Page 13 of Knot the Stray

“Willowside isn’t like the cities, Jessie. This community was built as a safe haven. The town council embraces working Omegas. The bakery owner is an Alpha bonded to an Omega who runs a wedding planning business down the street. The mayor is an Omega. No one here will try to strip you of your autonomy or push you out of this clinic. You could run this place for the next thirty years, and the town would throw a parade for you.”

Edward moves to my other side, his massive frame blocking out the kitchen window. The heavy, warm scent of clove and dark tea rolls off his skin, wrapping around me like a weighted blanket.

“We don’t want to cage you, sweetheart.” Edward keeps his voice low and rumbling. “We want to watch you thrive. We want to be the ones waiting with dinner when you finish a long shift.”

Edward’s words sound like a dream, but a heavy, dark knot of doubt remains in my chest. Decades of running keep the fear alive. I still don’t know if I can trust them. I still fear losing my van and my freedom.

But the spontaneous Heat hits with an aggressive, punishing ferocity, drowning out my logic. I can’t fight three massive Alphas and my own traitorous body at the same time. The pain becomes too much to bear. I make a frantic, desperate bargain in my head. I will let them help me through this one Heat just to survive the night. I can figure out an escape plan tomorrow.

With that tiny sliver of permission, all of my professional boundaries evaporate. A raw, blinding lust takes over my brain. A desperate, keen whine tears out of my throat. The muscles in my legs turn to jelly. My knees buckle, giving out under my weight.

Edward moves with terrifying speed. He catches me before I hit the floor. His massive, calloused hands span my waist, hauling my weight against his broad chest. The physical contact sends a jolt of pure electricity straight to my core. A heavy rush of slick floods my underwear, soaking the cotton fabric.

I look up at him, my breathing ragged. I need them. Another wave of heat crashes over me. A desperate ache throbs between my thighs.

I look at the three men crowding my space at the kitchen counter. Jake stands mere inches away, his broad shoulders tense under his tight gray t-shirt. His dark hair falls in a mess across his forehead. His jaw ticks with restrained tension.

Edward flanks my left side, all thick muscle and faded denim, his massive hands resting on the laminate edge to box me in safe.

Nolan crowds my right, his tailored button-down shirt pulled tight over a wide chest, his calm green gaze offering a steady anchor. Three unmatched Alphas. My body craves all three of them. I want them. I crave the stretch of their knots.

The stiff cotton of my scrubs rubs against my sensitive skin. The friction creates an intense sting. I need these clothes off right now. My hands shake. I reach for the hem of my scrub top, desperate for some kind of relief, but my clumsy fingers slide off the fabric.

“Please.” The word slips from my lips on a breathless pant. “Help me.”

Jake steps closer. He rests his large hands on my hips. The contact sends a jolt of fire to my core.

“We’ve got you.” Jake’s voice rumbles deep in his chest. “Let us take care of you.”

Jake slides an arm behind my knees and scoops me against his chest. I wrap my arms around his thick neck. He carries me the few short steps into the living area and sets me down onto the faded floral sofa.

“Let me.” Edward follows us over. He reaches out and grips the hem of my scrub top. He pulls the cotton fabric over my head and tosses it onto the floor. The cool air of the apartment hits my flushed skin, offering a split second of relief before the internal fire flares up again.

Nolan steps up to the edge of the cushions. He reaches down and unknots the drawstring of my scrub pants. He pushes the fabric down my legs, taking my cotton underwear with them. I kick them aside, leaving me bare on the worn upholstery. The faded fabric scratches against my bare back, grounding me in the present moment.

Nolan sits on the cushions near my head. He threads his fingers into my hair, massaging my scalp. The contact calms my racing mind. Jake sits on the edge of the coffee table. He leans over to trace a path along my jaw with his thumb.

Edward drops to his knees on the rug right between my spread thighs. His gaze darkens into something fierce. He hooks his thick fingers under my knees and pulls my hips right to the edge of the sofa cushions. The position leaves me exposed to him.

“You smell like fresh baked cake.” Edward takes a deep inhale, flaring his nostrils.

I prop myself up on my elbows and meet his hungry gaze. “Don’t make me wait. Please.”

“Impatient little Omega.” A rough chuckle escapes Jake’s throat. “Let him savor you.”

Edward leans forward. His mouth finds my most sensitive spot.

I gasp. I arch my back, driving my hips upward. His wet tongue swirls against me. The friction sends intense shocks of pleasure rushing through my system. My fingers dig into the floral cushions.

Nolan stops massaging my scalp. He shifts closer, capturing both of my wrists in his hands. He pins my arms flat against the cushions above my head. His grip offers a firm, grounding weight. He leans down and kisses my neck. He sucks a hard bruise into the soft skin right over my pulse point. His hot breath fans across my ear.

“Look at how gorgeous she is,” Nolan whispers, his voice thick with lust.

Jake moves off the coffee table. He cages my upper body, bracing his knees against the sofa. He claims my mouth in a deep, demanding kiss. His tongue sweeps past my teeth. I kiss him back with desperate hunger. He breaks the kiss to drag his mouth down my throat, settling his attention on my chest. He palms both of my bare breasts, squeezing the soft flesh together. His rough thumbs roll over my tight nipples, tweaking the sensitive peaks.

The combined overstimulation pushes me over the edge of reason.

Edward uses a firm, demanding suction. I thrash on the sofa. My hips buck against his face. Edward holds my thighs in place with a solid grip. He strokes his tongue over my slick folds. He hums against my core, the vibration sending a new type of electricity down my spine.