Page 78 of Generation Omega: Claimed
Before I have the chance to follow that pessimistic thought into its cramped rabbit hole, Tillie opens her eyes and meets my gaze. “We’re going to continue with our plans, meeting up with Kazimir…trustingKazimir.” Ethan is about to ask something, when Tillie raises her trembling hand to stop him. “I can’t explain right now. I’m sorry.” Then she directs her pleading eyes at me. “Please, alpha, your omega needs a nap and her first alpha’s protection.”
I release Ethan’s shoulder and lift Tillie off Mackenzie’s lap, carrying her toward the back of the plane. I set her sassy boots on the seat, so that we’re at eye level.
Then I capture her face between my hands. “I’ll send you right into dreamland, but I need to know something first.”
She nods as a shiver works its way through her.
“When do you want me to wake you? We’ll be landing in about forty-five minutes, then driving a few hours to where we’re reuniting with Kazimir and Thatcher. We’ll be there a couple hours while we put together ourpack revealvideo. Kazimir told me someone will be helping with that, a person who can be trusted. After that’s finished, we’ll be moving to another location where we’ll spend the night.”
Tillie’s relief at receiving that information is the dose of shame I needed to say the rest. “I’m evicting myself from your head. I genuinely believed I was doing the right thing, but I’m not, and I see that now.”
Tears well in her lovely eyes. “You mean it? You can do that? You will?”
It’s like ripping a limb off, but I do it, grimacing hideously the whole time. “I’m out. Your mind is your own. Please, baby girl, I need you to tell me when you need help. I’m begging you.”
Tillie leans into me, her breath hitching. I hold her close as she whispers her thanks.
“There’s nothing to thank me for, not when I failed to understand and honor what you needed for this long.”
“You’re perfect, Gideon, and I love you.”
Our hearts zing back and forth, love expanding in a way it never has. Solid. True. A new level of our connection so powerful it takes my breath away.
“Wake me right before we reach the meetup. I want to be as rested as possible for our pack reunion. Besides, if I’m wrong, and we’re about to be captured, napping now seems like a great idea.”
“You got it. Are you ready?”
Tillie pulls back and gives my shirt a spiteful glare. I get hersubtlemessage and tug my shirt over my head. She reaches and opens the belt of her dress, her gorgeous breasts suddenly all I can see.
“Now, I’m ready.”
I wait until we’re chest to chest, her legs around my waist, before sending one surge of alpha power. She’s instantly out, her forehead against my neck and her face resting below, like she’s a kitten curled up against her favorite human. I can suddenly exhale, not having realized how much I needed this contact with her. We’ve come so far in just over a week, but it’s impossible not to see how new we all are to each other and our shared destiny.
I carry Tillie back to the table, where the others are now seated, and claim the last chair. Jameson has all his tiny bottles lined up like he’s about to use them as bowling pins. Ory isfiercely expressionless, his arms crossed over his chest, while Ethan slumps in his seat, his gaze locked onto Tillie.
Jameson aims his classic sneer in my direction. “Is shereallyout this time, or is she just fucking with us again?”
Ory’s sinister growl inspires Jameson to bring his venom down a notch, proving our petulant pack prick was too distracted by his grievances to notice the transition between Mackenzie and Ory.
Alright, here we go. Constructive pack time—that’s our goal. “She’s sleeping, probably back in her garden with Mackenzie, if I’m not mistaken.”
Ory confirms with a grunt.
“That garden business makes no sense.” Jameson’s jealousy is at the helm and barreling toward every source of his resentment. “Who would believe that shit? If we want the world to take us seriously, we should avoid mentioning the fantasy stuff.”
Hmm, once again, our residenta-holemakes a good point. Looking a gift horse in the mouth is considered rude, but what’s the consensus on smacking Jameson in the mouth every time he’s disturbingly helpful? “Okay, let’s discuss. And well done, Jameson, for providing the topic of today’s pack meeting.”
I’m gratified by Jameson’s sublime horror at the gold star he unintentionally earned, while Ethan seems beyond appalled to discover we’re having a pack meeting right now.
“Ethan,yourattendance is voluntary.” I realize his longing stare at Tillie might not be about Tillie at the moment, but her current state of rest.
Ethan’s weary glower worsens. “Could you just tell me whether she said anything, explained her decision at all?”
“Sorry, but she didn’t.”
He nods and then covers his face with his hands, exhaling raggedly.
“Ethan, you need to sleep.” When Ethan appears affronted, like a little boy at bedtime, Ory adds, “It’s not an insult. You’re a beta.” He nods toward Tillie. “She’s an omega. We’re alphas.” His lips purse judgmentally as he side-eyes Jameson. “I don’t know whether you’ve noticed, but alphas don’t require much in the way of sleep or even physical rest. If we did, someone’s erotic performances wouldn’t have occurred with such frequency.”
