The Next Day

Mari

I have napped the last two days straight. I hate napping. I feel so useless sleeping the day away, but the last few days I’ve been drained, and there’s no denying what it means—my heat will start any day now.

I need more time—I should have another two weeks—but it looks like I have to leave now. I can’t risk going into my heat in this house. Izan and the twins will be on me in seconds. They’ll fuck me, knot me, and mark me in a heartbeat, and then I’ll never be able to get my hands on Cardis.

I’m not worried about suffering through my heat in the woods.

Before coming to Havenfield, it had been years since I’d had a heat at all. I’m sure it was the stress of living on the run, then the spiraling self-hate I suffered after losing Stefan. But after a year at the institution, my heat started up again. I begged for suppressants, but the fuckers wouldn’t give them to me. They rarely gave them to the patients, claiming they wanted the omegas to be “healthy.” It was all bullshit. They wanted us wet and needy, desperate to be claimed by a big alpha cock.

But I have conditioned myself to handle my heats just fine by myself. I didn’t even use the vibrators provided. I used my fingers and nothing else. Maybe it was my desire to punish myself for losing Stefan, or maybe it was the fact that anytime someone shoved something inside me, it hurt beyond measure—which was true until I met Izan.

Izan .

My mind drifts to that morning in his office when he demanded I ride his thigh. He pushed at my hips, forcing me to grind down on him. I came so hard, coating his pants in so much slick while his cock remained completely untouched. It shocked me that he didn’t fuck me on his desk that day. He let me chase my own pleasure but didn’t take anything for himself.

He’s such a bizarre alpha.

I still don’t like him. Or Hutch.

Or do I like Hutch? I honestly don’t know. I feel so weird around him. Heightened and tingly. He’s still stern and stares at me, but at least he keeps his hands to himself.

But Dassy and Everly are absolutely divine.

The pair are so tender and affectionate that a small part of me thinks that I should come back here after I’ve found Stefan. I’m sure they’d take me back.

I hope.

“Look at you all squeaky clean,” Dassy says as he steps into my bathroom.

I adjust the towel securely around my chest, making sure it won’t fall. “Good afternoon,” I say, snatching another towel off of the counter. This has become my and Dassy’s routine the last few days. I shower after my nap and he comes in and teases me, touches me, and then he tries to convince me to let him fuck me in my nest. But I never give in. I like seeing the alpha frustrated too much to give him what he wants.

“You look good enough to eat.” Dassy comes up from behind, admiring me in the large mirror.

I towel dry my hair, smiling back at the alpha’s reflection. Dassy looks good as always. His simple gray T-shirt pulls tight across his pecs, and his jeans perfectly fit his muscular thighs. And I swear the man must spend hours getting the tips of his hair to lay just right.

“Why do you have so much shit?” Dassy asks as he leans against my back. He plants his hands on the counter in front of me, trapping me in place. “Why do you need so many lotions?” He looks at the array of bottles on the counter.

I stop drying my hair, staring at the alpha’s reflection. “You know,” I say, in the mood to tease him a bit, “everyone keeps talking about how you and Hutch and Izan work so hard and have this amazing business, but I never see you work at all. You’re always here.”

Dassy’s eyes flash from over my shoulder. “You’re my job now, goldie,” he purrs in my ear as he moves the damn hair off of my neck.

“Is that so?” I ask, pitching my voice a little higher. Extra girlie. I like to flirt a bit before rejecting his advances.

“Yup.” He glances up at my reflection as his hands move around my body. He tugs at my towel, freeing the knot so it slips from my body. Cool air hits my skin, making me gasp. “One of us has to be here to protect you.” His warm breath fans across my skin, making goosebumps flash.

“Am I in danger?”

“Just these tits.” He gives me that playful, sexy smirk. “They need to be closely guarded at all times, but don’t worry,” his warm hands palm my breasts, “I’m a professional.”

I giggle as he squeezes my chest over and over again, making my nipples pucker out. “Are you having fun?” I ask.

