11. SAVIN

SAVIN

If the sun gets any hotter, I might melt into these uncomfortable plastic chairs we’ve been stuffed into. I’m not even sure what this event is for but it’s both outside and unnecessary. Someone starts clapping and then everyone is as I grit my teeth together, trying to ignore the pounding in my head. The headache started way before we even left the house but I hate holding Macon back. I can weather a little pain if it means presenting a strong front.

I’ve dressed for the occasion, pale linens and sandals with my hair pulled back into a bun. My bond mark is visible just above my scent gland, showing everyone that I’m taken. The large bite width also shows how out of control Macon was when he bonded me. The bastard said he’d be gentle. He lied. I chuckle and then sigh, feeling like something is missing.

Three weeks ago was the best fucking day of my life second to getting married to Macon but that’s not the point. We found our third, our mate, our Beta. The day after that? It felt like someone doused me in a bucket of cold water. Waking up to find her gone was only the start and I knew I was being irrational. It was only supposed to be one night and yet it felt like it could have been the start of a forever.

Two days later, all heat symptoms vanished and we resumed our stressful schedules, deciding not to talk about the woman we both wanted to see again. The only contact information we had was from the club and it would be strange calling up Euphoria to speak with one of their dancers. Showing up might be worse, encroaching on her space without asking, and yet I still secretly wanted to try it just to see her again.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, scratching at the medicinal patch over my gland. The heat symptoms returned last night, my scent slightly sweeter than usual. I experience heat flares rather than the normal 4 to 7-day heats that happen every few months for most Omegas.

My heats are irregular and stress can bring these flares at any time, lasting one day to a week. Nothing out of the ordinary but since this event is required, better safe than sorry especially when Macon has a knack for going a little feral during my heats. I’m not complaining in the slightest but I’d rather him not bend me over in public.

Well, that’s not true.

I’d rather not be bent over in front of these people.

Someone’s speaking up at the front again but I tune them out, attention drifting to the half-eaten food in front of me. I’ve never been a fan of the gourmet shit most of these places serve but usually, I smile and scarf it down, appeasing Jace in the meantime. Unfortunately today, I just don’t have the heart to pretend.

I scratch at the patch again, groaning when Macon throws an arm around the back of my chair and dips his cheek to mine. “Baby, if you keep doing that, I will 100% end up fucking you with an audience. I’ve been hard all goddamn morning.” He purrs in my ear, a delicious shiver crawling down my spine as I squirm in my seat. My hands fall to my lap, my cock thickening in my pants, as I twist my neck, cracking it in the process.

The patch is fucking uncomfortable even if I know that it’s necessary. “Fuck me anyway,” I whisper. “This shit is boring. Why are we even here?” Someone from across the table shoots us a dirty look and I nearly throw them the middle finger when Macon grabs my hand from beneath the table. The problem with my heats isn”t just the losing my mind to a sexual haze I can’t climb out of—one that is more often painful than not. It’s all the irritability and testiness that comes before the heat that I fucking hate.

Macon runs his thumb over the back of my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts. “We’re here for support, Savin.” He points to the man who’s taken the stage. “You remember Gordon, right?”

My face scrunches in disgust at the Beta that I do my best to avoid at every gathering. We had a thing a year before I tied the knot with Macon and Gordon reminds me every chance he gets that we fit so well and that he’d make an excellent third. I brought it up to Macon at one point, just for fun—a similar proposal as the one we gave Ellie—and I have never seen my Alpha shoot something down so fast. It still makes me laugh when I remember it and the way Macon so thoroughly took me apart, growling in my ear that he was more than enough for me.

All that changed with Ellie.

“Yes, of course, I remember Gordon,” I hiss, not feeling particularly generous today. “He’s the one I asked you to fuck.” Ah, such eloquent words.

Macon’s eyes darken. “Sav.”

“You should have told him his movie sucked before it aired. Then we wouldn’t be here.” It’s a joke. Mostly. No, Gordon’s movie definitely sucked if it’s the strange action sci-fi that I’m thinking about. I open my mouth to continue the bashing when Macon’s fingers leave my hand and dig into my thigh. It’s a painful pleasure that I absolutely crave and shouldn’t be indulging in public.

