Chapter Forty-Four
Vonn
The second we walk into the house, Nixie’s scent smacks me in the face. The deep notes of raspberry permeating the walls have a crisp sweetness that I haven’t caught before.Heat.It’s getting closer. I’ve been noticing the changes for days. My mouth waters at the thought. Although we’ve already bonded, seeing my mate through her first heat will be an honor.
Mama has been nesting like crazy since we bought the house. At first, I thought it was just all the craziness of a new environment, coupled with the stress of Evan’s lawsuit, but my gut tells me there’s more going on. And now, the change in her scent is sending my instincts all kinds of signals.
Raspberries and poppies invade my nostrils, and I groan in delight, my cock thickening. My muscles are exhausted from practice, but even that isn’t enough to stop me from wanting my omega.Is she in her nest? Can I be in there with her?
I want to follow that scent, track down my omega, and take care of herevery need.
My conscience warns me we need to be careful. Don’t want any youthful eyes seeing something that can’t be unseen. But perhaps tonight in her cozy, soft bed…
“Do you smell that?” Julius asks with a groan, rubbing his temples. “Am I wrong, or is she getting close?”
“I think she is, too, but I hope it holds out until after the custody hearing this week.”
He snarls at the reminder, then rubs his hand over his crotch, tamping down his growing erection.
“Well, good news on that front. Mr. Finch is coming tomorrow, but our pack paperwork went through today. With you guys bonded, he’s certain we can block Evan from even attempting a paternity test. He’s hoping the hearing will just be a formality that gets tossed out quickly.” His words make me hopeful, but I can’t help but worry that these awful people have something else up their sleeve. According to Nixie, her mom alluded to them wanting to paint her as an unfit mother. Just thinking about it is enough to calm the lust her scent conjured.
Julius calls up to let Nixie and Asher know we’re home. A moment later, Nixie’s light tread sounds from the floor above.
We wait for her in the foyer as she slowly descends the staircase, and when she sees me, the bond in my chest comes alive. It pulses between us, drawing me forward. Before I know it, I’m across the room, hefting her slight form into my arms and slotting her against me. We fit together like the missing pieces of a lifelong puzzle. Soft lips press against mine, and her taste explodes on my tongue as she kisses me deeply.
“Anything for me, too?” Julius grins, coming forward with extended arms to try to steal Nixie. I mock growl at him, but my sweet little omega wriggles in my arms. After I set her down, she prances over and gives Julius the same treatment.
“Kisses for both of you. No reason to be jealous.” She giggles softly when Julius scoops her up and peppers her face withexaggerated smooches. Their lighthearted banter feels so right. Although we haven’t known her all that long, Nixie is perfectly suited to both of us.
“How was practice?” She brushes her hair behind her ear.
I prowl toward her, not at all interested in talking about the stupid ice rink. “It was fine, but not as good as being here with you.”
My hands reach for her, but Julius’s eyes narrow on me. Right before I can reclaim her, the fucker yanks her away with a teasing grin. “Ah. Ah. You didn’t say the magic word.”
I feint right, then left, finally grabbing a hold of Nixie and swinging her into my arms with a triumphant shout.
“Tricked you!” I crow, bending to press my lips against her bond mark. Nixie runs her cheek over mine, scent-marking me. It distracts me just long enough for Julius to come up and sandwich her between us. Happiness pulses down the bond, and her scent blooms around us. Fucking addicting.
“I can’t wait until we’re an official pack.” Nixie sighs, and purrs rumble from both of our chests. Having her pressed between us causes my cock to rise once again, but I know Asher’s somewhere in this house, and I need to keep a hold of myself.
“What if I told you the paperwork received approval today?” Julius leans down, nipping at the other side of her throat, opposite my bond mark. I wonder if he’ll choose to bite her there during her heat. She’ll look stunning with our claims on either side of her neck.
“Wait. Really? We’re official?” Her raspberry sweetens, if that’s even possible, and Julius and my eyes lock together. It’s as if we share one brain, and I can read the longing on his face. “That’s good, right? It’s exactly what the lawyer was hoping for. So we have a better chance…”
She glances between us, and we both nod. This should almost guarantee that Evan can’t touch a hair on our son’s head. Juliusand I just have to deny their request for testing, and that should be the end of this bullshit. “Yeah, babe, it should. Mr. Finch will be here tomorrow to confirm, but this was the major development he was hoping for.”
Nixie dances excitedly, then spins around, excitement racing down my bond. It’s pretty crazy being able to feel her in my chest, but I love being so in tune with my girl’s emotions. Her perfect, round ass presses against my already inflamed cock, making my knot pulse. She feels like heaven, but her next words are even better.
“Maybe we should bond, too?” She chews on her lip while running her hand down Julius’s chest. A slight undertone of nerves comes through the bond. I can tell she’s a little unsure, but also wants to please her Alpha. Part of me wants to step in, but this is between them.
“Firebrand, I want that more than anything, but not until you’re completely sure. We had a rocky start. While I can’t wait to sink my teeth into you, I think it would be better to wait until after the custody hearing. I don’t want you to make this decision at the height of such volatile emotions.”
She pouts adorably, considering what he says, before nodding. “Yeah. You’re right, but I want a bond with you when this is all over. Immediately.”
Julius takes a sniff of her neck before latching on and giving it a hard suck, which has her squealing and writhing between us. Her scent blooms even deeper, making my brain fuzzy with warnings of her impending heat.
I just hope it waits until after the hearing…
