Page 69 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter Sixteen

Rafe

Ana and I finish up in the shower and get into clothes. She's adorable even though she's swimming in Wolfe's long-sleeve t-shirt. She aims for the nest, but I pull her out to the kitchen.

"Well, you're still alive. That's a good sign," I say, laughing at Wolfe who holds a bag of frozen peas to his eye.

He flips me off, and I snicker even louder. I saw that coming a mile away.

"Oh shit," Ana snorts. She heads for Wolfe and kisses the cheek not covered with vegetables. "At least you're alive?"

"I wouldn't change a thing," Wolfe says, smirking. "You're totally worth it."

Vik raises a hand, flipping off Wolfe. "I only punched at half-capacity."

Wolfe chuckles, shaking his head.

"Hey, Vik," Ana says, walking over and climbing into his lap.

"I'm on edge, princess," Vik warns, closing my laptop that he's been on.

"You know I love you, right?" Her voice is small, like maybe she didn't mean to admit that or possibly she's afraid he doesn't feel the same way.

"I love you, too," Vik growls, pulling her in for a filthy kiss that has her grinding against his lap.

My heart pangs, but I know they have more history than she and I have. I'm not jealous per se, I think I'm more anxious for a time when she's that open with me. The shower seemed to be a step in the right direction. Well, hopefully. Except I shut her down. Fuck. My head hangs as it shakes.

No, I won't let my own insecurities get the better of me.

No way. She said she wants to bond one day and that's more than I ever expected to hear come out of her mouth. I want that, too, more than anything.

I head over to the counter to make Ana a plate of food.

Wolfe brought trays of everything, from breakfast meats and pancakes to casseroles, and even pre-made sandwiches. It's the middle of the night, but Ana needs to eat whenever she's coherent.

An omega's system is set to fast for long periods during heats, but I'm especially concerned because she doesn't eat much in general. She told me once she doesn't get hungry when she's stressed, and I'm the same way.

While I can understand it, I still would feel better if she ate something.

It's never been so hard for me to be an alpha.

I'm not pushy or overly assertive; I don't usually feel the need to try to control situations like most alphas do.

But apparently my instincts are okay with being more forceful when it comes to caring for Ana.

I grab half of one of the turkey clubs out of the tray from the fridge and apple slices and grapes from the fruit platter. I'm going to need to thank Evie since I'm sure she's the one who set this up.

I snag a bottle of water and the plate, heading for the table.

"Wolfe and I are going to run out and check the cameras on the driveway," Vik says, gently lifting Ana out of his lap. "I think it's smart if one of us stays out of the nest at all times. Someone should always be clear-headed."

"Are you really that worried?" Anastasia asks, glancing between us.

"Dimitri and two of your father's remaining inner circle have decided that having you will make it easier to take over for your father.

They'd like to have access to you to ease the ownership of his properties or possibly use you as a trade to Barrett, since Keeley was lost on their watch.

" Vik freezes. He blanches like he can't believe he let that detail slip.

"My new step-mother," Ana says, biting into an apple slice. She takes a seat in the chair Vik vacated.

Vik's eyes slide to mine. I give him a nod.

"I told her in the shower." I grab my laptop, moving it aside so I can set the plate closer to Ana.

"It's better to be over-prepared than to be caught with our pants down," Wolfe says, leaning over and kissing Anastasia's cheek. "It'll give you and Cas a chance to spend some one-on-one time together."

"We'll be back soon, princess," Vik says. He palms the back of her head and bends over to give her a kiss.

Those two head out and it's once again me and Ana.

"I know you guys were all in the military. I trust that you can take care of yourselves," she says, trying to push the plate away. "But my anxiety is through the roof."

"It's a natural response for omegas when you're faced with stress. Do you have the urge to burrow or run?"

"Both," she says, snorting a laugh. "Simultaneously. So explain that ridiculous impulse."

I run my hand over her hair, giving her a smile. "It's just one of those things. Impulses don't always make logical sense."

"Always? They rarely do," she says, tilting her head as she blinks up at me.

"Come on, let's take this into the living room," I suggest, grabbing the plate and her drink.

I offer her a hand up. I'm going to show her that I can look after her. We head into the living room.

Once we're at the couch I put the plate down on the coffee table and take a seat, pulling Ana to sit on my lap. She kneels over me, but I put a hand on her lower back as I lean forward.

She frowns.