“Very much so,” Dassy growls, pinching my inverted nipple. He lavishes it with attention, rubbing and tweaking it. The man looks like he’s in heaven.

“Why do you like my weird nipple so much?” I ask, dying to know.

“I love them both equally.” Dassy immediately switches his attention to my other nipple.

I roll my eyes. “I guess I should be happy you like it.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” he says, his voice serious. Almost as if he’s offended. “These tits are the perfect representation of you.”

“What the hell does that mean?” I screw up my face, not sure I heard him right.

“Well, this nipple,” he pinches my inverted nipple, “is shy and timid, just like you when you’re being fucked.” My face warms at his description, but I don’t interrupt. “And this one,” he squeezes my good boob, “is bold and proud, poking out of your flimsy little T-shirts.” He slips his lips right over my ear, whispering, “It’s just begging for a sexy alpha to suck it.”

“Do I know this sexy alpha?” I ask, giving the alpha a teasing smirk.

Dassy’s mouth falls open, but he’s loving the way I tease him. His cock is rock hard and pressed right up against my bare ass.

“You had better watch out, omega,” Dassy says with fake anger, “or I’ll show you something so sexy, your knees will buckle and your heat will start.”

“Yeah?” I blurt out with a challenging lift in my voice. “Show me.” I push away from the counter, turning to look at the alpha. “Right now. Pull out your most impressive alpha tricks and turn me into a slick-soaked puddle.”

“Oh,” Dassy’s smile grows. “You’re in for it now.”

But before he can move a muscle, I run—out the bathroom door, through my bedroom, and straight for my nest. Dassy’s heavy feet are right behind me, but then they abruptly stop, right at the edge of my nest. I admire the defeat on his handsome face as he takes a careful step back.

“You really won’t come in without my permission?” I say the words like they’re a question, but I already know the answer.

“I really won’t.” All his humor is gone, and a very serious alpha has taken his place. An alpha who wants nothing more than to make me feel loved and respected.

There are so many things in my life that have gone wrong. My family’s death, living on the run, my mountain of mistakes, but letting this pack claim me might be the only thing I’ve done right so far. I still have a mission. There are things I have to do, but when I’m done, I might want to come back here.

“Alpha?” I hold out my hand, waiting for the alpha to look me in the eyes. “Will you come into my nest?”

The playful glint in Dassy’s eyes shifts, replaced by gentle shock. “Really?” His blue eyes flicker to my hand.

“Yes.” I hold my hand a little higher, very aware of the fact that I am completely naked.

Dassy kicks off his shoes, then he takes a deep breath, before placing one foot into my nest. He sinks into the mattress, testing the weight as he bends down to keep from hitting his head. I settle onto my knees, urging him to do the same so he doesn’t have to stand at an awkward angle.

“Better?” I ask, positioning myself directly in front of him.

Dassy inhales deep, pulling in the full scent of my nest. “It smells amazing.” His voice is a deep rumble that shoots straight to my core. “So potent.” His eyes float closed as if cherishing the moment.

Everything about this moment feels so right. My nest. The alpha. Even the pack downstairs. They were never something I wanted, but this place somehow became my home.

“Dassy?” I rest my hands against his chest, pressing my breasts against his firm body. “Kiss me.”

A pleased hum drifts from Dassy’s chest as he lowers his head. One big hand circles my waist while the other cups the back of my head. For a moment, he just looks at me. Our mouths are hovering so close as he drinks in every inch of my face. And then he kisses me. And it’s like every kiss we share—slow, intense passion.

Opening my mouth, I silently beg for his tongue, pushing my hands into his short hair. The alpha growls as his hands roam, slipping down the length of my back and squeezing my ass hard. A spark of something wonderful flickers within me, and slick begins to gather,

“Alpha,” I whimper against his tongue. “Please.”

Dassy’s hands freeze and his mouth slowly closes. Then to my horror, he breaks the kiss. “I’m sorry,” he pants. “I can’t.”

“What?” I ask, so confused. “What do you mean you can’t ?” Especially, since I can feel his thick, hard cock pressed up between us.

