“Saying stop won’t always work,” he says gently. “Not if an Alpha’s too far gone. Sometimes that kind of pleading just triggers the instinct to claim harder. It’s not fair, but it’s real.”
I wish it weren't true, that I'd keep my Omega safe no matter what, but sometimes she makes me feel rabid. Like a feral beast unable to stop myself from rutting into her. I want to own every inch of her.
I can feel Knox’s stress thrum through our bond.
That’s what he’s afraid of.
Not the mating itself, not the closeness or the permanence. It’s losing control. It’s hearing her say stop and not registering it as a boundary but as a challenge, an Omega begging to be dominated, not protected. He’s terrified that, in the heat of it all, her cries of fear will sound like sweet submission.
The safe word isn’t just for her. It’s for all of us.
If one of us gets swept up in instinct and can't pull back, the rest of the Pack will step in and make sure it stops.
Shade continues, his voice low and even. “The idea behind the safe word is that you choose something you’d never say duringsex. And if you do say it, we stop instantly and check in, pause, and reset.”
She chews on her lip, and I resist the urge to smooth the flesh out from under her teeth.
“How about cockwomble?"
A bark of laughter rips from Blaze.
“Yeah,” Shade chuckles. “That’ll do the trick. If you say cockwomble, we'll stop and start aftercare. Sound good?"
“Uh huh. I understand.”
"Good girl," he purrs.
Halley's scent blossoms again, her arousal renewed.
We don't have time for Halley to make a nest to feel safe in a strange place, so I figure the best place for her to feel secure is in my arms.
Turning her to face the others, I nuzzle her throat over the bite collar protecting her precious mating gland. The metal tag with “Sparkles” inscribed still hangs from her throat, catching the midday light.
Someday soon, I'll rip the damn collar off, bite her and make her mine, but today isn't that day. Right now, we need to make her come. Fast.
Blaze is grinning like a madman, staring at Halley like she’s a chew toy he wants to tear apart. "Let's get this party started. Mission Omega Orgasm is a go."
'Roger that, Sergeant,'I think with a smirk. I’m dying to feel her fall apart in my arms again.
Chapter Forty-Three
Viper
"Pants off, pretty girl."
I ease Halley down onto the ground, and she shudders as my fingers hook into the waistband of her trousers.
She blinks up at me, eyes wide and glowing a stunning purple, then squirms with uncertainty. Her gaze flicks toward the tent entrance.
Shade hums low in his throat, stepping closer. “Hey, baby girl. Don’t get shy on us now.” His voice is velvety smooth, soothing but firm as he reassures her. “No one comes near this tent without our say so. Isn’t that right, brothers?”
Knox, Blaze, and I all grunt the affirmative. No threat touches, or even looks, at our Omega. Especially when she’s vulnerable like this. Never.
Halley exhales, her body softening between us as she lets that truth sink in.
His thumb strokes her cheek.
“That’s it,” Shade whispers. “Good girl.”
