With his thick manhood pressing between my butt cheeks and leaning heavy against my spine, I shiver again as more slick gathers between my legs.
His large arm leaves my hips so he can spread an enormous palm against my sternum and lean me back against his chest. I tilt my head and rest it against his shoulder.
The warmth of his palm lingers even after he removes his hand from my chest.
He returns his right hand to my abdomen while his left brings a bite of food to my mouth.
I hold my lips closed until he meets my gaze. My neck aches from twisting to look up at him, but the desire to see his eyes as I accept his care refuses to let me look away.
I could swim in his enjoyment until the end of time. The spark of satisfaction when I open my lips and take his fingertips into my mouth supersedes every lonely meal I’ve endured.
I flick the tip of my tongue over him before taking the food from his hand.
His groan makes me want to rub against his thighs, but I hold still, a sudden emptiness in my stomach making me feel hollow.
I eat the bite and open my mouth again as hunger slams into me. He feeds me even as he chuckles and growls, his emotions a chaotic jumble.
He doesn’t hold back, letting me see how much of a mess I’ve made him.
His hand offers me morsel after morsel, the intensity with which I hunger in his every move, his driving need to fill my belly with what he’s prepared shining in the dark green of his irises.
Enjoyment sparkles in the golden flecks within, his elation in caring for me flowing through our bond.
Anger pinches his lips and I worry I’ve done something wrong until our bond reveals the truth. He hates the people who denied me this as I grew, the simple act of being cared for through touch something no one should be without.
Desire keeps his cock thick against my back as he indulges in watching me, his new lifemate, accept food from his hand.
I eat and soak up his attention, a dried well in my soul springing to life as I accept his act of love.
Even as my stomach fills to bursting, I keep accepting more food from his hand.
If I could stay in this peaceful moment forever, I would.
If only life worked upon a wish.
As it is, a niggling sense of premonition works its way into our quiet interaction.
Our time celebrating our new bond holds an expiration date, one which sneaks closer with every moment.
Whether we admit it or not.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Dirk
The constant wind neither ebbs nor increases—it holds its eerie howl as though a creature has risen from hell and does not require breath.
Shya’s trembling refuses to cease, even though we’ve been in this location for five days. Nothing has changed since we’ve arrived, besides Kwame and Britani’s departure and arrival.
Once we separated from Vander, we spent an entire day traveling, pushing our Omegas to the limit before we stopped to rest. After the sun set and it became too dark for them to keep their footing, we carried them.
Shya fit so perfectly in my arms—I felt no burden carrying her slight weight. Comfort speared through me as her tiny frame snuggled against mine, her trust in me so whole and pure she fell asleep within seconds.
My exhausted Little One wasn’t designed for such a hard life. I hide my agony, an odd sense of failure trying to sneak into my heart as I lug her through the barren mountains, hiding her from an uncertain threat.
After over twenty-four hours of travel, we found a place suitable for shelter.
We’ve stayed tucked under an overhang during the day, ensuring no one flying over will see us, even though an individual would require tons of skill and confidence to maneuver through such treacherous terrain. The rocks amplify the heat of the sun, so the shade under our natural cover keeps us from needing too much water.
All the same, we’re running low. Omegas need more water than Alphas, and none of us are willing to let them consume less than what we know they need.
Nova still casts angry eyes at Seeck, remnants of their argument from three days ago. Nova’s astute observations made her conclude we have a limited supply of water which led to a fight with Seeck. She said she’d done without before and she could do so again.
He’d asked her if she was willing to challenge him over it. Her chin had jutted up while her luminescent blue eyes flashed with a fire to rival Seeck’s hair.
Britani had tried to intervene, but Kwame had stopped her.
The camp had been full of tension for several hours, Nova and Seeck staring at each other in challenge.
When I feared Shya would tremble to pieces from the stress, I gathered her into my arms and moved as far away as the overhang would allow.
The movement had broken Nova’s concentration and Seeck had taken advantage. She’d been in his arms faster than she could raise her own arms, and even though Kwame and I have our own Omegas to tend to, we’d both darted to our feet, ready to intervene should Nova need it.
She didn’t.
She’d gone as docile as a scruffed kitten, the façade so perfect I’d blinked in surprise. Her dainty purr had made me pull Shya close, a sliver of discomfort easing into my veins as my instincts to protect the softer dynamic went into overdrive.
Seeck had groaned and buried his face into Nova’s neck, scenting her so loudly Britani’s vibrant green eyes widened. Kwame’s hand had grasped Britani’s braid and pulled her closer, distracting her from the open display of affection.
“I’ll drink only when you drink,” Nova had whispered, the words mingled in her purr as she licked his ear.
He’d pushed her backward, pinning her against the rock wall by the
