Page 28 of Love in Excess

I almost fight Ruiz.Almost.

LINCOLN

I lean back in the chair by Celeste’s nest, watching the beautiful Omega curled up in a pile of blankets and pillows, her rose scent drenching everything in this room. When she woke up in my bed, a little disoriented, I thought for sure I wouldn’t be able to handle whatever she needed.

But all she wanted was her nest and that’s one thing I could do for her.

She tried to drag me in with her earlier but as much as I wanted to crawl into that nest, to let her warmth pull me under, I’ve got loose ends to tie up from taking most of the day off. Calls to make, schedules to confirm.

Jasmine, though, had no such hesitations—yet another part of the puzzle Celeste wouldn’t allow to stay in my apartment. My puppy is sprawled between the pillows, her tail thumping likeshe’s the happiest dog alive, curled around Celeste like they’ve been best friends forever. I catch Jasmine’s eye, and she gives me this look, like she’ll bite me if I don’t get my shit together and settle with my mates. I just laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, I got it, girl. I’m not going anywhere.”

My phone buzzes on the armrest, and I glance at it, my stomach tightening when I see my mother’s name. I dismiss the call, not ready for whatever fight she’s going to try and start, but it buzzes again almost immediately. Another call from her. I swipe it away, my jaw clenching, but when it rings a third time, I know she’s not going to give up. I sigh and push out of the chair, careful not to disturb Celeste or Jasmine before stepping into the living room.

The moment I answer the phone, she’s already talking at me. “Lincoln, you’ve been dodging me forweeks,” she snaps, her words laced with that familiar mix of disappointment and anger. “You’re so far removed from this family. Why can’t you be like your sister? Married, three kids, settled. You’re wasting your life. If you keep this up, I’m going to take away that trust fund.”

I lean back against the edge of the couch, my fingers gripping the phone tight. “I haven’t used any of that money in years, Mom. I’m not about to start now.” Could life be more comfortable with what was in that bank account? Yes. Would I have felt obligated to follow my mother’s rules if I touched it? Also yes.

She scoffs, the sound harsh through the line. “You think you’re above it? Above us? I had plans for you, Lincoln. You could’ve been part of a pack, a real future, but you’re out there playing hero with no one to show for it.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, hating how every moment with mother becomes a fighting match about my relationship or my career choice. “Mom, I get that you wanted me to be whatever it was in your mind but I’m happy where I am.”

“Happy? You won’t even meet the alphas I send for you.”

“I’m not gonna be some fucking pack beta for you,” I snap, my patience fraying. “I’m done with that.” I used to try and appease her, blind dates for weeks on end as I looked for the perfect match. There never was one under her roof. She wanted to stay rich and the packs I was introduced to weren’t looking for love. They were looking for a maid and I was not about to be reduced to that bullshit.

The moment I left, I guess I was still searching for that lost piece, thinking that a pack could save me. Now, I just know that I was looking in all the wrong places.

The front door creaks open, and I look up, my frown deepening as Hunter steps inside, his keys jangling in his hand. I try to wave him off, mouthingone secas I turn away, but my mother’s still going, her voice grating in my ear. “You’re throwing away everything, Lincoln. You think you’re happy now, but you’ll regret this when you’re alone.”

Before I can speak, Hunter’s hand appears, his fingers gently curling around my phone. His brown eyes meet mine, a silent question in his gaze. I nod, relief flooding through me as he clicks the end button and then slips the phone back into my pocket.

He takes my face in his hands, pulling me down just the slightest bit. “Seems like I don’t have another set of parents to meet,” he teases, but with a softness that makes my throat tight.

I let out a nervous laugh, my hands trembling as I rest them on his arms. “Yeah, not exactly. She wanted different things for me and since I didn’t bow down to her like my sister did, we don’t talk.”

Hunter’s lips curve into a soft smile as he draws me into a kiss, the tension from the call melting beneath his touch. His scent fills my senses, my pulse quickening, a spark igniting low in mybelly. “The same way I’ve got Celeste,” he murmurs against my lips, “I’ve got you too.”

The kiss deepens, his tongue brushing mine, and I melt into it, my hands gripping his shirt as the heat builds between us. His fingers tighten on my jaw, pulling me closer until I’m lost in him, in the way he claims me without hesitation. I pull back, just enough to catch my breath, my forehead resting against his. “Don’t you want to check on Celeste?” I ask, my voice wobbling slightly

A slow, wicked grin overtakes Hunter’s face, his eyes dark with want. “I’ve got two wonderful people to take care of now,” he purrs, “and right now, I’m focused on you.”

This is what I was missing.

Hunter pecks at my lips again before meeting my gaze. “How you feeling, Doc? After this afternoon, when we all…” He trails off, his eyes searching mine, and I know he means the way we fucked each other raw, the desperate heat of it, and the way I surrendered to the man currently standing before me.

My Alpha.

I never thought I’d get to say or think those words.

I swallow, my face flushing as I remember the way their hands felt, the way I let go. “It was a lot in the moment but I liked it.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You just liked it?”

I bolster up a little courage, leaning down to kiss the curve of his neck as my hands settle on his waist. “I’d want to do it again. I haven’t been… loved like that in a very long time.” I shiver against him as his fingers sift into my hair, tugging back a little bit so that he can kiss me again. The want burns into a desire I can’t quench with just his lips, some primal part of me needing more.

My fingers dig into his hips, curling into the waistband of his pants as I timidly ask for more. “Can I?”

“You never have to ask, Doc,” he says, his voice rough with want. “Ever.”

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