Page 61 of Unbonded (Pack’s Companion #3)

I know I should try to accept my fate, and in theory, I believe that I’m more than my designation… But try telling that to my omega when she’s deep in the throes of her last heat.

If I thought it was painful back in the warehouse, being in the presence of my pack is so much harder.

Maybe it’s because I can now focus on them exclusively, or because their pheromones are thickening in the enclosed space.

Everything feels so much brighter and hotter, and I gasp as another wave of agonizing heat builds under my skin.

Corbus has pulled a blanket across my knees, but now I thrust it onto the floor, my back arching against the restraint of my seatbelt.

Bram still had a hold on my thigh, and I sink my fingers into the meat of his forearm as I unsnap my belt and climb into his lap.

“Sweetheart…”

I attack him, sucking on the thick vein in his neck while I try to claw him out of his vest. It’s like trying to break into Fort Knox, and I have to wonder when Velcro became such a bitch to work with.

Maybe I mutter that out loud, because Lachlan snorts from the front seat, while I give up on the sticky straps and focus on Bram’s pants.

I can feel the hard bulge of his knot under me, and I grind down on it as he cradles my hips.

Not pushing me off, but not gripping me tighter , and I give a frustrated whine as he eases me away from his zipper. “But I need it, Bram.”

“I know, sweetheart.” His own frustration is written in every line on his face. “But if I knot you here, I’ll bond you, and you don’t want that…”

“I do!” I protest, dragging his hand down between my slick thighs. The rasp of his palm against my aching skin tears a groan out of my chest. “I want you, Bram, and I want this pack. That’s not going to change after my heat.”

A lot of things might be different, but I know in my heart that my feelings for them are forever.

“Please, Corbus,” I beg, turning to look at the other alpha. “I want you to claim me.”

He makes a humming sound as he cups my ribs and eases me down into his lap.

They’re both handling me as if I might shatter at any moment, and I need to get that out of their heads.

Their protective instincts are on high alert, but I don’t need soft and gentle now.

I’ll never get them to bond me if they think I’m too fragile to take their knots.

Before Corbus can buckle me back in, I slide onto my knees.

It’s a big car, but I’m pushed up against Lachlan’s seat, and I take a hungry gulp of his scent as I grip Corbus’ thighs.

“I need this, Alpha,” I say again, ready to drum the truth into them any way I can.

“And I want to be with you, now and always.”

“I want you too, my love, but we’re nearly home…”

I shake my head, too impatient to listen to another word, and lean forward to nuzzle the bulge in his pants.

They’re a very nice wool blend with some elastane for stretch, and are a perfect fabric for the occasion, since he’s not as unaffected as he’s making out.

In fact, his wood-and-musk scent is so heady, it leaves me open mouthed and panting against the thick outline of his cock. “ Please , Corbus…”

“Fucking hell, guys!” Lachlan exclaims as he strangles the wheel. “If you make her beg one more time, I’m gonna climb back there and punch you in the knot!”

There’s a strained silence, and then Bram growls as Corbus tears at his belt.

As I watch him jerk down his zipper, exposing the black silk of his briefs, I hope like hell Bram is doing the same thing behind me.

But right as my mouth lowers over Corbus’ lap, a thick finger slides past the edge of my panties and sinks knuckle deep.

I groan, clenching around Bram’s intrusion as I lick Corbus’ perfect mushroom head, slick and straining against my mouth.

“Is that better, Omega?” Bram asks in a gravel rumble. “Are your alphas taking care of you now?”

I whine my approval, rolling my hips against his thrusting finger as I try to swallow Corbus to the root.

Everything about his cock is delicious – the shape, the thickness, the smoothness of his skin, and the way it slides like warm marble across my tongue.

Even if I wasn’t in heat, it would make me feral, and I lap and suck with abandon, fondling his slit with the tip of my tongue.

He grunts, running his fingers through my hair as the muscles of his thighs bunch under my hands.

I can feel the tight coil of his lust, his hips on the verge of thrusting up into my warm heat.

I try to take him deeper, but Bram suddenly hooks his long finger against my walls, and I come with a shuddering wail.

Lights dance behind my eyes as Corbus groans, his precum flooding my mouth. I want more, I want to suck him until he’s soft and exhausted in my mouth, but my heat has receded for a moment, and I collapse in a breathless heap on his thigh.

