Page 77 of A Snowy Escape

Her eyes are red and glassy, making it almost seem like she’s been crying. Goddamn, she’s beautiful, even when she’s miserable.

She’s also likely a few years too young for me.

Nah, I’m not going to go there. Mother Nature obviously knows what it’s doing, and that’s just how things tend to go with alphas and omegas.

My mom is eleven to fourteen years younger than my dads. I’m not going to stress myself out over a six- or seven-year age gap.

The device beeps frantically, and I pull it free of her lips.

“That doesn’t sound good,” she says, squinting. “What is it?”

“106.9.” I flip the thermometer around until she can see it. “It’s high but within normal range for an omega.” I pull the cover off and toss it into the small garbage can that sits on the bottom shelf of the nightstand. Sliding the device back into the case, I put it down and grab the temperature log that came in the kit from The Divine Omega. Once that’s done, I turn back to her. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine,” she says, snuggling back against the pillows. “I’m no longer burning alive, so that’s nice, but I’m also unsettled?” Her shoulders bounce. “Maybe that’s the wrong word. I’m not anxious, but it’s like my body is? Maybe it’s my instincts that are restless. That makes no sense. I’m still really new to this whole heat thing.”

“What do you mean?” I roll fully onto my side facing her and scoot down the mattress to make it easier to watch her expressions as we talk.

“I lived with my brother and his pack when my first heat tried to start,” she says, wincing. “They took me to an omega clinic. The doctors sedated me, and when I woke up, I was already on suppressants. I kept taking the medication until I met my ex.” She sighs, shaking her head. “Suppressants aren’t meant to be taken for longer than twenty-four months in a row. Once you reach that threshold, the doctors recommend taking a yearlong break. I’d been on them for longer than two years, and even though I was apprehensive about whether my ex could handle a heat solo, I let him talk me into going off them. We both kinda thought the heat would start right away, but it didn’t.”

“You’ve never had a heat outside of the one where you were sedated?” I ask to make sure I’m following.

“Right,” she says, her teeth digging into her lower lip. “I mean, I had some random waves when I first went off the pills, but a full-blown heat never hit. My ex accused me of permanently screwing up my system, so I went to an omega specialist while I was living with him. She assured me that my heat would come when my body was ready, but I confided in her that I planned to leave when I got the chance. She gave me a new prescription for suppressants, even though I could tell she didn’t love the idea. She also warned me that I couldn’t start them that day.”

“I’m not sure we could get out to a pharmacy to fill the prescription with the weather conditions.” I bring my fingers to brush over her cheek.

“I have them,” she says. “But I don’t want to take the pills. They’re supposed to be started at the end of a heat. Under extreme circumstances, it can be started on the first day that symptoms begin, but they won’t fully stop the misery. I’d have to suffer through a week or more of what I felt when Lawson found me, and I really don’t want to have to go through that.”

“Then you won’t.” I lean in, marking her cheek with my pheromones. “The three of us are going to take care of you. Don’t worry about that.”

She brings her hand to my jaw, brushing her fingers through my beard. “I appreciate it.”

“Always, pretty girl.” I cup her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Now, are you thirsty? I’m supposed to hydrate you while you’re coherent.”

A smile breaks out on her face. “Not really, but I’ll gladly drink something if you’ll let me cuddle with you when we’re done.”

“That’s a deal I’m happy to accept.”

* * *

Abby is exhausted, and the two of us lie down with the goal of getting a few more hours of sleep. It seems unlikely that I’ll be able to knock out with how busy my brain is, but the next thing I know, someone grabs my hand.

“Bryant, please,” Abby begs.

I’m on my side behind her, and my eyes pop open. Her skin radiates heat against my palm as my fingers slide over her hip and stomach. She’s so fucking soft compared to me, but also insanely warm. She continues guiding my hand down her pelvis and lifts her top leg, pulling my fingertips to her pussy.

“The pain is back,” she says, her voice shaky. “I need you to make it stop.”

Okay, it’s time for me to take charge.

“I’ve got you, Abby,” I murmur, trying to wake up. I haven’t done a single thing, and she’s already so slick that it’s hard to comprehend.

Circling her clit, I try to decide on the fastest way to bring down her fever. Orgasms might help, but from what I understand, she needs my knot locked inside her and to soak up as much cum as possible.

For my entire life, I’ve heard how fast things move when alphas and omegas are involved. I guess I just thought it would be different for us. Mother Nature doesn’t care if we’ve had the chance to get to know each other.

It’s all about the breeding with alphas and omegas. That thought shouldn’t make my shaft jump as precum dribbles from my tip, but here we are.

I push up using my forearm and rest my head on my palm.