Page 52 of His Snowbound Omega

He was also sore all over.

“Literally everything hurts,” he complained, curious when his comment instantly had the alpha setting his food aside and going to the cupboard over the sink.

Baal returned with painkillers. “Take these. I already put sun cream on you while you were sleeping, but this should take care of the rest.”

“Doubtful.” Still, he popped the pills and downed them with some coffee. “This feels worse than after the cabin.”

“That’s probably because we were only at the cabin for a night, and we’ve been here for four days.”

A mouthful of caffeine exploded past his lips, spraying across the counter.

Baal gave almost no reaction to his mess, calmly chewing a bite while he waited for Thorn to regain his composure.

“Excuse me? Did you sayfour days?!”

“If you’re worried about school, don’t be. I contacted them and asked for leave. It was your heat. Legally, they have to accommodate you.”

“That’s not…” He pressed his fingers against his throbbing temple. “I’ve never had a heat last that long in my life.”

“Get used to it.”

“No fucking way!”

“Kind of unavoidable,” Baal insisted.

“Not if I—” Thorn clamped his mouth shut the moment the alpha took his chin between two fingers.

Baal settled a warning look on him, as though his touch wasn’t enough, and then asked gruffly, “What was that, omega?”

“Nothing.” He gulped and then released a breath when the alpha seemed satisfied and let go.

“Would you like anything?” Baal finished his sandwich and balled up the wrapper, moving to toss it into the trash bin by the door.

“I’m already full and I haven’t eaten all of this yet.” Thorn held up the portion of food he still had left.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Oh. What do you mean then?”

“As a reward.”

He frowned. “Reward?”

Baal came over and combed his fingers through Thorn’s hair, brushing it off his face and to the side. His expression was full of fondness, and before realizing it, Thorn was leaning into his touch.

Catching himself, he straightened and cleared his throat. “Why do I get a reward?”

“For sharing your first heat with me,” he replied. “You were perfect, omega. Everything I hoped for and more.”

He forced himself to laugh it off, even though his heart skipped a beat. “Bet you say that to all your lovers.”

“Never,” Baal stated firmly. “And I’ll only ever say things like that to you from here on out.”

“…Why?”

“Because you’re my omega. I also want to be a good alpha. Were you pleased with my performance?” He set a hand on the counter and then turned, caging Thorn in. Running the rise of his cheek over Thorn’s jaw, he scented him.

“I…” As that first whiff of pheromones came into contact with his skin, he found himself unable to lie. “Yes.”