Page 30 of Taken By the Pack

“Aw, come on, sweetheart,” one of them says, his voice dripping with fake charm. “We’re just being friendly.”

“I said leave me alone.”

One of them laughs, a deep, menacing sound that makes my stomach twist. Before I can react, he grabs my arm and spins me around. His grip is tight, and his breath reeks of alcohol.

“Don’t be like that,” he says, leaning in too close.

“Get off me!” I shout, trying to pull away.

And then I hear it—a voice that cuts through the chaos like a knife.

“Let her go.”

I whip my head around and see Rowan standing a few feet away, his posture relaxed but his eyes burning with intent. He looks dangerous in a way that sends a weird, confusing jolt through me.

Is it relief? Maybe.

The Alphas hesitate, looking him over.

“Who the fuck are you?” one of them sneers.

“She’s my Omega,” Rowan says, his voice steady and cold. “You’ve got three seconds to walk away.”

“Don’t see any marks claiming her,” the other Alpha says, smirking.

Rowan steps closer, his expression darkening. “Do I look like someone you want to test right now?”

Before the situation can escalate, I hear the roar of a motorcycle engine. Jake pulls up, parking his bike with a screech that sends gravel flying. He steps off, his leather jacket catching the late afternoon sun.

“What’s going on here?” Jake asks, his voice calm but deadly.

The Alphas exchange a glance, clearly rethinking their life choices.

“Just having a chat,” one of them mutters, letting go of my arm.

“Walk away,” Jake says, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The two Alphas back off, grumbling under their breath as they retreat. Once they’re out of sight, the tension in my body drains, leaving me shaky and exhausted.

“You all right?” Jake asks, his eyes scanning me for any sign of injury.

I nod, swallowing hard. “Yeah. Thanks.”

Rowan doesn’t say anything, just stares at me with an intensity that makes my skin heat up.

“I’ll walk you to the shop,” Jake says. He doesn’t ask why I’m walking alone at this hour or where I’ve left my car this time.

“I’m fine,” I say quickly, but my voice wavers.

“You’re not fine,” Rowan cuts in. “You’re an Omega walking around alone, smelling like you’re in heat. You’re a target.”

I glare at him. “I can take care of myself.”

“Clearly,” Rowan says, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Jake steps between us, holding up a hand. “All right, enough. Let’s just get her back to her shop safely, yeah?”

I look between them, my frustration warring with the weird, tangled mess of emotions swirling in my chest. There’s relief there, and gratitude, and something else I don’t want to name.

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