15. Ari

15

ARI

“Welcome back, Ari. Excellent job on the campaign.”

Isaac stood in his packhouse’s palatial kitchen, plating up a truly impressive array of dishes onto six plates. He immediately reached into a nearby cupboard and pulled out a seventh and held it up questioningly at Ari. Ari nodded furiously, eager for a meal that didn’t come in a sad rectangular tray. He was bone tired after a whirlwind trip but it was a satisfying kind of ache, knowing things had gone well. He’d even fit in a visit to his old barber for a cathartic trim who told him plainly, “This is good. Don’t be sad anymore.”

The campaign had gone live while he was in the air. It was nerve-wracking, not knowing how it had been received until he was finally able to switch off airplane mode on the tarmac. But the early feedback had been tremendous. The hashtag #bonddissolutionmatters was trending as betas and alphas shared why they were grateful they didn’t have permanent bonds.

Everyday I’m grateful I was only a beta when I was dared to accept the bite of the most popular boy in school at a party. He’s currently serving time for aggravated animal cruelty. #bonddissolutionmatters

If my bond had been permanent, my parents’ friend who secretly groomed me behind their backs would still be my alpha today. #bonddissolutionmatters

Maybe I would be a little less fucked up if I didn’t have to watch my alpha parents belittle and verbally abuse my omega dad my whole childhood. #bonddissolutionmatters

Leon had been asked about his involvement in the campaign during a red carpet interview. His biting reply had already been picked up by several news outlets.

“Don’t see how it’s controversial at all, really. If someone doesn’t wish to be bonded — no matter their designation — they shouldn’t be, simple as that. Says a lot that omegas are overwhelmingly celebrating this and the loudest proponents are alphas. I can tell you right now — if you oppose bond dissolution, you’re not fit to be called an alpha.”

By the time Ari got home, showered, and woken up disoriented from an 11 hour ‘nap’, Leon had become a meme on LoopTok. Apparently the way his hand had flexed when he grabbed the mic had firmly cemented his ‘alpha daddy’ status.

Andrew and the Alpha Brotherhood’s next video went down like a lead balloon. It didn’t help that it was the most tinfoil-y, conspiracy laden one yet. Something about how bond dissolution was NOC’s way to ensure only rich people ‘got’ omegas. Like an entire designation was some sort of commodity to be bought or traded. Completely the wrong message to be pushing with Ari’s campaign doing so well. It nudged a lot of those who were on the fence back to their side.

All in all, a very successful few days.

“How’s Juno?” Ari asked, trying not to sound like he had been missing and thinking about her the whole time. How her lips felt, the fit of her curves against his palms, that sinful sumptuous scent of hers…

Don’t get a stiffy in front of Isaac, you utter bellend.

If Isaac had sensed the direction of his thoughts, he gracefully didn’t comment. “Her heat broke sometime last night. They’ve been sleeping it off most of this morning but I’m expecting food will become a priority soon.”

As if on cue, Ollie stumbled into the kitchen, freshly showered but slightly worse for wear. He barely acknowledged Ari and fell on the nearest plate with the finesse of a barnyard animal.

“Thanks Isaac,” he mumbled between mouthfuls.

“Vegetables too, Ollie.”

Ollie pointedly stuffed an entire stalk of Chinese broccoli in his mouth before turning to Ari. “You should go see her. She asked for you a few times during her heat.”

It was embarrassing how high Ari’s hopes soared. “She did?” he said, internally cursing how squeaky he sounded.

Ollie gave him a knowing look and gave his scruffy head a tilt down the corridor he’d come from. “Go on.”

Ari looked down at the plate he’d taken two bites of. “Well, Isaac, this was so good and I really appreciate you offering me some of the amazing food you—”

“Just go.”

“Right, yep.”

Ari was starting to second guess himself when he reached the door to Juno’s nest. He certainly didn’t want to impose or make her feel like she had to invite him in. What was even the protocol for that sort of thing right after a heat?

The door swung open and a newly bonded Miles and Julian appeared, each holding a huge bundle of sheets. The scent of Juno’s slick was overpowering, mixed with the rest of her pack’s release from the last few days. It hit Ari like a psychedelic induced delirium. His mind filled with flashes of a naked, mewling Juno being fucked in every possible position and configuration until she was sated.

“Oh hey man, you’re back.” Miles left the door open and shuffled past him, oblivious to Ari’s raging erection. “Good timing, she’s awake,” Julian added with a smile.

