Absolute Devotion (An Omega’s Preference #3)

25. Nala

twenty-five

NALA

I barely see my brother as I step inside their house, Kieran laughing when I start reaching for a nephew. It takes me a few moments to realize it’s not because of my lack of manners as he points to his lips. “They got you good, didn’t they? Where are the others?”

I narrow my gaze at him. “Are you allowed to ask that? That’s a bit weird. And for your information, my hands and my neck. I’m very mad at them.” I’m not really mad at them, not with the thorough session they had with me before I left. Xylo fucked me hard and fast as he sucked on his bite, Bear tugging on Zahria’s bite on my lip until I came hard enough to see stars.

When Montgomery started toward me after I took a shower, I threw up a white flag, telling him he could have his fill this afternoon. There were babies to be held and cooed at. That and the fact that I needed out of the house for a little bit. It’s such a beautiful cocoon that they’ve built for me but I need to know that it extends to everywhere else.

The general happy feelings strumming through the bond tells me that it does.

It's just after noon, the calmness of the afternoon allowing me to relax. I cradle Elias against my chest, Kieran offering Leo to me as well. They’re both mischievous in their own right, beautiful Omegas that will grow up just as large as their father if their current size has anything to do with it. In the two weeks I’ve been around them, they’ve put on several pounds, Ren and Joel struggling to hold them at the same time even though they're barely six months old.

I have to lay Leo beside me, gently patting his stomach as I hold Elias or I’d topple over. Joel joins us as he pulls Kieran out of the armchair and whispers a few words to him. The Omega offers him a tired grin before kissing the life out of him and stalking down the hallway to his nest. My brother takes up space next to Leo and pulls him into his arms. “Kieran could use a few hours of sleep and I could use a bit of time with my sister and her new Alpha. Now, tell me how you’re really doing. You look better.”

“I feel better. They made me see the world a little differently,” I say as Zahria throws an arm around my shoulder and pulls me to her side. “That I’m not alone and that I shouldn’t have to do everything on my own. It’s going to take some getting used to but with four mates, it makes it easier to open up.”

“Bonds definitely help in that regard. I remember seeing the change in Kieran initially and over these last two weeks. He used to refuse to leave the twins and now he’s happy when he can dump them into my lap for a bit of rest. He’s still wary about all the POCA shit but I think he’s actually looking forward to his next heat.” Seeing my brother so effortlessly happy reminds me of a time when I thought I wouldn’t have my own moments. And yet, now I do.

Elias coos in my arms and I tap his nose before rocking him a little more. “I thought I’d hate it but I don’t. And feeling them is like an entirely new world. They… they also know all of it and it helps. I thought they’d leave.” Zahria remains quiet but the bond burns fiercely with love. Her nose dragging along my cheek, covering me in her scent is all I need to settle.

“And you look happier than I’ve ever seen you, which is enough for me. You don’t have to answer but how close is this investigation to wrapping up?”

I shrug. “They want to just sweep it under the rug. That’s what happened to everything else. The authorities are part of it and they gather up all the evidence, put away the offenders, and move on. There’s no media about it and what little is published is so fucking buried that without knowing what you’re looking for, you’ll never find it.” Anger burns in my chest, Zahria whispering in my ear to calm me down. It’s not helping. “If this just goes away, we’ll never know if we’re okay. I need to know that we’ll be okay, that we’re safe.”

“Then do something about it,” Joel offers, like it’s no big deal. “I’m not saying she should become part of the investigation, Zahria. I’m just saying that if there’s evidence that can’t be destroyed, the authorities will have a hard time covering their asses.”

I turn to Zahria, watching her expression morph from confusion to understanding. “Chief Hart specifically said this was a fact-finding mission but none of us were ever truly going to follow that. If someone is within our reach, I’m dropping them off at the precinct. There will be records. People will see it and talk about it. It’s impossible to contain that. If even some of the population knows, they’ll start protecting their own and asking questions. That’s all I need.”

Joel grins as he kisses his son’s head. “You’ve found yourself some good mates, Nala. You should see how happy and comfortable you look. Maybe one day soon, you’ll be holding your own child in your arms.”

My expression sours as Zahria’s desire rushes through the bond and I jab her in the stomach. “No ideas. Absolutely not. I’m not getting pregnant for a very, very long time.” Babies? I’m still trying to accept the fact that I have mates. There will be no babies anywhere in the near future, a conversation that needs to be had with my mates when we get back. Needing a topic change, I nod toward the kitchen. "What's planned for dinner?"

Joel chuckles, offering Leo to Zahria. She accepts my nephew without hesitation, cooing at him. "And that's my cue to figure it out because I remember the last time you tried to cook with Ren and it was a disaster. Sit tight. I'll find something." He disappears into the kitchen, Zahria smiling down at Leo before looking up at me.

A child really does look perfect in Zahria's arms but I'm not ready just yet. However, the idea of little versions of my mates running around is both hilarious and something I want one day. My Alpha leans into my ear again, "I just want you to know that I think you'd make a great mother whenever you decide you're ready." I snuggle back into the cushions, enjoying this quiet moment, dreaming of the future I never thought I could have.