Page 39 of Unbonded (Pack’s Companion #3)

In the excitement of unveiling Kate’s masterpiece in her new salon, I’ve clearly missed the signs of my approaching heat.

Nataniel commented a couple of times on how jumpy I seemed at rehearsal, but I just assumed that was my happy little heart taking flight.

I’ve been floating on cloud nine since last night, when Corbus let his sexy alpha side out to play.

I’m a greedy little monster at the best of times, but when he’s giving me orders to make Kate come on my tongue, I want to beat my chest and roar.

My very hot, sweaty chest, I realize now.

Maybe our sexcapades last night gave me a jumpstart, since my heat’s still a week away by my calculation.

A month ago, I was worried that it would come right on opening night, and I stocked some blockers in case I needed to soldier through.

Not that we’re allowed to perform while in heat, but blockers can reduce the length and intensity of the haze, getting me back on stage faster.

“It rains, you get wet.” Kate’s eyes widen, and I roll my own. “I’m quoting De Nero, in the movie Heat .”

She steps off the dais, clicking her tongue at me as she goes hunting for her trousers.

“Well, I’m glad you’re in high spirits, because we need a plan.

” I’m still on my knees, captivated by the sight of her soaked thong between her thighs, and she snaps her legs shut with a reproving look. “Your alphas are away, remember?”

“ Our alphas,” I correct her, then fumble in my pocket. “I’ll send them a text.”

Kate has dressed in record time and now gently coaxes me back to my feet. “Leave that to me. Why don’t you use the bathroom and then we can head home?”

“You’ll stay with me?” I don’t know why I’m feeling so flustered all of a sudden, but I need reassurance. We haven’t talked about my heat, given it’s a difficult topic for her, but my heart is going all allégro in my chest.

“Of course.” I must still look quite panicked, because Kate kisses me gently on the lips and nuzzles my cheek. “Front row tickets at Paris Fashion Week couldn’t tempt me away.”

“I’m honored.” And I am, because this won’t be easy for her, especially if she really is facing the end of her own heats.

Not on my goddamn watch.

After I’ve washed up in her ensuite, she helps me slip back into my shirt, then gathers up her purse and we head outside. Hector is getting the car out of the Paragon undercover garage, so we linger on the pavement, Kate shooting the evil eye at every passing alpha.

I nudge her gently in the ribs. “You going to tackle them if they lean in for a whiff?”

“Any alpha so much as looks at you and I’m kicking him in the balls.” When she catches the surprise on my face, she sighs. “Sorry. Just thinking of that asshole who hassled Lachlan the other day.”

She brushed it off when I asked about it, but it’s clearly playing on her mind.

Which stops now. The only thing I want playing on her mind is me .

“Right. Then let’s both get ready to frappé .

” I demonstrate the move, and she slinks closer to me, a soft smile on her face.

“ Pointe to a target, and I will unleash my whole repertoire on them.”

It’s a little ballet humor, but Kate still looks tense, only relaxing when her phone chirps in her pocket. “Lachlan is going to meet us at home,” she informs me, “and Corbus and Bram are heading to the airport now.”

I feel a frisson of anticipation at the thought of them all hurrying to tend to me, but there’s a downside, too. “I really didn’t want to cut their trip short.”

“Bram sounds relieved, if you can get that from a text.” She studies the screen. “And Corbus wants to assure you they’ll be home soon – perks of a private jet.”

I nod, but the realization has just hit me that this will be my first heat in a real home.

I usually spend them in a clinic, except for the year I was dancing for a company in Boston and spent them with my choreographer and his twin brother in a fancy hotel.

It was a whole lot of fun, but it made things a little awkward when they assumed I’d extend my stay – both in the city and in their beds.

As hot as the experience was, I didn’t catch feelings like they did, and it led to some nasty rumors on the ballet circuit.

It blew over with the next dance-related scandal, but it always made me wary of sharing my heat with friends or colleagues.

“Are you okay, love?” Kate asks as Hector pulls up to the curb, and I bask in the way she fusses over me as we climb inside. “Do you need more air? A cold drink?”

“Just trying to work out how this is going to go.” She looks at me curiously as Hector whisks us uptown, the privacy screen raised out of respect for my approaching heat. “It’ll probably sound strange to you, but this is the first time I’ve gone into heat when I’ve been in a relationship.”

