EP6

"Really, really."

I think we've all been doing our part for the past few weeks and avoiding ostrich feeding.

Jon lifted my ankles from his lap and rose from the sofa. "And there's only one way to find out, Willah." Ada drags one of her stools across the room, puts it back where it belongs, and sits facing us. "Go on," he said, pretending to unzip a jacket. "Being busy. I'll be here if you need grounding."

I was about to protest when Ray pressed his finger against my lips. "It's the only way to be sure, Willh. It will put us all at ease."

I gave him a light nod, and Ray's eyes went wild with ardent desire.

For me.

It's been weeks since my stupid head intervened, and that fiery look still drives me crazy.

*

Just Omega Things

Ray grabbed my cheek and held me steady as his gaze gnawed at every inch of my face.

"You... you don't mind if Jon just watches?" I muttered as a last-ditch effort to get out of this, which is stupid because I don't want to fuck my friends.

But I don't want that sadistic genie giving me a deer instead of a dollar. Disappointment rather than release.

Ray shrugged, his hand running down my cheek to my throat. I swallowed against the slight pressure, aware that his hand had completely wrapped around my neck. Just one squeeze and Ray could tear me apart.

He wouldn't.

But he could.

He took a long sigh, his green eyes darkening. "If it had been him, I would have fucked you in front of the whole herd."

I shot a quick glance at Jon, who gave me an encouraging thumbs-up just before pressing his fingertips together and waving his hands back and forth as if they were making love.

Ray looks at me to stare at Jon. "No comment needed, Captain Pubes, or you can wait outside."

I couldn't help but smile when Jon winked at me, but Ray's hands traveled down my body to my hips, pressing greedily and turning me until I was face to face with him. Our eyes locked together as Ray pressed his fingers against the curve of my hips until I took a deep breath.

He's the one laughing now.

Not just any smile though. It's the same slightly upward oddity as when he told me to come for him.

The moment I make this connection, my cheeks and ears turn red and my pulse quickens, thumping in my ears like big tribal drums.

"There you are, honey." Ray tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, and my stomach twitched at the promise of butterflies and heat. I lowered my gaze, deliberately focused on the feelings that developed inside me, not on everything that could go wrong.

Willan?

I look up and meet Ray's. "Hmm?"

"Do you want this?"

I nodded.

"I need you to say this, Willh."

Even bottomless pits are stretching

Rafeand I am in a post-coital coma right in the middle of the living space. We couldn't even go home.

Later on, I was confused as to why my shoulder was sore and burnt-itchy. As I stretch my head out from under Ray as much as I can, I see Jon in the kitchen making silly sandwiches.

I pushed Ray's heavy arm off of me and stood up. Miraculously, without waking him.

"Hungry?" I asked, looking at the sandwich tower.

Except the stack of sandwiches wasn't for Jon. I understand as soon as you ask the question. For me and probably when Ray wakes up.

I know this because I am suddenly overwhelmed by how predatory I am. I'm more open than I've ever been. He's hungrier than he looks, as if he'd never had a decent meal and had seven Wild Hunts.

Without bothering to get a sheet to cover myself, I walked to the island and unknowingly ate a huge turkey sandwich. No breathing.

"Here," Jon said, placing a sandwich in each hand.

I pile them up and go to town, asking what's going on with my eyes and face because my mouth is busy.

"I've heard that the traditional claim is a side effect.

Really?

"Yes. It seems that creating that piece of magic on your shoulder takes a lot of energy. Personal energy from both you and Ray."

I turned myself to see, but I can't see much except a twinkling light. Eventually I gave up and focused on renewing that energy by reaching out to Jon, who immediately placed another sandwich in my waiting palm.

"Go ahead and eat," Jon says, and drives away from the island. "I'm going to take a shower before Ray gets up and claims it."

I snorted at him and nodded, asking him to stay with me.

"You only slept for a little while. I need something…" Jon cast a deliberate glance at his junk. "Reduce the pressure a little."

I am the lucky one.

I froze, my mouth fell open, and a large half-chewed piece of dough fell onto the counter. The need for food finally brought me out of freeze mode, and I turned very slowly to Ray to see if he could hear it too.

It sounded like Ray's voice. But that's silly because he's still zoinked.

What was that? I ask myself and turn towards the counter. StatusI must be an idiot because of the alpha pheromones.

I think it's the ritual of entitlement.

I'm flying so fast I think Ray is playing tricks on me and if I spin fast enough I'll catch him playing rat. But he never moved. In fact, he still snores lightly.

is it ray?

Yes?

Why can I hear your voice in my head?!

Ah. Calm down, Omega. Why are you yelling at mine?

"Rail!"

He awoke with a start, a gloomy disorientation in his gaze, as he scanned the cabin for threats before finally looking at me. "What's the matter? What's going on?"

"You tell!" I say around a mouthful of sandwiches.

Ray rubs his face. "Willh, I just woke up. How about catching me?

Does this help?

Ray's eyes widened, his lips slightly parted. "Are you saying I'm not dreaming?" His gaze shifted from my face to my double row of sandwiches and finally to the pile behind me. "Damn, I'm starving." He shoots from the ground and cuts off the sammie pile.

Yes. Looks like an allegation or something.

Hungry? Or hear each other's thoughts? Ray asks as he chews, and I try to keep my mind on his question, not his naked body.

My guess is both? I do not know. This is my first time being owned by a big handsome alpha modifier.

Ray grins, takes another sammich, and slams it into mine like it's a champagne glass. I must say it is quite useful.

So you heard my thoughts in your sleep?

Yes, I guess so. I thought it was part of a dream.

Strange. Did you hear anything else? I would hope that this did not mean that he always had free access to my head.

I remember wondering how he got so lucky. And then you were shouting in my head.

Nothing else? You can't hear my stream of consciousness or anything, can you?

Ray pauses, chewing. No. can you?

I shake my head.

Relieved, Ray starts chewing again. Beautiful. The last thing we both need is full access to every waking thought.

I agree. I'm getting two more, and Ray is getting it too, and I decided to quietly tell him what I was worried about.

I don't think going to Laurel Cove is the best idea.