Page 21 of Scent of Sanctuary

When I feel her tense and then melt into my chest, I thrust up one more time, spilling into her as my knot fully swells and locks us together. She lets out a soft cry of relief as I hold her tight to me, one of my hands moving into her hair.

She sags against my chest even further, her breaths coming in short pants before a small purr escapes her, a quiet, Omega hum, the sweetest fucking thing I’ve ever heard. God, I’d do anything to hear that sound every fucking day. “There you are,” I murmur, my voice soft against her forehead, “my perfect girl.”

We lay there for several moments, purring for each other, Seraphina’s scent softening. She wriggles against me, pulling against my knot, both of us moaning in response. I clench my jaw at the overstimulation as her little tongue flicks out, dragging along my collarbone beneath my shirt, a sudden, instinctive move that sends a jolt through me.

I let out a quiet grunt, my body reacting as she moves higher, her lips grazing my neck, teasing my scent gland. A small growl escapes me, and I come again, a heat-driven release, that has her sagging completely, her breathing soft and even. A few seconds later, I catch her snores, her body finally sated.

My heart is still pounding in my chest as I fumble around for my phone, needing to let the guys know she’s okay. I scroll through the messages, realizing I should have sent them some kind of message before now but there wasn’t much time.

Callum: She okay? What happened?

Lyle: Just woke up, what’s going on?

Callum: Ambrose, update us, man.

I quickly type back, thankful that it hasn’t even been thirty minutes since I got here.

She had a heat spike but she’s okay for now. Something’s off because her spikes were never this bad before. She asked me not to hurt her.

Lyle: She told me the same thing last time. Fuck, man, she’s scared.

Callum: Take care of her. Someone needs to stay tonight.

Lyle: Got another overnight shift, I’m out. I can almost hear his grumble, his worry despite the exhaustion.

Callum: Guess that means you’re up, Ambrose. Make sure she’s comfortable.

I let out a quiet huff, a small smile tugging at my lips, knowing that Callum’s pissed he can’t be here with her.Oh I will,I text back before setting my phone down to just exist in this moment with Seraphina in my arms.

My knot slowly comes down, Seraphina letting out a little whine as she shifts against me. She sits up, her thighs trembling, and her cheeks flush a deep red as she pulls off my cock, a slick mix of our cum gathering on my lower stomach. I grin at the sight of her, her flushed skin and glassy blue eyes making me want to knot her all over again. “You feeling a bit better?”

“I just didn’t know what to do,” she whispers, her voice shaky, “and the pills weren’t working.” She chews her lip, her hands fidgeting in her lap. I can tell there’s something else she’s holding back.

I prop myself on my elbows, my gaze softening as I throw out an arm for her to snuggle into. She stares at it and then curls up against my chest. “What did the doctor say?” I don’t want to push but I also want to make sure we’re doing right by her.

She shakes her head, her scent turning sour. “I don’t… I just…”

“Hey, it’s okay,” I say, pressing a kiss to her forehead before cupping her cheek in my hand to soothe her. Her skin’s still warm, feverish from the heat spike, and as my hand rests there, I realize I’m in her nest, this sacred space, a rare honor she’s never given anyone else. “Thank you,” I whisper before pressing my lips to hers, chuckling when she chases me. “I need to get you cleaned up a bit. Will you let me take care of you?”

She hesitates, her eyes flickering with that familiar fear, but then she nods, a meek little “okay” slipping from her lips, so soft it nearly undoes me.

I kiss her again, a little longer this time, letting her feel me, my purr rumbling low as I taste her. Then, I gather her in my arms and carry her to the attached bathroom, her nest’s mess of blankets and pillows left behind. I set her on the counter before yanking off my shirt and tossing it aside. I turn on the shower, waiting until it’s warm enough and then I guide her under the spray, stepping in with her.

The water cascades over us as I keep my movements slow, not wanting to scare her. I grab the soap, lathering it in my hands, and start washing her body, my fingers gentle over her arms, her back, her hips. I want to worship this beautiful woman in front of me, take time to admire every last inch of her skin because that’s what she deserves.

She’s lost to her Omega instincts, her eyes half-closed, leaning into my touch, letting herself be taken care of. I wash her hair next, massaging shampoo through her curls, her soft sighs a content sound that makes my chest ache. The Alpha in me wants to protect her, love her, shield her from the world, but I know when this heat haze lifts, she’ll be skittish again, her trauma pulling her back. For now, though, she’s mine, trusting me, and I’ll savor every second.

When she’s nearly asleep against me, I turn off the water and carry her out of the shower to dry her off. “What do you want to wear, angel?” I frown, brushing a curl from her face as she shakes her head. “Babe, you’re gonna freeze.”

She shakes her head again, silent, and I let out a quiet chuckle, knowing she’s too deep in her instincts to argue. I keep her wrapped in the towel and then lean over to the drawers under the sink to grab some of Lyle’s clothing for me to slip into. The bastard is always a few steps ahead, making sure he’s got a little bit of extra everything here including shaving cream, deodorant, a fuck ton of boxers…

I just shake my head as I slip on a sweatshirt and shorts that have to be tightened around the waist. Seraphina is still sweetly waiting for me as I lead her back to her nest to rest. When I’m sure she’s comfortable, I find a seat on the couch, about to text the guys when there’s a soft patter of feet, a flurry of Omega crawling into my lap and slipping beneath my sweatshirt without a word.

She settles once her head hits my chest, her hair still damp, a little snore telling me that she finds this safe, that she findsmesafe. And when she purrs for me? God, my heart swells with pride.

Callum

WithSeraphinaokayandsafe with Ambrose, I can finally focus on the other issue looming. Jonah Whitfield, one of Felix’s oldest friends, is coming back and rejoining the crew after moving away shortly following Felix’s death. I lost touch with him after the incident and the funeral but I chalked it up to grief. Initially, I thought it’d be good to have a familiar face, someone who knew Felix like I did, but then the chief warned me that Jonah’s caught up in some shit and this is his last chance. I don’t know what that means, what kind of trouble he’s in, but it’s a problem for tomorrow when he officially starts.

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