Page 87 of The Rust in Her Hair

"Wait, why—" The beta’s mouth stays open, the rest of the question coming, and I know my beta. He wants to stay. He's wanted her longer than any of us.

But I don't have the self-control to explain this gently.

"I said leave." The command drops out of me hard, my alpha voice thick under the words, aimed at both of them. "Now."

It lands on Mack like a hand slap to the face. He snaps to at once, decades of instinct answering his pack alpha before his brain can argue, then he grabs Owen’s wrist to haul him toward the hall.

"Owen." Lyra's voice is barely audible. A whisper, cracked down the middle.

And both Mack and Owen stop.

I look back at her, and I find her staring directly at Owen. Her eyes plead for him to stay. I understand why. Owen is her friend. Her safe space. And I know damn well that she’s probably wanted him for as long as he’s wanted her.

She needs him here.

And something in my chest gives.

"You can stay," I say, looking right at Owen.

Mack's head comes up, and I meet his eyes and jerk my chin at the door.

"You, out."

For a moment, Mack doesn't move. Every muscle in that big body strains against the order, his jaw tight and hands flexing at his sides. A low sound catches in his throat, making it clear how hard it is for him to peel himself away from her scent.

Then he goes.

He drags himself back through the doorway one heavy step at a time, and I watch him take hold of the door. A man his size could slam it hard enough to crack the frame, but instead he draws it closed slowly, easing it shut against the latch without a sound, like the last thing he'll give her before he goes is quiet.

The latch clicks.

And then it's the three of us.

I turn back to Lyra.

She's still scared. It's all over her face, in the wet shine of her eyes and the tremble in her plush thighs. But without the two of them filling the doorway, her breath has evened out some, her shoulders loosened a fraction into the mattress.

It’s only her, me, and Owen now. I think she can manage that.

"Lyra." I keep my voice low and even. "Have you ever laid with a man before?"

Her cheeks go pink. She shakes her head. "No."

Behind me, I hear Owen cross the room.

The mattress dips as he rounds the bed and lowers himself to his knees at the side of it, bringing his face level with hers. He doesn't say a word. He settles in where she can see him, close enough to touch, letting me lead.

My good beta.

He knows this moment is mine to run.

I brush a strand of Lyra’s chestnut hair back off her damp forehead.

"Listen to me, omega." I catch her chin and hold it so she can't look anywhere but at me. "The first time with an alpha can hurt." I watch the fear flicker back into her eyes as I hold her gaze. "But I'm going to wreck you so sweetly you'll forget it ever hurt."

I release her chin and trail the back of my hand down over the swell of one breast, dragging her tight nipple against my knuckles.

She shivers, and her eyes dart sideways to Owen. I can’t help but smile.