“Reel it in, baby.”

I suck in a breath, my shoulders falling as I curl into myself. Anyone watching would see an Omega submitting to their Alpha after being berated for their behavior. It’s a disguise I live under even as I bite my lip to keep from throwing out another retort. Macon is still holding onto my thigh, squeezing softly to keep me from drawing into myself.

The pounding in my head begins to worsen and I bite back a wince, trying to pretend I’m okay. All of these stupid complications are making it harder to just exist and sometimes I wish we could go back to when things were easy. A sigh falls from my lips when Macon drags his cheek against mine again, his scent consuming me and keeping everything else at bay.

“You didn’t take your medicine again today, did you?” He asks, a warning in his tone.

“I did. Promise. It’s not working.” It hasn’t been working since Ellie, like her scent tore through it and now my body is constantly searching for her scent again.

“Come on babe. Let me take you home.”

I sag against him in relief, giving into the stature I’ve been trying to hide. Macon sees my face lose its color as I melt into his side, my Alpha helping me to my feet and nodding apologetically to some of the others that we disturb as we exit. No doubt Jace will be ringing Macon in the next few minutes but I’d rather be sprawled out in my nest at that point.

Even though I’m under contract Jace still addresses my Alpha. Archaic bullshit is what that is but I cherish not having to deal with shit upfront at times like this.

By the time I’m in the car, Macon driving off the lot, I’m having a hard time focusing on anything other than breathing. Now that I’m completely surrounded by Macon’s scent, it’s easier to take deep gulps of air to calm my nerves and finally relax without cameras in every direction waiting for me to fall apart. There was one incident when I passed out and the tabloids occasionally recycle the story with some rumor that the entertainment world has ruined one of their best.

“What do you need, Savin? Baby?” Macon’s voice fills with concern, his hands tightening on the wheel as he picks up speed. “Savin, talk to me. Fuck, you’re always trying to be so strong.”

“Shot of tequila and some cock,” I joke. Although, both of those options sound excellent right now. Falling asleep with my Alpha’s knot lodged inside me has me settling again even if my cock has other ideas. A moan slips through as slick gathers around my hole. Not yet. I’m not fucking ready. Heats are always a hit or miss for me. Sometimes, I just want to crawl into a ball, Macon having to force me to eat and pamper me with baths to keep the pain at bay. And other times, I’m insatiable. I need my Alpha like I need water.

I have a feeling that this heat isn’t going to be a pleasurable one. A wave of pain tears through me and I fist my hands into the fabric of my pants, waiting for it to pass. Tears gather as I squeeze my lids shut before speaking again. “Meds and my nest,” I push out. Aside from the cream, there’s one other medication that takes away all the pain. Unfortunately, it’s one of the few drugs that render me completely useless. It isn”t just a haze. I feel drunk and sluggish and usually just end up sleeping the day away.

Macon nods but doesn’t respond, focusing on taking us back home. I’m not sure when I fall asleep but when I open my eyes again, I’m curled into my Alpha’s chest as he heads toward my nest. I dig my fingers into his chest as he walks, sticking my nose into his shirt to keep from scenting anything else. It’s not until he walks into the dark, familiar room of my nest, laying me in the middle of cushions and blankets that I hum with relief.

“You did so well, Savin,” he purrs as he undresses me. I don’t have the energy to say anything. “I’m so proud of you, baby.” Macon leans down to kiss me, handling me as if I might break. It’s safe and warm here, even as my body trembles, trying to overcome my failing biology. “Let me go grab your meds and we might have that strange mint blueberry gelato you like.”

I grin against his lips, feeling his beard brush against my chin. “Mmm, I knew I kept you around for something.”

“Cheeky. I’ll be right back.” Macon leaves and I curl into the pillows, blocking out another small wave of pain. My heat blooms again, my hole slick with need but I can’t find the energy to alert my Alpha. In minutes, I’ve passed out in a fitful sleep, dreaming of gelato spread all across my mates as I lick it off every inch of them.

I’m so fucked.