Chapter 31: Maybe I am

I wake up slowly, still caught in the haze of last night, my body heavy with satisfaction and the warmth of Noelle next to me. He stirs, trying to slip out of bed as quietly as possible, but I'm not having it. My arm snakes around his waist, pulling him back against me before he can escape.

"Don't be such an early bird," I mumble into the soft skin of his neck, my lips brushing against his pulse. I breathe him in, the familiar scent of my omega, sweet and comforting, making it impossible to let go.

Noelle chuckles softly, the sound vibrating through me. "I heard you and Grape this morning. It's a routine."

I groan in response, burying my face deeper into his neck. "That fat bird always picks on me," I whine, knowing it sounds ridiculous but feeling like a victim nonetheless. Grape, the little menace, had made a habit of dive-bombing my head every morning.

Noelle's laugh is light, musical. "That's because you spoil him too much," he says, his voice warm with amusement. He tries to wriggle free again, and I tighten my grip, not ready to let him go just yet.

"Do you not love me anymore?" I tease, playing up the dramatics as I pull him closer, pressing myself fully against him.

Noelle sighs but I can hear the smile in his voice. "I'm trying to escape something else," he replies, and then he deliberately pushes his pert little butt against my morning erection.

A low, hoarse chuckle escapes me. He knows exactly what he's doing. I shift, my hand moving down his side, sliding toward the smooth skin of his thigh, but just as I'm about to touch him, Noelle swats my hand away.

"Not today," he says firmly, slipping out of bed before I can protest.

I lie back, sighing dramatically, stretching my limbs out across the bed as if I've been abandoned. No morning sex with my husband today, apparently. The thought of it makes me pout for a moment, but then something else hits me. Husband. The word lingers in my mind, and a slow smile spreads across my face. It's been two weeks since we returned from the temple where we got married, and every time I think about it, warmth floods my chest.

I prop myself up on one elbow, watching Noelle as he moves around the room. His back is to me as he slips on a pair of pants, hiding that perfect body from my view. I can't help but let my gaze travel down the curve of his spine, remembering how my hands felt on him just last night.

But my attention shifts, my eyes naturally drawn to the choker resting around his neck. The star at the center glints in the morning light, catching my eye like it always does. That choker… it's more than just a symbol of our bond. It's a declaration.

I had spent a small fortune on it—well, a very, very large amount of gold coins, if I'm being honest. But it was worth every single one. The design is intricate, a shimmering silver band with a delicate star at its center, marking Noelle as mine, my omega. I could've hired someone to create it, someone with more experience in crafting omega collars. But no. I had to design it myself. Every line, every detail, I drew with my own hands. It had to be perfect.

Not only was it beautiful, but it was also blessed by the divine power of the Elaris Church. It meant that I was the only one who could remove it, the only one with that right. It was a level of protection for Noelle, a safeguard in this world where omegas could still be vulnerable to rogue alphas. Single omegas wore thick, uncomfortable chokers, made from heavy materials to keep unwanted alphas at bay. But married omegas? Their chokers were designed by their alpha mates, a symbol of their bond. I'm proud of mine, proud that it's around Noelle's neck for all to see.

As I watch him move, I feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction and contentment. He's mine. My omega. My husband. And I'd do anything to protect him, to make sure everyone knows exactly who he belongs to.

Noelle glances back at me, catching me staring, and he raises an eyebrow. "What are you smiling about?" he asks, pulling a shirt over his head.

I sit up, my grin widening. "Just thinking about how lucky I am."

He rolls his eyes at that, but the small smile on his lips gives him away. "You're ridiculous."

"Only for you, my little star," I say, my voice teasing but filled with truth.

I'm still lost in thought, staring at Noelle as he moves around the room, my mind swimming with memories and a sense of contentment. He's everything I never knew I needed, and it amazes me how much he's changed my world just by being in it.

Suddenly, Noelle walks over to me, his footsteps light, and without a word, he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. The gesture is so simple, yet it sends a shockwave through me, making my heart skip a beat. I blink, caught off guard by how much that small touch affects me.

Before I can react, he's already turning to leave the room, his presence lingering in the air as the door softly clicks shut behind him. I'm left lying there, feeling the warmth of his lips still tingling on my skin, my heart thudding in my chest like I'm some lovesick fool.

And maybe I am.

A smile stretches across my face, wider and more genuine than I've felt in a long time. I sink deeper into the bed, lying there in a jolly, blissful haze. Noelle doesn't even realize how much power he holds over me.

For now, I'm just content to let that kiss replay in my mind as I soak in the happiness that comes with knowing he's mine.