No.
I’m not doing that to Malachy.
He’s everything I want in a partner and more. It might be fast, but he makes me feel safer than anyone else ever has, and I know he’ll be good to Lukas.
I focus my intent, accepting the bond. His electric scent tinges in my mind, and it’s not like when I scent it in the air. It’s more of knowing that it’s him, then a heavy rush of pleasure as his orgasm hits the bond.
I moan, bringing my hand to cradle his head as he retracts his teeth, licking over the bite. He sucks on it lightly, likely to test if his saliva closed the wound. My clit and nipples pulse at the feeling, but I have bigger things to focus on.
“Malachy,” I whisper as an overwhelming rush of emotion hits me square in the chest.
“I know,” he murmurs, nodding against my throat.
Being able to sense his feelings toward me is so foreign that I couldn’t describe it if I tried. He’s slightly ashamed that he snapped and bit me, but he’shappyto be tied to me for life.
It’s humbling to feel how content he is.
Everything just changed.
My eyes ache, and I choke up like I might cry. Not because I’m regretful. It’s an entirely new level of connection, and it rocks me to my foundations.
“I’m always going to take care of you and Lukas,” Malachy says, nuzzling his cheek to mine. “From here on out, I swear to you, I’ll protect the two of you with my life.”
I nod, and those tears I’ve been holding back sting my eyes. “I believe you.”
We’re locked together, so it’s not like he could get away if he tried, but he stays plastered to my chest, running his hand over the top of my head.
Several minutes pass, and the bed dips.
“I leave the two of you alone for fifteen minutes…” Cormac sighs, stretching out on the side of the bed where he was earlier.
Malachy’s head whips up, and he growls, baring his teeth at his brother.
“I brought you a warm washcloth to clean up, but I’ll set it on the nightstand.” Cormac completely ignores his brother by turning away to put down the wet cloth. He rolls over to face us, smiling. “Congratulations. I came back in just before your bonding, but it felt wrong to interrupt. I’m happy for the two of you.” He brushes his fingers over my cheek.
Malachy goes rigid, growling. “Too close.Mine.”
“You’ll have to get over that,” Cormac says, rolling his eyes. “The word you’re looking for isours.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Patrick
Iwouldn’t say I’m overly surprised to learn Malachy sunk his teeth into Charlotte. If nothing else, I’m relieved that it will begin to heal his mind.
We spend the next few days in a holding pattern of sorts.
Wilder is unreachable. Likely due to his own omega’s heat. The last time I spoke to him, he mentioned Lacey was having erratic waves of heat.
Charlotte is experiencing her own heat spikes. It’s more complicated with Lucky around. He’s easily distracted, but it weighs on Charlotte to be away from him. Going into heat is a biological response. It’s not something she can plan or force or even stop at will.
The little guy will understand that better when he’s older, but I spend extra time getting to know him while Malachy and Charlotte slip away any time her fever spikes.
Missing those doses of suppressants seem to have had a lasting effect on her system. Or perhaps it could be that she and Mal bonded.
Either way, Lucky is hardly traumatized by Charlotte needing a few hours to herself.
Cormac joins them occasionally, but he’s been focused on breaking his guest. Apparently McCarthy is more stubborn than Cormac suspected.
