by Viola Grace
Her body relaxed, and she kissed his fingers, licking his thumb and taking his index finger into her mouth next. She swirled her tongue around, and she felt another spasm, but it wasn’t agony; it was... something else.
She rubbed her face against his hand, and he stood there, purring for her. “You smell good.”
He swallowed, and his purr faded. “You, too, kitten. How are you feeling?”
“Hot, achy, swollen.” She couldn’t help the look up through her lashes. “Empty.”
He crouched next to the bed. “You know why you have to stay here?”
She nodded. “The world went by without me, and I have... issues that need to be addressed.”
“They will take care of you, and if you choose us when you are ready, we would be happy to have you as our omega, kitten. But... that being said. There is no pressure. Well, there is pressure, but that is for my zipper to deal with.”
She turned hot pink again. She glanced over to Dexter and Ambrose. “Can I get your scents, too?”
They looked surprised, and they both stepped forward, extending their hands, fingers down. She took Dexter’s hand first, inhaling and rubbing her cheek on him, pumpkin spice . She licked his skin, and Dexter’s mid-range purr sounded. She took his finger into her mouth and sucked, but she smiled slightly when his purr stuttered.
She reached for Ambrose and inhaled him, blinking in surprise.
He frowned. “Don’t you like my scent?”
She kissed his palm and murmured, “You smell like breakfast. Hot cinnamon rolls. I didn’t want to bite you.”
He chuckled. “Bite if you like. If you choose us, I will be returning the favour.”
She nipped his thumb, and he slid it between her lips. His eyes locked with hers, and she stroked him with her tongue, sucking softly. The look in his eyes said that this was the only time she would get to pick what went into her mouth, and she wanted to cross her arms over her breasts because her nipples were scraping at the hospital gown. He stroked her cheek with his finger and smiled. “Good, kitten.”
He pulled his thumb out of her mouth, and she rubbed her cheek against his hand.
Dexter asked, “What do I smell like to you?”
She bit her lower lip, and they all winced. “Pumpkin spice.”
Argus smiled. “Pine trees?”
“And a cold wind that makes me want to curl up somewhere warm.”
His eyes widened, and he grinned. “I like the way your senses process me.”
She swallowed. “So do I.” Another wave of slick came out of her with all three of them so close, and they were all purring.
Margot came in. “What the fuck! Guys, out! Fucking alphas trying to press an advantage. Out! Go home.”
Olly smiled. “You can go. They will take care of me. Oh, and Argus?”
He had turned to leave. “Yeah?”
“I got every fucking chicken.”
He blinked and then laughed, beckoning to the boys. They moved reluctantly, but they followed him into the hall. Ambrose and Dexter smiled gently at her, and they left.
Margot huffed and pressed a button on the wall. The scents that the guys had been sharing with her dissipated.
Olly looked at Margot. “Hello again.”
“You are doing well. Much pain?”
“No. It just aches, but the drugs might be helping.”
Margot smiled. “You aren’t on painkillers. Your body started healing itself the moment the stitches were out. That’s good. So, you are set on the pride?”
Olly murmured, “Don’t tell them, but yes.”
There was a masculine whoop and laughter from far down a hallway.
“Well, I am glad I didn’t tell them.” Margot smiled. “They seem kind, and I checked their application, and they have enough resources to keep you comfortable if that is your wish.”
“Um. I just got my lady parts back. I don’t have a job lined up, nor do I have a high school diploma. I need to learn a ton of things and find a carer for my animals.”
“The pride is already working to re-home your animals at shelters and petting zoos.”
Olly sat there, and she squeaked. “Really?”
“Really. Apparently, your sister can be violent, and they wanted to act before she knew you were gone.”
“Aw, they are so sweet.”
“Well, your slick production is up. How are you feeling about that?”
“The first one sort of stung, but the other waves were actually quite pleasant.”
“Uh, your bloodwork says you are in a full heat. How are you feeling?”
“Fine. Heat without the pain is actually fine. I wish the guys were here, but I am not quite sure why, so I think I need an alpha-omega sex-ed course stat.”
“Before you get your GED?”
“Yeah. I don’t want to do something stupid just because a guy smells edible.” Olly looked at Margot.
The woman blinked, and then, she nodded. “Right. I think you actually will need less self-control for that. And... this is an awkward question, but would you consider speaking on omega abuse once you have gone through therapy and have caught up on your education? People don’t understand that this is going on.”
“Are more women being tortured like this?”
“A few pop up, but yours is the worst case that I have seen.”
“Why are you asking me now?”
“Because when the omega hormones take over, you are going to have trouble thinking during your heat. I wanted to have a conversation while you are clear-headed.”
“Uh, I don’t give in to my hormones. I was beaten when I did, so this is pretty much the me you are going to get unless my guys are in the room.”
“Why did you attach to them so soon? They told me that until they came to get you, they hadn’t even scented you.”
Olly smiled. “The boys. The jaguars. He has the leashes for appearances, but he doesn’t need to use them. The boys follow his orders with calm words and light gestures. He alphas by trust, not force. And the boys are super friendly, which indicates solid socialization.”
