He doesn’t even pretend to be ashamed. “It would be weird not to stare at a stunning, naked woman lying inches from me,” he says, completely serious as his hand drifts down, warm and soft, settling on my stomach. He traces slow, absentminded circles there, thumb brushing gentle arcs that should make me melt into him. But instead, another wave of that deep ache ripples outward from his touch.
It's not a pleasant tingle.
It's a sharp, insistent pull that snakes down my spine, making my muscles tighten. I try to relax and sink into the solid comfort of Cass’s body behind me, but the soreness is a stubborn knot in my lower back.
It must be from last night,I think vaguely.We were all over each other for hours.
I took all my alphas’ knotsmany times. In a few different holes.
I’m lost in the memories of last night when another cramp hits, a sharp, twisting knot low in my belly. I gasp, my hand flying down to press against my stomach as the muscles seize. I bite my lip, trying to ride it out without making a sound.
Beck shifts beside me, his hand stilling against my side. "Hungry?" he asks, moving his hand so it rests over mine.
I don't correct him. It's easier than explaining the weird ache that's starting to feel more insistent with every passing minute.
"What's happening?" Grason mumbles, half asleep.
"The beast in Tansy’s belly is wide awake and ready to be fed," Beck announces, already shifting to sit up. He leans over me and smacks Cass's ass. "I know you're all awake." Cass shifts slightly, and Warren groans. "What do you want for breakfast?"
“Pancakes,” Grason mumbles.
Warren lets out a sleepy huff and finally pushes himself upright, rubbing a hand over his face. “We haven’t had pancakes in a while.”
“Yeah,” Beck says with a vibrant smile. “Thelasttime we had pancakes, Grason gave us a full, unsolicited lesson in tap dancing.”
Grason groans and rolls onto his back. “You all loved it.” He sits up, stretching his arms over his head. “If you’re all very good,” he says gravely, “Imightgive you an encore.”
“Yes,” Warren says immediately. I canhearthe smile on his face. “We’re definitely going to need an encore.”
Beck laughs, delighted.
Everyone starts to move. Blankets slip away, bodies shift and stretch, the room filling with soft movement and low conversation. The air smells like sleep and warmth and home. Cass stands, offering a hand to Beck.
I push myself up, trying to join the easy morning banter, but the second I take Warren’s hand, another cramp hits. It's stronger this time, a deep, vise-like grip that steals my breath and sends a tremor through my entire frame. I freeze up, gritting my teeth hard. For a beat, there's only confusion.
This is more than just being sore.
The air suddenly feels thick, charged with a sudden shift in energy. I can feel it thrumming against my skin. The sharp spike of concern from Warren and Cass, a wave of protective instinct so potent it's almost a physical touch. Grason's confusion sits softer in the back of my mind, a questioning hum that drifts through their alarm.
“Omega?” Cass’s voice is deep, laced with concern. “What’s wrong?”
The teasing banter dies instantly, replaced by a sharp, collective inhale.
They’re all scenting me. Smelling the hot pain flaring up in my belly. In a flash, the air grows thick and heavy, charged with a sudden, primal shift.
Beck's easy smile vanishes, his blue eyes darkening as they lock on mine. Cass is already moving, pushing Warren aside as he rushes to me, his movements fluid and predatory. Grason is frozen, his confusion melting into a slow-dawning understanding that makes his mouth fall slightly open.
My body is shaking, a deep, uncontrollable tremor that starts in my core and makes my thighs shake violently.I can't stop it.
Panic grips me when another cramp hits, and this time it's followed by a liquid rush of heat. I feel my pussy open, a sudden, yielding clench, and then slick pours out of me in a warm, undeniable gush.
The scent of it fills the space around us, so thick even I can smell it.
"Fuck," Cass breathes, his voice a low growl. He's at my side now, his hands hovering, not touching, like he's afraid he might break me…or maybe that he won't be able to stop himself. "Tansy."
Warren is there too, kneeling in front of me, his expressionserious as he reaches out and brushes a stray strand of hair from my damp forehead. "Hey," he says, his voice softer than I've ever heard it. "It's okay, baby. We've got you."
My hips roll in a slow, circular motion without my permission. A mindless hunt for friction. The ache inside me is a howling, empty thing, a hurricane of need that makes me want to beg, to scream, to rub myself all over them until the emptiness is filled.
