Page 22 of Puck Your Neighbor

Stepping forward, I reach up, standing on my toes, to reach the highest lock and enter the code to release it. It's a specialty omega lock. They've found in the thick of our heat that remembering codes and other commonplace things doesn't happen. We are only concerned with primal things. So they'll keep us from going out into the city and finding random alphas to help us.

But I guess my omega found a loophole, but would she be able to do this if it wasn't our compatible alphas on the other side of the door? There's no way of knowing. After all this is over, I need to join an omega support group and find out what's normal and what's not.

Next comes the chains and then the three deadbolts, which are an added defense along with the steel door to keep it from being able to get kicked in easier. My whole body shakes with fear and excitement. I turn the knob and open the door to them.

All three of them stand there with their phones in hand and a wild look in their eyes that hold worry.

Leo is the first to step forward. "Are you okay? We haven't..."

His words trail off as he takes a deep breath in. All of their eyes dilate and stiffen as their hands form fists at their sides before they shake them out and take a step back from me.

Maverick licks his lips. "Are you in control, Anya?"

I reach for my whiteboard and write out, "Mostly. I wouldn't have been able to open the door otherwise."

Showing them, they read it, and a glance goes between the three of them before Jenson runs his fingers through his hair. "I... we don't want to do anything you're not comfortable with. I'll be honest, my control is slipping. You smell divine right now, but..." His eyes travel to my neck.

I remember that I'm not wearing more than a thin black camisole and matching black shorts. It's a miracle I'm not naked right now, but my heat hasn't built to the stripping level yet. He can see my scars and the hideous bite marks on my neck.

They can make them disappear tonight.

Fuck no, even if something happens tonight, I'm not letting them anywhere near my neck with their teeth.

Before I can write something out, another cramp grips me, and my legs buckle. God, if this is payback for something I did wrong in a past life, I'm sorry. I drop the board and marker.

Two pairs of arms reach out and stop me from falling to the floor. The warmth of their touch rolls through my body, and my omega wants to purr. I suppress the urge. That's another thing that scares me. Making sounds once I'm too far gone to be mindful of it. After they hear me moan, they'll never want me again.

I glance up at Maverick and Jenson, as each of them holds one of my arms. Maverick's hand comes to rest on my lower stomach, the heat from his hand warms through the material. Though it's not what my body is craving, his touch is enough to relax me and make the cramp ease. A small sigh leaves me, and I want to stand to curl into them, letting them hold me because it feels so good just to be touched by them.

It makes me realize it's been a very long time since I've let anyone touch me. I stand, and they ease their grips on me but don't let go. I lift my hand and sign, "Thank you."

Maverick nods and swallows hard. His eyes are almost all black with how dilated they are. They're fighting hard to remain in control of their inner alphas. I can see it. It's a miracle I'm still lucid. Perhaps my inner omega is being merciful.

This won't be bad like you think it will. They will care for us in ways we've needed for a long time.

Leo clears his throat as he steps forward, picks up the takeout bag off my doorstep, and then grabs my board and marker, handing both to me while placing the food on the counter."What would you like to do? We can leave right now, but the longer we linger, the harder it will be to do that."

Swallowing hard, I nod. And try to focus on the board. Writing is becoming difficult. "I don't think I can do this alone. It's bad. But please, don't touch or kiss my neck."

They all read it, and Maverick nods. "We can do that. Right?" There's a slight growl to his voice as he looks at the other two.

They each nod, and Leo smiles. "Of course, and if there's anything else you don't want us to do, then all you have to do is say something. These two have been working hard on studying ASL, and I can translate as well, so you don't have to worry about writing everything out."

Jenson lets go of me and moves his hands. "I've been learning. I want to talk to you. I know I don't need to sign, but it helps me learn."

A smile pulls at the corners of my lips. He's following through with what he said. It means a lot that they want to communicate with me, even with me unable to speak. I would love to talk to them like how I used to. I feel like we could've had the best verbal conversations. Our texting has been nice.

I slow down my signing for him and Maverick. "Thank you. That means a lot."

Jenson grins. "I would do anything to see you smile." He then looks off to the side and clears his throat as his cheeks turn pink. I don't think he meant to voice that thought.

Butterflies flutter around in my stomach. He sounds sincere, and I want to believe him, but the voice in the back of my mind tells me he would say anything just to have a heat with me. Once they get laid, they won't want me anymore; scent-matched or not, it won't matter. They will leave or do worse.

I swallow hard. "I haven't been with alphas for a decade."

I glance around, and they all seem to get the gist of what I've said. At their stares, my body heats with another hot flash, and sweat gathers on my brow as I shiver. Them being here was almost enough to keep my heat symptoms at bay, but now my body wants more.

Their touch, knots, and care.

---