Page 52 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

Autry

But up until now, none of us have been sleeping in it.

Rhett, Myrick, and I have been sleeping in our room down the hall, keeping to our rhythm while Charlie and Oli stay holed up in Charlie’s space.

I haven’t minded it—Oli still feels like an open wound, and Charlie’s just been through his first heat—but it’s been days since his heat broke, and the omega still refuses to come out of his room. Not even for dinner.

Not even for me .

I smooth the soft sea-blue blanket over one corner of my nest and try not to frown while I think about Charlie.

Maybe he’s working through his transition.

Turning into an omega isn’t easy—not physically or emotionally.

It’s a whole identity shift. And that’s while you’re a kid.

I couldn’t imagine how difficult it must be as an adult.

But I get the feeling there’s more to it than just getting used to a new dynamic. Charlie isn’t settling. He’s hiding. And deep down, I know why.

He’s ashamed.

The memory of that wounded male omega back at the boarding house slips into the front of my mind. I remember the way Charlie spoke about him, telling me that no one wanted male omegas. It was obvious he didn’t actually believe they weren’t valuable, but he said it because it was the truth.

The fact that he was told that by so many people makes my heart ache.

I know what it feels like to fight your instincts, to pretend you don’t need things—comfort, safety, love—because needing them feels weak . But Charlie isn’t weak. He’s hurting . And he’s isolating himself instead of reaching for the pack that loves him.

I can’t let him keep doing that.

Looking around at my half-made nest, I realize what it’s missing.

Charlie . I need to share it with the omega.

It's like a compulsion, like my instincts are forcing me. It's a little confusing because I’ve never wanted other people to touch my nest before, but I need Charlie’s buttery sweet scent inside it more than I need my own.

Determined, I wipe my hands on my leggings, storm down the hall, and pound on Charlie’s door like I mean it.

“Open up,” I say. “Now.”

There’s shuffling on the other side, a pause, then a soft click as the door opens.

Charlie blinks at me, bleary and thin, like he’s been curling in on himself for days. His hair is wet like he’s freshly showered, and the dark circles under his eyes make him look haunted.

“Autry—”

“No,” I cut in. “Get your ass in the nesting room. You’re coming with me.”

He sighs, but to my surprise, he actually follows me.

Back in the nesting room, I motion to the bed, but he stops a foot away, hands tucked into his pockets like he’s trying not to take up space.

“I can sit on the floor,” he mutters.

“Charlie.” I give him a pointed look.

His gaze flicks toward the nest, then away. “I don’t want to disrespect your space. I know it’s private.” He’s not wrong.

An omega's nest is private. Special. Precious. But an omega's nest is also about their pack. And this is something I want to share with him. My packmate.

“I want you to share it with me,” I say softly. “This nest is ours. I want you here.”

He hesitates, mouth falling open with shock. “No.” He lets out a nervous laugh. “I’m fine with my regular bed. I don’t need to nest.”

I smile gently. He’s still fighting it.

“Okay,” I say. “Then sit with me while I finish arranging things.”

He nods and sits at the edge, barely touching the mattress.

I begin placing pillows along the walls, building a perimeter of softness, and then I hand one to him. “Can you put this one there while I smooth out the blanket?”

He takes it and tosses it roughly into place. I don’t comment. I wait .

“I was thinking of making honey-roasted chicken tonight,” I say casually. “With rosemary potatoes.”

Charlie hums, looking distracted. “You know I like the mushroom sauce you do with that.” His head tilts as his gaze drifts back to the pillow. He frowns and adjusts it slightly. Then again. His hands smooth over it, molding the shape until it’s just right.

I hand him another. “Put this one next to it?”

“Sure,” he murmurs, still distracted. “We should do those green beans with the chili flakes. The crispy ones.” He tucks the second pillow into place, then smooths a blanket over both. His hands linger. Caress. Shape. Mold.

“Oh, excellent idea,” I say, setting another pillow next to him.

Charlie grabs it without thinking and tucks it into place. Then he smooths a blanket over all three. His hands linger. Caress. Shape. Mold.

Something warm fills my chest. Pride. Relief. Hope.

I stay quiet, let him keep talking about dinner, watching as he shifts a fourth pillow without being asked. His movements get slower. More thoughtful. His body starts to relax. The omega might not realize it yet, but he’s nesting.

And I’ve never been happier. Grabbing the wrinkled blanket next to me, I smooth out the material into neater layers around the border of the nest while Charlie works quietly beside me.