“I don’t think I’m allowed to fuck you,” he says, releasing his hold on my butt.

“You’ve fucked me every night for the last three days,” I say, not bothering to hide how annoyed I am right now.

“Yeah,” he says, mimicking my stressed tones. “ With Izan and Hutch. My pack alpha and the second in command. I can’t…” he looks me up and down, licking his lips. “Fuck. I hate my life right now.” He falls back, sitting on his feet. “I can’t fuck you,” he says as if defeated.

I’m torn between deep embarrassment, psychotic rage, and real admiration. The amount of self-control these alphas have is unreal. Here I am, stark naked and asking to be rutted, and Dassy’s loyalty to his pack is holding him back.

It’s like something out of a science fiction book.

“You are a very impressive alpha, Dassy Wysong,” I say, admiring his striking features. “Your self-control is admirable.”

“You should have seen me five years ago.” He grimaces, piquing my interest. There must be a story there. “It’s Hutch you should be impressed by. He’s the good twin.”

“Hutch?” I say with obvious disbelief. “I don’t know about that.” I think about all the ways the pair are so wildly different. “He’s so stern and bossy.” I lean against the alpha, giving him a flirty smile. “But you smile so easily and always try to make the people around you laugh.” I rest my hands against his chest, feeling the grooves of his pecs. “Hutch is so…on edge.” I nod, deciding that’s the least offensive thing I could have said.

“He’s a serious guy,” Dassy defends his brother, “but he’s got a really good heart. He has a level of control that I never will. Hell, he’s even sat outside your bedroom door every night since you arrived just to make sure you don’t go sleepwalking again. And he hasn’t once snuck into your room.” Dassy’s arms slip around me once again, holding me tight. “I would fail that test in two seconds.” He presses his lips to mine, this kiss so much slower than the last.

So, it has been Hutch that I’ve smelled each morning in the hallway. I can’t believe he’s been right on the other side of my unlocked door. He could have easily snuck in here and touched me, or hurt me, or done God knows what. But he didn’t.

I don’t know how I feel about that.

Maybe I am impressed by Hutch.

Dassy hums as he breaks the kiss. “I promise, omega. Soon we’ll be able to lay together whenever we want.” His blue eyes sparkle as he admires me once more. “Come on.” He lets out a sad sigh. “Let’s get you dressed so I can keep my head.”

I frown but don’t argue. There was a time in my life when an alpha declining to have sex with me would have been a huge relief, but today I’m disappointed. That’s okay. Tonight, I’ll get my fill of Dassy. And then come morning, I’ll pack my bag and plan my departure before my heat starts and I’m really in trouble.

“You look gorgeous,” Dassy gasps as I step out of my bathroom.

I give him a skeptical look, finding it hard to believe the alpha is that stunned by leggings and a simple T-shirt. “Really?” I cock one brow.

“Yes.” He pushes himself off of the tiny couch. He struts toward me, looking like a beast of a man. Hard muscle flexing under his soft cotton shirt. And his thighs. It’s criminal for a man to have thighs that thick. “Let’s go bug Everly.” He takes my hand, threading our fingers together. “Dinner will be soon and I want to get the beta all flustered before we eat.”

I laugh, looking forward to it. I love to watch them tease each other. Everly can sometimes give as good as she gets. Dassy shuts my bedroom door behind us. We pass his room, and I pause.

“How come I haven’t seen your room?”

Dassy stops mid-stride, turning to look at me with wide eyes. “You want to see my room?”

“Yeah.” I cross my arm, sizing the door up and down. “You guys come in and out of my room all damn day. It’s only fair that I get to see your room.”

“Well, then,” Dassy says in his loud, friendly voice. “Let’s fix that.” He bows low, holding out his elbow. “Right this way, my lady.”

I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t this.

The whole room is insanely clean, with two sleek black desks, two matching black dressers, and a bed as big as Izan’s.

“You two share a bed?” I phrase it like a question, but the answer is right in front of me.

“Yeah.” Dassy plops down at the foot of the bed. “We like to be around each other.”

