Page 16

Ambrose

Jake’s telling some story about his dog chewing his boots and I toss in a jab about his shitty training skills, earning a round of chuckles. The banter’s easy but my mind’s not here. It’s on Seraphina, her shy giggles from our video call earlier, her promise to see me later with those fairy lights for her nest. I grimace, a sudden pain in my chest stealing my attention. I rub at it but it feels more internal, almost as if it’s not entirely mine but I shove it down, grinning as Jake flips me off.

Callum’s over by the truck, talking to the chief, the tension in his shoulders telling me he’s probably going over tomorrow’s drills. When the pain in my chest worsens, my instincts have me realizing that I’m not feeling me but someone else. It happens occasionally with Lyle but I know for a fact he’s dead to the world. Seraphina.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I fish it out, expecting a meme from Lyle or some update from the group chat. It’s a text from Seraphina, one word: help . My heart stops, my smile disappearing, Jake’s voice disappearing in the background.

Something’s wrong, bad wrong.

A small growl escapes me as I pop out of my seat and stride toward Callum. The discomfort in my chest is a fucking vice now and I can’t shake the image of her in some awful predicament she can’t get out of. The moment I get to Callum, I can see his jaw pulled tight, the tension from the same pain in my chest. We’re both somehow connected to Seraphina without a physical bond—only further proving that she’s ours.

I don’t even have to say anything as Callum turns to me, his eyes nearly black with a mixture of fear and need to protect her. “Anything she needs,” Callum growls. “ Anything. ”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice as I squeeze his arm and take off toward the truck. I speed down the road, the small town blurring past, my hands gripping the wheel tight enough that my knuckles have turned white. I’m chewing my lip ring hard enough for the skin around it to bleed, the taste of copper coating my tongue but none of that matters.

I call her, once, twice, three times, each unanswered ring twisting the vice in my chest tighter. On the fourth try, she picks up, a squeal of distress rips through the earpiece, like she’s being torn apart. “Angel, talk to me, what’s wrong?” Desperation bleeds through my words as another whine fills my ears.

“It hurts,” she manages, another small, raw sound following, cutting me to the bone. I’m almost at her apartment, the tires screeching as I pull into the lot and throw the car into park. “I’m here, Fi,” I say, bolting out, my phone still pressed to my ear. “I’m coming in.”

“No spray,” she gasps through the earpiece and I frown, confused. No descenter? “No time,” she cries out, the sound lengthening, a mixture of gasps and a deep moan following.

I hang up and rush inside, kicking off my shoes and then step into the living room. Her scent hits me like a wave, a syrupy mix of berries and summer hitting me all at once. Those little sounds draw me closer to her nest where her heat scent is the strongest, the most beautiful scene unfolding before me.

Seraphina’s on her hands and knees, her ass up in the air as a pink knotted dildo sticks out of her pussy, vibrating with an intensity that can’t be comfortable. Her legs glisten with slick and her release, her face twisted up in agony and need, my gorgeous Omega reaching for me when she realizes I’m here.

My heart breaks for her as I rush forward, gently removing the vibrator and then draw her into my lap. “I’ve got you angel. Fuck, I’ve got you.”

She lifts her head, her deep blue eyes glassy, tears streaking down her face, her hair plastered to her forehead, damp with sweat. “Just don’t hurt me, okay?” she whispers, her voice small.

“Never. I’d never hurt you, Fi. I’m here, whatever you need.”

It’s nearly impossible to wait for her to lead, my cock pressing against the seam of my pants, begging to be let free. My nostrils flare at her scent, my Alpha wanting to drag her beneath me and knot her pussy before claiming her as mine.

Her entire body is trembling against mine, an embarrassed cry filtering past her lips as slick seeps through my pants. “Let me just get my pants off, okay?” I press a kiss to her forehead, the way she digs her fingers into my shirt making it impossible to move her off my lap. Instead, I have to lean back and shimmy my pants down my thighs, my boxers going next. I guide her to straddle my cock, hoping she’ll tell me what happens next.

But she’s too out of it, her body limp against my chest, her head lolling against my shoulder, her breaths shallow. Even as much as I want to just thrust up into her, I need her consent. I need to know she’s with me. I cup her tear stained cheeks, tilting her head up just enough to meet my gaze. “Angel, look at me. Hey, there you are, pretty girl.” Her eyes flicker with recognition, focusing on me through the haze of her heat spike. “I need you to know I’m not gonna hurt you, but the only way to soothe this spike is to give you my knot.”

“Please,” she whispers, her hands clutching my shirt tighter.

I lean in, kissing her lips softly, tasting her tears and her wild berry scent, my purr deepening in response. “Do you need me to take over, sweet girl?”

“Please.”

I hum, letting my purr take over, a steady rumble in my chest, and wrap my arms around her, one hand on her lower back, the other guiding her hips. I lift her slowly, her slick easing the way, and bring her down onto my cock, inch by inch, watching her face for any discomfort.

She feels like heaven, everything I could ever dream up, and a small growl escapes me, pleasure and restraint warring inside of me. She’s perfect. I drive up into her with slow, steady strokes, holding her hips as she curls into my chest, her face buried against me.

Her little moans spill out with each thrust, and they’re everything, a melody I’d live for, die for. “I got you, Fi,” I murmur, my lips brushing her hair.

Her moans grow louder, her hips twitching as her Omega takes, her pussy clenching around me, her body chasing relief. My knot swells against her entrance, the pressure building, but I focus on her. “You’re doing so good, angel,” I purr. “So perfect for me, for us.”

