Page 65 of Pack Dutton: Part One

“I know,” he replied, his tone patient and gentle. “But there’s also the fact that your heat is still lingering.”

Tears pricked the backs of my eyes. “I hate this,” I hissed. “I hate being a freaking omega.”

He winced. “I know it’s a lot?—”

“No, Crew, you don’t,” I exploded, the torrent of fear, shame, and desperation finally breaking free. “I had no idea what was happening to me. Why my body wanted something that I didn’t.” I slammed a hand over my chest. “Do you have any idea what that’s like? To just be a slave to your damn hormones? To hate the person touching you, but your body acts like it wants it?”

Fire blazed in his eyes. “Yes, I do. Alphas have those same urges when we go into rut. It takes time, but you can learn how to handle those urges.”

I threw up my hands. “Well, apparently I’m out of time because I’m still in heat and it’s only a matter of time before—” I cut myself off abruptly, feeling my cheeks flame.

“You don’t have to censor yourself around me, little omega,” he said, the gravel in his voice made my insides flip.

“I want a choice,” I whispered, the fight draining out of me all at once and leaving me feeling more lost than ever.

Crew was silent for a beat, then he reached out. I gasped at the feel of his rough hand wrapping around my fingers. “You have a choice, Hazel. You’ll always have a choice.”

A sheen of tears blurred my vision. “Can’t the doctors give me something to stop my heat? I mean, there has to be some way?—”

He shook his head. “We already went through this, baby, remember? It’s too dangerous.”

“I’ll sign a waiver,” I added.

His eyes narrowed. “You’re not putting your life at risk, Hazel. That’s non-negotiable.”

“Crew—”

“Besides, it’s illegal to stop an unmated omega’s heat,” he added bitterly.

“What?” I frowned. “But I remember seeing commercials for heat suppressants when I was growing up.”

He nodded and swallowed roughly. “Yeah, but congress passed federal legislation last fall that made it illegal for unmated omegas to use suppressants. They’re allowed if a pack gives their omega permission to use them, and even then, the prescription is written out to the pack leader alone.”

My heart clenched. “Why would they do that?”

“Because they can,” he retorted, eyes flashing. “I told you, Haze, a lot has changed since you’ve been gone, and most of it isn’t good. Not for omegas.”

“So it doesn’t actually matter that I escaped Donovan,” I realized. “Now I’m just someone else’s property.”

“No.” Crew squeezed my hand hard. “Hell, no.”

I let out a caustic laugh and tugged my hand free. “Aren’t you the one who told the hospital that I’m your omega.”

“That was to protect you,” he argued.

“I’ve had a lot of people do stuff to protect me,” I hissed.

A knock sounded at the door.

“I am trying to protect you, Hazel,” Crew said, getting up. “Maybe this will help prove it.” He crossed the room to open the door.

A tornado of blonde and purple whirled into the room, barrelling straight at me. The body slammed into me, arms winding around my neck as she practically scrambled into my lap.

“Easy,” Crew barked.

“It’s you. It’s really you.” The fresh scents of lilies and honey were like a familiar hug, and my childhood best friend pulled back long enough for me to see her bright blue eyes swimming with tears.

“Calla,” I managed to choke out before hugging her back.

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