That’s the only explanation for the way I feel. Ace holds me tightly, his large hand spreading across my lower back as he lifts me onto him. My hips shift, seeking another release, and there’s an embarrassing amount of wet flowing out of me as my slick releases in a wave of warmth. Ace’s nostrils flare as he catches the scent, his piercing blue eyes running over my face like he can’t decide where to look. “Ace,” I moan.
These alphas are something else.
He lays me down, a soft fur rug meeting my back as he follows me, tucking himself between my legs. I tense instinctively as fear yanks me away from the warmth of the fire; the position so familiar to Jason pinning me down that my scent turns acrid with fear.
Ace pulls back immediately, sensing the change. “Harper?” he asks gently, and my eyes fill with tears as I wriggle out from underneath him. Covering my face with my hands, I let out a small sob.
First, I jumped Rogue, and now I’ve ruined this.
“I’m sorry,” I gasp, and Ace lifts me into his arms, sitting down and rocking me lightly from side to side. I can’t stop the wave of grief that comes over me. Sobbing, I bury my face in his shirt and he strokes my hair gently, letting me cry all over him. “It’s not you,” I hiccup, wanting him to know. He smiles sadly down at me, wiping away a tear. “I know. Let it all out, little omega.”
It’s all I need, and I huddle into him, crying softly. It’s all so much. The last two weeks have finally caught up to me and all the worst parts are playing on a loop inside my head. I owe Ace an explanation, though.
“He tried to mate with me like that,” I whisper, and Ace tenses under me.
“Who, love?” he asks quietly. His voice is pure ice.
“Jason,” I force out. “He was the g-guard I was assigned to at the compound. They wanted to see if they could get more control over the omegas. I was in a fight in the dining hall so they told me that Jason would train me. He wanted me to submit to him, so he kept me in a room and hurt me over and over to try and make me. Yesterday, he would have. It was only because the Director called for us that he stopped.”
It’s hard to admit, but I was so close to giving into him. My mind and heart would have broken, but my body would have been his. A good little omega, just like they wanted me to be. An empty, pretty shell for him to rut on.
“But you didn’t,” Ace whispers gently. “You didn’t give in. And if you had, then it wouldn’t have been your fault.”
“I nearly did,” I admit. The confession hurts even more than I thought it would. “There were times when Iwantedto.”
It feels like I’ve failed, like I’ve given up something integral to who I am. Ace tucks me deeper into his side. “Harper, sweetheart, that bastard tortured you. Rogue told us a little last night and we barely know anything about what you’ve been through. You didn’t break, and you’re here, with us. That you can even function, even talk to us, let alone everything else, is a miracle, love.”
I look into his soft eyes, searching for a pretty lie. But his eyes show only honesty, and sadness. He tucks some of my hair back behind my ear.
“I think you might be the bravest person I’ve ever met,” he whispers.
“You do?” I stare up at him. Leaning down, he drops a gentle kiss on my forehead. “I really do.”
We stay tucked together for a few more minutes, Ace humming quietly as he runs his hand slowly through my hair and I think over his words. I start to feel drowsy and as much as I don’t want to, I shift around to let him know I’m going to get up. We can’t stay here for hours with me curled up on his lap, even though at this moment there’s nothing I’d like more.
“You feeling better, little omega?” He helps me sit up and I move to my knees, turning around to face him. “Thanks, Ace,” I whisper, and before I can talk myself out of it, I lean forward to kiss him. His mouth parts in surprise at the contact, and he returns it gently. Some of the feelings from earlier start pulling at my core and I pull back with a rueful smile. “The others are probably wondering where we are.”
“Gabe’s probably pacing the floor waiting for lunch so he can feed you again,” Ace teases, and I laugh quietly. I’m glad that my emotional avalanche hasn’t stopped him from acting like this around me. I don’t want a pity party. I wantthem, the family they’ve showed me so far. Even grumpy Devlin and his scowls.
This pack is so much more than I ever would have expected.
Please let this be real.
Ace jumps up and lifts me gently, holding my hips until I’m steady on my feet. The fire we made is flickering behind him, sending warm waves of heat out into the room. I glance towards the leather seats, wondering if he’d mind me staying in here for a while. I still feel a little tired.
“Why don’t you settle in on the couch for a bit?” Ace suggests. The man is clearly a mind reader, and I smile at him before scrambling back to my corner. The leather’s so soft and inviting. It feels like it’s hugging my whole body. Relaxing into its embrace, I sigh with delight. Ace moves around me and starts to fiddle with the television. I haven’t watched television for years, apart from some of the instructional films they showed us at the compound.
“What would you like to watch?” he asks, waving the remote at me.
A yawn slips out before I can stop it. “Anything. I don’t mind”, I mumble. I’m fighting to stay awake now. My fingers twitch and I wish that I had my blanket from upstairs.
Ace chooses a movie and hits the pause button. “I’ll go and see if any of the guys want to watch with us. Will you be okay here for a second?”
“Sure,” it’s barely a word, my voice slurred as I doze. I feel Ace kiss my forehead and let me eyes flutter shut.
When I wake up, I’m surrounded by warmth. There are blankets piled on top of me, and my head is resting on something warm and firm. I sit up, for a second forgetting where I am, and relax as Gabe’s face appears in front of me.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he murmurs. “Do you feel better?” Nodding, I look behind me to where Ace is sitting, his legs sprawled lazily in front of him. I blush when I realize it was his thigh I was resting on, and he smirks at me. Reaching out, he gently tugs until I’m curled up against him, my head against his shoulder. Breathing in his salty scent, my muscles unclench.
