Page 99 of Aries
“Thank you,” I said in a whisper, taking it all in. The bed was big enough to fit all five of us comfortably and I was almost disappointed we’d be skipping my heat.
“Fuck!” I cried out, glancing at them in horror. “I missed my appointment last week with everything going on.”
“Is it too late?” Leon asked. I snagged the phone in his hand, pulling up the calendar and wincing.
“No. I guess that explains my omega being a bit possessive and not fighting the nesting store,” I groaned. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. We’ll happily spend a week fucking you senseless,” Ronan promised. “And seeing how I’m the only one without a bite, I’m going to be claiming you inside and out.”
My body flooded with warmth, scent perfuming in the space, seeping into the fresh fabrics.
“She likes that idea,” Nikolai grinned, stalking forward and pulling me close. “I’ve dreamt for years of having my omega, spending heats and putting a baby in you.”
His words were laced in a purr and I could feel the truth of it in the bond. He wanted this, wanted me.
No,wantwasn’t a strong enough word.
Craved.
When he stepped back enough for me to suck in a breath not doused in his scent, I wavered on my feet.
Fuck, having my pack semed to be accelerating things.
“Alright, we need to prepare,” Leon said. “Give her space so she doesn’t go early.”
They retreated and a whine echoed out of me. My hand slammed over my mouth as if I could stuff that sound back in.
“I’ll go to the store,” Nikolai offered. “What all do we need?”
They walked away, leaving me standing there and not bringing attention to my sudden neediness. I loved that they all seemed to know what I needed, even if this was new.
I took my time taking a cool shower and changing clothes to see if it would help me feel normal again. It definitely chased off the heat spike. My stomach rumbled and I quickly threw my hair into a high ponytail before hurrying downstairs.
The entire main floor smelled like heaven. Spices, herbs, and garlic were heavy in the air.
“It smells incredible in here. I’m starving,” I announced, glancing around but only finding Ronan, Luca, and Leon. “Is Nik still at the store?”
“He’s probably wandering the aisles overthinking and buying far too much,” Ronan chuckled as he dished me up a plate of lasagna and garlic bread.
“Have I mentioned that I love that you can cook,” I said, digging right in.
They made their own plates and joined me, but as the dinner drew on, I couldn’t help but glance at the clock.
Even for a lost alpha, that was a long time at the store. Then something hit me.
My fork clattered to my plate, everyone freezing as my hand grasped at my chest. A pulse of pure anger and pain, then the connection shut down.
“Something’s wrong,” I gasped, already running for my shoes and keys. Luca rushed forward, plucking the keys from my hands and rushing out ahead of me, Ronan and Leon on our heels.
There was only one main grocery store in town and we spotted his van easily. That didn’t convince me of anything. I needed to see my alpha with my own eyes.
He had to be here. Maybe someone pissed him off taking the last of something…
Even I knew that it wasn’t true. Our connection was locked tighter than when they’d left.
I sprinted through the store, weaving around shoppers, reaching the end with no alpha in sight.
“Found something,” Luca called. I changed direction, finding him in the back corner near the service entrance. A full cart was abandoned and I knew it was his by the things he had piled high.
