“What’s up, mate of mine?”
“I will never be able to bake cookies and other things for our girl like Willow does.” Willow was Maddox’s brother Jasper’s mate. She was also an amazing baker and now a chocolatier.
“Baby, that’s Willow’s job and passion. You don’t have to bake as well as her. In fact, you can use her skills to your advantage. We can have cookies without the cleanup.”
She sighed then bit into his shoulder softly. His wolf perked up, the slight sting of her teeth against Maddox more than enough to entice him.
“I want to be able to bake with Charlotte,” Ellie whispered.
Maddox kissed her temple then brought her to his lap. She curled into him, and he ran his hands down her side. He knew this was about more than just baking, but he would wait until she was ready to talk about it. After all, she’d given him time that morning.
“You can. Maybe Charlotte will be a savant at it.”
Ellie snorted then leaned into his neck, sniffing before licking behind his ear. It was a slow move, as if she hadn’t thought about doing it and just did it instinctively.
Maddox groaned then stood up with her in his arms. Thank the moon goddess he was a wolf with extra strength because getting up from a seated position on the floor with his mate in his arms wouldn’t have been easy otherwise. Not that Ellie was heavy by any means, but it could have been awkward as hell.
“Where are we going?” she asked softly.
“I’m going to take you to the bedroom and make love to you and make sure my scent is all over your body.”
Ellie licked the underside of his ear again before nipping on the lobe. He growled, the sting of her bite going straight to his cock.
“I’m pretty sure your scent is so deep in my pores there’s no way it would ever leave.”
Maddox grinned then set her down on the edge of the bed. “I just want to be thorough.”
“You look like a wolf on the prowl, you know.”
Maddox licked his lips then nipped at hers. “I am, Ellie mine. Now let me strip you down and lick those pretty breasts.”
She blushed then lifted her arms, making it easy for him to take off her shirt. When they’d first mated, he’d been soft, gentle, oh-so-sweet. It was what they’d both needed. The pain in Ellie’s past, and the strain on his wolf from knowing that past, had forced him to treat her as gently as possible. Not that she was fragile, oh no, she was the furthest from fragile as a mate could be.
She was strong to the core.
And as they became mates in truth and time had passed, they’d explored each other in a heady way. Each time they came together was more explosive than the last, their wolves arching, bonding, and mating in all ways possible.
He took off his clothes as well, leaving both sets in a pile on the floor near the bed. His gaze went to hers, the gold rim around the honey brown glowing in need, in heat. He loved those eyes, loved falling in love with them each time he set eyes on her.
“Love me, Maddox.”
Licking his lips, he knelt before her, putting his hands on her knees. “Let me taste you, Ellie mine. You know I love it when you come on my tongue, all sweet and delicious. Like my own taste of candy and nectar.”
“You know, I’m starting to crave your dirty talk.”
He grinned then spread her legs. As she shuddered under his gaze, he blew cool breath over his pussy, loving the way she tensed then fell back fully on the bed.
“Up on your elbows, Ellie mine. I want to look in your eyes as I lick your pussy.”
She shivered, and his wolf growled, wanting more.
Craving more.
He licked her then, the sweet taste bursting on his tongue. She bucked, and he put his arm over her hips, holding her in place so he could lick his way around her, a sweet torture for the both of them. He suckled and licked around her clit, pulling back the hood so he could flick her clit with the tip of his tongue.
She cried out for him, and he hummed against her hood and clit before spearing her with his fingers. He curved them, finding that swollen spot deep within her. He rubbed circles over it as he licked and nibbled her clit. He knew she was close, her body zinging with that special energy that shot right to his cock.
He pressed harder on that bundle of nerves at the same time he bit down on her clit with one fang, a gentle scrape that was more of a dominance play than anything else. They both loved it, and from the way she screamed his name, her gaze never shuttering as those honey brown eyes met his, he knew that he would have to do that move again.
Next time.
Because right then all he wanted was to be deep within her.
He pulled out of her and licked his fingers. A slow movement that had his mate swallowing hard, still gasping for breath from her orgasm.
“I want you on top, Ellie mine,” he said as he plucked her off the bed and set her on her feet. “Ride me so I’m deep within that tight pussy of yours.”
“You like it when I’m in control, do you?” She grinned then pushed his shoulders so he fell back to the bed, his cock bouncing off his belly.
“You know I love it when you do that hip-roll thing. Sexy as hell.”
She straddled him, her hands planted near his head and her slick heat brushing against his dick. “I like it too. I like when you play with my breasts when I ride you. It makes me feel like I’m in control even as you press up deep within me, never letting go.”
He almost came right then at the visual. With a grunt, he lifted her up by her hips then slammed her down on his cock. They both groaned, lying still and adjusting to the feeling of her pussy wrapped so delicately around his dick.
She sighed then rolled her hips in that way that made his balls tighten. Fuck, he loved it when she did that.
He cupped her breasts, flicking her nipples. Goddess, he loved her breasts too. Honestly, he loved every single thing about this woman. She lifted up, sliding up his cock, leaving a glistening trail, then slid back down. He groaned but kept his attention on her breasts, knowing that’s what she loved. He let her set the pace, because as soon as she came again, it would be his turn.
