Page 26 of Generation Omega: Claimed
I’m watching closely, ensuring there’s no shock or regret in him. There’s nothing but delight as he says, “It appears your omega missed dinner or possibly just thought her favorite alpha is—or I am—quite tasty.” His eyes display a sweet earnestness. “I wasn’t there much—like I said, my bossy lodger doesn’t share well and doesn’t ever plan to during heats.”
I don’t even try to hold back my words. “Then we’ll have to spend heaps of time getting to know each other between heats.”
“Lassie, there’s nothing I want more than to know you in every way you’ll let me and to be known by you.”
I raise my hand, my palm facing him. “Then touch me, Mackenzie, and let our hearts find their rhythm together… unless you’re not ready.”
Mackenzie doesn’t pause, raising his enormous hand and placing his palm against mine, our fingers intertwining. Bliss blossoms inside me as my heart reaches for his and his answers. But this isn’t like with Gideon or even briefly with Thatcher, before my distrust booted the professor from our heart link.It takes a few seconds to understand what I’m feeling—what Mackenzie is experiencing—as a hole that existed inhisheart is filled by his contact with me. It’s not a round hole like those in my heart, but more like a keyhole to the lock that’s kept his heart closed all his life.
My brain trips and stumbles as I realize I’m the key opening Mackenzie’s heart for the first time.
“Tillie…” Tears well in his gorgeous eyes that look like endless green fields on the most perfect day. “… it’s what I’ve always dreamed it would be.”
“What, Mackenzie—what did you dream?”
“The true meaning ofhome.” He says that last word as though it’s sacred. “I never knew. Home was just a notion, never anything solid, never anything true. I only felt shades of it when I was with my sister, sometimes with my parents, but it was never clear, never like this, like there is a place for me here—that there has always been a place for me in your heart.”
I can’t stop my own tears from drifting down my cheeks, and I’m incredibly grateful that Mackenzie wasn’t my first alpha and didn’t suffer from my doubts or my rebellion against the omegaverse. This is better, because I’m able to share the stunning tenderness in his gaze and speak the words I’m glad are true. “You’ve belonged in my heart almost my whole life—that’s absolutely real.” I raise my free hand and rest it against the soft scruff on his face. “You’re home, Mackenzie, with me. Forever.”
CHAPTER 16
TILLIE
I feel Gideon nearing before I see him, and I’m instantly torn. Mackenzie and I have barely had any time together, but my heart can’t help but be pulled toward my first alpha. Still, I don’t want to release Mackenzie’s hand… like ever. Oh, dear, it’s here, the complication of all complications for an omega—too many dreamy alphas. The struggle is real.
Mackenzie senses my confused desires and releases my hand. “Go to him, lass. We’ll have time later, and you have a pack to think of, not just any one alpha.”
I remain in place, staring at him for a long moment, my gaze lingering on his bites that need tending.
In response, he says with certainty, “They’ll wait.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
“I’ll be fine, but I am hoping to eat soon.”
“Me too, but first…”
I jump up and bound toward Gideon, who’s standing in the space between the kitchen and the table. He lifts me, holding me against him, my feet dangling. Our bond zings back and forth between us, as though it’s celebrating this post-heat reunion with as much glee as we are.
“We did it,” I whisper just before kissing the bondmark I gave him.
“You did it, baby girl.” His grumbly voice, steeped in profound emotion, settles me in ways I didn’t know I needed to be settled. I realize his thoughts aren’t open to me now, but his feelings flow into me like a waterfall. Love. Respect. Deep care and connection. Gratitude.
Arousal teases me as our hearts beat in unison. “I think we should give my omegasomecredit. She might shank me from the inside if we ignore her contribution to our pack-building project.”
Gideon sets me down, framing my face in his dark, warm hands. “No shanking my girl. That’s thelawaround these parts.”
I’m instantly swoony when he uses the tone from my favorite of his roles. The mischief in his eyes triggers a memory. “Did you hear me?! When I was reciting my favorite Gideon Blake lines at Omega-Palooza?”
His grin is wicked. “Oh, yeah, and I think you’re much better than I’ve ever been.” But then he lowers his voice, filling it with hisactorypower, and delivers the line that causes my core to tighten with an almost painful need. “The law can’t be caged, Warden. And, in these parts,Iam the law.”
Gideon hasn’t even begun to tap into all the lust-igniting resources at his disposal. The role-play potential, for not just Gideon and me but the entire pack, is endless. With his first alpha bark, he could force my alphas to get dressed up and act out my favorite scenes and fantasies. I want to get plowed by Robin Hood andallhis merry, alien-fighting men, and I’m willing to die on that hill. Yum… so muchyum.
Gideon’s eyes are wide as he stares at me, his intensity building to match mine. “Tillie…” he grits out.
My spiraling sexy thoughts crash as guilt grabs the wheel in my brain. “Kazimir—is he okay? What about Ethan?”
Gideon freezes, allowing himself to calm, before his expression becomes conflicted in a different way. “They’re together. As to whether he’s okay, well…”
