6. Chapter 6

Chapter six

Gabriel

“ F uck it,” Luke groaned, taking the words right out of Gabriel’s mouth.

Gabriel had spent nearly every waking moment thinking about Genesis Valentine over the last week. Now, here she was, smelling like a promise and looking like a fantasy come to life. He’d been trying not to seem too eager, so as not to make her uncomfortable on her first night, but Luke had shredded that plan.

Genesis’s neck was arched, her head angled backward by Luke’s grip on her chin. He kissed her roughly, and Gabriel could tell that she liked it. The smell of her growing arousal already had his cock straining against his zipper. Her small breasts were pressed against his chest, her nipples peaked and inviting. Gabriel lowered his head, running his nose over her exposed throat.

Genesis froze, a spike of fear marring her scent. She broke the kiss with Luke to turn her wide eyes on Gabriel. He stiffened, his instincts acutely focused on easing her fear. It took him only a moment to realize his mistake.

“You’re okay,” he assured her, purring softly and running his hands down her arms. “No teeth, I promise. I’ve been dreaming about your scent all week. I just wanted a closer sniff.”

Genesis relaxed a little, leaning against Luke, who hadn’t taken his eyes off of her for a moment. The hand that had gripped her chin now rested lightly on her throat, his hold gentle but firm. Gabriel knew that dark look, that dominant stance. Luke was slipping naturally into Daddy mode which meant he really liked this woman.

“You thought about me?” Genesis asked, bright eyes sparkling at him with that hint of snark that he liked so much.

“Every day,” he replied honestly, and Genesis gave him a sweet smile that made him want to paint and cry and roar and burn the world down. Anything to earn more of her smiles.

Gabriel had known when she walked into their packhouse for the first time that Genesis Valentine was about to blow their world apart. He just hadn’t thought it would happen so fast. Luke Wyatt was stubborn as all hell. Gabriel had expected more of a fight.

There’s still plenty of time for him to fuck it up , he thought wryly. Luke was excellent at self-sabotage. It’s like he wouldn’t allow himself to enjoy anything too much. Gabriel suspected he was punishing himself.

Luke met Gabriel’s gaze, though it appeared to take a considerable effort to pull his attention away from Genesis. “This is another reason we planned to start with dinner. We intended to talk safety and boundaries and shit before anyone so much as touched you. Nice going, Gabe.”

Luke was trying to sound cranky, but Gabriel heard an unusual lightness in his tone that warmed his insides. Of his packmates, Gabriel worried most about Luke. He’d always battled depression, and it had gotten really bad after Evie died. Though he’d gotten better over time, Luke still hadn’t recovered, hadn’t put down the burden of guilt and grief that followed him like a storm cloud. But, in that moment, Gabe saw a glimpse of the old Luke. If Gabriel hadn’t already liked Genesis, he’d be completely smitten with her based on that alone.

“That’s right. Dinner. That’s probably a good idea,” Genesis replied with a shaky laugh. Her golden-brown skin was flushed, her plump lips slightly swollen. Gabriel wanted desperately to taste those lips, to taste every inch of her until Genesis was the only flavor he knew.

But he needed her to feel safe first. If she tensed up every time their mouths were near her neck, she’d never be comfortable. Gabriel brushed his fingers over her cheek, enjoying the way her skin flushed further beneath his touch, how her pulse fluttered, and her lips parted. He smiled. He could take his time.

He stepped back, taking her hand again and pulling her away from Luke and toward the dining space. Gabriel smothered a smile thinking of what Lando must’ve been sensing through the pack bond over the past few minutes. It must have been difficult sitting and waiting through the uproar, but when they entered the main room, Lando was perfectly composed. He sat at the head of the table, sipping Aperitivo, and scrolling on his cell. If they weren’t so close, Gabriel wouldn’t have noticed the telltale tic in Lando’s jaw. Yeah, his pack leader had felt it all.

Gabriel didn’t feel too bad for him. Lando had gone all “Orlando Rossi, CEO” over the last week, taking charge of Genesis’s arrangements with gusto. Though he hadn’t let his packmates do much of anything, he’d at least updated them each evening on his progress, while practically glowing with delight. He seemed ten years younger, and more relaxed than Gabriel had seen him in a long time. His pleasure had hummed through the pack bond all week. It was remarkable how doing anything in service of an omega could give them such an intense sense of satisfaction.

Lando stood, his eyes intent on the omega. “Genesis, I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see you again. I assume everyone has taken good care of you thus far?”

Gabriel fought against his grin as Genesis stumbled a little over her reply, cheeks pinkening. Obviously, she was still thinking of how Luke and Gabriel had been extremely ready to take care of her a few minutes ago. Though Lando had surely caught the delectable scent of her slick, he didn’t comment. Instead, he took her hand and led her to a chair at his side.

Gabriel exchanged a wry look with Luke before snagging the seat on Genesis’s other side. Luke took the spot across from her and fixed her with his steely gaze. The guy could be surly and intimidating, but Gabe knew his current stare was just pure lust. He could probably still taste her on his tongue, the bastard. Gabriel should’ve kissed her himself, maybe when they were alone in the cottage.

