Warmth flooded through my body at her request. An alpha purr was usually only reserved for a bond mate. It was intimate and had an immediate relaxing effect on an omega. I had wanted to purr for her so many times but had held back, so I didn’t make her uncomfortable with the implication.
“You don’t have to,” Josie said quickly, sitting up as if to pull away from me.
“There’s nothing I would love more,” I responded.
Before she could panic at having asked for something, a rolling vibration started in my chest as I purred for my omega, my love, myeverything, for the first time. She relaxed against me, her muscles going soft and her scent returning to its earlier sweetness. I rubbed my face against her neck, breathing her in and scent-marking her.
“Thank you,” she murmured, trailing her fingers down my arms. Then she took a deep breath. “In my community, any alpha can use their bark against an omega as long as it’s justified. Of course, the alpha dictates when the bark is justified. Growing up, it was mainly my pack fathers who used it against me. They would forbid me from talking or force me to stay in my room all day when they grew tired of me.”
Her voice hitched and she paused, taking another breath to steel herself. I forced myself to tamp down the rage rushing through me, focusing instead on soothing the deep crescent marks in her palms from her fingernails. I kissed her palms, wishing I could erase all her pain.
“The law says that fathers and bonded alphas can use their bark on their omega, but it also says that certain officials can as well. The alphas at the DA are allowed to use their bark on omegas, and they did it all the time. They forced us to follow their rules and to submit to medical exams. Some alphas did it just because they enjoyed feeling in control. Sometimes I would try to fight it, but when I did, I would get punished more. So I didn’t fight it. I just did whatever they said.”
Tears fell down her face and I intensified my purr.
“Those fuckers,” I growled. “They shouldn’t be allowed to get away with that. That never should have happened to you. And none of it was your fault. Of course, you didn’t resist. You didn’t have a choice.” My voice grew louder and I was worried it would stress her more. She surprised me by relaxing against me, her tears slowing.
“No, it shouldn’t have happened,” she said quietly.
Her hand squeezed the spot on her arm where her scar was. I felt like there was more she wasn’t saying, and I almost asked her about it when she turned in my arms to face me.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“What are you thanking me for, beautiful?” I brushed her hair out of her face like she had done for me earlier in the car. That simple gesture had almost killed me.
“Thank you for being angryforme.”
I didn’t know what to say, my fury and sadness mixing with the tenderness of my love for her. I put my hands on her waist and maneuvered her so she faced me fully, her legs straddling my waist.
“Once we moved to North Woods,” I said, pulling her in so her face was tucked into my neck, “my pack fathers started using their bark on my mother and sisters. They pressured me to do the same. At first, I refused. I didn’t want to be that kind of alpha. We had lived in a progressive community in London, and I had never seen an alpha abuse his bark as they did in North Woods. But they started beating me if I refused, telling me I needed to ‘alpha up’ and be tough. I did it to avoid being punished, but I should have resisted. I can’t believe I did that to other omegas,” I confessed, a tear escaping down my cheek.
I was so ashamed of what I had done, the way I had forced omegas to do my bidding. I didn’t deserve this perfect omega in my arms. I felt a slight vibration coming from Josie’s chest. I stilled as it grew stronger. It was the sweetest, cutest fucking purr I had ever heard.She was purring for me. My mate was purring for me.
I don’t know how long we held each other, but when Josie’s purr petered out, she rubbed her face against my neck and then sat up, her green eyes meeting mine. She brushed my tears away.
“It wasn’t your fault, Theo.”
I released the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding as the weight of the guilt I’d held onto for years eased. I could see the sincerity in her eyes, feel her warmth against my skin. She wasn’t running, wasn’t condemning me.
I pulled her in for a kiss, not knowing what else to do with the deep well of emotion I felt for her. Our kisses grew more heated. Josie rocked against me, my cock growing hard again as we built friction between us.
I broke our kiss, my lips quirking at Josie’s disgruntled growl. A thrill of fear went through me at the thought of speaking the words burning on my lips, but then Josie caressed my face with tenderness, giving me the courage to speak.
“I love you, angel,” I said, tightening my arms around her as if I could keep her from running away. I wanted to make love to her, bond her, make her mine forever.
Josie’s face broke into the most stunning smile I had ever seen. Her cheeks flushed and her lips parted in surprise. Her beauty was breathtaking.
“I love you, too,” she said, joy radiating from her.
A rush of relief and giddy happiness washed through me. We stayed on top of the car, exchanging drugging kisses, her sexy body rocking against mine until she shivered.
“Let’s get you home,” I said, pressing one last kiss to her forehead before helping her down.
ChapterThirty-Six
Cam
“Ican’t believe Theo gets to have Josie all to himself tonight,” Ben complained, angrily pounding on his laptop keys.
