Page 52 of Knot Her Cowboys (Big Sky Omegas #2)

I woke the next day feeling like I’d been run over. It wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. My pack had made sure I was scrubbed down before bed, and I’d gotten purrs and cuddles until I drifted out of consciousness.

Sleep hadn’t been particularly cooperative.

Cooper had woken up a half dozen times in a panic, dragging me closer like he had to remind himself I was safe.

My brain woke me up equally often with my heart pounding and my skin slicked in cold sweat from nightmares about what my life could have been like if Darrell had succeeded.

Cash startled awake every time I did, Dakota and Levi sitting bolt upright in response to the wave of panic through the pack.

Each time, it took us all a while to settle back down.

I groaned, shifting slowly and testing my muscles. Apparently my body didn’t appreciate getting kidnapped and dragged out of a truck window. My eyes burned with exhaustion, but the scent of coffee lured me to open them.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” Levi said softly as he set a cup on the bedside table. “How’re you feeling?”

I grumbled, accepting his help to sit properly so I could sip his caffeinated offering.

“I already ran you a bath. I figured another soak might help.”

Big tasks or small, these alphas never hesitated to go the extra mile to help me feel comfortable. I had never needed grand gestures. I just needed to know I was thought of, and that was a skill this pack had in spades. “You really are an angel, aren’t you?”

He beamed back at me. “Staying busy helps me cope. I rescheduled all my appointments for the rest of the week, and got some of my vet friends to take over for me on the ones that couldn’t be pushed. I don’t plan on leaving your side for a while.”

“You didn’t have to do that, but I’m selfishly glad that you did.”

Cooper bolted awake and I laid my palm on his chest. “It’s okay. I’m right here.”

His first move was to roll over and put his head in my lap, his arm wrapped around me. “How many times am I going to have to dream of you in that fucking truck?”

“Probably a few more since we’re twins with that nightmare.”

Cash rolled over, mumbling into his pillow. “More sleep.”

Dakota yawned and stretched next to him, not looking any more awake than I felt. “What time is it?”

“Noon,” Levi replied. “Grocery delivery for the kitchen has already been reviewed and put away. I told our team that Riley will be off work for at least a week and to continue with the rotating roster we had in place before she arrived.”

My first instinct was to protest that I didn’t need the time off, but my brain forced me to remember what Darrell had done. “Probably longer.”

“Are you in that much pain, petal?” Dakota asked, his mouth drawn into a frown. “We should take you to the clinic in town.”

“I mean, I am in pain, but Darrell gave me a suppressant neutralizer.” I rubbed my hand over the spot on my side where he’d forced the shot on me.

My alphas stiffened and Cash’s righteous fury lit up the bond.

“I don’t think a new round of suppressants is going to stand a chance this time. It barely held on with one missed dose.”

Cooper growled. “If he wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him.”

Warmth filled up my chest. Cooper had always been willing to throw down for me regardless of what it cost him. “I think you’ve committed enough crimes on my behalf, but I appreciate the sentiment.”

“How long do you think before your heat starts?” Cash asked. “You’re not feeling super close in the bond like when you had the flares.”

“Fuck if I know.” I shrugged. “I avoided suppressants as much as possible, so I have no idea what my body is going to do.”

Dakota rubbed his eyes, looking like he was trying to collect every wayward exhausted brain cell. “Okay. First question is, who do you want to be involved with the heat?”

“Obviously all of you.”

“We don’t take obvious into account since that would be taking your desires for granted. It’s fully your decision which of us you want in your bed at any given time,” he insisted.

“I want everyone.” I couldn’t even imagine going through my heat and having one of them missing. My pack needed to be complete and with me.

Dakota’s kiss against my hair was gentle, and I reveled in the way he cupped my head to draw me close enough to reach. “Next question, do you need anything specific for your heat? Any trips into town will have to be soon.”

“Besides birth control, not really.” I shuddered over the idea that I could’ve gotten knocked up with Darrell’s baby.

I had always quietly liked the idea of a baby Cooper, even if I had also been terrified I would magically transform into my mother once I had a kid.

Now a mini version of any of my pack made me warm and fuzzy inside, though it was far too early to entertain the idea.

“That was a very confusing set of emotions in the bond,” said Cash.

I barked a laugh. “It was a lot of thoughts one after the other.” I told them what had run through my head, receiving a myriad of expressions that had matched my thoughts as I said each one. “In a few years, maybe I won’t need it.”

Cooper hugged me tighter around the waist, the rest of my pack inching closer.

“Sweetheart.” Levi kissed my cheek, brushing my temple with his nose. “You’re feeling confident enough in the pack you’re thinking about babies?”

“Hard thought to avoid. You’re all so good to me, and it would be cute as hell to see you guys with a baby.” I sniffled hard, a surge of emotion crashing into me. “They would have a way better childhood than I did.”

No matter how scared I might be, these alphas were good men and they were steady. I would be able to heal with them just because of their nature. Now that Darrell and Darlene were out of the picture, the whole world was my oyster, and paths I hadn’t let myself look down before were suddenly open.

“Let’s start with bonds, though. If you’ll have me.”

I wasn’t prepared for all four of them to fight over who got to kiss me first, or for the unique sensation of being passed from one mouth to the next until they had all gotten their fill.

