Chapter Eighteen

The line between dreaming and reality had been deliciously blurred throughout the night. Turned out, my omega and I could have sex through dreams. Our bodies weren't involved, of course, but it was an experience of strengthening our bond while touching on intimacies the physical world couldn't quite reach.

Of course, we'd made love in reality several times as well. His body reacted so well in my hold. He touched me in ways I didn't know could set all of me on fire.

I didn't foresee a time when I would ever get enough of the sweet omega who accepted me for all I was.

"I smell sausage," Sloan said as he lay against my naked chest, letting out a moan.

"I've never been jealous of breakfast food before," I answered, chuckling.

"Oh, trust me, I would give up all breakfast food before I would give you up, Tyrus."

I turned and pulled his body flush with my own. Our cocks were both hard, and Sloan grabbed onto my hip, rocking against me. "That's a bold statement."

He opened those eyes and, if I wasn't mistaken, they were brighter first thing in the morning. Those little things about him surprised me every day. His beautiful smile. The way he stirred his iced coffee. The way he took careful steps in everything he did, especially with the kids.

I wanted to put a kid of mine in him—immediately.

"Well, I'm a bold omega." He proved that point by straddling me and taking me once more.

We took our time showering and learning things about each other, even though I knew he was hungry. I ducked out of the room while he was brushing his teeth and grabbed an iced coffee and two plates of breakfast. I got some pointed looks from the team but growled once, shutting them down. Of course, once this morning bubble of ours popped, and we had to step back into our regular responsibilities, I would have to tell them Sloan was my mate. If they hadn't figured it out already.

They would accept him, I hoped.

Gray and Hutch were part of the team now and even though Jack didn't have an alpha here, he had become one of us too. Their input and points of view were valuable in making sure we were doing the right thing even though our mixed signals from the so-called bosses confounded us all lately.

Our responsibility was to the omegas first. Not the ones in charge. Especially when their orders and procedures had proven dangerous to the ones we were on a mission to save.

"What a damned shame," I said as I walked back into the bedroom to find Sloan dressed in a sweater and jeans. Pop-Tart took care to make sure everyone had clothes that fit them and the season. He was good like that. No way in hell I would know what to get or even where to buy it.

He giggled and took the iced coffee from my hand. "I need a break from you, alpha. I mean, I'm no virgin, but you're packing a lot down there. Your omega is a bit sore."

"I hurt you?" I asked, my voice booming.

"No. It's an amazing soreness. You would never hurt me."

Realization hit me. "I'm packing a lot, huh?" I waggled my eyebrows.

"Oh gods. I never should've said that. You're gonna get that tattooed across your chest or something, aren't you?"

I shook my head. "No. But I'm already thinking of getting your name across my chest. Let everyone know who I belong to. I saved that spot for my mate."

My arms and chest, with the exception of the top near the collarbone, were covered with tattoos. One for my brother. One for my bear. Things that were meaningful and a few for fun.

But Sloan's name on my skin would be the best one by far.

"Really?" he said. "I might get one too."

I nodded. While I loved his skin just the way it was, it belonged to him. He was a survivor and a warrior in his own right. A tattoo might be empowering for him. "Eat up. You're gonna need your strength. It's pantry cleanup day."

"Tell you the truth, I've been itching to organize that thing. I know everyone tries, but with so many people, it's bound to get in disarray. Plus, I'm gonna need lots of protein to keep up with you."

We ate together and were almost done when a knock came at my door. "Come in," I barked, not liking my private time interrupted.

"Ty, it's me." Aziz. "I've got some updates. Unless you need me to come back later?" He stuck his head in but kept his eyes on the floor.

"Come on in, Aziz. Everyone is dressed here," my omega answered.

Aziz came in. I was surprised he had intel already. Sometimes the hyena stayed weeks at a place before he had evidence or something to go on. "I have some things on video and pictures. There's shit going down at that place, and we need to get on it. Meeting in five minutes." He looked at Sloan. "Omegas too. We all need to see this."