Then he glances up at me. “Do you bake too?”

The question catches me off guard. I stiffen slightly, my hands freezing mid-fold. “Not really,” I say, then clear my throat and add, “I’m better at cooking. It’s easier to fix something when it’s not exact. Baking is too…precise.”

Charlie nods, lips twitching. “Oli mentioned a cake he used to eat growing up. Something with brown sugar and cinnamon, and these crunchy sugared pecans on top. I kind of want to try making it for him.” The way he says it—quietly, almost shyly—makes something warm and tender flicker in my chest. “But I’m terrible in the kitchen,” he adds with a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’d probably set the oven on fire.”

“I’ll help,” I say, smiling. “You pick the recipe, and I’ll keep us from burning the house down.”

His boxy grin spreads, soft and unguarded, and for the first time, I see real ease settle into his shoulders.

I take advantage of the moment and let the conversation drift forward. “How are you feeling about Oli being in the pack?”

Charlie hesitates, then places another pillow in the corner before sitting back on his heels.

“Good, I guess,” he says. “I’m still mad at him, but he’s trying so hard to make it up to me.

” He looks down at the pillow he just placed, smoothing the seam.

“He’s always kissing me and touching me.

Pushing these fuzzy feelings through our bond.

” He bites the inside of his cheek as he thinks about it. “My body wants to forgive him so bad.”

I reach out, covering his hand with mine. “Being an omega is weird sometimes,” I say. “There’s a bizarre disconnect between our bodies and our minds that other dynamics don’t have to put up with.”

“What do you do?” Charlie asks.

I shrug, knowing he won’t like my answer. “I let my instincts guide me.”

He pulls a face, clearly not pleased.

There’s a beat of silence, then he shifts gears, like he needs to change the subject.

“I saw Oli kissing Myrick in the kitchen last night,” Charlie says with a quick smile .

My brows lift, and my mouth falls open. “Really?” I smack Charlie’s arm. “And you waited until now to tell me?”

He laughs, rubbing where I popped him. “I got up to get some water and saw them by the stove. I didn’t want to interrupt, so I just went back to my room. But… I don’t know. It felt good, seeing that. Like Oli really belongs here. Like everyone wants him, too.”

I can’t help but smile at his choice of words. “So, you do want him.”

Charlie shifts, his smile growing. “Yeah. I guess. He’s…” his fingers graze the edge of his mating bite, “Nice.”

“Yeah,” I snort. “That big alpha cock is real nice.” I bump my shoulder into his.

He laughs, despite his face flaming bright red. “I had never been with a man before.” He glances around, making sure we’re alone. “I didn’t expect to like it so much,” he mumbles like he’s embarrassed to admit it.

“Tell me about it,” I whisper like we’re sharing a secret. “Before Rhett, I had only been with a male omega before. Alphas are a whole different breed.”

“You’ve been with a male omega before?” he asks, his expression shifting and smile fading. “You…liked it?”

“Oh, yes,” I say honestly. “Omegas are tender in bed. Sweet and submissive.” I give him my best sultry smile and the blush on his cheeks travels to the tips of his ears. “I get to be in control with omegas.”

“So…” Charlie stares at me carefully with his big brown eyes. “You liked being with me? You still want me?”

I freeze. “Of course!” I say way too loudly, enraged that he’d think otherwise. “Why wouldn’t I?”

He winces like he’s embarrassed, then shrugs. “I don’t know. I thought…maybe things would feel different now. ”

“Why would you think that?” I ask, sitting back beside him, suddenly unsure how we even got here.

“Multiple omegas in a single pack don’t work,” he says like it’s a fact. And I guess it kind of is, at least that’s what we’re all taught in elementary school.

“So?” I shoot back. “Just because ancient packs couldn’t figure out how to get along, you think we should all break up?”

“No!” He quickly reaches for my wrist, holding me like he’s terrified I’ll disappear. “It’s just…” his eyes drift over the nest, thinking. Then he sheepishly asks, “Do I smell weird to you?”

And now I understand. “Oh,” I breathe, and nod gently. “Do you mean too sharp or too sweet?”

His eyes flick to mine, clearly relieved that I get it. “Yeah.”

I nod again, slow and understanding. “You do,” I admit, not unkindly.

His shoulders dip, the beginnings of a frown tugging at his lips.

“But,” I continue, “I’ve also lived with other omegas since I was thirteen. I’m used to the way my kind smell. It doesn’t bother me.”

He nods, but he’s still frowning.

“Do I smell too strong to you?” I ask bluntly.