She cups my cheek, her eyes thoughtful. “Not even with the guys?”

“Nope. My last one was just before we started courting. They’ve tried to talk about it, but I haven’t exactly encouraged them.”

The truth is, I’ve been terrified to commit to Bram and Corbus, especially in the shadow of my lackluster relationship history.

I’ve flitted between partners for years, always leaving before things become too serious.

I never dated inside my own circle after Boston, because it was easier to cut ties with someone I had to go out of my way to run into.

A shitty attitude, I know, but I blame it on growing up in a house where you weren’t just the third wheel – you were often left in the trunk because you were just that forgettable.

Unresolved mommy and daddy issues , I think sourly.

Since I told Kate some of this the first time we met, she gives me a sympathetic look.

“Relationships are tricky, even without heat hormones involved. It’s hard to know when to take things to the next step, and when bonds are involved, it’s not a decision you want to make lightly.

” I thread our fingers together and she gives me a sad smile.

“I’d say follow your heart, but you need to listen to your head, too, and that’s not always easy during a heat. ”

“You’ve had good heats?” I ask a little tentatively, since I don’t want to resurrect any bad memories.

“Some,” she says, studying our clasped hands. “But if I’m honest, they could’ve been better. I kept quiet about my needs, and while I doubt Lee wanted to hear the truth, I wish I’d had the confidence to ask for more.”

My heart aches for her, but there’s a good bit of disdain as well, since I’m pretty sure her douche of an ex knew next to nothing about satisfying an omega. “You can always ask for more with me,” I tell her. “You know how much I like stretch goals.”

She sniggers, and I feel a swell of satisfaction at how in tune we are in every way. As my perfume thickens in the air, she presses a hand to my thigh, and I watch her pupils dilate. “If you want me in your heat, I will do everything in my power to satisfy you, Dash.”

Be still my throbbing dick.

There’s no reining me in now, and I scoop her off the seat, pulling her tight across my lap.

Her light fragrance surrounds me, and while it might not smell of orange blossom, it still makes my throat clench with need.

“I want to share this with you, Kate, in every way. Like we’re real packmates, bound by bites, knots, and bonds. ”

“I want that, too.” Her voice is thick with emotion, but she pulls back an inch to run a gentle finger over my scent gland.

“But you should talk to the guys about what you want from them. Be honest with them, Dash. They’re looking for forever with you, so if it’s what you want, it’s there for the taking. ”

I think it is, but it’s not just about me and the alphas anymore.

There are two scent match connections in the mix now, and while Kate and Lachlan are closer than ever, she’s barely had a chance to explore it with Corbus.

Arousal clenches low in my belly as I remember our sexy video call, but before I can do anything about it, we arrive home and quickly head upstairs.

We automatically head towards my room – or our room, since it’s where we’ve spent our nights since the guys have been away. But Kate pauses at the doorway, glancing further down the hallway. “Did you want to check out the other rooms? I’m sorry we haven’t had time to set up a proper nesting suite.”

I wave a hand at her concerns and draw her into the room. “This is where I want to be. I don’t need a fancy bed.” She bites her lip, and I chuckle as I slide my hands around her waist. “You’ve already picked one out from the catalog, haven’t you?”

She screws up her nose, squinting adorably. “Have you seen the House of Omega nesting range? Those beds are epic .”

We laugh, and I can’t resist licking the sweet sound from her mouth. I never thought emotions were contagious, but the longer I’m around Kate, the more I realize I have zero immunity to catching whatever feelings she projects my way.

“Okay, then if this is Heat Central, how about we make use of the facilities?” Kate gives me a tug towards the bathroom. “How does a long soak and a back rub sound?”

“Heavenly, especially if my masseuse lets me return the favor.”

She gives me a promising wink, and we get busy setting up the bathroom exactly how we like it.

That involves activating the underfloor heating, lighting the candles in the alcove above the tub, and picking through the extensive range of bath products.

Most omegas I know can list their favorite bath rituals the way baseball fans can recite World Series stats, and that definitely holds true for us.

Kate knows a lot about the products from a design perspective, while I specialize in their therapeutic properties.

She chooses a scented foam that smells like a cozy hug, while I add an oil blend that is great for relaxing muscles and releasing tension.