Luke shot him a sly grin, as if reading his mind. “Gabe was dawdling in the yard, apparently willing to let us all starve. What kind of behavior is that on Genesis’s first day?”

Gabriel rolled his eyes, but Lando ignored them both. He only had eyes for Genesis. “I hope you’re hungry. Marco has been very excited to cook for an omega again. I apologize in advance for all the nutrient-rich meals he’s going to force on you.”

Luke scowled. “He’d better not start trying to change our diets, too. If he starts that shit about cutting out pork, I’ll throw him out on his ass.”

Genesis cocked her head at Luke, a sexy smirk on her full lips. “Your chef is right about the pork. It is bad for you. At your age, you need to be thinking about a heart healthy diet. Maybe having me around will be good for you in more ways than we thought.”

Luke’s jaw dropped and Gabriel couldn’t help laughing. Genesis picked up her water glass—probably to hide her grin—casually sipping and watching Luke, while clearly reveling in her accomplishment. She’d probably already realized that Luke Wyatt Wilder was rarely struck speechless.

Lando smiled, watching the exchange with obvious amusement. “Did you just call us old?”

Genesis gave him a wide-eyed look of mock innocence. “I never used the word old .”

“It was implied,” Luke retorted, his midnight eyes flashing. “I have half a mind to bend you over my knee.”

Genesis gasped, lips parting invitingly. The rosy glow returned to her cheeks, and the smell of jasmine and honey intensified. It took Gabriel a considerable amount of strength not to reach for her, to touch her, taste her. He wondered if she had any idea of the effect she was having on him—on all of them.

Luke leaned toward her across the table, his gravelly voice low and wicked. “Oh, you like that idea, do you? Well don’t worry, sugar-britches. I can already tell that sweet mouth of yours is gonna earn you plenty of spankings.”

Genesis whined in response and the sound went straight to Gabriel’s cock, which was apparently just going to be at least semi-hard at all times with this omega around. He gripped the table to stop himself from pulling her into his lap. Desire, instincts, and raw need gnawed at his self-control. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed when Marco, the chef, and Andrea, the house manager, entered carrying steaming trays of food.

“That discussion will have to wait until after dinner,” Lando said smoothly, though his hazel eyes still roamed over Genesis ravenously. “Marco, what magic have you concocted for us today?”

Gabriel let himself zone out as the chef launched into an explanation of the evening’s menu. Rather than listening, he watched Genesis listen. She was clearly knowledgeable and cultured, often asking probing questions that allowed Marco to demonstrate his considerable culinary expertise. Gabriel knew she’d come from a wealthy family, so he wasn’t surprised that she seemed comfortable with their luxurious lifestyle, but he was still struck by her poise.

Genesis was classy and mature. That’s what added an extra layer of allure to her other attractions. She was so comfortable in her own skin, so clearly sure of herself. This was a woman who knew what she wanted, and she wasn’t afraid to go after it. Gabriel had seen that when she’d talked about her career goals the day they met. Since then, he’d seen her playful and snarky, flustered and aroused, and now professional and confident. He liked all of her moods, but self-assured Genesis was sexy as all hell.

At thirty, she was the oldest of their temporary omegas, but certainly not from any preference on their part. Evie had been Gabriel’s age, but they were both young when the pack claimed her. Omegas were rarely unbonded at Genesis’s age. Even those who chose temporary alphas, rather than immediate bonding after coming of age, usually ended up mated by their mid-twenties. Omegas were just so damn special—any pack given a chance to earn their love damn sure wouldn’t throw away their shot.

Love? Where did that come from? Gabriel knew that people described him as sensitive and artistic, but that didn’t make him a hopeless romantic. Okay, it did a little, but that didn’t mean he was rash. He took his time considering things. It had driven his brother nuts. Daniel had been the spontaneous and decisive one. The first snap decision Gabriel ever made was Evie. He’d known she was theirs from almost the moment they’d met. He’d never thought he’d feel that certainty again.

The thirteen years they’d spent with Evie had been the happiest of his life. The love the four of them shared had been a vibrant, precious thing. He’d thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, it surprised him that he found himself thinking about love on this first day with another unique, beautiful omega.

Maybe his instincts had been correct. When Gabriel told Lando that he felt like he was on the verge of a breakthrough, he’d meant it. He’d been really low for a few months, but he finally realized it was because he was afraid to feel better. Happiness was a risk—something that could be ripped away from you at any moment. He’d learned that when Daniel died. Then the pack and Evie had brought him back, helped him to rediscover his joy. Only for it to be snatched away again, composted with their omega.

He'd been fighting his way back to himself for years, making steady progress despite the fear. He learned how to laugh again, how to find beauty in the trees and stars and exhaustion and pain. But his art still wasn’t quite right. You couldn’t cut yourself off from life and expect it to still show you its mysteries. You had to feel it all if you wanted to create anything real.

Gabriel knew that fear of another loss was holding him back. He wasn’t sure he could survive another blow that devastating. He was afraid his pack couldn’t either.

And just when he’d begun to push back against that fear, to open himself up to life again, Dr. Gardiner waved her wand like some type of fairy godmother and Genesis appeared. It felt like a sign. It felt like kismet.

Gabriel was still afraid, but for Genesis he thought he could try.