“Is it a twin thing?”

“Maybe,” he shrugs. “I mean, we don’t spoon each other or anything like that. Hutch has his side and I have mine. The only time we touch is when Everly is in bed with us. But I like having him in the same room with me.” His eyes drift and his brows lower as if remembering something unpleasant. “I like hearing him breathe at night. It’s comforting to know he’s here.”

Weirdly enough, I understand that. “I’ve had a few roommates over the last two years at Havenfield. It is sometimes nice to know there’s someone nearby. Especially on rainy nights.”

Dassy smiles and his phone buzzes. The alpha grimaces and holds up one finger, telling me he has to take it. I take advantage of his distraction, using it as my chance to look at the framed pictures on the dresser.

There’s a picture of a pretty blonde omega holding two fat baby boys. Their cheeks are so round and rosy. One of the babies is frowning and I immediately assume that’s Hutch. Next is a picture of two identical blond boys fishing with three massive alphas. The five of them look very happy, crowded on a tiny boat, and one of the boys is holding up a fish that is almost as big as he is. There’s one picture of them with Izan, all three of them look very young, maybe in their early twenties, and then there are a ton of photos all with Everly—the twins sitting with Everly by a pool, laughing with Everly in a garden, posing in front of a fireplace, but one specific picture at the back catches my eye.

It’s an older picture. Maybe from their late teens. Hutch and Dassy are shirtless. They’re still identical—same blue eyes, same cut abs, same shaggy blond hair, everything except for Dassy’s tattoo. It’s not the one he has now.

I pick the picture up, holding it up to my face. It looks like it might be letters. It’s hard to tell exactly what it is since Dassy’s waistband is cutting all of it off. But there are no flowers. No snakes.

“Whatcha got there, goldie?” Dassy pushes his phone into his pocket as he steps up next to me.

“Your tattoo.” I hold the picture up so he can see it. “Was it different?” I squint, trying to figure it out.

“Yeah.” Dassy smiles, lifting his shirt to show off the colorful ink across his lower abdomen. “My buddy Connor did a bang-up job.” He smooths his hand over it. “It was from a pack I used to belong to. I made some bad decisions back then.” He lets out a heavy sigh, almost as if there are a thousand other things he wants to say about it.

“An old pack?” I ask as he takes the picture from me. Something like dread creeps in, but I keep staring at his stomach, trying to see if I can make out the old tattoo.

“Yeah. They weren’t good people.”

I don't miss the way his eyes cut away from me, almost as if he can’t even look at me. “What pack?” I ask as my eyes finally focus on a thin line that’s barely visible through a line of roses. It curves along the top, then dips down. It was a “T”. And that dread shifts, growing thicker. More intense.

“The Tenus pack.” Dassy lets out a pained sigh, and I take a quick step back.

Confusion is the first thing I feel. “The Tenus Pack?” I ask, or at least I think I do. I can’t really feel my face, and my tongue seems to be twice its size, making it impossible to breathe.

Dassy’s deep tones rumble around me, but the pounding of my own blood blocks him out. The urge to pick up the nearest object and beat this alpha senseless is intense, but I don’t want to touch him. Hell, I don’t even want to look at him.

I need to get out of here. Now!

“I have a headache,” I blurt out, then run straight to the bedroom door. There’s a moment of shocked silence before Dassy moves to follow me, but I’m already in the hallway, marching straight for my room.

“Mari?” His voice is panicked and right behind me.

“I want to be alone.” I wrench open my bedroom door, then spin on the alpha. His blue eyes are wide with worry and his hands are lifted as if about to touch me. “I don’t want anyone in my room,” I say as firmly as I can, and he draws his hands back. “No one. Not you, Hutch or Izan. Or even Everly.” My voice cracks as I say the beta’s name.

Dassy opens his mouth, but before he can get a word out, I slam the door right in his face. Then I sink to my knees, pressing my forehead against the soft pink carpet, and I begin to silently cry.

I can’t stay here.

I have to leave, and I can never come back.