“When I was a kid,” I told her, shoving down the nerves about telling this story, “there was an Omega who lived on our block. She was sweet, and she babysat me sometimes. Her name was Mira. She had a pack, and I knew enough about them to know they were like us. Their scents brought them together. But her Alphas—”

I huffed out a breath and held Esme to my chest, cradling her head, as if being here with me could protect her from the words I was about to say.

“They didn’t treat her well.” It was an understatement. “Because they belonged together, they took advantage of her. There were always bruises on her she tried to hide, and because I was so young I didn’t know what it meant. It wasn’t until far later I understood, and I’m sure it was far worse than I knew.”

Esme’s fingers clung to the back of my shirt, and she tucked her head under my chin.

“I swore if I was ever lucky enough to have an Omega, she would be my entire world. Nothing would be more precious. And I had been pretty close to giving up, until Ben walked in with your scent all over him, and it was like every piece of my soul was pointed toward you.”

There was a small sniffle. “I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to hearing things like that.”

“I hope you do, sweetheart. Because if you get used to them, it means you finally believe them.”

I pried her away from my chest and tilted her face up to mine, taking her lips. She was the most precious thing, and she had no idea.

“All right, time to break up the make-out session,” Rylan called from the door. “Kade said something interesting happened on the pool table, and I think we need to show Esme how it’s done.”

Quickly swiping her eyes, she sat up. “What makes you think I don’t know how to play pool?”

Ry smirked. “Spend a lot of time in dive bars, Miss Williams?”

“Enough to beat you.”

I grinned at him. My sassy Omega was showing her colors, and I was going to have a hard time keeping my dick in my pants. Especially knowing the same sassiness melted away when I took her under command. Our date was going to ruin us both in the best way.

“Don’t worry,” Rylan said. “I’ll be happy to show you how it’s done.”

“We’ll be right there,” I said, sitting up with her and watching Rylan disappear. “You okay?”

She laughed, twisting her hands together. “I feel… perfect. And that’s scary.”