“Beautiful jewel,” he murmurs, stroking my tangled hair back from my burning cheeks. “So strong and brave, we will have to work very hard to deserve you.”

“Just let me catch my breath, and then give me some more of that ,” I reply, nodding to the thick wedge of flesh he’s trying to wrangle back behind his zipper.

“After you’ve seen the doctor,” he replies, and when I force myself up from his lap, I see that we’re pulling into our parking garage.

Bram insists on carrying me into the elevator, and I don’t protest too much, even though the pain has faded to a manageable throb.

Lachlan is on our left, Corbus on our right, far closer than any of us need to be.

But there’s a dopey smile on my face as the elevator doors open and Dash almost levitates into our huddle.

His tear-streaked face takes in my sorry state, and a growl rips from his throat as he pulls me close. “Those goddamn monsters.”

Bram lets me slip into his arms, and Dash hugs me so tight, I can feel his ribs expanding and falling against mine.

I curl into his warmth, my shivers subsiding the longer we cling to each other.

When he pulls back, he covers my face in kisses, our nose brushing as he stares deep into my eyes. “I hope you made those fuckers pay.”

“It was a team effort,” I murmur, casting a side-eye at Bram who is watching us with glowing eyes. “But I puked on one and stabbed another with my hair pin.”

Dash’s smile is electric. “Clever, Omega,” he croons and brushes his hands over my body.

He’s more testing than teasing, a deep V between his brows as he cradles my wrists.

The handcuffs have left red welts, and his mouth wobbles as he gently blows on the raw skin.

“I’m not a violent person, but I want them to suffer in the seven hells for this. ”

“They did,” I assure him, leaning forward to kiss a tear off his cheek. “They got what they deserve, but I don’t want to think about them anymore.”

“No, they’re dead to us,” he says quickly, and I bite my lip as he takes a robe from the back of the chair. “The nest is ready, and I have a bath running. How about we get you out of that horror movie of a gown, and Dr. Green can look you over?”

If I had a choice, it would be straight to the nest, but I take the robe and cross to the doctor, who’s talking to Lachlan.

She gives me a sympathetic smile as she looks me over with her shrewd eyes.

“It sounds like you’ve been through a terrible ordeal, Kate, but it’s good to see you looking so strong. ”

“Strong but worried,” I tell her. “My heat is early, and it doesn’t feel the same. It’s coming on faster, and I can already tell it’s going to be more intense.”

She nods understandingly, and motions to the sunken lounge where her medical bag is waiting on the coffee table. “Shall we sit and talk about it?”

I nod, slipping the robe over the gown as we take our seats.

Lachlan brings me a glass of iced water while the rest of the pack lingers, not quite in hearing range, but never leaving my line of sight.

Dr. Green doesn’t seem concerned by their presence, so I relax and let her check my vitals.

When she’s taken my pulse and checked my blood pressure, she asks in a quiet voice, “Mr. Janssen is your employer, correct?”

“Not really. He’s invested in my new business, but we’re also scent matches.

” I flick a glance his way, my cheeks heating as I realize he’s staring right at me.

I don’t know if he’s still shaken up by the warehouse or what we did in the back of the car, but he doesn’t seem to be having any trouble with eye contact right now.

“It might have started a little strangely, but we’re a pack, first and foremost.”

“I’m glad you’re not alone, Kate,” Dr. Green murmurs as she takes a mouth swab and checks my hormone levels. “However, that is an uber alpha pacing a furrow into the silk rug. And if I’m not mistaken, he’s showing all the signs of going into a rut.”

“Really?” I’m tempted to ask Bram to come closer so I can see for myself, but Dr. Green squeezes my hand.

When she has my attention, she carefully passes a disinfectant wipe over the welts on my wrists.

“I’m still not convinced that this is the best environment for someone in your condition, Kate.

I could get you into a clinic. Safe Haven is still an option. ”

“I disagree,” I reply, wincing at the slight sting of the ointment she’s applying.

“I think this is the perfect place because it’s complicated.

You know I was never interested in just going through the motions.

And if this really is my last heat, I want the kind of fireworks only my pack can give me. ”

She gives a huffing laugh and starts to pack her kit away. “Spoken like a besotted mate.”

I shrug. “I’ve had the other sort, and I recommend besotted mates a lot more.”