Claimed For Their Pleasure (Omega Prey #6) - L.V. Lane Page 0,5
this question. Is Papa talking about my moon blood? I am eighteen, most lasses have bled by now, but I have shown no signs. I try not to worry about it. My mother told me I am small and that some lasses naturally start later.
“We both know what she is,” my mother says. “Molly told us as much, years ago. She has a sense of such things.”
I frown.
Molly is the mate of the Baxter clan king. She is a kindly, older Omega who visits from time to time to speak to our clanswomen. I remember seeing her talking to Mama when I was younger. I feel a little sick and betrayed that they have been discussing me thus.
I wonder what it is they think I am?
“She has been wrong before,” my father says gruffly. “Has Jessa shown any inclination toward nesting?”
My frown deepens, and a cold prickling sensation skitters down my spine.
“No, none,” says my mother. “But Molly said not all of them nest until they go through the change.”
My mind blanks out. I feel sick. Change? What is this change? I do not want to change. I do not want to build a stupid nest like an animal might.
“She is still sweet on Brandon,” my father says. “But she will need an Alpha if she does change. I’m yet to be convinced she will reveal thus. Either way, Brandon is not a suitable match. The lad is always up to mischief with Fen. The king’s brother is half wild and a poor influence, in my opinion. Neither lad is inclined toward settling down, and Jessa will only be hurt.”
“Ah, Ed,” my mother says. “I don’t think Brandon is so bad.”
I cover my mouth to stifle my cry. It is like a knife twisting in my chest, sharp and vicious. I assuredly do not want to be forced to pick an Alpha from the clan. They are all huge and frightening. But my father has already determined that Brandon is not for me.
Worse, I know he is right in all he says about Brandon. I have seen the Beta shifter sneaking off with the older lasses to the barns. He could have his pick of many. Why would he ever pick me?
I do not want to hear more of the conversation. I am heartsore that I have heard this much.
Sliding back into my cold bed, I pull the covers over my head. I turn, wriggling around until I am nestled at the bottom in a ball where the blankets are tucked tight.
Here, I sob silently, broken-hearted for the broken dream where Brandon claims me, and we wed.
It was a stupid dream, for he has never done anything to suggest he might return my feelings. I am eighteen, and I have not even kissed a boy!
My hurt gives way to anger. How dare my parents keep this from me. How dare they plot about me behind my back. I will assuredly run away before I am handed over to some Alpha like a prize.
Alphas. My mind immediately latches onto an image of the great, stern Alpha from the Lyon clan. His name is Gage, and he is the younger son of the Lyon clan king. He comes here on occasion to speak with our king. The Lyon clan are not well-liked. They are aggressive and easily twice our number since they claimed the Born clan territory a year back. Their leader is a warmonger, or so I have heard other clansfolk say.
Yet, something about Gage has drawn my interest since he started visiting a few years ago.
My tears have dried up, but inside, my chest feels raw.
I am not alone in noticing Gage, just as I am not alone in noticing Brandon.
An idea unfurls… What if I could have both? What if I did change, and they both claimed me?
My belly tightens, and dampness gathers between my legs. Fingers shaking, I lift my nightgown, finding my feminine place is slick. I move very slowly, circling the little bud that feels so good. I don’t even need to touch it. Touching close is enough to make the sensations awake.
It is a dream, and in my dream, I can have anyone I want.
And I want them both, Brandon and Gage. It doesn’t matter that they hate one another, or that our clans are near at war. I imagine them crowding in on either side of me, kissing me, fingers where mine are now, stroking me softly… encouraging me to come.