“Rub yourself against the base of my dick, Ellie,” he grunted through the pleasure. “Make yourself come.”
She grinned at him then shifted forward so her breasts were near his mouth. He loved the taste of them, he licked and suckled until they were like dark red berries, ready for plucking.
Ellie rolled her hips again, this time grinding her clit against the base of his cock at an agonizing pace. Her breath quickened, her moves becoming frantic as she reached her climax, her pussy clamping down on his dick.
He pulled out in one quick move, flipped her on her back, and then plunged into her before she could come down from her high. She arched her back, her eyes closed.
Goddess, he’d never seen such a beautiful sight.
He gripped her hips, ramming into her with all his strength. They both needed the strength, the pace that sent them over the edge. His balls tightened, the tingling at the base of his back telling him he was close.
“Ellie, open your eyes.”
She met his gaze, and he slammed into her once more, staying there as he came within her, filling her up until he was sure she’d always be part of him as he was of her.
Soon after, he lay down beside her, spent yet energized. He knew they would have to get up soon and get dressed again so they were ready when Charlotte came home, but right then, he was perfectly content with his mate naked in his arms. Things weren’t perfect in their den, in their home, but they were well on their way to becoming exactly who they needed to be.
However, it didn’t shake the sense of something about to change. Something even his Omega powers couldn’t predict.
Chapter Two
Even after a very sweaty orgasm-filled afternoon, Ellie was still on edge. She had no idea why, but she knew if she didn’t keep her mind on what she was doing, she’d start to worry about something.
But wh
at would she be worrying about?
She had no clue, but she still felt…off.
Though the war was over and people were healing as much as they could emotionally and physically, she knew it would take much longer for everyone to feel as if they could relax. Sure, others were doing dinners, going out into the human world for jobs they’d lost during the war, making babies, and getting by, but their lives hadn’t returned to normal yet.
It sure wasn’t the norm in her own house. Every morning she woke to Maddox silently—and sometimes not-so-silently—screaming. Some days, like that morning, he’d run to the bathroom to empty his stomach, and Ellie would be right behind him, soothing him.
There wasn’t much more she could do. She was his wife, his mate, his other half of the Omega. She might not have the powers he did, or the connection to the moon goddess that he’d thought for so long was a curse, but she had their mating bond.
When he let her, she would soothe his heart and soul through their mating bond. She wasn’t the Omega, meaning she couldn’t actually take in his pain, his fear, and all of his emotions and find a way to make him feel whole again, but she could help somehow.
She just wished she could dream his dreams, pull him out of the agony, and heal him.
Not that he would let her, even if dream walking was a possibility.
No, her mate cared for her own safety and health more than his own. That wouldn’t stop her from trying though. However strong her mate was—and he was the epitome of psychological and physical strength—she was just as strong.
That’s why they were mates.
They’d both been through the fires of hell and survived with heavy scars on their skin and souls.
Warm hands gripped her hips, and she leaned into her mate’s hold, closing her eyes. For however long she worried for him, he did the same for her. Just because there wasn’t a sadistic demon out to kill them didn’t mean they couldn’t get hurt in other ways.
Taking care of each other was the way of mates, and she wouldn’t change that—though getting a decent night’s sleep without nightmares would be a plus.
“You’re thinking too hard,” Maddox murmured. His lips trailed against her ear, his warm breath sending delicious shivers down her back. He nipped at her earlobe before moving to bite gently on the faded mate mark.
Mating marks healed just like normal wounds or cuts, but all wolves knew the mark was there even if they couldn’t see it. Maddox, like most wolves, loved to mark her over and over, the new mate mark over the old one, a sign to others that they still held the combustible chemistry they had when they’d first mated.
In their case, she was sure that their individual and Omega energy had increased since they’d first mated. After all, they’d danced around each other for so long because they hadn’t known what the other had been thinking that they’d been almost hesitant at first. What she wouldn’t do to gain that year back when they’d been in so much pain because they hadn’t talked.
Goddess, what idiots they’d been.
Communication was key in any relationship, and it was even more so for two lost souls who were too afraid to hurt not only each other but also the Pack that had loved and taken her in.
“Ellie mine, what are you thinking about so hard that I can feel your wolf pacing even in human form?” Maddox’s hands brushed up her sides from her hips until he gently cupped her breasts. His hands bypassed her nipples though, and she arched into him, wanting more.
He pulled back after leaving a kiss on her neck then turned her in his arms. She reached up and ran a hand through his sandy blond hair. He had his mother’s hair. Not that she could tell him that anymore, not when the sense of loss would supersede the past memories of what they once had been. “If you keep moaning that way, Ellie mine, then we’ll be naked and sweaty when the Silvers come over to talk about their son.”
Ellie let out a sigh and leaned her head on his shoulder. “As much as I like to be naked and sweaty with you, I guess you’re right. The Silvers should be here any moment. I’d rather not scare them any more than they already are.”
Maddox sighed. “So are you going to tell me what you were thinking about?”
Ellie shrugged. “I’m just thinking about the past, present, and future. You know, nothing too big.”
