Page 98 of Storm

"What about Rook?" I ask, the question slipping out before I can stop it. "And Frankie?"

Reed tenses slightly, his jaw tightening. For a moment, I think he might pull away, but instead, he exhales slowly, his fingers resuming their gentle exploration of my skin.

"I talked to Rook," he says, surprising me. "We've reached... an understanding."

I pull back slightly to see his face better. "An understanding? What does that mean?"

Reed's expression is unreadable, his eyes meeting mine steadily. "It means we both want what's best for you. What makes you happy."

The simple statement catches me off guard. "Since when does Reed Howard care about my happiness?"

A small smile curves his lips, his hand coming up to trace my cheekbone. "Since the moment you pulled our name from that barrel and turned my carefully ordered world upside down."

My heart skips at the admission, at the raw honesty in his voice. "I didn't mean to," I whisper.

"I know," he says. "That's what makes you so dangerous, Little Storm. You change things just by existing." His expression grows serious, his hand cradling my face. "And as for Frankie... that's up to you."

I swallow hard, confusion swirling through me. "What do you mean?"

Reed's thumb traces my lower lip, his eyes following the movement. "I mean that I'm not going to dictate who you can or can't be with. This isn't the Omega House, Storm. You're not a possession to be controlled."

The declaration stuns me into silence. After years of fighting against a system that treats omegas as property, to hear those words from an elite alpha, from Reed Howard.

"But you scent-marked me," I point out, remembering his possessive display in the kitchen. "You growled at Frankie for touching me."

A rueful smile crosses Reed's face. "I know. I'm not perfect, Storm." His expression turns more serious. "But I'm trying. For you."

The admission sends warmth blooming in my chest. I lean forward, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, overwhelmed by this new side of Reed I'm discovering.

"Thank you," I whisper against his mouth. "For understanding that I need Frankie."

I feel his knot beginning to subside, the physical connection between us loosening. A strange sense of loss washes over me as Reed carefully pulls out, both of us gasping at the sensation. He doesn't move away though, keeping me cradled against his chest, his arms secure around me.

I rest my head against his chest, my mind drifting to what he just said. Reed, giving me a choice. This is new territory for me, and I'm still wrapping my head around it.

"You were my first," I say after a moment, my voice soft but sure. I feel him stiffen slightly, his heartbeat skipping beneath my cheek. I tilt my head to look at him, seeing the confusion flicker in those stormy eyes. "My first knot," I clarify, watching as understanding dawns on his face. His surprise is almost comical, his jaw dropping slightly as he processes my admission.

"But you and Rook?" Reed's voice is carefully neutral, but I can hear the question beneath.

"Rook was with me before I presented," I explain, my fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest. "When I was still a beta. I couldn’t take his knot then." I pause, memories flooding back.

"Even with him back," Reed prompts, his voice laced with curiosity. "You didn't let him knot you?" I roll my eyes at him, a laugh bubbling up.

"Difficult to experience his knot when there was an asshole alpha threatening to end him if his dick came anywhere near me," I say, sarcasm dripping from my words. "Ring any bells?"

Reed laughs loud, and it’s infectious. The sound vibrates through his chest beneath my ear, a deep rumble that's so unlike the controlled, cold alpha I thought I knew. I prop myself up on my elbow to better see his face, fascinated by this new expression. His eyes crinkle at the corners when he laughs, softening his normally harsh features, making him look younger, more approachable.

"I had my reasons," he says, his laughter fading but the smile lingering on his lips.

"Which were?" I press, curious now that we're in this strange new territory of honesty.

Reed's hand comes up to brush another wild curl from my face, his touch gentle. "I told myself it was about pack law. About maintaining order." He pauses, his eyes searching mine. "The truth is, I hated knowing he could touch you when I couldn't."

The confession hangs in the air between us, raw and honest. I can feel the weight of it settling in my chest, the vulnerability in Reed’s voice taking me by surprise. This is something real. I barely have time to process the shock of his words before he continues. His next revelation is even more stunning.

“You’re my first too,” he says, his stormy eyes watching me closely. I blink at him, struggling to comprehend what he just said.

“Your first?” The disbelief is clear in my voice.