Charlie opens his mouth, then hesitates. “Kind of,” he admits, clearly uncomfortable saying it. “Sometimes you’re all I can smell.”

“Okay, then,” I say, turning fully to him. “Do you still want me ?”

His eyes snap up to mine, wide and stunned. But then his features soften as he sees my point. “Yes,” he says with a bashful smile. “Of course. ”

I pull my arm out of his grip, then thread our fingers together. “Then why on earth would you think I wouldn’t want you?”

He doesn’t get the chance to answer. There’s a soft tap on the door.

Charlie tenses as Oli steps in, his tall frame hesitating at the threshold. His gaze sweeps across the room and lands on Charlie.

“You okay?” he asks, voice low. Concerned.

Charlie ducks his head, already flushed. “We’re having a private conversation.”

Oli blinks. His jaw tightens like he’s trying not to show how much that stings. “Right,” he says. “Sorry.” The alpha turns to go, but not before I catch something different in him—something quieter. Softer. A kind of restraint I haven’t seen before.

Mated Oli is a completely different alpha.

He’s still an alpha, still sharp and fierce in the way all alphas are—but something in him has changed. His edges have softened. The bond with Charlie has tempered him.

I glance back at Charlie as the door clicks shut again. He’s watching it too, hand still curled loosely in mine.

“He’s different now,” I say softly.

Charlie nods, then bows his head. “So am I.” He won’t meet my eyes. His hair falling in front of his face. His fingers pick at the edge of a pillow like it’s the only thing holding him together.

“Charlie,” I say gently.

He finally looks up, gaze unsure, guarded.

“I love you,” I tell him. Simple and honest.

His breath catches and the look in his eyes softens.

“I love you no matter what kind of dynamic you are. Alpha, omega, or anything in between. You’re still you. And that’s all that matters to me.”

For a long moment, he doesn’t say anything. He stares at me, lips parted slightly like he wants to believe me, but can’t quite allow himself to. So I show him.

Leaning forward, I close the space between us and press my lips to his.

He’s stiff at first, startled, like he doesn’t know how to respond. We haven’t kissed since his heat, and even then I’m not sure if he really remembers.

But then—he relaxes.

His hands reach for me, one hesitantly brushing my waist, the other curling around my wrist. His mouth moves gently against mine, tentative but needy. Like he’s been aching for a connection but didn’t know how to reach for it.

We’re still sitting in the middle of the nest, the soft heart of our shared sanctuary cradling us as he leans in closer, breathing me in.

His scent is sweet now, a little musky at the edges—but underneath it all, it’s him.

The sweet beta that gave me so much comfort at that boarding house, and now it’s my turn.

“Lie back,” I push at his shoulders. He moves easily for me. Eager to obey. Such a good omega. “I need you.” I pull my shirt over my head, baring my upper body to him.

Charlie’s eyes flash, then he licks his lips as he stares at my tits. “I need to feel you.” He tugs off his own shirt, then pulls me to him, kissing me deeply. My breasts push against his firm body, spilling out between us. He gasps, palming my flesh.

I moan as his tongue slips between my lips, tasting me. There’s nothing rushed or hungry in his kiss, just warmth and the steady pulse of something deeper. Something that makes my body slick and thrum .

Charlie’s arms tighten, holding me close as he breathes me in. I feel the way his whole body relaxes when I melt against him—like the tension that’s lived in his bones for weeks finally starts to melt.

“Please,” I whisper as my fingers tangle in his soft hair. “I need you.”

He hums in response, his hand moving to my back, holding me like I’m something precious. Then he rolls us, forcing me onto my back and his hips between my legs. There’s a shift in him as he looks down at me. A heat.

“Fuck, I need you, too.” He pulls at the hem of my leggings, then rips them off in one fierce movement. I blink and he’s naked too.

He has such a stunning body—compact but strong and soft in all the right places. I spread my legs wider, desperate to have him inside me. But he doesn’t enter me right away. He settles on top of my body, his cock pushing against my folds.

“I’ve waited so long for this,” he whispers. “I know you tended to me during my…” He trails off, and I cup his face.

“This is our first time,” I say, meaning it. “There are no pheromones. No alphas. No mindless lust driving us. It’s you and me…for the first time.” I nod, and a sweet smile fills his face.

“I love you, Autry.” His eyes close and his lips press against mine as he slips inside me.

He makes love to me gently.

No frenzy or animalistic programming.

Just tender affection, as he loves me in the warmth of our shared nest.