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twenty-six

JOSIE

I ’ve been restless all week, and subconsciously, I understand what’s happening. I refuse to think about it. If I don’t pay attention, it will go away, right? That’s exactly how this works, I swear. My hair falls into my face, and I blow it out of my face, irritated at the distraction.

Finally, after determining the bathroom floor is clean, I pull myself up and stretch backward.

Maybe scrubbing the floor wasn’t the best course of action to dispel this restless feeling.

My back aches, and my hands are red from scrubbing without wearing gloves.

Probably not my smartest decision, but I admit to not thinking it through; I just acted on the need to do something.

My phone buzzes, and when I check it, I see several messages from the guys.

A smile appears automatically when I see their names.

These guys have completely wormed their way into my heart, and even though two of them aren’t excited about the idea of Pack bonding, I can’t help being head over heels for them.

It feels like I’m finally coming out of a world of gray and seeing color everywhere.

Before I get a chance to sit down and dive into whatever shenanigans are happening virtually, there’s a brief knock at the door. Looking through the peephole, I see Jesse standing on my small porch. Grinning, I fling the door wide open.

“Hey you!” I greet him.

Jesse gives me his shy smile, “Hey Jojo.”

I stop back to let him in, and Jesse takes full advantage of the situation and pushes me back against the open front door.

I happily let him pin me down and ravage my mouth with his own.

My body lights up as his lips press into mine, his tongue demanding entrance.

He pulls back way too soon, and I chase him a bit with my lips.

“Let’s get all the way inside,” he chuckles, pulling me away from the door.

Jesse smells amazing today, and I can’t help but stick right next to him. I’m giving him zero personal space, and he chuckles as he maneuvers the door shut and brings me to the couch to sit.

“Feeling a bit needy today?” he asks softly.

I nod, “A little, yeah.”

“I’m here for you to use however you need, Jojo,” he says.

I melt into his embrace, my body fully leaning into his as he rearranges us to be more comfortable.

My nose is just about buried into his neck, drinking down his scent like it’s the air I need to breathe.

It might very well be based on how I’m feeling right now.

Jesse chuckles and peppers my head and face with light kisses.

My head is almost dizzy between the light kisses and the intense scent.

Unable to hold back, I turn my head so we’re face to face and reach up to bring him to me.

A purr of contentment starts up in my chest, and I let my body relax into the noise.

An Alpha’s purr is meant to soothe, to remind the other person that they’re protected by the Alpha and they can trust them.

An Omega’s purr is also meant to soothe angry situations, but it can also be used to stake a claim.

Right now, my Omega is purring and staking our claim on Jesse. I promised him I would keep him.

Our tongues dance together, exploring and teasing, the feel of our tongues sliding causes my body to produce more slick.

I’m so glad I wore absorbent underwear today.

I don’t want to worry about soaking through my clothes right now.

I want to embrace the moment and keep Jesse close to me.

His hand inches up and cups my breast, thumb lightly teasing my nipples.

I’m not sure if he can feel them, but the slight tease is causing them to pucker, like they’re begging for him to suck and bite them.

We break apart and stare at each other in wonder, breathing hard and letting our hands explore.

I trace his strong arms and the soft skin of his neck as I slide from his shoulder up to his face.

Jesse’s hands are winding around my back, wandering up and down, brushing my ass just enough to ramp me up even more.

“You’re such a tease,” I tell him, my voice light and breathy.

He grins, “No idea what you’re talking about.”

As he says that, his hand brushes against the side of my breast, causing my breath to hitch.

Jesse’s face is full of mischief, and my answering smile stretches wide across my face.

My phone dings again, and I startle. Apparently, I forgot everything when this man kissed me silly.

I tell him as much as I pull my phone closer. He just chuckles.

Vic

Josie Girl! How are you feeling?

Henry

Did something happen to Josie?

Vic

What? No, why would you ask that?

Henry

You just asked how she was feeling! That indicates at some point she wasn’t feeling well.

Vic

Bro, you need to take a breath. Nothing bad happened.

I show Jesse the chat, but he just nods with a small smile. “It may or may not be why I popped over.”

Throwing my head back, I laugh with abandon, absolutely loving this chaos.

“Should I wind them up more?” I ask.

“Well, obviously!”

Cackling, I type out my reply.

Me

Vic, why would you tell Henry that nothing happened? I am beginning to feel better, but things are rough right now.

Henry

Shit! I’m coming over, Josie, be right there.

Simon

Are you okay, angel? Seriously?

Vic

Huh, is this what it’s gonna feel like? Being the only one not freaking out?

Me

You don’t know, Vic, I could be terribly injured! Simon, I’m always okay when you’re around.

Vic

Are you??

Me

… well, not, like, terribly injured. Just a little swelling.

Nobody responds to that, and I’m concerned that Henry wasn’t joking when he said he was going to be right over.

Why did Vic and Si stop talking? I look over at Jesse with a small smile, confused about what’s happening.

Jesse, however, is red-faced, trying not to distract me with laughter.

His hand is in a fist over his mouth, and I can tell by the crinkles in his eyes that he’s dying to let loose.

I sigh, “Let it out.”

Jesse starts cracking up, tears running down his face from holding it all in.

I giggle at him, enjoying the laughter that he’s locked into.