"Wrap your legs around my back," I tell her, giving her a grin.

She listens, tucking her legs behind my body as we sit chest to chest. I pull the water out from under my arm, setting it beside us. Then I grab the plate and stretch back into the cushion. It'll help her feel more secure since it gives her a feeling of confinement.

I keep an arm around her lower back and grab the sandwich in the other, offering her a bite. She frowns, but eventually she takes a small bite.

"Such a good girl," I praise her.

Anastasia rolls her eyes with every compliment, but she sure does continue to eat until there's only crust left. She eats a few of the grapes and apple slices along the way.

"You did so well," I tell her, running my palm over the back of her head.

She gives me a bashful smile that sends a pulse of possessiveness through my system.

I clear my throat. "Do you want to snuggle in the nest with me?"

She stares up at me from under her lashes and nods. She's such a dichotomy. She's bold and outgoing at times, and so vulnerable and tender at others. It's no wonder my interest is bordering on obsession. It absolutely triggers my impulses to care for her and she's finally starting to let me in.

I need Ana to see that she has value other than just for sex or to look pretty. She is beautiful, don't get me wrong. She's so stunning sometimes my mouth goes bone-dry when I look at her.

It's just that Anastasia seems really good at keeping the physical act of sex separate from feelings. I'm pretty sure it's a defense mechanism, but I want to break down her walls. If this is going to work long-term, the only way to do that is to build a solid foundation outside of heat sex.

"So what you're saying is it's always pure craziness with your family at the holidays," Ana says, running her hand over my chest.

I laugh. "Yeah, pretty much."

"That sounds awesome," she murmurs, staring across the room. "It wasn't like that for me growing up. Our house was huge and empty of friendly faces. I don't think I'll ever puzzle out how my sweet mother ended up with my father."

I run my hand over her back and shoulder.

"You'll never have a holiday like that again," I assure her. "My family is wild, but there was always someone around to keep you company, and we'll have that, too. Did you know Wolfe's parents' pack has eight?"

"We talked about it briefly during one of the nights Vik had Wolfe stay with me while he was working out." She laughs. "I was pretty much ignoring the hell out of him back then, though. I honestly can't imagine living with that many people on a regular basis."

"It's a lot of chaos," I say, smiling down at her. "But it's also a lot of love and laughter."

"I want that," Ana says. Her eyes dart away quickly. "If we can ensure that this problem is taken care of. If not, it wouldn't really be safe for me to bring anyone else into my trouble."

"You mean children?" My mouth is bone-dry all of a sudden. I know I want a yard full of kids, but Ana doesn't answer so I go on. "How do you feel about the idea in general?" I can't hold back the question because, let's face it, alphas and omegas tend to have huge families.

She stays quiet for a few more long seconds. Finally she nods. "I'd like to have a daughter one day. My mom and I were really close. I know Wolfe has developed a weird fascination with saying he's going to knock me up."

She snorts.

"I like the idea of at least a couple kids. That way they always have someone to keep them company."

"I know you'd be an awesome dad," Ana says, snuggling closer to my side. "I'm pretty sure Wolfe is about to pop in here at any second. His giddy excitement is getting closer."

My heart pounds wildly under her palm. She can't bust out something as monumental as telling me I'd be a good dad then segue into Wolfe coming in…

Okay, I'm pouting.

The door pops open, and Wolfe comes inside.

The waves of her heat have been erratic, and I'm really starting to get concerned that we'll have the bad kind of company right when it hits.

"What's up?" Wolfe asks, kicking off his shoes and stomping over to climb the stairs to the nest. "No sex? God, you two are moving at a snail's pace. You were passed by a turtle three trips around the track ago."

"What?" Ana scoffs, sitting up and leaning in for the kiss. "Eww. What the hell? Did you go rolling in the mud? Is there even mud when it's snowy? You stink."

"Thanks, doll," Wolfe snickers, clutching at his heart. "I was out preparing and keeping you safe. If I shower, can I call in claiming your ass?"

"You're obsessed," I groan.

Wolfe laughs, looking at Ana.

She shrugs.

"Sure," she says, smiling playfully.

Wolfe moves to head for the door. "Hey, slow ass, you can take her pussy while I break in her tight little asshole."

He heads out the door.

"Go lock it," she whispers, rolling off me.

"What?"

"The door," she hisses.

I hop up and head to the door. I lock it and look at Anastasia questioningly.