Page 23 of The Comfort of Pain (The Black Market Omega #1)

Beth

“It’s okay. I’ve got you,” Basil whispers softly, his mouth close to my ear. “Just breathe.”

But I can’t breathe.

My chest is too tight. It’s like my ribcage is crushing my lungs, twisting and wringing them like two wet rags. I squeeze my eyes shut, gripping Basil’s neck so hard I fear I might hurt the alpha, but I can’t stop myself. Everything hurts too much.

“Breathe, omega.” Basil purrs, pushing his warm breath over the side of my neck.

I whimper, trying to obey. Cool air cuts through my tight throat, finally reaching my lungs.

“Again,” he gently commands.

The next breath is a little easier, but not much.

“Again.”

We fall into a steady rhythm as we walk. I suck in painful breaths of air while Basil coaches me through them. Every breath I take is steeped in his soothing scent. Freshly fallen rain and clean linen swirls around me. And before I know it, my chest eases a bit, allowing me to take slightly deeper breaths.

Soon, the cool night air falls away, replaced by warmth. The familiar sounds of the house settle me even more. I peek my eyes open when Basil carries me up the stairs toward the bedrooms, but then a frantic Jeremy pops up out of Tristan's bedroom, and I snap them shut again.

I’m too ashamed to face him.

“Is she okay?”

I can hear the tears in his voice.

“She’s not wounded.” Basil’s words vibrate through his chest and into mine.

I can feel Jeremy near. The beta sucks in a harsh breath, before whispering, “Oh god. She smells so strongly of fear.” He coughs as if it hurts his lungs. “No. Put her in her nest.”

Relief slams into me and my eyes fly open as Basil kneels right next to the entrance to the cove. I shove away from him, scrambling to get inside. My hands curl around the soft pink blanket and the tension in my chest falls away.

I scent the pretty blanket, but all I can smell is the stink of those horrible alphas still clinging to my clothes. My hands tremble as I rip off my shirt and pants. I kick them toward the doorway, trying to touch them as little as possible.

Jeremy leans in my cove, and grabs them. I notice the way his fingers are careful not to touch anything else. I’m so thankful for how loving and considerate he is.

“I’ll get these in the wash.” He balls them up against his chest, then runs off.

I wish he’d stay, but I’m too upset to speak. I fear if I try to say anything, I’ll burst into tears.

“Beth?” Basil’s soft voice drifts from the little doorway. He looks so upset, fear making his usually bright green eyes unusually dark. “Do you need anything?”

I shake my head as I wrap the pink blanket around me, covering everything from the nose down. It cocoons me, letting my weary body finally relax. All at once, the muscles around my ribcage unfurl and my lungs suddenly flutter open.

Familiar aromas fill my nose as I pull in massive gulps of air. I can smell the whole pack.

Killian’s whiskey-soaked cherries.

Basil’s cleansing, fresh rain.

Tristan’s smokey fire.

And Jeremy’s lemon and sage.

My jaw unclenches as I go limp, not even realizing how tense I was.

“How is she?” Killian’s voice hits my ears and my head instinctively turns toward him. The pack alpha kneels next to Basil, rubbing the alpha’s shoulder. They both stare at me, fear making their similar expressions tight.

“She’s starting to settle,” Basil speaks as if I wasn’t here. I’m okay with that. The less pressure there is for me to talk the better. “Is Tristan okay?” His tone makes fear rise in my belly once again.

I don’t even remember Tristan being there.

Is he hurt? Captured? Killed?

I rack my brain, but I can’t remember anything that happened right after Basil saved me. It’s like my mind shut off, blocking out everything except the feel of Basil’s big, safe arms.

“He’s good,” Killian says, but my mind won’t stop spinning. If he’s okay, then why isn’t he here? “He’s cleaning things up, then headed home. I let Jeremy know what happened. He’s going to stay with Tristan tonight.” The two alphas share a knowing look.

I open my mouth to ask what happened, but no words come out. I’m too scared of the answer.

“I’ll go see if Jeremy needs any help.” Basil stands and I whine high in my throat.

“Beth?” Killian leans in, and Basil immediately drops back down to his knees. “What’s wrong?”

