My Omega is tugging me closer, wanting my bite, wanting me to tether ourselves together forever. Blood is rushing to my head and it's harder to breathe.
I can hear my heart pounding in my temples and I'm struggling to breathe as the arm slowly releases my throat. It takes me a moment to feel coherent, and when I look down at Hailey's tear-filled eyes, I know it's the right call.
My shaky hands wipe a tear away from her face and I want to nuzzle her throat, tell her sweet promises of how good that was for me, how it was a transformative experience.
But words are hard to come by, not when I can't trust myself, not when my knot is deep inside her.
“Go grab a tie,” I grate out to Nate.
He arches a brow at me and I swallow thickly.
“I won't do anything. Go get me a tie.”
He pets down Hailey's hair, comforting her for a quick moment, before leaving the nest and going to one of our rooms to procure a tie.
Hailey looks devastated that I didn't bond with her and it's like a dagger to the heart. I can't talk about bonding right now, not when even thinking about it has me wanting to sink my teeth into her. So instead I assure her in the only way I can.
“You own me, Hailey,” I say, thrusting slightly, shifting my knot inside of her. “Ever since you walked into that fire station I wanted you—needed you. I'm going to protect you, even if it means protecting you from me.”
I hold her close, turning my head so my nose isn't nestled into her throat, holding her the only way I can right now.
“My knot deep inside you? That means you're mine,” I tell her, rubbing my cheek against the side of her head.
A purr rumbles in my chest, making Hailey moan, her hips shifting beneath me as she rocks on my knot and rubs her clit all over me.
Nate comes back in the room, a silk tie in his hand and he blinks at me.
I look down at Hailey, kissing her one last time.
“You're mine,” I remind her one last time before I glance at Nate. “Wrap it around my mouth and tie it tight,” I tell him.
He gives me a skeptical look, little does he know what other methods I have in store to prevent bonding during our heat.
“Do it,” I nearly bark and that has him moving, wrapping the silk around my mouth, basically gagging me.
It's a sense of relief, knowing that I can't bond her like this.
“You good?” Nate asks and I nod my head. “I’m going to go rinse off real quick.”
His crotch is covered in slick and dried cum. I give him a nod, knowing I can be trusted for a few minutes…at least I hope so.
Where the fuck is Hayes?
CHAPTER 22
HAYES
With the mostimportant thing done, I head to the store grabbing some food and drinks, along with the item Sterling said I should get.
It was a toy, in a way, not a fun one, though. I wasn’t sure there was a fun way to use something like that. No, there were definitely people out there that were interested in that sort of thing.
Hailey’s in heat, and it has to be perfect.
She has her Alphas, with their pheromones and knots, and I can’t help but feel the insecurity that she might not desire me as much as she does while in heat versus when she’s clearheaded.
God, I’m making this all about me.
The cashier swipes the items, including the jelly knot I purchased, and arches an eyebrow at me. I just stare at him as I grab the bags and drive home. Did I ever imagine sticking my dick into a fake knot? No, but if that’s what Hailey needs, I’ll give it to her.
