“What the fuck do you mean you don’t know?”
He shrugs a shoulder as if it's not a big deal. “Never knotted an omega before you.”
“Why me? When you could literally have any other omega in that basement. I’m sure they would’ve been bending over backward to get you to notice them.” My voice shatters on a sob. I can't hold it in anymore. What am I going to do?
The beating of my chest is loud in my ears, and I can hear each of my shallow breaths as if a pin has fallen. “But there has to be a way, right? I didn’t mark you. So, it’s not a full bond. I’m sure we can get it figured out.” I’m talking out loud. Maybe I’m trying to give my mind some modicum of control. Because right now, I have none.
Strong hands grab my biceps and pull me in. A few seconds later, I’m wrapped tightly to his body. A hiccup erupts from the tears I’ve started to shed.
“Shhh… it’ll be okay, little omega. You’re mine now. I’ll care for you. No one can ever hurt you again.” His words have my back going ramrod straight. Those words have to be a coincidence. I didn’t know him before tonight, and I still don’t even know his name. Making a note to ask him for his name, I settle.
Numbness has taken over. The combination of his strong arms, his scent, and his knot has satisfied the omega. He is caring for us, giving us attention and love. I’ve always craved it, and to finally get it in the arms of a stranger would and should make me uncomfortable, but a small part of me feels safe in these arms. I can’t explain it. I don’t want to. All I know is that once his knot deflates, I’m getting the hell out of dodge, with or without Nova.
I may feel safe, but I’m terrified of what this all means.
As if the world has deemed us attached long enough, his knot releases, cum and slick sliding down my thighs onto the hard ground. I can’t tell you if it’s been ten minutes or thirty. I get to my feet slowly, feeling dizzy. How did this happen?
The silence between us now is deafening. I have no idea what to say… or what to think? He keeps giving me a curiously concerned look but holds back from asking me.
A large hand is held out to me as he waits for me to take it. Do I trust him? No, but the damage is done. Tate is every bit alpha, feral and dangerous. He has the muscles, the touch that sets my skin alive and makes my heart pound. I’ve never been this drawn to someone before, and if he hadn’t marked me, then maybe I’d want to give this a try, but I wasn’t given a choice.
I shakily gesture to the ground behind him before cradling my arms around my middle. Vulnerability creeps out, permeating the atmosphere as I stand here half-naked. “Can I have my pants, please?” Doing as I request, he grabs them and hands them to me. Quickly, I dress, and the elephant on my stomach drops a few pounds.
The urge to run burns through my veins. My omega is on edge. We’re mated to an alpha we don’t know. Dread pours through my mind at the idea that he might make me stay. But there’s a small part of me that has an emptying sadness even thinking about being parted from him so soon.
He’s already confessed the sickening desire to tie me up in his basement.
Fresh air. My lungs are craving it. All I can smell is him, and the bond tingles slightly between us. Sadistic joy radiates along the bond, even though his face doesn’t currently convey it.
Hugging myself again, I stare at the ground. “I don’t want to be here anymore.”
“We can’t be separated after I’ve marked you… it’ll cause physical pain.” His voice is firm, like he’s trying to keep his emotions in check. At this point, I’d rather deal with physical pain over the emotional pain of learning I’m mated to a stranger.
I stand lost in his stare, completely clothed, but I still feel naked. Tears pool in my eyes and burn when I don’t release them. My head spins, and soon, the sadness turns to anger. “Come on, let’s go inside. I’ll get you a drink, and we can chat about what happens next.” I nod my agreement, knowing that as soon as he leaves my side, I’m gone. He’s still an alpha, though, so I’ll need to be careful. He’s already proven that he loves the chase.
We meet up with a few other couples by the porch before, then head into his house. His house. As in he lives here on a permanent basis. It kind of blows my mind.
The guys nod hello as if they already know each other, and I blush, thinking that they’ve found out what happened tonight. How will this alpha spin it? Fuck, why do I care? Because he took the decision from you, the human part of my brain whispers.
Music vibrates the floor inside the house. Warmth spreads throughout the house from so many people now crowding into the main rooms. The number of people has grown substantially since Nova and I arrived. Or maybe I was so focused on this alpha that I didn’t pay attention. A large, warm hand touches the small of my back, pulling me from the thoughts tormenting my mind and the crowd currently taking up his living room.
“Drinks are in the kitchen. Do you want to come with me or just hang out here and watch these weirdos dance?” I bare him a brief gaze before turning back to the room. I can’t look at him right now or I'll lose my resolve to leave.
“I’ll be here.” I smile, hoping that it comes through in my voice, but I know it doesn’t. He has to know I’m ready to run. Itching for relief.
The heat of his eyes boring into me sends a shiver up my spine. Leaning in, he kisses my temple. “I’ll be right back. Don’t move.” The command comes out in a low and deadly growl. The alpha knows my omega’s plans and doesn’t like it one bit, but I don’t have a choice.
I watch him walk away from me. Giving him a few minutes, I eye my escape routes, noting that the side door seems to be the most hidden and least obvious. Couches are pushed back, brushing against the walls in the living room, leaving room in the middle for dancing.
Although, what’s happening on that fake dance floor is way more than simply dancing. Half of the omegas are in a different stage of undress while the alphas they’re dancing with let their hands roam freely. There’s a couple in the corner, sitting on a couch, and just talking. You can tell that he’s definitely nervous in his posture. The need to help him tries to take over, but I resist. I don’t have time.
Taking one more look in the direction Tate departed to, I make my move. My ass gets grabbed more than once as I try and squeeze my way through all these people. I clench my fists in annoyance.
It takes a few minutes, but I finally get to the door. It squeaks as I slide it open, step through, and then shut it gently behind me. The sky is pitch black, and the wind from earlier has picked up, leaving behind a chill in its wake. I glance back at the house once more, hoping that I don’t see him following me. There’s confusion simmering in the bond, and I have to guess that he can’t find me.
For a brief second, I worry about Nova, but she’s with Gunnar. He may never admit it, but there’s something between them. Now, whether thats just being fuck buddies or more, I’m not really sure. He looks at her, though, as if she’s dressed up in a dirty little nurses slut outfit only for him. It must be like Christmas every day for that guy. Seeing as how she’s on the Ice Crew and sees him often enough.
I sigh and turn towards the road. The desire to take another woods adventure sounds like way too much right now. Pulling out my phone, I notice that I don’t have very much battery life left, and I need to call a ride to come pick me up.