Fear grips me as my eyes repeatedly flicker to the green-eyed alpha. “Basil,” I whisper his name, unable to speak any louder. “Stay.”

Basil’s brows shoot up and his eyes go wide. “You want me ?” He looks at Killian. “Did she ask me to stay?”

Swallowing hard, I force myself to look at Killian. The pack alpha gets to decide everything. Who an omega can talk to, snuggle with, or even look at. At least that’s how it worked in my parents’ house, but I'm quickly learning that nothing there was normal.

“Omega?” Killian leans a little closer, careful not to touch my nest. “Do you want Basil to stay?”.

But I don’t say anything else. I’m too scared.

“It’s okay,” Killian says in a gentle purr. “If you want Basil, you can have him.”

I lift my chin, making the blanket slip down and expose my face. “Really?” I whisper, needing to make sure he actually means it.

“Of course.” Killian looks me right in the eyes, forcing me to feel the sincerity of his words. “This is your pack too, Beth,” he says. “You can lay with Basil, or Tristan, or Jeremy if you want. The choice is yours.”

His words shock me. They shouldn’t. He’s been a very calm and understanding pack alpha so far, but I can’t help it. My upbringing has taught me that honest alphas aren’t common.

Sensing my uncertainty, Basil says, “We belong to you just as much as you belong to us, omega. What you want is equally important.”

“So you don’t get to leave me either?” I ask, trying to reassure my suspicious mind. “You're my prisoners too?”

Killian’s smiles and a breath of a laugh pushes from his nose. “Yes,” he says with a firm nod. “We are yours. You have as much power over us as we have over you.”

I know that’s not right. I know there are all kinds of weird layers to an alpha/omega relationship, but my mind is too much of a mess to talk about this anymore. I need to be snuggled.

“Basil?” I look at the sweet alpha as I wiggle one arm out of my blanket. “Please.” I reach for him.

He hesitates for a second, before placing one hand inside my nest. The second his fingers touch the soft fabric, my body relaxes even more.

Yes. I need him.

The green-eyed alpha crawls slowly. He moves carefully, placing his hands and knees as if the blankets were made of delicate glass. I appreciate his thoughtfulness.

“Clothes,” I say before he can sit, eyeing snug briefs.

The alpha quickly pushes them off his sculpted thighs, revealing his semi-hard cock. I stare at it, unable to look away. While he’s not as thick as Killian, he is longer with a beautiful flared tip.

And just like that, the need inside me shifts.

“Come here, baby.” Basil’s big hands circle my waist, pulling me to his chest so we lay side-by-side. But it doesn’t feel right. The blanket acts like a barrier between us, preventing me from feeling his soft skin on mine.

“No,” I whine and shimmy, trying to free myself from the blanket.

Basil helps me, slowly revealing my naked body. His hands caress my sensitive skin, smoothing over my arms, down my sides, and over my thighs. His touch leaves a wake of goosebumps, making me flush.

“Please,” I press myself to his chest, begging him to do it again. His touch just feels too good. And right now, I need to feel the weight of his body pressing down on mine, reminding me I’m safe.

“What do you need, omega?” Basil wraps me up in his strong arms, then slips his fingers down the full length of my back. I arch into him, pushing my hard nipples against his chest.

“Please.” The need in my belly grows, mixing with the fear and distress still swirling in my head. “I need you.”

A pleased rumble vibrates from Basil’s chest and he rolls us, so I’m pinned beneath the powerful alpha. “Say it again.” His voice is a deep, gravelly purr.

Looking up, into his stunning eyes, I inhale deeply before saying, “I need you.” The words come out as a throaty purr, making the alpha moan.

“Then you can have me.” He brushes the hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. “Be a good girl and part those pretty thighs for me.” While it’s not a command, I still instantly obey, spreading my legs so he can settle between them. “Such a good omega,” he praises me as his hips settle against mine. His hard cock nudges against my belly, and a wash of desire grips me.

“Alpha.” I lift my head, wanting his lips on mine. “Touch me,” I whine when he pulls back.

“Patience, beautiful.” He nuzzles my cheek. “This is my first time touching you.” His nose glides over the shell of my ear. “Let me savor it.” Soft kisses press gently to my neck. He kisses, then licks. Tasting me.

