11. Luca

11

Luca

I can't stop staring at him. Luther is very pretty for an Alpha. Terrifying but also pretty beneath all the gruffness that I've seen from afar. Tattoos cover his entire chest and most of his arms, ones I've never seen before because he's always in a suit when he comes to the diner. I kind of want to lick them.

What the fuck?

I don't know him like Blake or Grayson but his scent wraps around me like the best hug and he's been nothing but amazing since I've been here. He's also different than I would have imagined. Hudson is the only Alpha I've known beyond a friends-with-benefits type of situation and I've been trained to believe that I'm merely property.

Grayson and Luther have never been like that to Blake but I just haven't known anything else. Mom and Dad taught me to behave and to submit once I presented. I was trained to bow my head and give in. Luther doesn't demand my submission, though. Not like Hudson. The biggest difference is that I want to give it to Luther.

So. Fucking. Bad.

He wraps a fluffy towel around me and then takes a second one to set on the bathroom sink. I stare at it as he moves me to stand in front of the mirror and then turns me around so I'm looking at him rather than my reflection. "I have to change the bandage on your neck."

My hands move to where my bite is, my eyes widening at the wound he'll see beneath everything. "Quentin would have-"

"He knows I have medical training and didn't want you to feel uncomfortable. I don't want to hurt you, Luca, but the salve he provided will help it heal faster." He nods to a small bag on the counter that I didn't see before. "It should also take away some of the sting."

I don't want him to see.

I don't want him to understand how badly I've failed at being an Omega.

My eyes water as he waits for me to feel comfortable and I realize he turned me to face him so that I can't see it, so that I don't relive it. Luther hums as he undoes the tape from the bandage, his large hands surprisingly delicate. I bow my head against his chest, forgetting that he's completely naked.

Unfortunately—or maybe fortunately—I now have a perfect view of his thick cock, his knot pulsing at the base. He's hard, the length pressing lightly against my belly through my towel. I try not to focus on it but the only other option is reminding myself that my Alpha is Hudson and not Luther and I don't want to think about that.

So, instead, I imagine Luther's cock on my tongue and wonder what he tastes like. My nostrils flare as the scent of leather and musk thickens around me, mixing with my sweet perfume. "Little Omega, I need you to keep those thoughts to yourself." An embarrassing whine slips through my lips despite the conversation, Luther growling at my response. "It would be disrespectful to your Alpha to fuck you with his bite on your shoulder."

A waft of cold air hits my wound, telling me that Luther has successfully unwrapped it. Something starts to vibrate through Luther's chest, a sound between a growl and a purr. Whatever it is, is fucking terrifying. I press back, glancing up into his eyes, darkened with anger as he stares at my neck. I move to cover it when Luther snarls before the expression completely changes to one of sorrow.

My hands settle on his chest as he wraps his arms around me, his nose running across the top of my head. His purr is thick and strong, settling my anxiety, Luther hauling me up onto the counter before stepping between my knees. "If I were a lesser man, your Alpha would be in pieces, Luca. Pieces. No Alpha given the honor to have an Omega should treat his bond with such violence." Luther releases me, glancing down at my terrified expression. He gently pinches my chin, raising it so that I can see the softness returning in his eyes. "I didn't mean to scare you, Luca, but you are too precious to be treated like this."

I don't even know how it happens but his lips are against mine one moment and then gone the next. I lean forward, chasing the powerful sensation but Luther merely shakes his head.

"Know that I want you, little Omega. More than is appropriate but legally, I shouldn't even be touching you." I watch as his Adam's apple bobs up and down in his throat, Luther once again working on my neck and shoulder. He opens a few containers but my attention is on his face and his hands, muscles and veins twisting and turning as he ignores his own desires. I can smell it in his scent and when I touch his stomach, I can feel the way he takes an extra breath to hide what he wants.

No Alpha aside from Grayson has ever wanted me before.

I melt beneath his touch when the salve is applied, instant relief rushing through me. I've never been separate from the pain since Hudson started getting mean with it and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to part with whatever that beautiful drug is.

A few moments later, my neck is rebandaged, Luther grabbing a towel to wrap around himself. "How are you feeling?" When I say tired, he mentions that we'll rest first before eating and taking the medication.

He scoops me up in his arms again, moving toward the guest bedroom before I stop him. "Where's Blake?"

"In his nest."

"He's sleeping? He's okay?"

"Yes, he will be." Luther offers me a smile, tightening his arms around me. He's obviously unsure where to put me but I don't want to be in the guest room. I don't want to be without their scents and I know it'll be asking for the world, but I want to be with the men who saved me today. All of them. As if Luther can read my mind, he moves toward the bedroom down the hall. "If I was a better man, I would lay you down in that bed and say goodnight but I'm too selfish now that I have you in my arms, Luca. Trust that I don't want to let you go but that I might have to."

Those are the sweetest words that someone has ever said to me.

Luther steps inside and I whimper at the assault of Blake's perfume in the air. My gorgeous Omega is sprawled across Grayson's chest, both of them passed out. Blake is snoring as he always used to even though he claims he doesn't. I'm set down beside them, Luther tilting his head to the side in the cutest way an Alpha can. "Let me grab you some clothes and-"

"This isn't the first time I've been naked next to them, Alpha." A giggle slips out and then I stare at Luther, horrified. I just admitted to my past relationship with his mates. Luther chuckles as he sheds the towel and climbs in beside me, pushing me to lie down. "I'm sorry. I didn't-" Fear strangles my tongue as I hold my breath, waiting for the blow that Hudson would no doubt deal out. My face scrunches up and my hands tighten into fists at my sides. Several seconds pass before I open my eyes, that same gruff look from the bathroom back on Luther's face.

"Your Alpha will die a cruel death, Luca. Knowing that you were loved by my mates brings me joy, little Omega. Watching Blake tell me all about the days you made him happy are memories I replay often. I think there's been a spot for you here much longer than any of us have realized."

I frown, not understanding what he's insinuating.

"If you hadn't been promised to another Alpha, Grayson would have mated you in a heartbeat. He asked once; if I'd ever take on two Omegas. I didn't know what he meant at the time. I do now." My breath catches in my throat as he scoots a little closer, stringing an arm across my stomach. I reach out for purchase, finding Blake's fingers which help to calm me down. Luther drags his lips up my chin and then kisses my ear before finishing his thought. "And my answer is yes, little Omega. I absolutely would take on two Omegas. Rest. We'll eat in a little bit."

Shock runs through me but the purr radiating through the nest lulls me into a security I haven't known for years. Sleep takes me under when Grayson flops onto his side, bringing Blake's back to my arm. I roll onto my side as well, curling around my Omega. I expect Luther to case us in but he merely moves a little closer until I can feel his arm against my back.

I want to complain when I remember how terrible of a situation this is for us. That either Luther or Grayson could end up with a fine or in jail for touching a mated Omega without permission. And still, I need the reassurance as I reach back and find Luther's hand.

When he doesn't reject me, threading his fingers through mine, I hope and pray that tomorrow will never come.