And I’d admitted I loved him.
“No. I won’t walk away from him.”
Alpha John stood. “That’s the right answer,” he said. Then he smiled. “I’m glad you’ll be Mason’s Dominant. He needs someone who can be strong, but also see his value much better than any of us did.”
Holy fuck, I did it.
“So he and I are good?”
“You are. With my blessing.”
I felt as though we’d cleared a massive hurdle we didn’t even know existed.
And I was beyond grateful for that.
Mason
I swiped a hand over my forehead, then winced because I realized I’d just smeared dirt on my face. I couldn’t help but laugh. Since Kip and I had moved into this house, everything seemed so much lighter. I felt as though I could run again, something I hadn’t done in far too long.
And with that came the urge to cut loose.
I watered my plants, then put away my tools. I headed into the house where I stopped to wash my face and hands before going into our bedroom to strip off my clothes. The breeze from the open windows felt amazing on my heated skin. A quick shift and I was ready to go. I slipped through the doggy door in the back yard, then took off at breakneck speed for the tree line. The thrill of dashing through the trees, letting the scents of the forest wash over me, and experiencing absolute freedom surged within me.
This is what I’ve missed all those years.
I only wished Kip could share this feeling with me.
How silly was it that I missed him horribly when he was at work? It was the reason I kept so busy in the garden, to distract my mind from not having him home with me. On the days when it rained, or there were other things that had to be done, I was listless. I used to enjoy everyone leaving me alone, but now I craved attention and affection from Kip. Even when others saw me out and about and greeted me warmly, it wasn’t the same.
Being an Omega was something I’d hated with a passion, but now I didn’t mind it so much because I had a Dominant who kept me and my emotions in check. I wasn’t freaking out about what I was anymore. It didn’t send me off the rails when someone referred to me as ‘the Omega’. The onlyopinion that mattered was Kip’s, and he always called me Mason or ‘his Omega’, when he was talking with others. Claiming me like that, around others, made me feel important. As though I finally mattered, and I loved it.
I finished my run, my lungs burning, then headed for the house. A quick stop to check the back garden and I was ready to head inside and take a shower before Kip got home.
“The garden looks amazing.”
I turned and before I could even think about what I was doing, I raced for Kip, leaping into the air and crashing into him—hard. Fortunately no one else saw us, because they’d have thought a wolf was attacking a man, and they’d have reached for pitchforks and torches in a heartbeat.
“Hey, baby.” Kip stroked his fingers through my fur. “Change back for me?”
I did so immediately and he put me on the ground, but didn’t let go. I nuzzled his neck. “Hey, I can smell John.”
“Yeah, he called me into the office to tell me he knew what we did.”
Shit.
“I won’t go with Jerome,” I yelled. “I refuse.Youare my Dominant. We’ve bonded.”
That gentle stroking continued. “And he’s given his blessing. You, my dear Omega, are mine, free and clear. No one will separate us.”
The Alpha had given his blessing?
“Do you mean it? I don’t have to leave you?”
“Nope. I’m stuck with you now,” he teased, then kissed the shell of my ear.
I was his.
The fear I’d felt about being found out, of being forced to go to Jerome, evaporated. I wanted to drop to my knees, to remind Kip that I knew where I belonged, rode me hard, but he kept me propped up, cuddling me to him. I was warm, comfortable, and loved.
