Page 9 of The Brooding Alpha’s Mate (Omegas of the Shifter Mafia #9)

Colson

I sat up straight in bed, clutching the thin blanket in both fists. Someone else was making breakfast. Did that mean I’d overslept…oh.

“It’s okay, Colson. I’m here. It’s me, Alex.”

Bear. Mate. Safe.

Thank the goddess for the levelheadedness of my wolf. “I thought I’d woken up late. That I hadn’t made breakfast.”

“You slept in and you didn’t make breakfast, I did.”

I let my body collapse against the wall behind me. The cabin was small but it was perfect at the same time. A small, basic kitchen. A double bed in the corner under an open window. A bathroom and shower for two.

When I was a kid, my dreams had been simple. A cabin like this. A farm. A garden to kneel in, feel the dirt between my fingers. Eating the food I cultivated. A mate who loved me. Pups running around my legs.

And here I was, in a portion of that dream.

“Thank you. Bacon?” I asked. Silly, omega. Of course it was bacon.

“Bacon. Grits. Cheesy scrambled eggs. But I can make something else if you want. I brought a bit of everything since I didn’t know what you’d like.”

“Anything sounds good. Thank you for cooking. I’m going to go to the restroom first.”

I got up and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My bladder surged, reminding me of the urgency. I was still in Alex’s shirt with some pajama pants he’d lent me.

“I’m going to go to the car to get the coffee.”

Thank goodness. Sure, we were mates, but peeing and pooping in front of another person took a level of intimacy we hadn’t reached yet. All natural but still. I intended to keep a little romance in our mating.

No one needed to see another person poop.

I went to the bathroom and hopped into the shower, using the bar of soap from the package. When I got out, there was a toothbrush and some toothpaste sitting on the side of the sink that hadn’t been there before.

Alex.

He was so thoughtful. He deserved a mate who wasn’t as messed up as me. I brushed my teeth and put on the fresh clothes left on the closed toilet.

My mate made breakfast. Provided for me. I was waiting this morning with a smile on my face.

Not to mention, when I’d woken up the night before, having a nightmare, he’d cuddled me, hugged me, whispered sweet things to me until I fell back asleep. He asked no questions. Just took care of me.

He did everything except the one thing I craved the most.

Alex hadn’t made the slightest move on me.

Every time I talked to him or even looked at him, my gaze was drawn to his lips. They were full, inviting, and I would bet my life that his kiss was all encompassing.

“Everything okay?” Alex knocked on the door.

“Yes. I’m coming out now.”

I walked out and smelled coffee over everything else. Everything else except him. “Coffee,” I murmured like a prayer.

“I made you a cup and set up everything outside. There’s a picnic table under the oak tree. Join me for breakfast, mate?”

“Of course. Thank you.”

I followed him out of the cabin and stopped right outside the door. My wolf detected no danger. Scented no lions or any other shifter for that matter.

The only scents were that of food, coffee, my mate, and outside. Growing grass. Crisp wind. Wildflowers. Sunshine.

If not for people hunting us, this might be the perfect day.

“Come eat, mate. You look like you need it.”

I bent at the waist and examined my form. “I’m too skinny,” I said with a shrug.

“Oh, sweetheart. I didn’t mean that. I care for you in any shape. But my bear has picked up some…deficiencies. And he smells how starving you are.”

My mate meant no harm. “I wasn’t given a lot of food. I ate scraps and leftovers when I could but there was always a chance that I would be caught.”

Anger poured off him and threatened to topple me over with its force. “That ends today. From now on, you may eat and drink whatever you like, whenever you like, until you’re satisfied.”

I made my way to the picnic table and attempted to sit next to Alex, but he pulled me closer, tucking me against his side. He served me up more food than I’d had in a week with the lions. He added butter and cheese to my grits and then waited.

And stared at me.

“What?” I asked.

“My fathers taught me that alphas don’t eat until an omega takes a bite. I’m a gentleman.”

“Oh.” Never heard that rule. Ever. My dad and my brother ate their fill, and I was lucky to get one serving to their four. I spooned some eggs and put them into my mouth. I’d taken so long in the bathroom that they were lukewarm, but they were rich and cooked in butter.

Alex began to eat after me, but he monitored me closely. When I ran out of eggs, he replaced the serving until I’d eaten enough to make me comatose.

“No,” I said, stopping him from refilling my plate again. “I’m stuffed. You might have to roll me back into the cabin.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“You are my mate. You would know if I was lying.”

Cocking his head, he regarded me like I only showed up in that second. “You’re right. I’d forgotten about that.”

With my unspoken permission, I watched as my bear finished off the rest of the food. Scraped the plates clean.

My mate ate a lot. I hadn’t cooked for anyone because I wanted to in a long time. It was time to start. He was so handsome.

Again, I focused on his lips. As he ate. As he licked them. While he took a sip of coffee. Lots of cream. Noted.

They called to me.

It would be so easy. I could raise up, probably on my knees because of the height difference. Press my lips to his. End this silent torture.

Discover what my mate tasted like.

“Did you need something, omega?” He turned to me.

Yes. I needed a few things. His lips on mine. Him inside me. His mating mark. That short list ruled my thoughts.

My bravery waned. I lost my gumption. “No. I…I can get the dishes.”

Chicken shit, Colson. You are spineless. I spoke harshly to myself. My wolf didn’t like it one bit.

“Let’s do them together. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

“Sounds good.”

Instead of washing up the dishes inside, the cabin had an outside sink with a built-in drain. Alex had thought to bring everything. Either that or the cabin was stocked in case someone needed to stay here.

More questions I would ask. I lifted the skillet and twisted to put it in the sink, when a slicing pain ripped through my shoulder. Damn Dean and his fucking claws. They were his favorite weapon. He loved to dig them in and make his points. I had scars everywhere.

Once we mated, if we mated, I hoped my alpha didn’t find them disgusting.

“To bed with you, omega. You’re hurting.”

“I’m fine. It’s…” I was shut up by the stern look Alex gave me. “I’m not fine. My shoulder hurts. But we’re not done.”

“It’s okay. I’ll finish up.”

I sighed. I feared if I went inside by myself that Alex would leave me, figuring out I wasn’t worth the trouble.

“I’ll be in right after you, mate. I promise.”

Would be a great time to seal it with a kiss, but neither of us made the move.

Disappointment filled my body. “Thank you.”

I walked slowly to the door and slumped into bed thinking I wouldn’t be able to sleep. A nap felt like luxurious living. Laziness, even.

My eyes began to close almost the second my head hit the pillow. Soon after, I faintly remembered Alex getting into the bed. His warmth enveloped me, and my body released all the tension it had been holding onto.