No one better say anything bad about Cato, or they’ll regret it.
“I won’t lie, since I figured out how to keep my alpha from losing control, it’s been fun,” he says. “It doesn’t matter what others think, as long as the people I care about aren’t hurt by my approach.”
“I’m sure your packmates are supportive,” I say confidently.
I can’t imagine any of them would be upset about Cato taking part in fight matches or finding partners on his own.
“It sounds like everyone approves.”
His phrasing is odd, but I quickly forget about it as he continues.
“I would have explained before we slept together, but things happened so quickly with your heat. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you beforehand, Hestia,” he says.
“It’s okay, I’m not upset about the surprise. Thank you for telling me now. I had a good time with you, and I hope it was okay for your alpha too,” I say.
“Of course, we loved it,” Cato purrs.
We’re quiet as he massages the conditioner in.
My omega is unsurprised by Cato’s revelation. I’m not sure how that’s possible since she’s an extension of my instincts, but that’s the feeling I get all the same. As if, deep down, I always knew who my mate was.
His condition sounds similar to omega hormones, which build until they tip the body into a heat, falling off after that. Except Cato’s body has no system in place to let the hormones off safely when they peak.
“Wait,” I say, finally registering something Cato said. “You let loose every few weeks? When we’re not on call? But you never left while we were on break.”
“I didn’t feel the need to,” he says, leaning closer, “And now you’ve sated my alphaverywell.”
I blush like the water is suddenly boiling and can only respond with flustered sputtering noises. My omega purrs smugly in the back of my mind.
While she might be pleased with herself, that just reminds me of how needy I was during my heat.
I sink down in the tub.
“What’s wrong?” Cato asks when I don’t come back up.
I blow bubbles in the water.
“Tell me what’s bothering you. How can I relax when you’re upset?”
That’s not fair. I don’t want him to feel bad.
I scoot up just enough to answer.
“I’m embarrassed,” I say sulkily.
“About what, pet?”
“About being so needy. Making everyone talk me through my heat and praise me for it,” I mumble.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You deserve to get everything you want, especially during your heat. I know the others were just as happy to serve you. I have a bond with them,” he says, bumping his temple against mine, “so I can tell you just how my packmates felt when they were knot-deep in you. Would that help?”
“No!” I squawk, voice echoing around us.
Cato laughs darkly and says, “Why don’t I tell you howIfelt.”
I make a noise that I don’t know if I intended to be assent or a dismissal, but it comes out sounding like a whimper.
“My alpha wants to be covered in your scent. That first night when you left the tub full after your bath, the water smelled like you…” His lips are right next to my ear now. “I tasted the water, tasted your sweet scent. It was the best thing I’ve ever had in my mouth. And then I bathed in it.” He licks the curve of my ear.
