Page 110 of Generation Omega: Claimed
I mime zipping my lips, while studying Ethan, aware that I’m not the only one who’s glowing right now. I’m itching to overstep and launch questions at him about his expectations and floaty dreams involving his first time with Kazimir. But, miraculously, I choose maturity—at least for now—but soon, I won’t just have a front-row seat to the Kazimir-Ethan show, I’ll be costarring in their erotic extravaganza.
Ethan’s eyebrows announce his awareness of the exact glittery gutter my mind is currently occupying, but, thankfully, he chooses maturity too. “There’s something else about this entire Thatcher situation that I keep mulling. It’s a reminder really, that we need to leave room for people to improve at their own pace. That’s what Kaz gave the professor and our pack, safety while allowing for growth. We must remember that some of our enemies today will become our friends and allies, or members of our community. I’m not saying Thatcher gets a pass on anything without proving he’s evolved, but if Kaz can changeas much as he has, then there’s a chance for my older, snooty, unstablebite bro.”
“Bite bro?!”
“Yup, poncy professor cooties and all—I’m never letting Kaz forget about that.” Dang, Ethan is still everything, his lightness, his humanity, this man who appears more comfortable in this madness than he’s ever been anywhere else. It takes a second for the truth I’m witnessing to truly reach me. Ethan is safe, even with danger all around us, like he was before his father died. He knows where he belongs, and that it’s here in this pack. That’s why he’s able to so easily welcome the jerk who wanted him gone, something he wouldn’t be able to do if he wasn’t secure in his place here.
I lean into him, wrapping my arms around him, my ear against his chest, his pounding heart greeting me. “You’re so right. We must always keep room for forgiveness and also acceptance that what happened in the past is over and done. I’m not there yet with Thatcher—and neither is he—but please keep reminding me about that, especially if you catch me poking yourbite browith sticks just because I can.”
Rubbing my back, he says, “Hey, I’m pack guardian and won’t hold back from handing out demerits to any offending packmate. Someday, there will be a tally sheet on the fridge, with little gold stars and shimmering devil stickers—the alpha with the most devils gets laundry duty. Just saying.”
“Hey, in these parts,you’rethe law.”
“Damn straight, baby girl.” Oh, now he’s doing a Gideon Blake impression, and the way his voice rumbles against me feels just right.
When we release each other, we still stand there for a solid minute, just being in the same space together. In some ways, our lives have never been more complicated, but that’s not the real story of us. The truth of us is our unbreakable bond thatwon’t falter no matter what the coming days bring. I’m about to change forever, and so is he. But it’s like Gideon said—we’ll only become more of who we are, who we were always meant to be. I can’t wait to discover who Ethan is tomorrow and introduce him to the new version of me. We’re the only ones who began this journey together, and that matters as much now as it did when the omegaverse claimed us.
Without meaning to, my gaze wanders to the door, the drums within me growing louder.
Ethan seems to know the pull I’m feeling and hugs me again, kissing my head. “I love you, Till. I always knew you were a miracle, and seeing Gideon get there too is awesome. Seeing Kaz get there—I know he’s totally faking his whole drama around you, but it’s entertaining to watch him get snared in your net. Apparently, you’ve lured Jameson with your siren powers, and you’re about to take the next step with Ory. Mackenzie’s already fallen for you, and Thatcher’s… well, he’s a work in progress, but what you did with him at dinner was incredible—no demerits earned. You’ve made this pack what it is, and witnessing these bonds growing… it’s a privilege. But it’s always been a privilege to be in your life.”
“It’s all only possible because of you, Ethan. We never would have made it here without you.”
Ethan steps away, his grin attempting to conceal his big emotions. He tilts his head toward the door. “Go on, Till. Go climb that mountain and plant your flag on the top. Show that primal beast that he’s met his match.”
I’m smiling when I reach for the door. “Don’t mind if I do.”
