Page 16 of Manifesting a Mate

With no clue what day it is, let alone what time, I slowly try to extract myself from the warmth of my mate’s arms. There is no clock on his bedside table and fuck knows where our phones are, or if they have any battery life left. I attempt to judge the time by the amount of light coming in through the bedroom windows.

Morning maybe? Early afternoon? Fuck knows. Hopefully, Riley explained to my bosses that I found my mate. I really don’t want them to think I just missed shifts without calling.

Risking a glance at my mate, I didn’t want to disturb him. He definitely needs this rest. With the haze from my heat gone I can appreciate how relaxed he looks, thick dark eyelashes resting on clear skin that shows minimal signs of his age. Soft snores escape his parted lips, he has one hand tucked under his pillow, the other laying protectively over my belly. I want to just lay here and watch him sleep like a creepo, but the longer I take him in, the more memories of the last few days make an appearance.

Henry looks so peaceful in sleep, but when his cock was buried to the hilt inside me, he looked like a feral beast. I’m not sure which version of him I prefer. Lucky for me I never have to choose.

Unfortunately, the need to use the bathroom is becoming increasingly more urgent, putting a stop to my admiration. Maneuvering gently, I extract myself from his arms. I wait to make sure I haven’t woken him. Henry murmurs something, smacking his lips together before turning over to his other side. I’m left with the magnificent sight of his muscular back and broad shoulders.

My eyes lock on the mark I put on him and instinctively reach for the one on my neck. Sparks spread through my body when I skim my fingertips over the sensitive spot. The tender ridges now scabbing over will eventually turn into a scar that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

It’s crazy how one night, one meeting of hearts, can change an omega’s life. The magic we created when joining our souls is present in the air around us. So thick it almost feels like I could reach out and touch it. I wonder briefly if the magic produced by fated mates bonding is part of the magic that keeps Valleywood and the supernatural beings within it protected. That's a nice thought. Love being stronger than the Gods themselves. Who knows? Maybe that magic created something else, too.

I flop on my back and palm my belly ignoring the pressure of my bladder for a few more moments in bed. Is it possible? He did pump load after load inside me and kept me plugged with his knot for hours at a time.

The thought of pregnancy so soon in our relationship should make me nervous, but weirdly, it’s the complete opposite. My body is practically vibrating with excitement. Our baby could be growing in my womb right this second. Hell, it could be more than one baby if I’m carrying squirrel kits. The only annoying part of this whole situation is the week-long wait to find out if I actually am pregnant and which kind of baby we will have.

A loud knock on the front door startles me, reminding me I really need to pee.

“Henry, someone’s at the door,” I whisper, laying a hand softly on his shoulder. His response is to let out another snore, louder this time. I chuckle, guess I better get some clothes on. Leaning toward him, I press a light kiss to the top of his back. “I’m going to take that as a compliment. I wore out my alpha.” Dropping one more kiss to his heated skin, I slide out of bed.

My toes sink into the lush cream carpet as I look around Henry’s bedroom to find something to throw over my body. I’m sure my clothes are around here somewhere, but the urge to wear something belonging to my alpha is too hard to deny.

Giddy, I skip across the room to the en suite bathroom, knowing it has a laundry hamper tucked into the corner. Quickly taking care of the pressing business in my bladder first, still painfully aware of the relentless knocking at the front door. I really hope there isn’t some kind of emergency.

A pang of fear has me reaching into the hamper and pulling out the first shirt I find. Bringing it to my nose, I inhale deeply, more to check it doesn’t actually smell bad, just that it’s saturated with Henry's scent. Syril makes a happy little trill in my head, wiggling his tail triumphantly. He’s not going to want to wear anything else now.

Another thump to the door, more urgent now, followed by a male voice yelling for Henry has me hurrying down the stairs. Belatedly realising I probably should have found pants to put on. My thighs quickly become slick with the copious amounts of cum dripping from my hole. Gross. Now whoever is at the door is going to scent it on me, actually that might not be a bad thing. If it's another alpha, and going by the deep booming voice I assume it is, he will know who I belong to.

CHAPTER 14

“I’ll put my armor on, show you how strong I am.”

Everett

Before I can reach the door and look through the peephole, I hear the distinctive scrape of a metal key pressing into the lock. I freeze watching the handle turn. Who the hell would have a key to my mate’s cabin? My head whips around the living room, looking for something I can use as a weapon. Somewhere my brain registers that a burglar is unlikely to use a key, but panic has taken over and shut off all rational thinking.

I reach for a table lamp but it feels too light. I'm not sure how much help this is going to be, but in the movies it's always a lamp the fearless omega wields against an intruder. So I raise it above my head, moving to stand where the door will hide me when it opens.

I don’t think I thought this plan through properly. In fact, I know I didn't when the thick wooden door blocked my view, leaving me with no choice but to rely on guesswork and luck to know when the intruder is far enough through the door.

Taking a deep breath, I steel my spine, pushing any trace of fear down. I will not risk this guy getting anywhere near my mate. Raising the black hollow metal lap above my head, I charge forward. Kicking the door closed, I release a wild, slightly unhinged scream as I throw the lamp, hitting my target on the back of the head. The damn thing didn't even stun him.

“What the fuck.”

“Who are you, and why are you breaking into my mate’s cabin?” I demand, eyes darting around the entrance for another weapon, preferably a more effective one. “You picked the wrong cabin to steal from…punk.” I’m aiming for threatening, but I’m pretty sure it's as successful as the lamp.

“Fucking hell, trust Henry to find a hellcat omega.” The would-be thief mutters, one hand rubbing the back of his head where the lamp made brief contact.

This stranger, who apparently knows my mate well enough to have a key to his place, stands a good head and shoulders taller than me. Not as tall as Henry, but still towering over me, not that it's hard. He’s objectively hot, with dark hair cut shorter at the sides and messy on top. Eyes glacier blue, a wolf shifter if I'm not mistaken. A brief flash of jealousy courses through me, Is this really Henry's best friend, or is there more to their relationship? That would explain why he was confident enough to just strut in here like he owns the place. Well, fuck that. A growl fiercer than I have ever managed before escapes my lips, accompanied by a snarl.

“Hellcat?? I’ll show you a hellcat. Now, how do you know Henry?” I ask, stepping closer, wishing I had some badass claws to threaten him with. I’m not sure where this new-found bravery has come from, but I’m rolling with it. I narrow my eyes suspiciously at the handsome fucker. He could just be saying all of this to make me drop my guard so he can rob the place.

“Yes, I know Henry, little hellcat. I’m Austin, his oldest and bestest friend. I’m sure he’s mentioned me.” He says with a cocksure grin, adding a wink that makes me want to punch him in the pec.

“Actually, he never mentioned you.” If I take a little pleasure in the way that smirk drops, mind your business.

“I’m going to guess you guys had better things to be doing with your mouth than talking” Ugh, he recovered far too quickly.