"I'm sorry," I blurted out. "How mad is the alpha?"
I struggled to a sitting position as Bran answered. "Honey, don't you worry about the alpha and his moods. If he was mad, you'd know it."
Would I? I feel like he's in a constant state of something, and if that isn't mad, what the hell is it that has his energy always pushing against mine, threatening to boil me alive?
"I think I'm going to get ready for the day. I'll shower, then I'll start breakfast," I offered.
"No need. You did all that cleaning yesterday; I'll cook," Leo forced himself to his feet. "Any requests, darling? Anything at all?"
I couldn't come up with a single option, so I shook my head instead. Bran chimed in, "How about some pancakes? You made really good pancakes."
"I do like pancakes," I agreed.
"A pile of fluffy pancakes, coming right up, my lady."
He disappeared down the hall, not bothering to get dressed. When he was gone and it was only Bran and me, he spoke again. "You know we appreciate what you did yesterday."
"I – I hadn't meant to fall asleep."
"I assumed not, but it was for the best."
"What do you mean?" I forced myself to stand up because if I sat here any longer, I would never get in the shower but instead flop down and sleep some more.
"James is stubborn and wants things his way, always. But sometimes, I find it best to take away his control."
"I don't understand." I wrapped my arms around my chest.
"What I mean is, finding you in his bed was beyond his control. He could keep you out of it, out of our bubble all he wants, but if he can't control you stepping in, he's forced to relax and just let things happen." His eyes glistened with trouble, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to get a point across.
"So you mean..." I couldn't quite pull my thoughts together.
"I mean... maybe, if you want to be our omega, you should take it," Bran stood up, facing me so we were eye to eye.
"Take it?"
"Take the position, omega. Claim it. Force your way into our lives until James can't stand to let you go."
"And how do I do that?" I scoffed, knowing damn well no one can take anything from James that he isn't willingly giving.
"That's up to you to find out." Bran's fingers reached forward, taking my chin as he looked me in the eyes, then he leaned forward, kissing me, making my toes curl and a moan escape me, before he let go of my chin and pulled back. "Find out fast, omega. We're on borrowed time."
The pancakes Leo made were indeed delicious. I don't know what type of magic he used, but mine never came out this fluffy. Each bite was like a pillowy cloud on my tongue, and even though I tried not to, little groans of approval and hums of happiness left me. When I looked up, James held his coffee mug, frozen by his lips as he watched me.
I let my eyes fall back to my plate, placing my utensils down as I kept my eye contact averted. With a sigh, James's coffee mug was placed on the table. "Don't do that, omega."
"I don't know what you mean?" I braved a glance before looking at my hands in my lap again.
"Keep your gaze up," he ordered, and my eyes whipped towards him, unable to deny an order. "That's better."
"I – I don't mean to, alpha," I bit my lip, and his eyes zoomed in on it. "The Omega Industries stressed that omegas shouldn't be heard or seen, and that I should not disturb my alpha at any time."
"Well, it's a good thing I'm not your alpha," his words stung, making my omega whimper. "And besides, that's not what alphas want, at least not me. I like the sounds you were making; it shows appreciation and enjoyment for what my delta offered you."
I nodded once. "Leo makes very good pancakes."
"He's a good cook. We all have our specialties if I'm honest. Living in a house of men, on a farm, we've found our groove for what works for us," James explained, and I'd never had him talk so much to me, so casually.
Leo sat down a plate of cut oranges. "James is the best cook at the grill, as you've learned." His steaks were the best I'd ever eaten. "These are fresh off our tree; won't get better oranges than these."
