Page 110 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

“You did such a good job. Took such good care of our omega. See that,” Jason said, gesturing at the sated omega passed out between us. “You did that. She didn’t need a knot. She needed you. We all do. Don’t ever forget it.”

FORTY-ONE

JASON

Mia’s fever peaked. A spent Ty cuddled beside me while I trailed my fingers over his arm. We both needed a moment. It’d only been twenty minutes since the two of us made our omega scream in pleasure.

My tongue swept the remnants of water from my lips.

For the last day, I struggled not to succumb to my rut.

Bite. Bite. Bite.

The words chanted like a vow in my head, my alpha spurring it on, wanting nothing more than to unleash itself on our omega.

My thumb found the bond mark on Ty’s throat. He released a quiet moan, and static zipped through my veins. The idea of my mark marring the delicate column of her neck made my chest swell.

Regardless of what I wanted—what my alpha wanted—we had all agreed that no matter how much Mia begged, we wouldn’t bite her. Not like this. When we claimed our girl—when she claimed her beta—we wanted that decision to be a conscious one Mia made.

Not a strung-out plea from her omega.

And right now, our little terror seemed to be testing our willpower.

“Please,” she whimpered, sobbing as she bounced on Shane’s cock. “Bite me, Alpha. Mate. Why don’t you want me?”

Tears leaked from her bloodshot eyes. Shane howled, his pupils swallowing the last hint of hazel in his eyes. His scent shifted. Not quite burnt, but a smoky undertone to the caramel.

Growling, his hand shot out, gripping Mia’s neck. He tilted her head to the side, flashing his teeth as he moved to sink his fangs into her silken skin.

“Shane,” I hissed, the guttural sound coming from the pit of my stomach.

He froze, his nose brushing her skin.

“Stop,” I ordered, my Apex taking command, demanding obedience, demanding that Shane submit to me.

I rose to my full height, my scent eclipsing all others. I’d promised to never take advantage of my power over my pack. This was different. Shane would never forgive himself if he marked her like this.

The strongest of alphas were powerless against a tearful omega asking to be wanted.

A snarl hissed through Shane’s teeth. The vein in his arm pulsed, but he pulled away, breathing heavy.

The corners of Mia’s mouth turned down, the rejection twisting her features. Her back rounded as her shoulders slumped. She let out a pitiful wail, rolling off Shane’s dick and curling into a ball on the bed.

Shane grunted.

“Oh, Omega. Don’t worry, baby girl. Look at me.”

Careful not to frighten her, I pulled her damp, trembling body against my chest. Shane rolled into her, hugging her from behind as he pressed a tender kiss to her temple.

“I love you, Mia. I will always want you,” Shane murmured into her nape.

Fever-glazed eyes blinked at me, tears and sweat clinging to her thick lashes.

“We’ve got you,” I murmured, stroking her hair back from her forehead.

“You didn’t… you didn’t want to,” she choked out, sniffling.

“Of course we want to,” Shane promised, his voice rough with restrained need. He took her hand, pressing a kiss to the inside of her wrist, nipping the gland there.