Page 30 of Dodging Bullets

My Omega lurching in my chest, I looked at August from beneath my lashes, wanting to climb into his lap. “What about another Omega?”

August froze. It was like he was a statue, his eyes flying wide. “That’s unusual, but not unheard of.”

I knew what I wanted, but it wouldn’t leave my lips. I wasn’t brave enough. I dragged my eyes away from August’s and looked at the other men in the room. “Okay. And the heat itself, I’ll want to have sex a lot?”

August’s face slipped back into its professional mask. “Yes. Orgasms will ease the pain. You’ll be insatiable, and it’s the job of the people you pick to join you in your heat to tend to you. To give you countless orgasms and, uh, the proteins in male ejaculation can also act to ease the pain. It might be worth considering going on some birth control immediately. I’m sure the guys won't mind going to get tested so you know they’re clean.”

“Free from sexually transmitted diseases, because they’ve had sex before.” And that was the sticking point for me. I was untouched. Well, maybe not so untouched now that Llew woke me up every morning with his mouth on my nether parts, but still.

As if he could sense my thoughts, Llew turned me on his lap so I was facing him. There was just me and my Alpha in the room. “I can feel you through the bond, Sweet Thing. Whatever you decide is the right course of action. If you want to be… morepresent when you make love for the first time, I will worship your body and the gift you’re giving me. If you want to wait until your heat, that’s okay too. If you aren’t ready for any of this, we can find a way to put it off for however long.”

“More suppressants?” I asked softly.

Llew nodded. “Probably. They’re illegal, because they’re really bad for an Omega’s endocrine system, and long-term use causes serious, sometimes irreparable harm. But this isn’t a normal case, and if you need more time, I’ll get you more time. You’ve been through a lot; this is just one extra thing for you to deal with.”

What they’d been giving me had screwed with my system? “What kind of harm?”

August gave me a reassuring look. “It’s nothing to worry about right now, I promise, but it can cause damage to your hormones, which govern all sorts of things like your immunity, your growth, your reproductive systems, your metabolism. I can help you book an appointment with an endocrinologist, if you wish. But you’ve been off the suppressants for a little while now, and I’m sure the Alphas can sense the change in your scent that indicates your heat is coming soon.”

I looked between Rio and Llew, who both nodded softly.Huh.“Do I smell better or worse?”

Llew snuggled into my cheek, inhaling me deeply. “Better. So delicious, it makes me want to eat you up.”

I gave him a small grin. “More so than usual?”

“Like I would happily die between your thighs, then in my will request the Pack puts that I died eating out my Omega on my headstone, so everyone knows how irresistible you are.”

Max groaned. “Laying it on a little thick there, aren’t you, Llew?”

He shook his head, his little grumble-moan spreading through my body. “Not thick enough.”

Rio held up a hand. “Before this devolves into a lot of sexual double entendres, do you have any other questions?”

I had more questions than I could possibly express. Or that I wasn’t scared to express anyway. I knew that I didn’t want my first time to be during the haze of the heat. I wanted to know what to expect, to be in my right mind. I wanted to enjoy what was happening, not just because my Omega was screaming that I was in pain.

I also kind of wanted to see what a penis looked like, especially one with a knot. Could I ask Llew to show me? Could I ask Max to show me his too, so I knew how they compared?

The idea of seeing their cocks made desire slowly drip through me like hot coffee, which wasinsane,because last week I would’ve been horrified if some Alpha had shown me his dick. Now, not only did I get excited by the idea of seeing it, I also wanted to know what it would feel like—in my hand, in my mouth, inside me.

I rapidly shook my head, trying to push down the dirty thoughts. “Uh, not right now. Can I call you and ask if anything comes to mind?” I asked August.

“Absolutely. I can get you a phone, if the guys already haven’t, and you’re welcome to call or message me day or night. I’m here to support you.”

A ball of emotion lodged in my throat. It had been a lot, this whole week. This whole month. This Omega’s kindness was like a balm across the aching wound of my betrayal. “Thank you, August.”

Reaching over to me, he stroked my arm softly. “You aren’t alone in this. You’re not alone ever again. I promise.”

Silence dropped over the room, but it wasn’t awkward. We were all lost in our own thoughts, memories, dreams.

Max cleared his throat. “So, uh, you have around ten days, and if you’re feeling up to it so soon after the mall, Rio and I hadan idea of an outing you might enjoy. I think maybe even Llew could come to this one. August as well, if he isn’t busy tomorrow, or wants to play hooky from work.” His smile was wide and bright, and I was reminded once more that he was beautiful, in case my eyes had forgotten.

“Don’t leave us in suspense, Maxie,” Llew rumbled.

“I thought we might take our Omega to the zoo.”

I gasped, excitement buzzing through my veins. “The zoo?”

“The zoo. There’s one about an hour from here. It’s midweek, so the place shouldn’t be too busy, but it’s got some cool animals. I thought you might enjoy it.”

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