Page 44 of Omega on Fire

Our mouths clash again, teeth and tongues battling for control. He lifts me effortlessly, and I wrap my legs around his waist, gasping at the hardness pressing against my center. The friction is delicious torment even through our clothes.

Something flutters in my belly, a warning signal trying to break through the haze of desire. A building pressure that doesn't feel quite right.

"Moses," I pant, pulling back slightly. "Wait."

He immediately loosens his grip, concern replacing desire in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

A sharp cramp doubles me over before I can answer. I slide down his body, clutching my abdomen as another wave hits—stronger, hotter.

"Charlotte?" Moses sounds alarmed now.

"I think—" I gasp as heat floods my system, sudden and overwhelming. My skin feels too tight, my clothes abrasive against hypersensitive nerves. "Oh God."

Realization dawns in Moses’ eyes as my scent shifts, intensifying. He takes a deliberate step back, nostrils flaring.

"Your heat," he says, voice strangled. "It'sstarting."

The cramping pain morphs into something else—urgent, primal need clawing through my insides. Slick warmth gathers between my thighs as another wave crashes over me. I've never experienced anything this intense, this consuming.

"Moses," I whimper, reaching for him even as my rational mind screams to stop, to think.

His eyes are nearly black now, pupils blown wide, but he keeps his distance. "We need to get you upstairs. Now."

My heat has arrived. And I am so completely, utterly fucked.

CHAPTER 17

MOTLEY

Ihate conference calls. Fucking hate them. Especially when Dez is on the other end looking like the cat that ate the canary, his smug face filling my screen while I'm forced to sit still like some kind of trained poodle. My knee bounces under the table as I fight the urge to pace.

"So, Freeya's been on my ass," Dez says, leaning back in his leather chair. "Charlotte has talked to her recently, but she wants more updates. I told her she’s already had a proof of life call but I only got an eye roll for that. I mean, I have a Beta to keep happy here, boys.” He laughs at his own joke, and I want to reach through the screen and rip his throat out. Okay, I don't want to hurt my former boss, nope, not all, I just hate sitting here talking about bullshit that doesn't concernme. "Yeah, well, Mercy and Faith have been even worse," he continues. "I've spent two weeks talking them down. They're ready to hop on a plane and storm your compound."

Teagan chuckles beside me, all cool and collected. "Tell them Charlotte's fine. She'll check in again soon."

"She better," Dez warns, but there's no heat behind it.

I tune them out as they start discussing logistics. Charlotte had therapy with Dr. Monroe today, the same shrink who'd tried to untangle the mess in my head when I first got stateside. Those sessions leave you raw, like someone's peeled back your skin and poked at everything tender underneath.

Moses is with her now. It's his turn, his day to provide comfort, and I'm trying not to be a jealous prick about it. Sharing has never been my strong suit but for Charlotte, I'm doing my fucking best. Deacon's got a gentle touch beneath his own mountain of religious baggage, he'll give her exactly what she needs after Monroe's ripped open her wounds.

Still, something feels off. Has all morning. Like an itch under my skin I can't scratch.

"Joker, you got those surveillance reports?" Teagan asks, pulling me back to the call.

Josiah nods, fingers flying across his keyboard. "Sending them now. Also ordered some more supplies for. . ." He obviously doesn’t want to say it in front of Dez.

The nest. The fucking nest he's been building like some deranged interior decorator on speed. He took one of the larger guest bedrooms and turned it into what I can only describe as an Omega heaven—plush blankets, pillows in every size and shape, temperature controls, and a goddamn mini-kitchen stocked with water and snacks. All based on his meticulous research about optimal Omega comfort.

We've all noticed the subtle shifts in Charlotte's scent this week. Sweeter, headier—her honey and cinnamon fragrance taking on new depths, that hint of firewood burning hotter. But Teagan ordered us not to mention it, not wanting to trigger her anxiety. So, we've all been dancing around it like idiots, pretending not to notice while our bodies react.

Josiah's nesting instincts kicked in first, typical for a Beta with his nurturing tendencies. My response has been less constructive. More along the lines of wanting to fuck her through the mattress, mark her, claim her. Lock her away from the rest of the world. Even from my brothers.

A groan cuts through the house, low, pained, andeverything in me freezes. That sound I know that sound. My cock instantly hardens and that's the last thing I need. Down boy!

Before I can move, Moses’ voice booms, panic edging his usually controlled tone:

"ALL HANDS ON DECK!"

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