“Should I take that as meaning you guys are into the idea of bonding during this heat?” I laughed, lightheaded from the rush of desire that burned hot, pooling in my belly, and the overflow of affection in my chest that warmed me from the inside out.

“So long as you want us to keep you, we’re going to,” said Cooper, kissing me again with a ferocity that had my toes curling. “I’ll sink my teeth into you the hot second you give me the word.”

“Kind of making me wish I was already in heat so you could do that right now. I’m tired of not officially being yours.”

“Let’s get ready to go into town,” said Dakota. “We want this heat to go smoothly so we should be prepared.”

“Soak first,” Levi demanded, scooping me off the bed. “Your muscles will thank you, and we want you in as little pain as possible going into a heat.”

I wasn’t going to complain about a nice bath. Levi lowered me into the water while the others ran around, getting ready. I sipped the coffee he made me and by the time the cup was empty I was irked at being alone in the water.

“Bath buddy?” I asked when he popped his head in to check on me.

Levi stripped out of what little clothing he was wearing and climbed in with me, drawing me onto his lap. “You’re sure you’re okay bonding with me this early? Some omegas hold off for years to be certain.”

“Like I told Dakota, I have two speeds: zero and maximum. If you want to wait on a bond, we’ll wait, but if you don’t, I’ll be yours.

” He opened his mouth to respond, but I pressed my fingertip to his lips.

“I’m sure. You’ve been amazing from the first second we met, and the fact that Cooper and Cash formed a pack with you gives me some pretty good confidence that’s going to continue.

Even if we weren’t scent matches, I’d have still fallen for you.

Don’t be worried about me wanting you when I’m the one who rolled in here as the hot mess express. ”

Levi tugged my hand down. “You weren’t a hot mess express. You were trapped in a situation that didn’t suit you, and you had a lot of vengeful ghosts. Being afraid isn’t the same as being a mess.”

When I tried to respond, he pulled the same move on me. The brush of his finger on my lips had my whole body tingling.

“I’ve been curious about you since I figured out the depths of Cooper’s obsession, and I’m not embarrassed to say I completely understand it now.

More than obsession, though, I understand why Cooper and Cash love you so much, because I’ve fallen into that far more quickly than I thought possible.

I already know I’d lay down my life for you if it came down to it, whether that’s a river or an asshole coming for you, but beyond that, I want to live for you.

I want the day to come that we know each other as well as you know Cooper and Cash. ”

A knot tied itself up in my chest. Did I actually deserve these men? What right did I have to tie myself to them when they were so wonderful?

“Stop,” Levi whispered, brushing his lips against mine. “Whatever is going through your head doesn’t have to follow you into the future. You said you’re sure. Well, I am, too. I can’t let you go now that you’re here, and I want to share the same connection with you that you have with Cash.”

My lip wobbled. I wanted to bury myself in the comfort this pack offered to me.

“It’s okay if you’re scared. You can’t be brave if you’re not, and I’m going to be brave now, all right?

I don’t know what else to call what I’m feeling, so I’m going to call it love.

I love you, and I want to share a life with you.

I want to wake up next to you, ride horses, swim in lakes, have you by my side bringing baby horses into the world, and feeding me burnt marshmallows off sticks. ”

The knot in my chest unraveled, but with it came a flood of tears. Oh, good. Sobbing in the bath was a fabulous look after someone confessed their love to me.

“What’s going on, honey bun?” Cash popped his head into the bathroom.

“Levi loves me?” I choked on the words, like saying them out loud might evaporate his confession. “And…and you love me. And Cooper…”

“I do, too,” said Dakota as he joined Cash at the door to see what the fuss was. “I was going to say that a little more privately, but I don’t want you to think I’m the odd one out in this case.”

That only made me cry harder, clinging to Levi like I might fall apart if I let go.

“Did I say it too soon?” Levi asked as he cradled me.

I shook my head, somehow burrowing even closer.

“Why are we all at the door? What’s happening?” Cooper peeked over their shoulders before pushing forward so all three spilled into the room and got down to their knees next to the bath. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to guess she’s having a little struggle processing that we love her,” replied Cash gently. He stroked a hand over my damp hair. “Is that right, Riles?”

“I don’t d—” I didn’t get another word out because Dakota pinched my lips between his fingers to stop them.

“Don’t you dare say you don’t deserve it.

” Dakota cupped my cheeks, forcing me to look at him.

“That’s not what love is about. Love is freely given.

You might need time to work through the fact that we love you, and that’s fine.

You had people in the past treating you unkindly and making you question if you’re worthy of love, but you cannot say you don’t deserve it.

We’re pack, and the love will be there in all its forms regardless of what you believe. ”

“Do you want to be our omega, sweetheart?”

It took me two tries to get out the word, “Yes.”

“Do you want to be my omega?” Levi asked.

Dakota released his hold on me so I could turn to Levi, drowning in his amber-brown eyes and nervous smile.

“Yes.” Be brave. He did it, and so could I. “I love you. I want a life with you, too. I want to be part of this pack.”

“Well, that’s a relief since you’re stuck with us for the rest of time,” Cash said with a beaming grin.

“Not stuck,” I insisted. “ Never stuck, but always with.”