Forbidden: Part One (Luna & Sol Omegaverse, #1)

by Emilia Emerson

I rolled my eyes at their lack of logic. Which was it—were we omegas all whores or prudes?

I hadn’t gotten to know her much beyond the fact that she was bonded to five alphas, which seemed like an exhausting number of personalities to juggle.

I was so fucking exhausted of being scared and jumpy all the time. Omegas needed touch to survive, but I could hardly tolerate even the slightest physical contact anymore.

I suspected it was because a group of alphas had attacked Charlie before she met Luc and the rest of Pack Jang. I didn’t know the details of what happened except that she was in a wheelchair.

“Luc said my scent is already changing,” I whispered. “I have mandatory blood work scheduled in two weeks. I think time’s run out on me.”

Gratitude overwhelmed me that my best friend wasn’t alone. Sam might have more freedom as an alpha, but he had his own secret—his alpha roommate, Gerald, was his romantic partner.

I leaned in to see if I could scent her. The chemical smell of de-scenter stung my nose. This little angel was, in fact, an omega trying to cover up her scent.

Clearly, the Trader Joe’s employees didn’t have crisis management training.

Fuck, was she going into heat? Where were her alphas?

Because if she doesn’t have any, I will volunteer as tribute.

Oh wow, what a relief that not all alphas will hold my ancient age of twenty-three against me. Bitch.

In your ideal pack, how many alphas would you bond with? Zero. What are your favorite hobbies? My illegal self-defense class, where I learn how to take down alphas. How many children would you like to have? None.

Why did you stop your diet? How are you going to attract anyone looking like that?

See, this is why no one could ever love you or find you desirable. A nasty voice that sounded suspiciously like my mother rang out in my head. I took a deep breath and repeated my mantras to myself. My body is a good body. My body doesn’t exist for the sole purpose of being thin.

Fictional men would never hurt me or think I’m too fat. Who needs real men?

Seeing him bounce around the kitchen in a frilly apron was the biggest fuck you to our pack fathers I could imagine.

I tried to run once before, back when I was stronger. But they had broken me. I wouldn’t survive being caught again.

Likelihood they can bring a woman to orgasm? Absolutely zero.”

He sighed, staying crouched down. “Sweet omega, you are a gift. Those alphas don’t deserve you. You deserve a pack that will worship the ground you walk on and gives you whatever you want and need. Do you understand?”

“You can get through this, sweetheart. We’ve got you. Just get through this next hour.”

Ben’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. “Josie, I hope you know how special we think you are, and we hope you choose us.” “We know you don’t really know us yet,” Theo added, “But we would love to get to know you more and would be honored if you chose us as your pack.” “We promise to protect and care for you,” Cam added.

I was defective—too fat, too outspoken, too much everything.

Two things I didn’t think possible. I also needed to know what happened with Theo at Trader Joe’s.

Fuck, that was like omega Xanax.

Even though I didn’t know her yet, I would sacrifice everything for her.

Ben exploded, “She’s our mate!” “I fucking know,” I said, turning to look at Ben from where he was sitting in the back, his eyes wide.

“We’ll need to be careful and take things slow if she’s scared of alphas,” Theo said, a deep sadness permeating his voice. I would find out who had hurt her and end them. My alpha was feeling bloodthirsty and wanted revenge for our mate.

Everything in me screamed to pull my mate into the house and lock the door behind her, leaving her parents on the front porch. And then it could start pouring down rain. With lightning. A little electrocution of your enemies never hurt anyone.

My well-honed dissociation skills blocked out the worst of it, but I was trembling by the time we arrived at Pack Ashwood’s house.

A refusal was on my lips when I paused. I was so damn tired of being on my own. My omega took over and I found myself nodding.

“Josie, beautiful, I hate to say it, but I got this slight feeling that your parents might not like us.”

“How the fuck did you get those bruises?” he asked, gripping my wrist in a tender hold that didn’t match the rage in his voice.

My survival instinct was screaming at me—don’t make a big deal of it, downplay your needs, placate the alphas.

“You’re our mate,” he said, his voice deep and rough. “We’ll do anything for you and want you here more than anything. I’m so fucking grateful we were asked to do the interview because I would murder any other pack that got close to you.”

“I’m not ready to be bonded yet,” I blurted out. Cam pressed a tender kiss to my temple. “Of course. There’s no rush. We’re going to court you. Give you everything you deserve. You’ll learn that we’ll do anything to make you happy.”

I felt like I should say no, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I couldn’t remember the last time my body had been this relaxed.

and wished I could be kinder to myself.

“I mean this in the nicest way possible, but I don’t give a flying fuck about the architecture of the house. Tell me why you were crying and what the fuck is going on with the alphas.”

“Rest now, baby girl. I’ve got you,” I murmured.

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. Am I crushing you?” I asked, biting my lip. Cam snorted. “Baby girl, you could lie on top of me all day, every day, and not crush me.”

“Listen to me,” he said sternly. “You are not damaged, and we will never want anyone else. I’m so fucking pissed at how they treated you. I had to see you or I was going to go to the Center and kill them. You deserve to be fucking cherished, not punished or starved or whatever other shit they did to you.”

But you have to know, sweetheart, that we are all in.”

“I didn’t know it would feel that good,” I said after my heart rate had finally slowed. “What do you mean?” Cam asked, his hand stilling on my back. “Umm, you know, coming. It exceeded the hype. Ten out of ten recommend.” “You’ve never come with someone before?” “Yeah. Or… at all,” I said, squirming, suddenly feeling embarrassed. “Sweetheart, are you saying you’ve never had an orgasm before?” he asked, his voice strangled. “Omegas aren’t allowed until we join a pack,” I whispered.

“Did I not make you feel good?” I asked, worried. Cam drew me in, a firm hand at the back of my neck. “That was the hottest fucking experience of my life. You made a grown-ass man come in his fucking pants.” “Oh good,” I said, smiling. I felt proud that I had made Cam feel good, too.

Now, tell me what you need. I’m assuming a brownie unless you only use those in self-defense.”

Her whispered confession broke my heart. My mate had never gotten to experience the joys of being an omega, had never been lavished with the care and affection she deserved.

“Shit, sweetheart, you can’t stay under that long. You’re going to make me lose my mind,” Cam said, a flash of panic in his eyes. I bit my lip to hide my smile. “I was fine. I like being underwater.”

Their scents were so delicious, and my hormones screamed at me to just sit on a dick to make the pain disappear.

I almost shouted, frantically looking around the room as if a How to Stop Fucking Things Up and Upsetting Your Omega You Dipshit manual would appear.

“What if I wanted to peruse the romance section of a bookstore all day?” “I’d peruse right along with you, but of course, I would also find all my favorite books and whisper the dirtiest parts in your ear all day long.” Until you were so wet, you begged me to bend you over the nearest book display and fuck you until you screamed.