Her mate snorted then kissed the top of her head. “You want to talk about it when the Silvers leave?”
She started to shake her head then stopped. Hiding what she was feeling from him was stupid considering they could hear each other’s thoughts. Plus, they both were there for each other no matter what.
“You know what, let’s do that. When North and Lexi drop Charlotte off, we’ll make dinner and talk.” Their daughter might not know everything that had gone on during the war, but the little girl had seen enough that talking about what was going on in their world would be beneficial. Charlotte might be more animated and talkative than she had been when they’d first adopted her, but that didn’t mean the little girl didn’t have just as many fears as Ellie did. It would do them all good just to sit and talk—even if nothing came of it other than soothing their wolves.
Maddox kissed her softly, a brush of his lips that promised more to come. He opened his mouth to speak then closed it. The scent of other wolves at their door filled her nostrils, and she pulled back, preparing herself to help the Silvers.
The couple had lost their only son during the war with the Centrals. He’d been one of the first sentries killed when Corbin and Caym invaded the Redwood den. Their son, Robert, died protecting the den’s pups in the same battle in which they’d almost lost Maddox’s brother Reed. The bravery of their son, though, didn’t diminish the sense of loss.
It had been a couple years since Robert had died, but from the scent of loss wafting off the couple through the door, Ellie would have thought it was yesterday. Not that she’d blame them. Just the thought of losing Charlotte…
Ellie shook her head. No, she wouldn’t be thinking about that. Not now. Hopefully not ever.
Maddox opened the door, and Ellie stood by his side, a united front of peace and health. At least that’s what she hoped they represented to the couple. Kevin and Laura Silver took hesitant steps into the house, their bodies radiating with tension.
It had taken years of saying no and turning Maddox away for them to get to this step. As the Omega, Maddox had done what he’d could to help them, taking away some of their pain, but it hadn’t been enough. The Silvers had closed themselves off, burying their pain deep within so it became a part of who they were, even though Ellie knew it wasn’t healthy.
The coping mechanism had worked during the war, but now that they enemy had been defeated, it wouldn’t be enough. The man who had killed their son was gone, and now they had no one to fight.
No one but themselves.
Hopefully Maddox would be able to help them with that.
It was, after all, his duty, his obligation and privilege in life.
Maddox opened his arms, and Kevin took two steps before falling into the embrace of the Omega. Maddox ran his hand down the man’s back, siphoning off the pain in such a rush that Ellie couldn’t help but feel it across the mating bond. Laura, the dominant of the two, raised her chin, the icy protection around her heart cracking.
There was only so much pressure, so much pain, a woman could take before she had to break.
“Laura,” Ellie whispered. “Come into our home. Sit down. We’re here for you.”
Laura narrowed her eyes, the ice cracking despite the glare in the woman’s gaze. “Coming to the Omega won’t bring Robert back. Our son is dead, and there is nothing we can do about it. We don’t have the enemy’s blood on our hands. Don’t have his flesh between our fangs. We have nothing.”
Ellie tried not to flinch at the vehemence in the woman’s tone. It wasn’t lost on her that the same blood Laura craved ran through her own veins. She’d been raised, beaten, and scarred by the enemy. It didn’t matter that she’d left them and
fought for the Redwoods.
She’d been born a Reyes.
And from the snarl on the woman’s face, Ellie might as well have never left.
She’d always be a Reyes to some.
A Central.
An enemy.
Kevin pulled back from Maddox, the man already looking calmer from being in the presence of the Omega. The submissive male would be the easier of the two to comfort it would seem.
“Laura, please,” the man whispered.
Laura closed her eyes, her voice cracking when she finally spoke. “I’m sorry. I just…I don’t hate you, Ellie. Know that.”
“That’s enough, Laura,” Maddox said calmly, his voice holding no room for disregarding him. “Let’s sit and talk. You’re here because you want to heal, and that’s the first step.”
Kevin took his mate’s hand, and Maddox did the same. Ellie squeezed his hand then led them to the living room.
“Tell me about Robert,” Maddox said once they were seated.
Kevin opened his mouth. Once. Twice. But nothing came out.
Laura met Ellie’s gaze, her eyes shining with tears. “He was our son. Our only pup.” She told them about Robert as a child, as a man grown. Told them about his love for caramel ice cream and cherries. Told them about the times he would climb trees and pretend he was a cat rather than a wolf.
By the time Kevin chimed in with stories of the man the Pack had lost, Ellie was on the couch next to Laura, quietly weeping and holding the woman who sobbed so deeply Ellie wasn’t sure Maddox would be enough to heal her.
Wasn’t sure if the woman wanted to be healed.
Maddox opened the mating bond fully with her, and she held back a wince at the immense agony running through the couple. He healed them inch by inch, a slow process that would take years, decades, but he was the Omega.
It was his duty.
His purpose.
He would siphon off the edges of pain and take it deep within himself. The mating bond flared, and she took some inside as well. It was something they’d promised to each other when they’d first mated. He would not be able to heal everyone on his own. Not anymore. That was what had almost killed him. Together they would be strong enough to overcome whatever they had to take out of those who needed the help.
Loving the Omega Page 2