When I feel her tense and then melt into my chest, I thrust up one more time, spilling into her as my knot fully swells and locks us together. She lets out a soft cry of relief as I hold her tight to me, one of my hands moving into her hair.

She sags against my chest even further, her breaths coming in short pants before a small purr escapes her, a quiet, Omega hum, the sweetest fucking thing I’ve ever heard. God, I’d do anything to hear that sound every fucking day. “There you are,” I murmur, my voice soft against her forehead, “my perfect girl.”

We lay there for several moments, purring for each other, Seraphina’s scent softening. She wriggles against me, pulling against my knot, both of us moaning in response. I clench my jaw at the overstimulation as her little tongue flicks out, dragging along my collarbone beneath my shirt, a sudden, instinctive move that sends a jolt through me.

I let out a quiet grunt, my body reacting as she moves higher, her lips grazing my neck, teasing my scent gland. A small growl escapes me, and I come again, a heat-driven release, that has her sagging completely, her breathing soft and even. A few seconds later, I catch her snores, her body finally sated.

My heart is still pounding in my chest as I fumble around for my phone, needing to let the guys know she’s okay. I scroll through the messages, realizing I should have sent them some kind of message before now but there wasn’t much time.

Callum: She okay? What happened?

Lyle: Just woke up, what’s going on?

Callum: Ambrose, update us, man.

I quickly type back, thankful that it hasn’t even been thirty minutes since I got here.

She had a heat spike but she’s okay for now. Something’s off because her spikes were never this bad before. She asked me not to hurt her.

Lyle: She told me the same thing last time. Fuck, man, she’s scared.

Callum: Take care of her. Someone needs to stay tonight.

Lyle: Got another overnight shift, I’m out. I can almost hear his grumble, his worry despite the exhaustion.

Callum: Guess that means you’re up, Ambrose. Make sure she’s comfortable.

I let out a quiet huff, a small smile tugging at my lips, knowing that Callum’s pissed he can’t be here with her. Oh I will, I text back before setting my phone down to just exist in this moment with Seraphina in my arms.

My knot slowly comes down, Seraphina letting out a little whine as she shifts against me. She sits up, her thighs trembling, and her cheeks flush a deep red as she pulls off my cock, a slick mix of our cum gathering on my lower stomach. I grin at the sight of her, her flushed skin and glassy blue eyes making me want to knot her all over again. “You feeling a bit better?”

“I just didn’t know what to do,” she whispers, her voice shaky, “and the pills weren’t working.” She chews her lip, her hands fidgeting in her lap. I can tell there’s something else she’s holding back.

I prop myself on my elbows, my gaze softening as I throw out an arm for her to snuggle into. She stares at it and then curls up against my chest. “What did the doctor say?” I don’t want to push but I also want to make sure we’re doing right by her.

She shakes her head, her scent turning sour. “I don’t… I just…”

“Hey, it’s okay,” I say, pressing a kiss to her forehead before cupping her cheek in my hand to soothe her. Her skin’s still warm, feverish from the heat spike, and as my hand rests there, I realize I’m in her nest, this sacred space, a rare honor she’s never given anyone else. “Thank you,” I whisper before pressing my lips to hers, chuckling when she chases me. “I need to get you cleaned up a bit. Will you let me take care of you?”

She hesitates, her eyes flickering with that familiar fear, but then she nods, a meek little “okay” slipping from her lips, so soft it nearly undoes me.

I kiss her again, a little longer this time, letting her feel me, my purr rumbling low as I taste her. Then, I gather her in my arms and carry her to the attached bathroom, her nest’s mess of blankets and pillows left behind. I set her on the counter before yanking off my shirt and tossing it aside. I turn on the shower, waiting until it’s warm enough and then I guide her under the spray, stepping in with her.

The water cascades over us as I keep my movements slow, not wanting to scare her. I grab the soap, lathering it in my hands, and start washing her body, my fingers gentle over her arms, her back, her hips. I want to worship this beautiful woman in front of me, take time to admire every last inch of her skin because that’s what she deserves.

She’s lost to her Omega instincts, her eyes half-closed, leaning into my touch, letting herself be taken care of. I wash her hair next, massaging shampoo through her curls, her soft sighs a content sound that makes my chest ache. The Alpha in me wants to protect her, love her, shield her from the world, but I know when this heat haze lifts, she’ll be skittish again, her trauma pulling her back. For now, though, she’s mine, trusting me, and I’ll savor every second.

When she’s nearly asleep against me, I turn off the water and carry her out of the shower to dry her off. “What do you want to wear, angel?” I frown, brushing a curl from her face as she shakes her head. “Babe, you’re gonna freeze.”

She shakes her head again, silent, and I let out a quiet chuckle, knowing she’s too deep in her instincts to argue. I keep her wrapped in the towel and then lean over to the drawers under the sink to grab some of Lyle’s clothing for me to slip into. The bastard is always a few steps ahead, making sure he’s got a little bit of extra everything here including shaving cream, deodorant, a fuck ton of boxers…

I just shake my head as I slip on a sweatshirt and shorts that have to be tightened around the waist. Seraphina is still sweetly waiting for me as I lead her back to her nest to rest. When I’m sure she’s comfortable, I find a seat on the couch, about to text the guys when there’s a soft patter of feet, a flurry of Omega crawling into my lap and slipping beneath my sweatshirt without a word.

She settles once her head hits my chest, her hair still damp, a little snore telling me that she finds this safe, that she finds me safe. And when she purrs for me? God, my heart swells with pride.