Page 4 of Love in Excess (Beta Accepted #9)

HUNTER

Today was a shit show. Between the new case I’m being shut out on because I’m on probation and Carter attacking my Omega, I need her softness to calm the raging anger billowing beneath the surface.

Watching her fall apart the moment I stepped into the hospital gutted me even if I love the way she melts when I’m around.

And when they finally discharged her, I couldn’t get her home fast enough, wanting to be away from all the chemical smells and chaos.

I ease Celeste into her nest, the soft pile of blankets and pillows swallowing her slight frame.

Her wide brown eyes lock onto mine, hazy and unfocused, telling me she’s not fully here.

My fierce Omega, stubborn to a fault and absolutely amazing, is shaken.

Things like this still rattle her, strip away her fire, and leave her raw.

She needs more than just her Alpha in these moments. She needs to give in, to let go, and I’m always happy to be that anchor, to hold her until the world makes sense again. I focus on being that strength she needs, hoping that this is just a minor setback or Carter is going to be worse than dead.

She was trembling when I got to Star Medical, her hands clutching mine, but her eyes kept drifting to the Beta paramedic who helped her. Lincoln . I didn’t understand why at first, not until he came to check on us, and his hazelnut coffee scent hit me like a freight train.

I tightened my grip on Celeste because that scent sparked something primal. Lincoln smelled delicious, and in that moment, I thought of a thousand things I wanted to do to him—only one of which was asking him to be a mate.

His golden hair, those hazel-green eyes, the quiet strength in his voice—it all stuck with me, a pull I haven’t felt in years. But now, here in our home, my focus is on Celeste, though Lincoln’s scent lingers in the back of my mind.

Celeste lets out a soft whine and sits up, her pout so irresistible I can’t help but lean in to kiss her.

Her lips are warm and soft as she melts into me.

Goddess, she’s adorable. “I’m not leaving, baby girl,” I murmur against her mouth, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. “Just gotta take off my clothes.”

She watches me, eyes half-lidded as I shed my jacket, my shirt falling after that. I’m glad I wasn’t in my police uniform today, a few less layers to get rid of. My jeans follow before I’m climbing into the nest beside her, Celeste making room for me.

Then she drapes herself over my side, her lean frame pressing against me as she drags me into a kiss.

I run an arm around her bare waist, pulling her closer, her skin soft beneath my calloused hand.

Her fingers play with my dreads, twisting them gently, and I feel her relax, her rose scent softening even further.

“Tell me what happened, baby girl,” I murmur against her forehead.

“You were so happy to go out with Carter this morning.”

She lets out a frustrated sigh, staying silent for several seconds.

“Carter was sweet in the beginning,” she whispers.

“Took me to this fancy place, oysters and all. But I ate too many and got sick so I wanted to leave. He wasn’t done, though.

Kept talking, ordering more drinks. I just wanted to go home. ”

I nod, knowing very well that Celeste overindulges when she’s nervous.

It’s adorable most of the time but I can only imagine how she felt after so many oysters.

That’s one food I won’t touch and something she tells me she hates but will eat anyway if it’s there.

I pull her a little closer, nuzzling my nose across her forehead.

I trusted our open pack agreement and was all for her going on that date because she was excited, her eyes bright as she kissed me goodbye this morning.

I’ve always known that she needs more than me and I’d be honored to bring someone else into this pack but hearing how Carter acted has me warring with my protective instincts.

I want to keep her safe but I also want to make sure she enjoys life the way she deserves.

Swallowing a growl, I push her to continue. “What happened next, baby girl?”

She sighs again. “He mentioned something about getting in your good graces. Like he thought dating me would impress you, some cop thing, I guess. We finally left the restaurant and when I mentioned going home, he grabbed my arm. I pulled back, fell and hit my head on the concrete. He helped me up, but I was so mad, I punched him. Then someone else knocked him out, and I scrambled away. I was dizzy, though.”

My growl is soft but unmistakable, my arms tightening around her further.

Carter thought he could use my Omega to curry favor?

He’s lucky he’s still breathing, though I’m not sure for how long.

Focus on Celeste, I remind myself. There will be time to kill Carter later.

“You’re my good girl,” I murmur, against her forehead.

“You fought back and got away. I’m glad you’re safe. ”

She hums, taking in lungfuls of my scent, one of her hands splayed out across my stomach.

For a few silent moments, she relaxes against me until her breathing starts to rattle.