Ari let out a discreet cough and knocked on the door jamb. He didn’t want to risk sticking his head in on the off chance she did not want him there. “Hey it’s um, me. I mean, Ari.”

Bloody nailed it, didn’t you.

“Ari! Come save me from this big dumb caveman of a—”

“Just trying to do my job, baby,” Everett’s grumpy retort shot back immediately.

Juno was fighting a losing battle with the fitted sheet and the huge circular mattress at the base of her nest. Everett had his arms crossed as he watched her struggle, about to jump out of his skin wanting to help. He tried to grab the closest edge to him and she flicked it back towards herself with a twist of her wrist.

“No, it’s my job. My nest,” she said, stamping her foot crossly.

“I’m just…it’ll be quicker if…let me—” Everett saw the stubborn grit of her jaw and sighed, his shoulders dropping. “I’m sorry,” he apologised and she gave him a kiss on the cheek to let him know everything was alright. Everett turned to Ari. “I’m starving. Make sure she gets some food when she’s done here?”

Ari nodded gingerly, a strange ringing in his ears at how easily the other alpha had entrusted his omega to him.

“Hi,” Juno said shyly to him once they were alone.

“Hi,” was all he could manage back.

“Tell me how everything went,” she prompted him eagerly as she began to contend with her sheet once again. Ari sat on the floor and watched her work, updating her on everything that had happened during her heat. It took a long time for her to get her nest exactly how she liked it, but that was mainly because of all the times she stopped during Ari’s story. Squeezing his arm encouragingly as she watched the campaign film, clapping with glee at the results, resting her chin on his shoulder laughing as Ari showed her his personal favourite LoopToks featuring Leon’s hand flex.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

Ari thought don’t thank me, you give my life purpose was a bit much so he settled for a dumbstruck headnod instead.

When she shyly offered him a spot in her completed nest, it felt right to sweep his arm around her waist and pull her close, letting his hand rest on her hip. “Did they take good care of you?” Ari asked, his fingers tracing the top of her thigh and making her shiver.

“Yes,” she replied, her cheeks turning a soft pink.

Ari cleared his throat. “You should get something to eat,” he said, though his wandering touch and the infinitesimal arch of her body against his signalled something very different. “Isaac’s made a ton of food,” he added weakly.

Juno hummed, her arm circling his neck and her breath ghosting along his neck. “I’m not hungry for food,” she said huskily right before she caught his earlobe between her teeth. Her nose nuzzled at his sensitive shaved hairline. “I like your hair by the way. I’m glad you didn’t go too short,” she said lightly before beginning to suck and nip at the spot behind his ear.

“Juno,” Ari warned her through gritted teeth, while his eyes rolled to the back of his head.

“I need you, alpha.”

Oh fuck. That did something to him. His system was instantly flushed with a surge of adrenaline and lust. His cock had been semi-hard this whole time but now it felt like it was going to punch a hole right through his jeans.

“You’re not playing fair,” he groaned when she swung one leg over his. He could feel the heat of her pussy on his thigh.

“Feel hot again…” she mumbled with a small sigh.

“I thought your heat was over, sweetheart.” Ari brushed back the hair off her forehead, concerned.

Ari was surprised he didn’t come right there and then when she wiggled into a straddling position on his lap. “I think my body knows it was missing something this heat,” she said, all curves and fire. Her ass fit his palms perfectly, her scent was fuelling a frenzy in him and if she just bent back a little more he could put his mouth right over her nipple.

“What’s that?” Ari replied after a beat, clearly distracted.

“I don’t know…” Juno trailed off as she swivelled her hips against his. “You tell me.” Ari’s fingertips dug into her ass, and she spread herself wider for him. She bit back a moan and Ari was certain he’d grazed her clit.

“Fucking hell.” If her pussy felt like this through several layers of clothes he would be done for once they were skin to skin. He took her hand and pressed her palm into his crotch, both of them letting out a groan of pleasure as her fingers cradled the hard shape beneath. “This what you need?”

“Please,” she sighed, her hand slipping under his shirt. Her touch was a brand on his skin.

“You’ll never have to beg me, love,” he murmured, undressing her. Ari was trying not to lose his mind over every inch of revealed skin. Perfect little teardrop tits. A healed bondmark he wanted to put his mouth over and suck even though it wasn’t his. So much softness he wanted to rub his coarse beard over to make her giggle.

And the juiciest, most perfect pussy he’d ever seen.

