Page 129 of Omega's Heart

He wasted no time, settling himself between my legs, his cock hot against the inside of my thigh. I felt my stomach flutter in nervous anticipation, but he immediately distracted me with kisses and a hard hand on my thigh, adjusting the way our bodies came together until I realized he was making sure I was comfortable. I felt his teeth scrape against the side of my neck, hard enough I was sure he’d left a mark and my hips moved of their own volition, rising up to rub against him, whatever part I could touch. I wanted him to take me, to make me his. And, maybe, I might have wanted to experience the ecstasy that our secret and too-often-interrupted fumblings had hinted at. He made me hard and breathless and weak all at the same time and I so badly wanted to belong to him, to share with him the things that an omega was supposed to share with their mate—their love, their bodies, the pleasure they could provide.

His maimed hand stroked up the back of my thigh, the fingers reaching underneath me and into that space that wasn’t thigh, but wasn’t other either. Kaden growled and lifted my hip up higher and slid his hips down. “I don’t think I can wait much longer,” he whispered harshly.

“I don’t want you to.” To prove it, I reached down for him, cupping his ass in my hands and pulling him toward me. “Come to me. I love you.”

He bit at my chin, licking at the corners of my mouth before seizing it in a kiss that left me in no doubt that he was my alpha, and then I felt it, that pressure between my legs, a demand to enter that I gladly bowed to. I pulled my thighs wider and did everything an omega could without words to prove they were willing.

I couldn’t help my groan of pleasure and fulfillment as he pushed inside and made me truly his mate, and him mine.

C H A P T E R 7 1

T hey were a long time getting back to the bonfire. “I hope they brought out the food without waiting for us,” Felix worried as he tied his belt. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, the covers pulled carelessly over the stained sheets.

“There better be something left for us,” Kaden joked, leaning in to nibble on Felix’s ear. “I’m not actually ready to go back yet.” They made love twice and both times Kaden had been astounded by the depth of hunger in his mate’s response. Being mated was looking better all the time. But he didn’t want to leave their den, not yet. His mate was handsome in his mating suit, but glorious in nothing but his skin and the light of the just-past-full moon coming in the window. “How long do we have to stay?”

Felix blushed again, but replied gamely, “As long as we need to so no one feels neglected. And to eat—I’m starving. I was too nervous to eat much before the ceremony.”

“Well, then, as the alpha, I see it as my responsibility to make sure my mate is well cared for. Which, I guess, means I have to take you back and share you with everyone for a while so I can get some food into you.” He finished adjusting his leg and stood up, stomping it gently into place, then held out his hands to assist his mate to his feet.

Felix being Felix, he played along, putting his hands in Kaden’s and letting just enough weight land on them that it would be hard to accuse him of being careful of his alpha. It was, Kaden was aware, a kindness and a show of love, and he took it in that manner. But someday he’d have to prove to Felix that he didn’t need to be so careful of Kaden’s balance.

Hopefully, they could do it naked.

The walk back to the ceremony grounds seemed much shorter than their earlier frantic run. Felix was obviously relieved to see the tables all laden with food, and evidence that the assembled crowd had been helping themselves to the dishes for a while. They greeted a few of Felix’s family members as they hunted for clean plates, then Felix insisted on waiting on him, settling him in a chair by the fire to pass the time with their families before finding the pots and platters that held the most coveted food items and bringing him back a plate loaded to groaning.

“What about you?” Kaden asked with a pointed look at Felix’s empty hands.

“It’s tradition. The omega serves the alpha and if the alpha is pleased, then the omega goes to get their own food.” Felix perched expectantly on the edge of the empty chair someone had set down beside Kaden’s.

“Well, go get something.” He didn’t need to say anything this time, just shot Felix a look that practically shouted as plain as the sun in day, Don’t expect to have time for snacks when we’re back in our den. Felix chuckled and disappeared into the crowd still wandering around the food tables.

Quin took the now empty chair. “Congratulations,” he said.

“That’s Felix’s chair,” Kaden said pointedly, and Quin grinned.

“So it’s like that now, is it? Good.” He rubbed at the back of his neck and glanced around the clearing. “Mom’s having a good time.”

“Felix said something to her, I haven’t asked what. Or maybe she’s realized I wasn’t mating down after all. I don’t know what she thinks about his family, but I think they met her minimum qualifications.”

“I hadn’t realized they were that well-to-do.”

Kaden shrugged. He didn’t care. “You got the music?”

“Ready and waiting, just let me know when you want to start the dancing.”

“Give us some time to finish eating and recover.” A pack of pups went racing by, a mix of Mercy Hills and White River. Kaden thought he saw Beatrice and Agatha, and Pip was definitely in the bunch. “Was that all the girls?” he started to ask, then all the boys flew by on feet and paws, Hunter smack dab in the middle of them.

“What’s Pip been up to now?” Quin said in exasperation. “I better go find Raleigh. Or Cas. Or a big stick.”

Kaden laughed and nearly choked on his mashed potatoes. “You’re the one who agreed to be Alpha.”

Quin pulled a face. “Thought I’d have more control. I’d better go. There’s your mate back anyway.” He got off the chair and waved to Felix before disappearing into the crowd to probably put an end to the girls’ fun.

Felix sat down, his plate not quite so full as Kaden’s had been. “Was that your brother?”

“Yeah.” Kaden eyed the two plates thoughtfully, then looked his tall mate up and down. “You trying to fatten me up for something?”

Felix’s eyes widened. “No. But—”