Page 77 of Pack Owned
“Fuck,” I mutter into the silence, my hands balling into fists on the sheets. Knowing she’s so close yet untouchable is a torment, a constant battle between desire and duty raging within me. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to force the image of her out of my mind—the curve of her hip, the arch of her back, the way she’d look spread out for me...
No amount of discipline or training can prepare a man for this kind of war, the kind where you’re your own enemy. I’ve faced down death and come out the other side, but nothing compares to the fight I wage now—a battle against my own instincts, my own longing.
“Sleep, Dane,” I command myself, though it’s a futile order. Even as exhaustion pulls at my limbs, there’s a fire burning in my veins that won’t let me rest—not while she’s here and so close, not while every fiber of my being screams that she’s mine.
My fated mate. My Omega. My Kayla.
CHAPTER 25
KAYLA
Ijolt awake, and a dull throb between my legs makes me bite back a groan. Shit, that hurts. Ryker is out cold next to me, his arm draped possessively over my stomach. It’s sweet, but I really need to go to the bathroom. Careful not to wake him, I inch away, peeling his arm off like I’m defusing a bomb. One wrong move and boom—Alpha awake, fussing over me. Not what I need right now.
I pause for a moment, watching him sleep. His face looks so peaceful, a contrast to the fierce protector he always is when awake. The tenderness of this quiet moment tugs at my heart, but right now, nature’s calling.
Moving slowly, every muscle protesting from last night’s events, I slip out of bed. A bath. That will probably help with the pain and always works when it’s that time of the month.
As I walk, my body is heavy with new sensations. My thighs press together, tender and raw, a dull throb pulsing where Ryker was inside of me. It’s a good ache, though—satisfying and intimate. With careful steps, I make my way to the bathroom, feeling the pull of each muscle, hyperaware of the changes within me.
After I start the water, I stare in the mirror to see if I look any different. I’m not a virgin Omega anymore, but I’m the same—blue eyes, dirty blond hair, and lips still a bit swollen from last night.
The lingering scents of smoke and leather cling to my skin, and I smile.
“My Alphas,” I whisper to my reflection. There’s a tightness in my chest, a surge of emotion that swells. Three Alphas? Who would’ve thought?
I care about all of them, each in their own way. They’re like... I don’t know, a shield from all the crap out there. Last night with Ryker was amazing. It felt right, as though we connected on a whole different level.
They’ve held themselves back, giving me space, letting me choose when I was ready. And now, they’re mine, just as I am theirs.
Ryker’s brooding intensity steals my breath every time I’m in the room with him. Dane is solid, dependable, as though he’d fight a war for me. Then there’s Liam—his charm and humor make me feel as if I can tell him anything.
Last night, Ryker was so gentle, I finally let go. It was everything I hoped for—intense and raw, but with a connection that went beyond just sex.
Slipping into the tub with a gasp, the hot water laps at my tender skin. I wince as it touches places still sensitive, still throbbing with a dull ache—a reminder of the night’s intensity. Biting my lip to keep from making a sound, I sink deeper, letting the heat envelop me. I add more hot water, hoping it will soothe the pain away.
There’s a soft knock on the door, and instinctively, I think it’s Ryker coming to check on me. “Come in,” I call out, resting the back of my head against the porcelain.
But it’s not Ryker; it’s Dane, his presence filling the room. My heart does this weird stutter-step at seeing him. Widely self-conscious about being naked in front of him, I cover my breasts with my arms, the bubbles in the bath hiding my sex.
He has a glass jar in his hands, filled with... something. Hell if I know what it is.
“Brought you some things,” he murmurs, his voice all low and gentle, which warms me more than the bath. “For the bath to help with the pain and to speed up recovery.”
“Thanks,” I manage, touched by his thoughtfulness.
From the pocket of his cargo pants, he retrieves a plastic pain reliever bottle and a small water bottle. “And this... if the pain gets too much.” His eyes linger on mine, dark and intense.
“Thanks.”
He nods, a faint smile touching his lips. He pours out the contents of the jar into the bath, and the scents of lavender and others I can’t name drift through the warm bathwater.
“Take the meds, Kayla,” Dane insists gently. “Don’t try to be tough about this.”
“Never,” I reply with my usual sass, but inside, my heart flutters. I’m learning what it means to be cherished by Alphas, who respect me, who wait for me.
“What would you like for breakfast?” he asks.
I consider for a second before answering. “French toast.” A hint of a smile tugs at my lips despite the ache. “And coffee. Lots of coffee.”
