Page 22 of A Winter Gift

Mina's sweet body was far too precious for anyone else to see.

Voices moved through the floorboards, and I grimaced.

Mina's heat had only just eased at daybreak, followed quickly by my rut. And now we had to face the consequences. No one would blame me for claiming an omega in heat while trapped together for days on end, but Ari might still want a bit of blood for snatching her out from under him. Not to mention the scandal it would cause. I just hoped I wouldn't lose my position in the guard. If the Pack Alpha felt I had forced a mating on Mina, I could be banished before sundown.

A soft rap on the door made Mina stir.

"Who's there?" I growled, angry at my mate's sleep being interrupted.

"Is Mina in there with you?" Omega Joyce's voice was unmistakable, and my whole body tensed.

"Mom?" Mina bolted upright, her wide eyes glued to the door.

The room grew warm as the older omega on the other side of the bedroom door took her time to respond. When Joyce finally spoke, her voice was sharp, making Mina push closer to my side. "Clean yourself up and come downstairs now."

I didn't need to scent the air to know how scared Mina was. Her body trembled, and she pressed her forehead to my chest.

"She's angry," she whispered.

"She's angry with me." I brushed Mina's wild hair out of her face, smiling when I noticed the dried cum clinging to her tresses. My scent clung to every inch of her.As it should be.

Mina tucked her feet under her bottom and winced.

"Sore?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Her soft skin was covered in bruises from my rough handling and deep puncture marks from my fangs. She had been so good for me. She moved however I wanted her and took my cock so well, but now in the light of day, I could clearly see the toll it took on her small body.

"I'm okay." She smiled, slipping out of bed.

I stood and opened the window, leaning out. There was still plenty of snow along the roof, the sun only just now starting to melt it off. I scooped up a handful, then turned to my mate.

"What are you…Oh!" She squealed as I cupped the mound of her pussy, pressing the snow between her legs. She hissed, then sighed with relief. "That feels so good," she purred.

I kissed the top of her head, hating the stressful situation waiting for us downstairs. Mina needed rest and food, not a tongue lashing.

"We should head down before my mother comes up and drags me down by my ear." Mina looked up at me through her lashes. Our bond pulsed with her fear, but more than that, her happiness.

Cupping her cheeks, I kissed her lips, tasting her one more time before leaving the blessed room.

Mina was mine, and I was hers. Exactly as the Moon designed.

* * *

I wantedto walk in front of my mate as we made our way downstairs—to shield her from the angry eyes of her mother, but my mate held my hand, keeping me at her side.

The yule log was lit, warming the room the best it could with the broken window. Most of the snow was now water, pooling between the floorboards and beneath the piano.

Nix shifted near the front door, his wide eyes glued to his sister. His arms were crossed so tight, the corded muscles looked like they might snap. He was definitely pissed.

"Mina!" Omega Joyce gasped at the sight of her daughter rushing to her. She examined Mina's neck, tilting her head to better look at the deep mating bite. It was bruised and puffy, but it was clean. It was perfect on her pale skin.

Sadness flickered across Joyce's face, but she quickly hid it. "I was so worried about you." She tucked a strand of Mina's hair behind her ear. It immediately fell loose.

"We were all worried," Ari's angry voice boomed. He looked thunderous as he walked across the room, his pointed glare firmly on me. My blood pounded hot and ready for his attack. But he surprised me by stepping up to my mate, ignoring me. "Your mother said your heat started while stuck here with Ivor."

Mina nodded, embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

It was grossly inappropriate for an alpha to openly discuss an omega's heat. It was private. Something for only mates to discuss and enjoy, and it took everything in me not to growl at the asshole, but his rank and Mina and Joyce's distress kept me from reacting.

My eyes widened as Ari reached out, gripping Mina's chin with his thumb and forefinger. My wolf roared, and I balled up my fists, watching the older alpha closely.