Faith & the Dead End Devils (Sweet Omegaverse, #8)(68)

"When did you get back?" I asked in a whisper, Chance still fast asleep on my other side.

"Few hours ago. Gotta head out again," Bear said, glaring at the sunlight.

I frowned and propped my head up in my hand. "Again?"

Bear's gaze slid down to me and his expression melted warmly, lips curling up. It was still such a delight to see these men clearly, more than any other part of having my sight repaired. Mostly because they were just so freaking good-looking. Bear's features were even bolder and stronger than I'd guessed by touch, expressive and direct. I stretched under that stare of his, inviting him closer, and the corners of his eyes crinkled in response.

"Got a few people to hunt down, collections to make, and need to ensure the Wasted are still coloring within the lines King granted them," Bear said, drinking me in, his smile widening as Chance's arm coiled around my waist. "You're in good hands till I get back, and it won't be late. I'll bring you another surprise."

I squirmed at the suggestion of a present, cheeks warming. "You don't have to keep giving me gifts, you know. You did more than enough already."

Bear grinned. He and I both knew I was excited at the suggestion. His head ducked, and I stretched my chin up to receive his soft, pressing kiss.

"Alpha has to court his omega. Those are the rules, Butterfly," he rasped.

My mouth dropped open, but Bear was sliding out of the nest before I could think of an answer, rising huge and broad and handsome at the opening.

"I'll be back this afternoon. Rest up, and stay safe," Bear whispered, patting softly on the roof of the nest before ducking out of sight.

Courting. I grinned and collapsed down to my pillows, tucking my beaming face away. I'd daydreamed about courting before, although it'd been hard to believe in a happily ever after while on the run. I'd given up the idea while I was trapped by Omikron, and even after the Devils had found me. It was more important to secure bond marks than worry about courting presents from prospective alphas.

I'd been so determined to trick or trap or chase Bear and King into biting me, claiming me, and protecting me. But they'd offered their protection without a bond, or at least a full one, in Bear's case. I'd spent my heat with them, chosen them, and they'd only given me what I’d begged for—aside from that bite.

They were good men. Good alphas. And as much as that made me more determined than ever to claim them for my pack, it also only seemed fair they be allowed to choose me too. Bear had, but King…

Chance stretched at my back, groaning and burrowing his face into my shorter hair, puffing and tickling my neck with his breath. His morning wood prodded cheerfully at my ass and he sighed, grinding against me briefly and then relaxing.

"Morning, birdy," Chance mumbled into my hair.

I sighed, placing my arm over his, tangling our fingers together where they rested against my stomach.

Chance had chosen me too, although I had some questions for him after last night.

"Tell me about the alpha," I said, and Chance's fingers tightened around mine.

"What alpha?" he asked, the words clipped.

I sighed and pushed my shoulder against his chest, pulling my hand free and rolling over to face him. There were three little lines between his eyebrows and I pressed my fingers over them, but they only tightened.

"Ghost," I said, using the name King had shared with me. "He was the one I smelled on you before they all left."

Chance remained tense, his eyes squeezing shut, jaw clenching. I leaned down, kissing the muscle in his cheek, and he released a huff of breath against my ear.

"Birdy…"

"You said you were relieved they were leaving," I said, sitting up again.

Chance's eyes opened, searching mine.

"Did you miss him?" I asked. "Did I interrupt last night?"

He growled and started to twist away from me before going limp, all the tension bleeding out of him. "No. Or yes, you interrupted, but I didn't want him there anyway."

I rewarded Chance's confession with a kiss, and for a moment he remained still. Then all at once he was around me, on top of me, tongue thrusting between my lips and hips settling between my thighs, kissing me like he was starving for touch. I held him every bit as fiercely, answered his hunger with all of my eager acceptance, and Chance groaned into my mouth, rocking against me. I expected it to escalate into a frenzy, but he slowed and softened, turning a ravaging kiss into gentle pecks and pulls and nibbles, hands stroking up and down my sides.

He pulled away, and I caught my breath only to have it stolen again.

"You know that you're everything I've wanted," Chance said. My eyes flew open and he smiled down at me, all of that anger and stress missing from his features now. "What I've needed."

My eyes welled up, and Chance stroked his cheek against mine as I tried to find the words to answer him.

Then he flopped to the side, an arm over his face. "Ghost and I fucked around for…years."

My eyebrows bounced. "Years? Chance! I can't—Did I—"

"In secret," Chance muttered. "Far as I know, no one caught on."

I gaped for a moment and then remembered to shut my mouth. Our legs were tangled and I shifted, moving to settle over his lap. His arousal was fading, but he moved his arm from over his eyes and rested his hands on my thighs, gripping me as if to keep me from moving away.