’s covered with a blanket and pillows, surely provided by Ethan at her request. “Will you sit with me? I have some questions before we…”

“Of course.”

She stares down at our joined hands and then playfully tugs me as though her light pull could move my much larger body. The truth is that I’ll be wherever she needs, the lure of her presence the only force necessary. Together, we walk toward the space and sit, our hands remaining linked.

Tillie’s worrying her lip as she looks at me with such interest, like she might be able to read my thoughts if she just stares hard enough.

“Just ask, Tillie—I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

Sweet dimples form as she stares up at me. “I love how my name sounds when you say it. I love your accent. I hope you don’t mind, but one day, when all the chaos falls away and we’re safe, I expect you to read me to sleep every night.”

“Why wait? We have your books here.”

She releases a deep, rueful laugh. “Oh, no, not those ones. They might get your inner Ory all worked up and violent. The alphas are definitely a work in progress in those books, but best groveling ever.” Tillie exhales and studies our hands.

Still looking down, she adds, “I know what I want to ask, but first, I need to make sure you know that you’re allowed privacy.

You don’t have to answer just because I’m… ”

Freeing myself to follow my instincts, I release her hand and reach for her, setting her on my lap.

“Listen to me, Tillie. I want to know you, and I want you to know me. I have no walls, nothing I want to hide from you. My worst secrets, my best memories—if you want to know them, I want to share them.”

I want to smooth away her frown, but I’ve taken enough liberties already. I just wait for her to speak, while the water laps pleasantly against the ship and a light breeze blows.

“I felt something earlier, and I want to understand. Was your heart really locked before you touched me, and if so, what did that mean for you? Have you ever been in love?”

“I’ve felt such shame around this topic, what was always missing in my life.

” I gently stroke her cheek, as she leans into me.

“But I can’t find shame now, only relief, as I confess this truth.

I’ve never loved anyone romantically, because it would have been wrong and also impossible.

I didn’t have a full heart to share, and what kind of man would risk another person’s heart just to avoid being alone? ”

Not wanting to give a false impression, I quickly add, “I dated and such when I was younger, before I had the sense to know that I wasn’t like other people. But once I got older and understood that a question inside me needed answering, I took better care to avoid relationships.”

The sorrow in her eyes, the absolute empathy directed my way, only makes me love my new home that much more.

“I’m sorry you were alone for so long. I would never wish that on you, though…

” A spark of something amusingly sinister lights her face.

“… maybe this is better. I’m much less likely to enlist Ory to help me hunt down all the women who hurt your heart, since it appears there weren’t any.

It’s actually a good thing I didn’t have Ory around when I was a kid, because I totally would have sent him after the bullies. ”

Then she laughs freely. “That’s totally a lie—I enjoyed making those boys cry and run home to their mommas.”

“Well, just know, Ory and I are available for whatever you need, no matter what level of violence is involved.”

Her hands tentatively raise and move over my face, learning my features, discovering the texture of my beard, even gliding along my lips.

She’s pleased with my appearance and not at all afraid of my size, which is a relief.

Her gaze grows softer as she continues to stare at me, while our hearts beat together, their cadence gleeful.

“Mackenzie…”

“Yes, Tillie?”

“I just realized something.” Her thoughts obviously darken but then bounce back a moment later. “There’s something I want.” This beautiful lassie appears mystified by whatever she’s about to say, and I don’t interrupt, trusting she’ll find her way through whatever maze has trapped her.

“I want to bond you, and I want you to bond me—like right now .” Her words fly so quickly, taking me completely by surprise.

“But, lass, you just said you weren’t ready for more bonds, and I would never want to rush you into anything.”

“I know that.” Her hands remain on my face, as though she can’t remove them. “But I want this. My inner omega bonded Ory, and all I feel about that is jealousy. She dug her teeth into you a dozen times, and I’m feeling downright possessive. I want my teeth in you. And I want your teeth in me.”

Her words bloom with potent yearning. “I want our bond, and it’s not because I’m out of control or lust addicted—though you are wicked sexy.

I want our bond because we’re meant to be together.

I had a hole in my heart that’s always been waiting for you, and you’re my only alpha who knows exactly what that means.

And there’s more… you didn’t waste another woman’s life when you knew you couldn’t be what she needed.

Do you have any idea how rare it is to find someone who isn’t selfish? ”

“It shouldn’t be.”

“No, it shouldn’t be, but it is.” The way she stares at me—I already know I’ve never in my life been seen like this. “It’s more than that though. I think I get it, why Ory needs to be here and the role you’re going to play after the war ends.”

I hate the tears that fall from her eyes, but not the love that shines at me. “My alphas are many things and will fill many important roles for me and this pack, but your role is unlike any other alpha’s. I know why your heart was locked before you met me.”