My chest tightens. She’s here, safe with me, so why’s she panicking?

I need to fix this, to pull her back from whatever’s got her spiraling.

Slowly, I roll her over, guiding her onto her back so I’m above her.

Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t resist, her hands resting on my shoulders.

I lower myself, covering her completely, my weight a steady pressure that I know she craves in moments like this.

Her rattling breath evens out almost immediately, her body going pliant beneath me.

I run my nose across the top of her head, the soft hairs tickling my senses, and breathe her in, her rose scent steadying me as much as I’m steadying her.

“Baby girl, tell me what’s going on,” I purr, my lips brushing her hairline. “You’re safe now. Talk to me.”

A small broken sound slips through her lips as her fingers dig into my shoulders. “I wanted to do it,” she whispers. “Bring home a Beta to you. Share someone with you. But he… I can’t…” She trails off, another hiccup cutting her words, her Omega instincts warring with her fear.

I start purring, a low rumble in my chest, letting it vibrate through her.

“Shh, baby girl,” I murmur, kissing her temple.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. You tried and that’s enough.

We’ll find the right one, yeah? Someone who fits.

” I mean Lincoln, though I don’t say it, not yet.

His scent’s still in my head but right now, Celeste needs me here, fully present.

She nods against my neck, her breathing slowing as my purrs soothe her. “I’m sorry,” she mumbles, her voice heavy with exhaustion. “I messed up.”

“You didn’t,” I say firmly, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes. “You’re my fierce Omega, always will be. Carter’s the one who fucked up, not you.” I kiss her again, pouring all my love into it. She hums, her eyes fluttering shut, and I keep purring, letting her drift off to sleep.

Her breathing is finally even as I roll off my Omega but stay close, my hand resting on her stomach, gently patting in time with her soft snores.

I was fucking terrified when she called me and used her safe word.

She rarely calls me that, usually as a playful tease, but every now and then it’s a cry for help.

I couldn’t get to Star Medical fast enough, my heart pounding as I sped through the city, imagining what I’d be walking into.

Now, with her curled in her nest, the fear is gone but anger is right there to take its place.

Carter dared to touch her, to hurt her, and the thought of him walking free makes my blood boil.

I grab my phone from the edge of the nest, careful not to jostle Celeste, and dial my partner, Ruiz. He picks up on the second ring, his gruff voice filling the earpiece. “Hunter, you okay?”

I keep my voice low, not wanting to wake her. “Yeah, she’s fine now. What’s the deal with Carter?”

Ruiz sighs. “We didn’t come to the hospital to question Celeste once we knew it was her. Didn’t want to stress her out. If she wants to press charges, that’s the only way he’s looking at time.”

“No, that’s fine,” I say. Charges won’t be enough. I want to handle this myself, make sure Carter knows exactly what happens when he touches my Omega.

“Don’t do anything stupid, Hunter,” Ruiz growls into the phone. “Anything else and they might put you on a paid leave suspension. You know how the chief is.”

I hiss, frustration burning in my chest. “I know that, but that fucker attacked my Omega.”

“I’m not saying let it go,” Ruiz says. “Just don’t do anything that gets back to the precinct or the chief. That’s all.”

“Yeah, I got you.” Handle it, but keep it clean. I can do that.

A knock at the door interrupts the call, the sound coming again but firmer this time. It’s just past 8 pm so I’m not expecting anyone. Still, that fucking sound is going to wake up Celeste and I can’t have that.

I sigh, glancing over at my Omega. “Gotta go,” I say to Ruiz, hanging up before he can respond. I slip out of the nest and pull on my pants from the floor. The knocks come again, more insistent, and I stride to the door, my anger still simmering beneath the surface.

Of course, it’s motherfucking Carter Harrington, standing there like he’s got a right to be here. Like he’s just one of my old acquaintances stopping by for a chat.

Yeah, fuck that.

I yank the door open and swing before I think, my fist connecting with his face. He stumbles back a few steps, clutching his nose, blood seeping through his fingers. “Meet me at the café in twenty minutes,” I growl, my words laced with menace. “We need to talk.”

“Yeah, I deserved that.” He straightens, wiping his hand on his shirt, and nods before turning away.

He deserved that? He deserved so much more than that but I’ll make him see that in twenty minutes. Right now, I need to explain to my Omega that I have some business to take care of. I’m sure she’ll understand when I mention that Carter needs a few strong words directed at his face.