Her eyes popped at the sight of his cock as she pulled down his trunks. Ari exhaled loudly through his nostrils as her hand wound around his shaft, the brown skin stretched tight.

“Holy shit, you’re so fucking long.”

It wasn’t the sort of thing he broadcast but Ari would be lying if he said he wasn’t confident in what he was packing.

It took everything in him not to thrust upward when she took the engorged tip of him into her hot mouth and tried to suck him down. Her lips got halfway down before she gagged slightly and pulled back.

“I’m pissed at you, Ari. I can’t believe you kept this from me,” she said petulantly.

“I had very good reasons.” Christ, she was spitting on him and licking him all over now. “None of which I can remember right now.”

The sound of wet sucking and the smack of her lips was burned into his brain forever. “Mm, you taste so good,” Juno said appreciatively, chasing a dribble of precum that had trickled from his slit.

Ari released a low growl as he pulled her off. “If I don’t get to watch you come on my cock soon, I’m gonna lose it.”

She was a vision as she laid back in her nest, propped up on her elbows wearing nothing but a taunting smile. “Show me what you got then, big guy.”

Oh, it was fucking on.

Ari was never going to forget the way her eyes changed from a flirtatious anticipation to a dirty, desperate need at the first plunge of him into her slick tightness. He sank in slowly, relishing every gasp and moan he drew out of her.

“Fuck, you’re still going,” she panted, spreading her legs even wider. Ari felt woozy. Her pussy was so hot and wet and grasping; her words incendiary. His knot hit the opening of her slit and he smothered her scream with a rough kiss.

“That’s it, sweetheart.” He pulled out almost all the way before thrusting back in, letting her savour the feel of him inside her. “That’s all of me.”

“It feels like you’re in my fucking throat,” she whined.

Ari held her by the waist, his hands spanning the entire width as he fucked her. Her stomach bulged each time he pushed in to the hilt and it just about ended him. He grabbed her hand and laid it on top of her abdomen.

“Feel how deep I’m fucking you,” he demanded.

Juno whimpered and began to shake. “I’m gonna come.”

“Give it to me.” A new breed of possessiveness hammered unrelentingly in his chest. “It’s mine.”

Ari could barely breathe when her orgasm began to strangle his cock with tight, pulsing contractions. There was so much slick, coating their inner thighs and beneath their bodies. Her scent was everywhere, permeating every sense until all he knew was her. The fuzzy velvet peach in his palm, the hushed sprinkle of jagged brown sugar crystals, and luxe vanilla cream melting on his tongue.

He didn’t realise his knot had started digging and stretching her, the urge to knot his omega growing with each rhythmic beat of his racing heart.

“Knot me.” Juno wrapped her legs around his waist in an effort to draw him into her body. He swore and gripped the sheets in his fist. He’d never knotted anyone before but he had never craved it like he did right now.

“I don’t want to hurt—”

“I can take it!” Oh she was spitting mad now. Scratching up his ass so she could get a good grasp of it and pull him closer. His knot slipped in further. “Knot me, professor.”

It didn’t matter that Ari did not even have a teaspoon amount of the qualifications required to be a professor. What mattered was that his beautiful, capable (former) student was a soaked, needy mess beneath him begging for his knot and he was about to dive headfirst into hell to give it to her.

Ari pushed the thickest part of his knot into her, unable to look away from the way her pussy lips distended to take him. He was never going to forget how this looked, how this felt. Never. But then he locked in place and her cunt began to squeeze around him. His balls drew up so fast and then he was coming, ropes and ropes of his cum spilling into her and when he heard her blissed out little moan he decided that this would be what he would never forget.

“Your cum feels so good, your knot feels so good, it’s all so good,” Juno babbled nonsensically.

He wasn’t sure how long they lay there together, twitching and barely coherent. With an arm secure around her middle and the other supporting her neck, he rolled them so she was on top, their bodies still tied together.

No one was more surprised than him when a rumbling purr began emanating from his chest.

“Mmm, sleepy now,” Juno mumbled against his vibrating chest hair, her eyes already closed.

Ari stroked her hair affectionately. “You can sleep for a bit. But once my knot goes down, I have to get you to eat because your pack will kill me if they think I just prioritised my dick over your wellbeing.”

No response. He snuck a peek at her face and saw that she was asleep.

His purr did not abate. If anything, it got louder.

“And I can’t have your pack kill me,” Ari said quietly to himself. “Because I’m pretty sure I want your pack to be my pack too.”

He kissed her forehead gently and hoped against hope.