CHAPTER 50
TILLIE
Once through the doorway, I smell the pool before my eyes adjust to the dimly lit space. Stairs lead downward, and I’m already moving toward the bottom where Ory stands completely naked, gloriously ripped and powerful in every way, his cock already saluting me. Hislittle mountainis definitely worthy of the rest of him. Not to let a naked man stand alone, my dress falls on the stairs, so when I reach him, I’m as proudly exposed as he is. It’s not until I’m near him that my eyes acknowledge the way he’s shaking, his hands in clenched, painful fists while he pulses with barely contained rage.
His teeth grind and through his closed mouth emerges a threatening growl. “Get in the waternow.” It’s a fierce command, but it’s also a plea.
My confusion must reach him, because he adds, “You smell ofhim. If my first omega had ever smelled of another alpha, I would have disciplined her severely and slaughtered him.”
Oh,right. This is a primal MF toholy crap do I have a lot of Ms to go with my Frelationship structure complication. No wonder it’s causing extra friction for traditionalist Ory, with potentially disastrous consequences for my poor hubby. That delicious Cupcake must be protected at all costs. Without aword, I dash toward the water, not even pausing to check the temperature before hurling myself into it. I instantly moan my tremendous pleasure at finding it warm and soothing, rather than an icy shock.
Before I’ve settled into my new environment, Ory grabs me from behind, yanking my back against his chest while his arms lock me in place. He drags his teeth roughly against my neck, and I just know I’ll be wearing a mark there for days. Still fending off his fury, his body rattles against me, his growls, snarls, and violent purrs overlapping.
I trust him completely. That’s the unmistakable truth confirmed by my current location. If I didn’t have total faith in this man, being incapacitated by him wouldn’t feel this right.
“Someday, we’ll do this in the real world, but for today, we must do it here.” His words are brokenly uttered through fits of roars and other indescribable gnashing sounds.
At first, I don’t understand his meaning, but then his alpha force impacts me, and my consciousness is abruptly transported from this pool below a cabin in the mountains to my beloved garden. Poised on the border of the overgrowing space—its fragrance so thick, I taste it on my tongue—I stare at the clearing that holds the standing stones. From here, I’m easily able to decipher the mystery of how these trials can happen without threatening my safety in the real world.
I get virtual realityold waystrials. But this virtual reality is like nothing that exists with actual technology, because I somehow believe the cool grass beneath my feet will leave stains, the trees and brush I race through will score my skin, and the raunchy fucking will be on a real, punishingly enormous cock—that last part better be real.
When I realize I’m quivering in Ory’s grip, I’m surprised by the source of my chaotic emotions. I duck my chin and bite Ory’s hand that’s near my neck, gnawing on him, demanding tobe freed, the primal stirring within me. I snarl and hear it echo through the basement, but it’s also echoing here in the mythic land that existed at the beginning of the omegaverse.
A low rumble is the counterpoint to my snarl, and I sense more than know what Ory’s demanding. See the land. Feel the breeze. Smell all the growing things. Taste the mist. Embrace the illusion. If I hold myself apart from this, using my mind to create separation—clinging to logic and reason that don’t belong here—I will fail to learn the lessons this place offers to teach.
I can do this. I can forget the pool. The basement. My alphas upstairs. I can even release the life I’ve lived. I can… Iwill. Ory’s growl continues, low, long, and full, reminding me of the thread that already binds us to each other. The first alpha to the last omega—no, that’s wrong. I’m not the last omega of an old era. I’m the first omega of a new age, just like I thought.
Oh… I finally see it. What the origin omega saw and knew, what fueled her commitment to do what she did. She couldn’t exist in me anymore, trapping me in the past, because that’s not where I ever belonged. She was the origin omega of her time. I’m the origin omega of mine.
I recognize the truth about Ory just like she did—why he’s here with me and not gone from the world with her. Ory never belonged to her. He always belonged to me. He was the right alpha, and she was the wrong omega—that’s what she said.