“Please, Tillie, tell me.”

She caresses my face, and I never want her to stop.

“Your heart was locked to protect it from harm, from growing cold or embracing rage. Relationships are a battlefield, and you were meant to be pure when you found me. Your kind nature will help guide me and remind me what the world should be for everyone. I love some of my alphas and tolerate the others— mostly —but there’s not an untarnished, gentle heart in the bunch.

I need you desperately, and I want to be bonded to you already.

I want to help Ory protect you, so that when I need your unique magic, it’s ready. ”

I scoff. “You do understand that it’s not the most appealing thing for a man to hear, that he needs a wee lassie to protect him and his delicate heart?”

She giggles unapologetically. “Oh, yeah, I totally get that, but this wee lassie doesn’t care. You’ll be protected, and that’s final. I’m pretty sure Ory is on my side, and he’s much more intimidating than you.”

Bite the lovely omega already, and don’t argue. This is progress. If I could send my lodger to his room, I would. As it is, I simply request that he keeps his opinions to himself and lets me find my own way with Tillie.

“So, what do you say?” Her breaths are shallow, her chest rising and falling faster. Her excitement and confidence only make her bonnier.

“I say there’s nothing in this world I want more than to be bonded to you, but before we do this…”

“Yes?”

“I’d like our first kiss. A first bite seems to be skipping over an important step, don’t you think?”

“Yes, and I love that you thought that. Kisses are the best, but I don’t think they’re a big priority for the omegaverse.”

I raise my hands and capture her face. “Well, that sounds like the first thing we’ll be correcting then.”

“No doubt,” she mumbles, her gaze fixed on me, anticipation building.

I take my time, moving slowly toward her before allowing our lips to touch for the first time, at least with us in control of our bodies.

The contact between her lips and mine ignites fireworks throughout my body, and I find myself confidently opening to her.

My novice lips aren’t uncertain at all, and what I always hoped is proven to be reality.

I was built to love this woman and to worship her with my body.

She didn’t just unlock my ability to love, but also my ability to satisfy her in every way.

We breathe together as our tongues meet and clash, her fingers digging into my shoulders, pulling me closer, as she grinds against my cock that’s ready for her.

“Oh, please, Mackenzie… I need you.”

I reach and untie the belt on her dress, tugging it open. She moans as my rough hand reaches around her back and brings her closer, so that her bare chest is against mine.

“More, please … I need you inside me.” My woman is whimpering, and I know exactly what to do, as though her body and mine are already confiding in each other.

I reach down and pull up my kilt, and without disrupting our heated kisses, I grab her waist and push her down onto me. Her mouth falls open, her eyes close, and her head tilts back as waves of pleasure wash over us.

“You’re mine, Mackenzie—forever,” she whispers through panting breaths.

“I am and always will be, true to you forever. And you are mine, the owner of my heart that only beats for you.”

“Now, bond me. Show me who you are, and you’ll know everything about me. No secrets. I trust your heart… please …”

I can’t deny her for another second. It’s a miracle I held out this long.

My teeth enter her, claiming the spot on her shoulder in the same space where a bondmark shows on her other side.

Mine is in perfect balance with the other, equal to her first alpha’s bite.

I think I chose the spot, but Ory’s smugness makes me think he had something to do with it.

But I can’t think about that, because all of Tillie’s life is now mine to behold, and soon after, all my life is revealed to her.

Our bodies still move, effortlessly maintaining the rhythm chosen by our desire, driving toward the bliss of release.

I think she’s changed her mind about bonding me, but then she leans and punctures my flesh right over my heart, where there’s not another bite.

It’s so right to have her claim me there, and the feeling of her teeth opens yet another door that proves this was the life I was always meant to live.

Every second of my life when sorrow and loneliness were all I knew, every struggle I ever faced… it was worth it, worth everything to be here at last. I just wish every person found a connection like this, one that justifies every hardship they experienced on their way to perfection.

Tillie’s ragged breaths only stop when she achieves the peak promised by true devotion. She’s barely breathing when she says the words that prove who she is and that mine isn’t the only pure heart in this pack.

“Please, Mackenzie, I want us to let go, and let Ory and his omega be together. We’ll have time—I promise you that—but the omegaverse betrayed them, and I want us to keep our promises. I want us to honor their sacrifices. I think they’ve earned that, but only if…”

“Yes, Tillie—yes. Are you ready?”

“I am.”

I feel Ory’s shock within me, but I’m already being pulled away to my garden home—only this time, I’m not alone. Tillie is with me here, as Ory and his omega seize each other and set their fierce passion free.