The Omega's Heart (Wilde Creek Four) by R.E. Butler Page B

looked down at
her. “I don’t think you’re flawed.”
    He pressed his lips to hers and drew her
close. She melted against him and his body tightened with need, but
he pushed away those thoughts and broke the kiss. “We have a little
time before dawn; let’s get some sleep.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    The sun was bathing the woods in soft oranges
and yellows, glinting on the icicles hanging from the tree
branches. It had been a long winter, but he was hopeful that spring
would come quickly. Honey walked next to him, wearing a pair of his
sweatpants rolled up at the bottom, a long-sleeved shirt, a pair of
his boots, and his warmest jacket. He knew she wasn’t as bothered
by the cold as a human woman would be, but he still wanted her to
be warm. He’d spent countless years taking care of people as an
omega, chopping wood for winter fires, cooking for those who were
too busy or unable to do it themselves, cleaning and repairing
homes for those in need. But this was a different kind of care.
He’d held Honey while she slept, and then they’d gotten up and
showered together, before he made her breakfast. She said no male
had ever cooked for her before, and that made a part of him as
proud as a peacock.
    They stepped into the backyard and he pulled
on her hand to stop her. “You’re nervous?”
    “Yeah.” She chewed on her lower lip as she
stared at the alphas’ house.
    “Don’t be. We have the laws on our side. No
one can separate us. Even if Acksel insists you leave town, which I
don’t believe he will, I’ll go with you.”
    She turned her attention to him. “You’d leave
everything for me?”
    Silly question.
    “Without a doubt.”
    She smiled. “I would too. This is some kind
of fucked-up crazy, huh?”
    He snorted. “That may be the understatement
of the century.”
    They walked up the steps to the deck and he
pushed open the sliding glass door and let her in. They stomped the
snow from their boots and left them on the rug next to the door.
Taking her coat, he hung it next to his on the rack, then took her
hand in his, gave her a peck on the cheek, and walked into the
front room where the alphas, several high-ranked males, and two
elders – Hollis and Renfrow – were waiting.
    Brynn stood from where she’d been sitting on
Acksel’s lap and crossed to Honey, giving her a big hug. She
whispered in Honey’s ear, but Jeremiah could hear her anyway. “I’m
so happy you found your mate. I wished so hard for that last
night.”
    “Aren’t you supposed to wish on falling
stars, not full moons?” Acksel asked.
    “Stop eavesdropping on my whispered
conversations, Alpha,” Brynn said, grousing. “I can’t have any
privacy with all these sharp-hearing wolves hanging around.”
    Honey smiled in understanding.
    “Well, I’m sure that you want to get back to
your own house,” Brynn said, “so let’s deal with this. I’m tired as
hell.” She punctuated her words with a yawn as she joined Acksel
where he now stood near the fireplace.
    He cracked his neck. “We need to call Honey’s
father and explain that she’s now mated.” He looked pointedly at
her. “If he wants proof of your mating, we can make arrangements to
meet him somewhere.”
    “I don’t know what he’s going to say,” Honey
said.
    Brynn elbowed Acksel and he said, “Oh, right.
Honey Williams, as the mate of my pack member, Jeremiah Kincaid,
you are hereby made an official member of the Wilde Creek Pack.
Unofficially.”
    “What?” Honey asked.
    Brynn giggled. “It can’t be official-official
until you join during the next full moon, but it’s ‘technically’
official. We recognize that you and Jeremiah are mates and that
brings you under the protection of the pack. It’s a good
thing.”
    Honey blinked rapidly and Jeremiah could feel
the slight tremble that ran through her body. He hugged her a
little closer as she said, “Thank you.”
    Brynn nodded with a smile. Acksel handed his
phone to Honey and she dialed her dad’s