Page 142 of The Rust in Her Hair

But, for the first time in my life, I feel weirdly free.

I get to leave this room and never come back.

No one will get to punish me for destroying this couch, or being rude to Crispin, or for wearing a slutty dress. I get to do whatever the fuck I want, then go home with four of the sexiest men on the planet.

I turn around, looking at my mates over my shoulder, suddenly feeling very overwhelmed with love for them.

God, they're beautiful.

Adrian, who defended me against my parents. Even demanding my father watch his tone. And Nico, who dragged Crispin out by the neck as if he was hauling trash to the curb. And not to mention Mack and Owen, who set this whole glittering party on fire just to buy me a minute to breathe.

My mates. Mine.

My anger quickly fades as something much more intense takes its place.

Heat blooms between my legs. Slick, gathering hot and sudden, soaking the inside of my thighs.

I don't understand where it comes from, and I don't care. There's too much adrenaline crashing through me, too much wild energy with nowhere to go, and all of it has narrowed down to one thing.

I want to be touched.

Now.

I want to be taken by the men who spent tonight proving they'd burn the world down for me.

A wild energy grips me, and I stand up. My hands go to the straps of my dress, and I tug them off my shoulders.

"Lyra." Adrian's brow furrows. "What are you⁠—"

I push the tight dress down over my breasts, then my hips, before dropping it, letting the stretchy fabric pool on the wrecked stuffing at my feet. Then I stand in the middle of my father's office in nothing but the strappy black sandals Renata gave me.

Adrian’s breath catches in his throat, and Nico's eyes darken.

The air is cool across my bare skin, but I don't feel exposed. I feel powerful.

"Lyra." Adrian's dark eyes move up and down my naked form. "I…uh…." He licks his lips, then his gaze cuts toward the hallway, and worry slips back in. "The door. Someone could⁠—"

"It's locked." My voice comes out a throaty purr, nothing timid about it. But I can’t help it. The longer I stand here, the more wound up I become. "Nico locked it," I remind the alpha. "Nobody's getting through that door, and even if they did—" I let my eyes travel over both of them, feeling so incredibly bold. "I don't care who watches. I need you both. Now."

"Be careful what you ask for, Omega." Nico takes a single step toward me, a dangerous smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. "Because you will get it."

"Shit." Adrian drags a hand through his hair, and his eyes keep pulling back to my breasts. "We don't have time for this, Nico. We lit the fucking house on fire and her parents⁠—"

“Please,” I cut in. "I know it's stupid." My voice wavers as I look at Adrian, and I feel the sting of tears gathering, hot behind my eyes. "I know we should go. But I need this. I need to feel something in this room that isn't fear." A tear breaks loose and slides down my cheek. "Just once. Please."

"Fuck ‘em." Nico's gaze drags down to my pussy, and I see his cock growing hard through his slacks. "If some poor bastard wants to bust down that door and watch me fuck our omega across her father's desk, he's welcome to the show."

"Fuck!" Adrian snarls as he looks at the door again, then back at my tits.

Deep down, I know that Adrian is right.

I’m being stupid and reckless right now, when we should be leaving, but I’m done being the perfect daughter. I’ve spent twenty-four years doing the smart, quiet, proper thing in this house, and I want just one memory that’s fun and filthy.

My hands come together in front of me, clasping tight, and I hate the small slip of distress that moves through me at the thought of them telling me no. Of being sent out that door still shaking, and cold, and full of everything this house did to me tonight.

"Please," I whisper. “Touch me.”

Nico crosses to me.