Margot nodded in understanding. “So you got to see him in action, so to speak.”
“Yeah. And whatever the part of my brain is that purred when they watched him take care of his animals set her sights on him. I feel calm and relaxed around him, and that is a rare feeling.”
“What about the other two?”
“Dexter, indulgent, and Ambrose, nervous.”
Margot nodded. “Good assessments.”
“How long am I stuck in bed?”
“They will assess you in the morning, and we will move you into an apartment here at the centre. You will get a schedule, and then, you can catch up with the rest of the world, and you will learn what it is to be an omega.”
Olly smiled. “How long is this going to take?”
“Weeks? Months? It depends on you. I think you will probably be out of here in ten weeks.”
Olly thought about her guys and her boys. “I am going to try and do it in four. You might want to warn them that they are going to have to put me somewhere.”
Margot made a note on her clipboard. “Noted. Now, get some rest.”
Olly nodded. “I think I can do that.”
“Then, that is one more hurdle crossed.”
“Good. Now, I just have to figure out what the guys are going to look like naked, and I can start figuring out how to make a sex fantasy.” She wrinkled her brow.
Margot sighed. “Typical omega.”
Olly smiled. “I am glad that you think so. It’s the first time I have heard anyone say that.”
“Good night, Olivia.”
“Good night, Margot.” Olivia set her bed flat and wished for a large warm body that she could wrap her arms around that would purr for her. Four-footed or two-footed, she wasn’t picky.
She slowly rolled to her side and curled up in a ball with tears track
ing down her cheeks while she wished to not be alone for just one night in her life.
Even as a typical omega, she was alone.
* * * *
A wry assistant gave them a stack of pamphlets on the care and maintenance of an omega.
Ambrose looked to Argus. “You start reading, I’ll drive. We might make it to the wedding after all.”
Dexter snorted. “You can’t be serious.”
Argus nodded. “Actually, that is a good idea. Time to see if we can dislodge some local information, but Ambrose, I am grabbing my bag and staying with you.”
“Fair enough. We will stop back there and grab your stuff. We don’t want you in the way when the Omega Centre investigators arrive.”
Argus looked at the stack of pamphlets. “You want me to read them out loud?”
Dexter chuckled. “Beats country music.”
The boys hopped into the back seat, as did Dexter, and Argus sat in the passenger seat while Ambrose drove. “Your omega will need a private space to feel secure. It should be snug with low ceilings and large enough to host only one or two alphas at a time.”
Ambrose nodded. “Right. So, we can build a separate quiet space in the nest. How much time do you think we have?”
“They said ten weeks, but having met Olly, I think she is going to push the timing forward. We should be ready any time from a month from now.”
Dexter was nearly spinning. “I still can’t believe she picked us. She doesn’t even know us.”
Ambrose smiled. “Smell the hand she touched.”
“Holy... peaches. I couldn’t smell anything at the centre.”
He chuckled. “They have scent scrubbers to keep the omegas calm, but also, she has practice subduing her scent. I look forward to the day that her scent cuts loose. I want to be balls deep in her with her squeezing my knot and the air filled with peaches.”
Argus shuddered. “That... sounds amazing. I just want to start by making her cum with my mouth and hearing her moan.”
Dexter sat quietly. “I want to hold her after we are all sweaty and sticky and listen to her breathing with the air around us full of our combined scent.”
Argus waited a moment. “I like that one. I am changing my answer.”
Ambrose chuckled. “Me too. Now, read another pamphlet.”
“When your omega goes into heat.”
Dexter agreed from the back. “Yeah, read that one.”
“An omega approaching heat may be irritable, weepy, or gaining in sexual aggression. You need to watch for the signals and monitor their scent so that you are ready when your omega is. Supplies should be arranged to see your omega and you through their heat. Do not forget to hydrate.”
He continued to read each of the handouts, and they discussed a few points, like who would like to go first and what if she tipped them into rut in an order different from what they had chosen. Inevitably it would be her decision, and they would have to abide by who she chose. All they could do was make themselves agreeable.
They grabbed his bag from the bed and breakfast and sorted things with Ambrose’s host. The boys went for a quick run and settled in the room while he and Ambrose changed for the wedding. He stroked Romulus’s head. “I am pretty sure that you are the reason she picked us, so you guys are going to have to look so nice on the day she comes with us. We are going to have to sort some kind of formal wear for you.”
The big cat rumbled and looked smug.
Argus chuckled. Tense but happy. He smelled his hand, and the heady scent of peaches struck him. He wanted the scent all over him, mixing with his own. He didn’t know what the cold wind smelled like, but her nipples had been erect and scraping at her shirt while she licked and kissed at him. He was delighted by her shy enthusiasm. Given her situation and the firm expectation of pain, she had still started coaxing herself to arousal, taking the chance on pleasure instead of agony.
He got up, fixed his bowtie, and slipped on his tux jacket. They may look sleep-deprived, but they were all excited for what had started for them last night. They had an omega. The potential of a mate, and she wanted them.
No one was going to threaten their little kitten again.
