Chapter Thirty-Five

Faith

I've never met an alpha like Micah. An alpha who can be so gentle, so patient, so unsure of himself—

And who can still kiss me like we're the only two people left in the world.

He hooks his hands around my thighs, prompting me to straddle him tighter. I could squeeze the life out of him right here and now, and this alpha wouldn't bat an eye. He'll keep giving himself to me, heart and blood and soul, until there's nothing left.

"Faith …" Micah whispers in my ear like a prayer.

Tears spring to my eyes.

You can't do this to him .

"Hey." He pulls away, breathing hard. "What's wrong? Was I—" he blushes. "Is it too much?"

I grip his shoulders, wishing it was easier for me to explain. Even if I could speak, I'm not sure which words I'd choose, or what tone of voice would best convey my feelings.

I … want … you , I sign slowly, praying he understands.

Micah squints through the dark. It takes him a moment before he smiles. "I want you, too."

I swallow hard. Is … it … enough ?

Normally, those curious puppy-dog eyes make my heart flutter, but right now, I just want to scream. Enough. Enough! Why haven't I taught him that one yet? It's all I've been able to think about for weeks. Hating myself for wanting Pack Wilder's scents, their words, their bodies. I'm not even worthy of the mate I already have. What the hell makes me think I'm worthy of three more?

The thought stops me in my tracks. Three … more ?

"Omega," Micah says, more urgently. He's trying to hand me something—a pen—but I push it away.

I can't put the words down. Can't make them real.

"Okay." He places one hand on the small of my back, the other on my face. "You're okay, angel. I've got you." His amber eyes sparkle. "Just breathe with me."

I scowl, hating being told what to do—but hating more that I might let him down.

Following Micah's lead, I breathe in, deeply, holding the oxygen in my lungs for several seconds before letting it go.

Micah smiles. "That's it. You're doing so well."

Something deep in my stomach tingles at his words. My thighs twitch, fighting the urge to clench around him. His lips graze mine, giving me another taste of that tart sweetness.

"I'll keep learning," he murmurs, "until you can tell me anything."

I fall into his chest, wanting to feel his skin on mine. What are these stupid clothes for, anyway? All they do is get in the way.

Micah gives a muffled groan as my hips grind against his cock—twitching, hardening, beneath me. Slick floods my underwear, threatening to seep through.

" Mm— " Micah gasps. His hands trail back down to my thighs, hooking them around and lifting me up in one fluid gesture.

I don't argue as he carries me through the dark. I barely register as we crash into my bedroom. I stay wrapped around him, kissing him, craving him.

"We don't have to do this," Micah pants as I rip his shirt off.

I chuff in dismay, flipping over so I'm on top. Want you, I sign again.

Finally, he lifts the hem of my shirt over my head. I can't help but blush at the way he stares, slack-jawed, glossy-eyed. The last time we were doing this, I was a lot less lucid, and lot more demanding.

Maybe that's the key.

I put his hands on my chest. Touch me. More, more, more.

He barely stifles a groan, rolling my nipples between his fingertips. My back arches, overcome by the sensation, how right it feels.

"You're beautiful," Micah growls. "Perfect. Completely perfect."

Hastily, he helps me out of my underwear, and shimmies free from his boxers.

I position myself above his long, throbbing cock. Teasing his tip against my entrance.

Micah throws his head back. "Faith. Omega . Oh my god."

Smirking slightly, I sink down, taking him all.

His eyes burst open. "Ah!"

Pleasure and pain fill me with equal force. Fuck, I forgot how surprisingly big he is. I really should've taken that slower.

"Omega." Micah reaches up, putting his hands on my waist. "Easy, easy. Just … give it a minute. Let yourself adjust."

Shakily, I nod, even though my inner omega whines at me to ride him as hard and fast as I possibly can. No matter how many times I break, no matter if it makes me cry, I will take him.

Make him mine.

Micah groans, gripping my waist tighter. "Ah, Faith—"

I lean down to kiss him. He threads his fingers through my hair.

"I need—" he breathes, "—to tell—you something."

I pull back, tilting my head in concern.

"Sit up for me, angel. Just a bit."

Slowly, Micah raises his hands. I don't realize he's about to sign until he looks me deep in the eye, his expression tender. Almost nervous.

He holds up one pinky finger. I …

He crosses his wrists close to his chest. I'm surprised to see the word—one I haven't shown him before. Love …

And he points, aiming his index finger toward me. You.

My breath hitches.

He … what ?

Micah signs again, just as slowly, making sure I read each word loud and clear.

I … love … you.

A part of me wants to believe he's got the words wrong, or he's messed up the translation. But those eyes … they're filled with truth.

"You don't have to say it back," he whispers. "You don't have to say anything, do anything, you don't want." He smiles. "I'll keep loving you all the same."

It seems ridiculous—an alpha confessing his love for me right after I've seated myself on his cock—but somehow … right . I don't have to get stuck in my head, wondering what I feel, how to react.

My body does the work for me.

I sink deeper against him, so deep I can feel his tip against my cervix. My breath shudders.

He … loves me. And I want him.

I want him.

I want him.

It suddenly feels so simple, as I shift my hips up and down, riding his length. Everything I've taken from Micah—his scent, his body, more, and more—I've fought myself for. Told myself it wasn't mine.

But he wouldn't be here, under me, loving me, if I wasn't … enough.

"Faith," Micah breathes, holding onto me like a treasure, "my beautiful Faith."

I claw at his chest, needing something to steady myself. Fuck, he feels so good, so perfectly hot and deep inside of me. I'm not going to last.

"You're so tight," he practically whines. "Are you about to come?"

Yes. Fuck, yes. But I'm not ready to admit defeat, so I ride him harder, faster, grinding my clit against his stomach.

Micah reaches for my breasts. "Oh my … god . Omega, omega, omega, please—come for me. Let me feel you come."

My orgasm starts deep in my body, tingling in my core, then exploding up into my bloodstream, filling me with light. I clench around Micah's cock so hard I worry it'll break him.

A low, long growl rises up his chest. "That's it. So, so good." He grabs my waist, bucking up into me in short, desperate thrusts. "Kiss me."

Our lips collide, the pressure barely muffling his cry. I can feel his knot swelling against my entrance, and a part of me wants to sink down deeper—to take it inside.

"Coming," Micah gasps between kisses. " Agh —I'm—coming—"

Heat pours into me, burst after burst, seemingly never-ending. I brace myself over him, breathing hard, until my pussy wrings him dry.

His hips giving a couple final spasms. "Wow. That was, I mean … wow."

I purr, nuzzling my face against his. He's never smelt so good—those sweeter undertones swimming to the surface. Still lemony, and refreshing, but … warm.

"You okay, angel?" he asks. "It wasn't too much?"

I pull away just enough to look him in the eyes. Gently, I shake my head.

He tucks my hair behind my ears. "How about I clean you up? Maybe make you some—"

With a sharp chuff, I lay my head flat against his chest.

Alpha's not going anywhere, my inner omega growls. He's mine. All mine.

And for the first time in a long time … I'm inclined to agree with her.