Page 94 of Retribution

And yet…

Squirming against Oliver and all of his hard muscles, I make a face.

“Everything is turning me on right now. The way you all look, how good you smell, and the fact that I want to climb Oliver like a tree. However, this is new territory, and I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. I don’t know how to ask for what I want either,” I say.

“And,” I add, interrupting Lucas as he opens his mouth. “On top of being really fucking horny, the concern that I’m a terrible omega. I’ve never built a real nest before, and everything is moving so quickly. I’ve watched Lucas suck your cock, Oliver, and I’ve kissed some of you, but everything else…”

“No one expects you to jump our bones,” Grant growls. “I can’t believe I’m saying this because I’ve never had a real relationship in my life, but it’s supposed to happen naturally. Sure, your heat may speed more of that up. However, if you say you don’t want something in the middle of your heat, then your word is law, Isolde.”

“Absolutely,” Alesso rumbles. “You’re still you during your heat. Even if all you want is a knot, you still have words. If the words don’t come, smack us around.”

“I never had any options or words,” I confess. “I was shackled to wood slabs with a mouth gag to hold my mouth open, and then there was only pain. I have flashes of memory after that, but I don’t like to remember.”

Tears slip from my eyes as I heave in a breath, and the alphas surrounding the island are quiet for a moment. It almost feels like a moment of silence for my innocence. I don’t mean to be dramatic, but I spend so much time focusing on keeping things moving and trying to forget, that vocalizing what I need is surreal.

“None of that will ever happen with us,” Grant rasps, looking stricken. He usually has such a gruff exterior. I think that’s why he’s the easiest to hold at arm’s length for me.

Fuck, if he begins to show that he has a heart, I’m a goner. Every day, they all manage to chip away at more of my walls, wiggling until they’re past my barriers. Grant is the one I’ve tried to keep firmly out.

“A part of me knows that, but the less rational part thinks about alphas in ruts,” I explain.

“There are four of us, and we won’t hesitate to check each other,” Alesso says, shifting to stand. He is the only one who was still sitting until now. His hand remains on Leila’s back as he does, even though she’s completely secure. “An alpha in a rut can be dangerous, but that doesn’t mean they always are.”

“Agreed,” Lucas says. “We’ll need someone to make sure that you eat, drink, and even pee, Isolde. One of us will also need to remain with Leila to ensure she’s well taken care of in the midst of everything. Baby, I swear your heat will be about nothing but making sure you and our family are taken care of.”

“Yeah?” I ask, wrapping my arms tighter around Oliver’s forearms as he holds me tighter. I don’t feel trapped, I feel cared for and supported instead. I also think I’m closer to believing their words as well.

I need shit spelled out for me.

“Yes,” Oliver says against the shell of my ear. My body writhes as the vibration of his words travels straight to my clit, and then he’s capturing my lips for a kiss.

Moaning, I grab his hair with my hand, feeling a rolling wave of heat over my body. And then…I groan as a cramp hits my belly.

“Oh no,” I gasp.

“You’re okay,” he murmurs against my lips.

“I’m cramping,” I whimper. “I was hoping I’d have more time.”

“When you have an obscene amount of money, there’s time,” Lucas grunts.

“I’ll get the tape measure, Kitten, and call in the order for a giant bed,” Oliver says.

“I know what she likes. I’ll pull up the website for the nest store and have them rush the order. I bet this wouldn’t be the first time,” Grant says, pushing away from the island.

“Grant?” I ask, turning back toward him.

“Yeah, Little Nightmare?” he replies, his gaze worried.

He’s worried about me.

“Thank you for paying attention,” I say.

“You’re welcome. When it comes to you, I see everything. I just don’t always know what it means or what to do with it,” he says cryptically. “Lucas is going to take care of you, okay?”

My lips part to ask him what he means by that, but he turns away toward Lucas.

“I’m cancelling your meetings for the next few days,” he said. “No one will dare to have any emergencies.”