Page 119 of Storm

"I know," I tell him, leaning into his touch. "That's what makes this bearable." I hesitate, then add, "Jonathan asked me about protection earlier. If I wanted any."

Rook's expression remains neutral, though I notice his scent shifting slightly. "What did you tell him?"

"That I needed to think about it," I admit. "I hadn't even considered the possibility of getting pregnant until he mentioned it."

Rook's thumb strokes my cheekbone, his touch soothing. "Whatever you decide, I'll support you. We all will."

The simplicity of his acceptance, the lack of pressure or expectation, makes my eyes burn with unexpected tears. "I love you," I whisper, turning my face to press a kiss to his palm. "So much."

"I love you too, Hurricane," he says, using the old nickname that always makes my heart flip. "Always have, always will."

He stays with me as I put the finishing touches on the nest, helping me arrange the top layer of blankets, ensuring everything is secure. When we're done, the result is a circular haven of soft fabrics and comforting scents, large enough to accommodate multiple people but small enough to feel cozy and safe.

"What do you think?" I ask, stepping back to survey the nest.

Rook's arms wrap around me from behind, his chin resting on top of my head. "It's perfect," he says, his voice rumbling through his chest against my back.

"Just like you."

Chapter33

Alexander

I've been trying to focus on the same page for the past twenty minutes, with little success. The words blur before my eyes as my mind wanders, distracted by the subtle shift of scents within the house. Two omegas approaching heat, their pheromones gradually intensifying. It’s enough to make concentration impossible for any alpha.

Fox's is coming early, triggered by Storm's, no doubt. This two-omega thing is new territory for us all, and we didn’t know what to expect. His honey-chamomile scent has taken on the sweeter, headier notes that signal the approach of his heat.

But it's Storm's dark chocolate perfume, growing richer by the hour, that has the entire house on edge. Reed has been prowling like a caged predator, while Jonathan has buried himself in his study, emerging only for meals with carefully controlled expressions that don't quite hide his awareness of her scent. Even Rook hovers protectively near Storm while trying to maintain the appearance of normalcy.

I've been painfully hard for days now. No matter how many times I've tried to relieve the pressure myself. I'm beginning to worry I might slip into rut. Something that hasn't happened to me before. But the combination of two omegas approaching heat is doing something to me.

I turn another page, not registering a single word, when a flurry of movement catches my attention. Storm appears in the doorway, her wild auburn curls more untamed than usual, her cheeks flushed with the beginnings of heat fever. She's wearing one of Rook's oversized t-shirts and a pair of shorts that reveal long stretches of bare leg.

Her stormy gray eyes lock on me with an intensity that makes my breath catch.

"Alex," she says, my name almost a purr on her lips.

Before I can respond, she's crossing the room and I barely have time to set my book aside before she reaches me, climbing onto the armchair with surprising grace to straddle my lap.

"Storm, what?—"

My question is cut off as she buries her face in my neck, inhaling deeply. Her hands find my hair, fingers threading through the dark strands.

"You smell so good," she murmurs against my skin, her words filled with pre-heat haze. "Vanilla and sandalwood. Soft. Sweet."

Her weight settles more firmly on my lap, her thighs on either side of mine, her core pressed against me in a way that makes it impossible to ignore her heat. My body responds instantly, a rush of desire flooding through me despite my best efforts at control.

"Storm," I try again, my voice rougher than intended. "You're in pre-heat."

She pulls back just enough to meet my eyes, her pupils dilated, leaving only a thin ring of gray. "I know," she says, a lazy smile curving her lips. "That's why I'm sitting here in your lap."

Her dark chocolate scent envelops me completely now, rich and intoxicating. My hands settling on her hips to steady her as she shifts restlessly against me.

Her wild curls bounce with the movement. "The cramps are bad.” She rocks against me and I hold in a groan. "I need something."

My thumb traces small circles on her hip bone, a soothing gesture that draws a contented sigh from her. "Have you talked to Fox about what to expect? A heat can be intense, especially since yours has been suppressed for so long."

"A little." Her fingers still play with my hair, sending pleasant shivers down my spine. She nuzzles into my neck again, apparently finding comfort in my scent. My arms tighten around her automatically, holding her closer as she relaxes against me.