Kai sighed and fell backwards onto her bed. “I felt the same way when my mom died. I took it hard. I can’t even remember the months after it, just that the guys took care of me through it. That’s what a pack is for,” he whispered, looking up at her gently. “We alphas are meant to take care of others. No matter what happens in life, Sonnet, you’ve got us.”
“You’ve got me too.” Sonnet straddled his lap. “Omegas are meant to take care of their alphas. I can take care of you.”
“I’m sure you can, baby.”
“I can,” she insisted, as if Kai didn’t wholeheartedly already believe her. “I’m ready to be an omega. I’m ready to bond with this pack and live a life together, even despite any ups and downs.”
Kai’s heart skipped a beat.
She’s ready to bond with us.
We’re ready, too.
Kai couldn’t help himself. He tangled his fingers into her hair and pulled her down towards his lips, kissing her deeply.Their scents swirled together in the room, strawberry puree with melted dark chocolate, vanilla bean with cherry liquor, and powdered sugar with whipped cream. The smell was intoxicating, and Kai was all too aware of his alpha barking for control in the back of his mind.
He went to pull back, but Sonnet whined. She wasn’t done.
A lump formed in the back of his throat. “Sonnet.”
She hummed, her lips kissing his cheek, down his jaw, to his neck. His hands fisted into her hair.
“Sonnet,” he growled this time. “You’re playing with fire.”
“Who?Me?”
“Yes, you.” Kai tucked his finger under her chin, so she was forced to look at him. “You’re not all that innocent, especially right now. I’m not going to push you into doing something you’re not ready for.”
Sonnet cocked an eyebrow, her pink hair fanning around her face. “I don’t remember being pushed into kissing you. I’m doing what I want right now. Are you going to let me or what?”
Wow.Hot.Very hot.
Agreed.
“Alright, baby.” Kai raised his hands in surrender. “You’re in control.”
Sonnet blushed and froze, like she wasn’t sure what to do with this power, but it didn’t take his mate very long to go after what she wanted. Which washim.
Sonnet nuzzled into his neck, scent marking him. Kai knew right away what she was up to. She was making it clear that she was claiming him, as if Kai ever needed the reminder. He was right where he wanted to be.
Kai scented her back, and Sonnet released a pleasing whine in response. The sound alone almost made Kai lose control, but he and his alpha were on the same page. Right now, eachstep, each moment, each second was up to Sonnet and what she wanted. No matter how difficult it was to hold back, Kai was not going to ruin this moment by taking control of it.
Sonnet wasn’t shy about her current power any longer. She tugged on his shirt, and he took it off. She wrapped herself in his arms, and he held her. And when she began to rub against his growing, eager cock, he held still for her.
Sonnet was playing with fire, and Kai only hoped she’d burn him with it.
“What are you wanting?” Kai finally asked, keeping his hands on Sonnet’s hips. “Tell me what you want, baby.”
“I want to make you feel good.”
Oh, sweet Jesus.
Kai cleared his throat. “Baby—I. Ha!” Kai laughed awkwardly as he contemplated how far he was willing to take this. He wanted Sonnet more than anything, and her approaching heat cycle was making that desire harder to control. Instinct versus respect was currently at war, but Kai was able to settle on a compromise. “Let me take care of you, hm?”
“But—”
“Baby, if you take care of me, there’s no way I’m going to be able to hold back my alpha. Understand?”
Sonnet’s face turned almost as pink as her hair, and she nodded with a small agreement.
