“No. God will wait for us. He understands sometimes a man needs to make his wife understand more than listening to one of God's own men drone on and on.”
She goes to pull away, but I hold her close.
“First, you’re our scent match. Second, we’re your scent matches.”
She laughs, but I ain’t finished. “Plus, Tally girl, you take my knot like no other. I’m going to take a photo of you on my knot so you get where I’m coming from.”
“Ronin,” she growls under her sweet breath. A blush taints her cheeks, amplifying her beauty and her spirit. “We’re in church!”
“We’ve not committed a sin. We’re married. So, talking about seeing my wife on my cock isn’t going to offend. Besides, you’re the one needing reassurance about our faith in you. Keegan, Rafferty, and Tynan would say the same thing. If you gave them a chance.”
Emotion burns in her green eyes, and she clamps her jaw, trying not to answer.
Keegan pokes our little bear some more. “It’s true, Tal.”
“What is?” She swings around, baring her teeth at him.
“You do look mighty fine on Ronin’s knot, but you look better on mine.” He sits back once he’s done making our wife blush even more, though he doesn’t feign innocence, in appearance or scent.
Both Kee and I clamp a hand on her knee to stop her escape. She needs to get used to being told by her Alphas she’s desirable. We plan on ravishing this Omega with our attention, plus everything we own, much more than she’s currently allowing us.
She goes back to pretending to listen to Father O’Leary’s sermon. At least now, we’ve given her more than loyalty to think about.
Turning to Rafferty, I find him smiling at me, and of course I spoke to one Omega loud enough so the other could hear. He’s completely in on how we’ve done everything with Tally to date, as is Tynan.
Although, it’s not hard to see our Beta is working through some heavy shit this morning. His detachment makes his lemon scent even more subtle than it usually is. But no matter how hard he tries, he can’t stop his focus from gravitating to our gorgeous, blushing bride. I know without asking, he’s fallen hard and fast for Tally. Same as us, but slightly different too.
At fucking last, Mass ends, and the congregation whispers “thanks be to God” as Father and his entourage head towards the entrance doors to bless everyone on their way out.
Following behind him are my parents, then my sisters and their families. Usually, I let Paddy’s inner circle go before us, only because I don’t trust the fuckers at my back, but today, I flick my head at Keegan for him to move.
The rest of my family, it seems, have also had a gutful of the disrespect we’ve been receiving recently, and they hold everyone back so Keegan, Tally, and I stand behind Da and Ma today. Talking loudly without using any words, they throw their support around my pack as the incoming rulers of this world.
Tally’s feet drag, but I guide her with a firmer hand. “It’s how it is.”
I can see everything in her big green eyes; the war she constantly fights, the secrets she’s intent on holding tight, and the longing.
“Wear my ring, he says,” she growls under her breath, talking to herself again. It’s something she does more than she realizes. Pretty similar to how she lets herself occasionally get lost in us before she gets pulled back away by whatever is holding her back.
I’ll keep pulling her into us too. I have no qualms about manipulating her and whatever situation needs because Tally will be ours. If I didn’t see that pining in her eyes, I didn’t scent her craving for us the way she does, I’d let her go. But I won’t back off. Her inner demons are just another name on my list of those enemies I’ll be slaying.
Tally rolls her shoulders back, raising her chin and leveling me out with another of her looks—challenge and submission—twisting through her green jeweled gaze, making my chest hammer.
I witness her decision and see the cost in her eyes. She thinks she’s losing something, but I’m about to hand her the keys to our fucking world.
She doesn’t move an inch, making everyone wait longer, and only when Rafferty stands next to her, Keegan and I shuffling forward to make room for them and Tynan taking point at the back, does she move. Making her own statement—two Alphas to protect, one Beta at her back whoshetrusts.
A wave of pride sweeps through me at her obvious play.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
TALLY
One thing Joe continually spoke on was having the ability, and grace, to pivot. Today’s change is monumental, but standing in the living room of Paddy O’Connor, surrounded by his most trusted men and those he clearly loves—his family—is the in I’ve been after.
Keegan’s hand rests on my hip as he stands behind me, talking quietly in my ear, every now and then letting me know who’s who.
There’s not really any need for his explanation, given I have an extensive dossier at my fingertips if needed. Admittedly, it saves me a whole lot of trouble later when I go to add my notes about today. The wire I’m wearing will take that onerous task away.
