That’s why we were never allowed any under the Creed. It made us too… omega, I guess. Too tempting for alphas to resist, apparently. Better to keep us tightly contained in case we caused anarchy.
What a crock of fucking bullshit.
My mind skitters back to my little space at the dungeon and I squeeze my eyes shut.
I’ve never had a present. Not once since I presented as an omega. And definitely not before then, either. My mom wasn’t the type of parent who remembered the little things.
Like birthdays.
Nate’s smile wavers, settling into softer understanding. “Too much?”
I nod jerkily. “Maybe a little.”
Then I bite my lip.
“Maybe one small present?”
Nate throws his head back in a deep, booming laugh. “Let’s start there.”
Fuck, he’s beautiful. His laugh catches attention, two betas suddenly making a beeline for us.
“Nate Reyne?” one squeals. “Itisyou!”
“I’m a big fan,” the other gushes, her eyelashes fluttering as she practically elbows me out of the way.
“Have you got something in your eye?” I ask her sweetly. Her mouth draws down into a sneer as she looks me up and down.
“Shoo,” she says, actually putting her hands out and flapping them at me. “Nate doesn’t have time for dirty little omegas like you.”
Wow. Someone’s been drinking the pro-Creed Kool-Aid.
The growl that ripples through Nate takes us all by surprise. The two betas jump back, eyes wide, as he bares his teeth at them.
“Leave,” he snarls. “Now.”
Stuttering apologies, they nearly trip over themselves as they back away. Nate’s arm wraps around my shoulders, pulling me in protectively.
“Jesus fucking Christ.” He squeezes my arm. “I’m so sorry, Gabrielle.”
I struggle for the right words. “You didn’t have to do that.”
He frowns. “I did. I wasn’t going to let them talk to you like that.”
The warmth builds up in my chest, the burning behind my eyes making me sniff frantically.
Hechoseme.
“Hey, now.” I’m pulled into strong arms, Nate wrapping himself around me like a blanket as I try not to bawl into his chest.
“I’m Team Gabrielle, you know,” he whispers into my ear. I choke out a watery laugh into his t-shirt, and his arms tighten around me.
I think I’m starting to realize that.
“Come on,” he says gently. “Let’s go.”
“Where?” I ask, breaking away and wiping Axel’s sleeve over my damp face.
“To get your first present.”
