Now I was the one laughing. "Are you sure I'm not dead, and this isn't heaven? Because I'm pretty sure no alpha worth his salt would ever say something so ridiculous. Especially to an omega."
He rolled his eyes. "Then those alphas need to find new salt." He hesitated, then lifted an arm. "Is it okay if we cuddle? My wolf needs physical contact, and I want to hold you again. I didn't dare while you slept because it was bad enough to claim you without consent. I wasn't going to force any further physical contact without your knowledge."
I practically flung myself into his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck as I snuggled in close. "Okay, so maybe you’re real, but now I'm starting to wonder if I should question your sanity. As for the lack of consent, consider it given, and backdate it to whatever point in time will absolve you of any guilt. You literally saved my life. But even if you hadn't, you’ve already treated me with more kindness than any alpha ever has."
As those impulsive words poured out of my mouth, my heart started to pound again. Calling him crazy was a good way to press the limits of said kindness.
Wrapping his arms around me, he held me tight. His gentle touch calmed me as quickly as his softly spoken words. "Easy now, little wolf. I don't know what has you quietly freaking out, but I promise you have nothing to fear with me. I know it'll take time for you to completely trust me, but for now I’d appreciate it if you'd take me at my word. And though I’ve claimed you, I want to wait for anything more physical than this until you feel completely safe. When you’re ready, you can initiate our intimacy."
What? Who was this alpha? He wasn’t going to hit me or force me into sex? And he meant every word, or my wolf would’ve scented the smoothest of lies. Gulping, I slowly leaned my head back to see into his eyes. "Okay. I'll try. I'm sorry I called you crazy, though. I shouldn't have been so disrespectful."
He scoffed, looking at me like I was the crazy one. "Why the hell not? I told you I want us to be equals, didn't I? True equality means you can feel free to say anything you want to me. Never mind if it's something you don't think I want to hear. I want to start our relationship off well, which means honesty, even when it's ugly."
I bit my lip as I considered his words. "Okay. Hmm. Then in the spirit of honesty, I have to say your idea sounded both totally weird and completely awesome. Also, can you tell me your name? It seems kinda slutty to be naked cuddling and bonded without knowing what to call you. It’s like a country song about waking up married after getting blackout drunk."
As if startled, he barked out a laugh. "Well, damn. Then I guess you’re feeling kinda awkward right about now, aren't you?" I must have been feeling braver than I thought because I giggled and shoved his chest. He merely laughed more. "I like you, little wolf. Allow me to introduce myself and give you my backstory. Let’s start with my name. I’m Matthias Longclaw, but you can call me Matt. My father was the alpha here in Lucerne Valley, and I was the original heir. I left at eighteen, and apparently my Uncle Horace challenged him not long after and took over the pack."
"Did you know your uncle?" I closed my eyes, wrinkling my nose as I gave my head a quick shake. "Never mind, don't answer. I know pack law well, thanks to my father. Mostly because he was always looking for loopholes, but there's another story. So Horace must've been the younger brother, huh? It's weird to think of someone so old and mean ever being someone's little brother. He was an evil man, and except for nearly dying, I’m not sorry he’s gone."
“I’m not sorry, either. I only wish I’d killed him myself.” Matt attempted to lighten the mood, grinning as he booped the tip of my nose. "You wouldn't say it was hard to imagine him being a younger brother if you'd ever met my father. There’s a reason I didn't stay. Jared says the pack is different now, but the people back then never did anything to make my life easier, no matter how abusive my father was. But never mind my sob story. Why am I talking about this shit? I'm sure we have plenty of better things we can discuss."
"We can start with how you claimed your uncle-in-law as your mate. Talk about some hick stuff, right there. Even for desert rats like us." Hoping to lighten the mood again, I went for the obvious joke.
It worked, and I was startled to realize I knew not from the grin on his face but because I could feel his mood. That was… kinda trippy. And also nice. I'd never noticed it with Horace. I couldn't help but wonder if it was because Matt was my true mate or because Horace was always angry, so I could never sense anything else from him. Either way, if I hadn't already felt safe with Matt, then I definitely did now.
"You’re correct, dear. I hope you might begin to trust me now?"
I jerked back when he spoke, my mouth falling open in shock. "Did you just read my mind, or was I speaking my thoughts? My brothers say I do sometimes."
Winking, Matt leaned forward with a grin and kissed my cheek. "It might be fun to tease you, but I'll save it for another time. You were thinking out loud. As for the answer, your guess is as good as mine. We'd have to ask other mated pairs, both regular and fated, to know the answer. So, you have brothers?" He winced and rolled onto his back, putting his hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. "I really don't want to get into this now, but eventually we're going to have to decide how to handle your father. I have to challenge him for the pack because I've claimed you, you know."
Scooting closer, I curled up against him and rested my hand on his chest. "I know. I hadn't thought far enough ahead yet, but I would've gotten there eventually. If you challenge him, do you think you could save my brothers too? They're younger than me, and both of them are also omegas. Saul is twelve, and Noah’s six. I don't know if our parents spaced us out on purpose, but we're all six years apart."
Matt shivered as I played with the small, so-light-it-was-barely-there patch of hair in the center of his chest. He turned his head to grin at me. "It helps to know you’re legal, but now I'm feeling like a cradle robber."
"Don't. Besides… I turned nineteen a few weeks ago. I’ve never been completely young, though. As the oldest, I was always expected to be mature. Also, I don't think you can rob a pregnant man's cradle, just saying." I wasn't about to mention Horace, but there was no hiding my baby. His words from what I’d thought was a dream floated back to me. "Did you mean it? You'll let me keep my baby and claim him or her as your own?" I didn’t know why I was worried when Matt had given me no reason to be.
He rolled back on his side and scooted down so we were nose to nose. "Elisha, I never say anything I don't mean." He studied me solemnly, then winked again. "Besides, we have to keep the whole desert hick thing going, don't we? I promise I’ll love my little cousin-son or daughter and treat them no different than any other pups we might have in the future."
We both laughed at the whole cousin angle. Yeah… we were totally going to be a unique family. Matt silenced my giggles with a toe-curling kiss. Once I started to get lost in it, he pulled back with a wistful smile.
"As much as I would love to continue, let's finish our conversation. I need to decide how to handle your father before he hears about us through the grapevine. Dealing with it head-on is the best option. No offense, but Montgomery Whitetail doesn't have a great reputation, from what I recall. And I don't want to cause you pain, but he did leave you here to die. I can’t ignore or easily forgive his actions.”