My eyes flutter and I turn my head to one side. Killian sits in the doorway of my cove. He watches us with so much intensity. It feels exciting and wrong at the same time to be watched like this.

Things like this are supposed to be private.

“Give me those lips,” Basil commands, forcing me to look back at him. He stares at me for a moment, admiring every inch of my face. Then he kisses me.

Killian’s kiss is like a slow building fire, but Basil’s is immediately intense. The alpha is aggressive, twisting his tongue with mine, before nipping at my lower lip. His big hands palm my breasts, kneading and squeezing, as he tastes every inch of my mouth. Then he plucks my nipples and I shudder when a fresh gush of slick pushes from my body.

“Fuck,” Basil growls, breaking the kiss. His nostrils flare and his cock twitches between us. “I can smell how wet you are,” he hums, then moves down my body, pausing to lick and kiss my breasts. I writhe when he scrapes his teeth over my nipple, then he sucks hard, releasing the mound with a soft pop .

“You are such a good girl, Beth.” Basil settles between my legs. His big hands rest on my knees before sliding down my inner thighs. “And soft,” he whispers as if in awe, then shifts, lowering himself. His warm breath fans over my pussy, making me squirm. “Look how pretty.”

“Taste her,” Killian’s deep voice startles me. I forgot he was there.

Basil looks at the pack alpha first, and smirks. Curious, I look too. I’m a little surprised to find Killian naked, pumping his long, hard cock. But Basil doesn’t seem bothered at all. In fact, he looks even more turned on.

“Is she sweet?” Basil asks, licking his plump bottom lip.

“Very.” Killian growls so deeply, I swear I can feel the vibrations dance in the air.

One side of Basil’s mouth lifts, then he turns back to me. He runs his nose through my wet folds, before licking slowly. We both moan together, and he does it again. My pussy tightens and heat skates across my skin.

I’m almost there when Basil’s tongue slows. I whine, but then stop when he slides one long finger along the lower edge of my slit. Then, very slowly, he pushes into my wet body and latches his lips to my clit.

My hips rock and my toes curl as he fucks me with his tongue and fingers.

The coil in my belly grows, then it snaps.

And I explode.

My orgasm sears my limbs, pulsing up my spine and behind my eyes. I’m lost in wave after wave of pure pleasure. My pussy flutters and slick flows.

I can’t see. Little stars consume my vision.

It takes several moments before my body finally relaxes, and I’m left limp and wet.

“Holy shit,” Basil lifts his head. My eyes are closed, but I can sense him and Killian sharing a look.

“Beth,” Killian says my name, and my eyes snap open. I turn and look at the alpha just as he places his hand over his heart. “Beth,” he bows his head, “may I please enter your nest?”

I don’t even think about it. I want both of them in here. I need them touching, sucking, and filling me over and over again.

“Yes.”

Basil’s eyes flash with excitement as Killian slips into my nest. The mattress dips and his cock bobs. I reach for it, wrapping my fingers around his impressive length. Killian moans when I squeeze, then I tug, pulling the alpha to me by his dick.

“Easy there,” Killian gently warns me.

“Gimme.” I pull his cock into my mouth, then hum. He tastes so good.

But does Basil?

I scramble up, sitting on my feet. Basil moves, clearly understanding what I want. Both alphas rise onto their knees in front of me, their cocks jutting out into my face. A giddy delirium grips me as I wrap my hands around both of them, then I open my mouth wide, shoving both cocks into my mouth the best I can.

My eyes roll into the back of my head as pre-cum from both alphas spreads across my tongue. Their flavors are slightly different but equally intoxicating. And I need more.

I suck and slobber, licking every inch I can of the alphas.

The wet sounds of kissing fill the air above me. Followed by Basil’s strained voice.

“She’s perfect.” He pants as my tongue swirls around his tip, then Killian’s.

“That she is.” the pack alpha slips his fingers under my chin, caressing my sensitive skin. “You make us so happy, Beth.”

I look up at him, then smile the best I can with my mouth full.

“But right now, we need to make you happy.” The pack alpha sits back, forcing his cock from my mouth. Then Basil does the same. “Come here.” Killian leans against the wall, and pats his firm thighs. “Sit.”