I’m not sure I’ve seen him laugh this much or enjoy interaction so much.

Maybe the bond will be a good thing for him.

He said he’s not sure, but how can he say he’s not sure when he’s got me and plenty of time to get to know the guys?

His laughing dies down to low chuckles, and my head is on the back of the couch, my eyes glued to his expression.

On a normal day, Jesse is gorgeous. When he’s laughing?

My breath is about taken away. He’s got the slightest dimple on his cheekbone, just by his eye when he smiles this wide.

He looks lighter, freer, like this. It’s how he should always be.

I push my way off my cushiony seat and fill up a glass of water for him. He accepts it with a “thank you,” and sipping it seems to help the final giggles stop. Just as he’s about to speak, there’s a heavy knock at the door. My eyes shoot to it, wide and surprised by the heavy impact on the door.

Jesse pushes off the couch and steps in front of me faster than I can track, and my little heart melts at the protective action. He gestures for me to stay behind and moves to look through the peephole. A huff of air escapes him, and I can only imagine what he’s seeing on the other side.

“Looks like a bunch of stray guys. Should I call animal control?” he asks, projecting his voice to be heard on the other side of the door.

“Goddammit, Jesse, open the door!” I hear Henry yell back.

I’m cackling with laughter as Jesse opens the door for Henry, who marches into the house.

He’s a mix of concern and anger, and while I know I should stop giggling, I can’t.

He’s just so adorable. Each time I try to stop, my mouth just keeps going.

It doesn’t help that I can hear Vic yelling outside with the door still open.

“Si! Wait up! I’m sure she’s fine!”

Simon steps in, and I really should stop laughing now.

He’s not amused. My body doesn’t seem to understand that, though, and the giggles and cackles continue to escape me.

Henry crosses his arms and glares at me.

Fuck, that’s hot. I kind of want to climb him like a tree right now.

My legs lock together as I feel more slick escaping me.

I’m not sure how much these panties can hold up to what these men do to me.

“Guys, I think this little Omega took us for a ride,” he says, tilting his head as he looks at me.

Simon follows suit with the arm crossing, and Jesse looks over with a gleam of excitement in his eyes.

Vic looks up at the ceiling with his hands on his hips, his head shaking back and forth in an exasperated motion.

That restless feeling that’s been plaguing me the last few days comes back in full force, and my hands and feet fidget.

Henry stalks slowly toward me, and I step back out of instinct.

“Oh, my pretty Omega, don’t you know not to run from your Alphas?” Henry continues, his voice low and rumbling through me.

I shiver as his words wash over me and bite my lip, wondering if I can beat them to my nest. They need to work for it, and my Omega wants them to chase me.

My eyes flick to the side, judging the distance for a millisecond before locking back onto the guys.

All four of them are now looking at me like I’m dinner, and I think my panties are officially wrecked. I found the limit.

Turning, I take two running steps before I hear Henry growl and catch me on the fourth step.

His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me back to him, my ass happily rubbing into his hard length.

His second arm wraps around one shoulder before landing lightly on my neck, holding me in place.

Henry dips his head down and takes a drag of my scent before raking his teeth over my skin.

A whine explodes out of me, and I can feel a sort of haze descend on me.

I’m fully aware of what’s happening, and they’ll stop if I tell them to, but that’s the last thing I want.

“Seems like we should teach our Omega a lesson,” Vic says, his eyes almost feral as they roam my body.

Henry hums and the low vibrations that makes runs through my body, pulling a delighted shiver out of me.

He then bends down and sweeps me off my feet, carrying me bridal style to the couch before sitting on the edge and twisting me around so I’m suddenly face down over his knees. How the hell did he do that so fast?

One hand gently caresses my ass, and I realize I’ve been hyper focused on his touch when I hear my name called.

“What?” I ask, feeling out of breath and more turned on than I’ve been in my entire life.

“I said you need to consent before I give you your punishment. The guys will be counting along with you, and if you miss a single one, they get to give you an extra,” Henry tells me.

“Consent to what?” I ask, knowing I’ll agree to anything he says.

Henry’s hand makes another circle on my ass cheek before lifting. I almost raise up in confusion, but not a second later, a sharp bite lands on me, over my clothing, but still sharp. After the sharp? A world of languid delight seeps in, and I groan in pleasure.

I hear one of the guys chuckle, “Looks like our Omega likes that.”

My body feels Henry’s chuckle as he soothes the sting with his hand.

“So? Omega? Think you can handle it?” Henry asks again.

He’s laid down a challenge now and fuck if I’m going to back down.

“Yes,” I moan, “I can. Please.”

“Please, what?”

I almost cry with anticipation and frustration, “Spank me!”

“What do you say, guys? Ten total?” he says.

“Unless she misses a count. Then we add on more,” I’m pretty sure that was Vic.

“Safe word is ‘Red’, sweetheart,” is the last thing I register Henry saying as blows begin to rain down on my ass. Each one interrupted by a soothing hand.

When he finishes, my body is languid, and I’m pumping out pheromones like it’s my only job.

A whine builds up in me, but I’m not sure why.

There’s an itch under my skin, like I need something, but I can’t figure out what.

Is it hot in here? God, it feels hot. I whip off my shirt, complaining about the heat, when I feel a strong set of arms lift me into the air.