Page 111 of Pack Owned
She stirs, nuzzling closer in her sleep.
I can’t afford to fuck this up. Not when every second counts, not when there’s a target on her back the size of the damn moon. The fear of losing her... it’s like a fist wrapped around my throat, squeezing until the air in my lungs turns to fire.
“Got to get you registered, Kayla,” I whisper. “Can’t let them take you.”
It’s a fucked-up world where claiming your mate feels more like a tactical maneuver than a promise of forever. But then again, nothing about us has been typical, not from the start.
The thought of some bureaucrat stamping her as mine on paper—it’s laughable. Like that’s what makes her mine. Not the way she looks at me like I’m worth something. Not the way she fights alongside me, fierce as any Alpha. No, it’s the goddamn paperwork that’ll keep her safe.
We just can’t let Nexus get wind of us registering her or they know we lied to their officials which is as bad as perjuring ourselves. But I won’t let anyone take her from us. Never.
“Ryker...” Her voice is a groan, muffled against my skin, pulling me back from the edge.
“Right here, Kayla.’“ The words are a promise I’ll spill blood to keep. Her hand finds mine, fingers tangling together.
“Good,” she murmurs, and it’s enough. For now.
But as her breathing evens out again and sleep claims her, I’m wide awake, staring down the night. There’s no rest for an Alpha on the brink of losing everything. Kayla’s my whole damn world, and if Nexus takes her, I lose more than just her—I lose my heart, my soul, her love—And I’ll be fucking damned if I let that happen.
CHAPTER 36
LIAM
Eyes feeling like they’re stuffed with sand, I watch Kayla’s sleeping, her chest rising and falling with each soft breath. The scent of vanilla and jasmine clings to the air, a reminder of the wildfire she ignites within us. I’ve never been so exhausted even after an all-night marathon gaming session.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath, rubbing a hand down my face, the stubble scratching against my palm. She’s been riding us hard, her heat relentless. Every time we think it’s fading, she pulls us back in, an endless cycle of craving and release. But hell if I’d let another Alpha step in; she’s ours—mine.
Kayla’s peaceful in sleep, her blonde hair a curtain around her face. Beautiful inside and out. And that she’s grown to trust us enough to share her heat, leaves me wanting to never let her down.
If I thought I could handle plunging into her depths once more without keeling over, I’d be between those silken thighs in a heartbeat, consequences be damned.
Dane and Ryker are out cold, bodies splayed across her nest like casualties of war—which isn’t far from the truth. They’ve succumbed to exhaustion, but not me. I’m willing myself to stayawake. Every fiber strung tight, coiled and ready to spring into action the second her eyes flutter open.
Despite my exhaustion, the need to claim her again simmers under my skin.
As though sensing I’m watching her, she stirs. My lips curl into a lazy smile as her dark blue eyes blink open, innocence clashing with the hunger we’ve stoked.
“What time is it?” she rasps.
“No fucking clue,” I say, handing her a bottle of water. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.” She takes a big gulp, her cheeks pink. “Not as hot or desperate as before.”
“Good.” Relief floods through me. “Cause I swear you were trying to put us all in the hospital.”
Her blush deepens and I reach out, clasping her hand. A thrill ripples through me when she doesn’t shrink away, but rather squeezes back.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“Stop. This is what Alphas desire to do…take care of our Omega…of you.” I shake my head, thumb tracing circles on her palm. “Are you hungry? Got some leftover pizza.”
“Maybe later.” She drinks more water, her gaze drifting to Dane and Ryker. “Have we heard back from Charlie? On the registration?”
“Fuck if I know.” My neck tenses at the thought. Of the nightmare of Nexus taking her from us. “We’ve been a bit too busy for text or phone calls.”
“Sorry.” Her apology is a whisper, unnecessary and yet so very Kayla.
“Hey, there’s nowhere else we’d rather be, no one else we’d rather be with. You’re our Omega, Kayla. Nexus and their paperwork can go to hell.”