Chapter Five
Derek and Paul were relieved that they had made it to the wedding. Argus watched his cousin Adra walk down the aisle, and she beamed at him.
It was a nice beta wedding filled with nice betas and a handful of alphas. Argus’s uncle Derek was one of two betas in his family. The other two siblings were alphas. Argus was representing the alpha side of the family. He was the only one who had been friends with the family since childhood. His siblings had other interests.
Olivia’s sister was in the crowd, looking none the worse for wear after her binge the night before.
When it came to Lara, he kept his mind blank. He didn’t want to disrupt the wedding by clawing her up.
The pictures after the ceremony were strange, but he didn’t know why the betas would want pictures of their triad without any other family; it was very possibly for their exotic nature. Feline alphas were not commonly seen and certainly not in a group.
The reception started, and they moved together to their table. Paul and his fiancé were sitting with them, as well as some elderly relatives. The fiancé, Emily, smiled at Argus. “So, what is the difference between feline alphas and the other kind.”
Ambrose leaned over and said, “We don’t bark, and our hands are the most obvious difference.”
Emily blinked.
Ambrose took Dexter’s hand, kissed the back of it, flexed the tip of his index fingers, and the sharp, hooked claws emerged, previously invisible. “Like that.”
Dexter smiled and tapped his forehead to Ambrose’s. “I need my hand back.”
Argus looked back at Emily. “Is that enough of an explanation?”
Emily nodded. “So, you are romantically involved?”
Argus wanted to laugh. It was the head boop between the other two that had got her thinking. Possibly the kiss to the hand. What Emily couldn’t know was that Dexter’s hand still wore Olivia’s scent. Ambrose was paying homage to their omega. The scent would wear off soon, but today, she was with them.
Argus shrugged. “It isn’t particularly romantic, but we fuck when we want to.”
Paul laughed, and Emily blushed.
Ambrose chuckled.
Paul said, “Any luck finding a poor little omega to take you on?”
Argus smiled slowly, his hand near enough to waft traces of Olivia toward him. “Funny you should mention that.”
“Really? Congratulations!”
“Don’t congratulate us yet. There is a long road to go. She is recovering from abuse and heinous torture. The Omega Centre has never seen a case so involved or long-running.”
Paul frowned in concern. “That sounds serious. If she is that bad, how did they let you meet her?”
Dexter answered. “We brought her in.”
Paul scowled. “When?”
Ambrose got an email and checked his phone. He chuckled. “We are going to have to send her some worn clothing, guys. She broke into where they keep the binders and found our scent cards. She’s now gone feral over them.”
Argus snickered at the idea of their little kitten going feral, but he supposed she was a lot scarier to a beta. “We will courier something today. Everyone ready to sacrifice a shirt?”
Dexter murmured, “Boxers. Hell. Both.”
There was a second chime. “And can we send her something to keep her mouth busy.”
Argus groaned, and he wanted to get back in the truck and give her something to wrap her tongue around. Years of repressed sexuality were hitting her at once, and they couldn’t even watch.
Ambrose and Dexter groaned as well.
Dexter smiled. “We should send courting gifts.”
Emily asked. “Courting gifts?”
Argus answered, “Gifts that make sure she is thinki
ng of us.”
Paul frowned. “You didn’t mention her yesterday.”
Ambrose murmured. “We didn’t have her yesterday. We are hers now.”
Argus waited for Paul to make the connection.
“Wait... not Olivia. She’s defective.”
Argus sighed. “No, she had been surgically damaged so that most omega impulses caused her agony and conditioned to hide the benign signs. She was never taken to the Omega Centre. She was taken to a Beta First surgeon, and he mutilated her.”
Paul grew pale. “Oh. God.”
Emily was concerned. “Olivia? Lara’s sister? She’s so funny and sweet.”
Argus nodded. “She is, and she’s ours.”
Paul scowled. “If she is as bad off as you say, how can you claim her?”
Ambrose chuckled. “She claimed us. I think she is just in it for Argus’s big cats, but I will take it.” He put his hand near his face and inhaled deeply, his lids going heavy.
If Argus had thought that he would rather happily sit and inhale a scent off one hand rather than spend an evening out, he would have considered himself insane. But now, it seemed like the most natural impulse in the world.
Dexter filled in a detail. “After she got out of surgery last night, they said that her recovery would be slow, but we can wait. We met her, and she chose us and then confirmed it to the centre. They are going to take care of her and catch her education up as well as teach her what she should already have been taught about being an omega.”
Paul blinked. “You are telling me that her father did that to her? The screaming that Lara always talks about.”
Argus nodded. “They had layers of stitching to connect her muscles and glands together. When they flexed for heat, she was tearing herself apart. The agony lasted as long as the heat did. Lara liked the sound of her screaming. She put a new lock on the soundproofed shed, which is where we found her with her fingertips dug into the wood, blood everywhere.”
Emily had her hand over her mouth.
Argus apologized. “I am sorry. This is not a conversation for a wedding.”
Emily looked grey, but she shook her head. “No. It’s fine. I am training to work with omegas in my practice and was going to ask Olivia if she could give me insight. Now, I wish I had done it sooner. I might have noticed.”
