Page 9 of Taken By the Pack

“Shower’s through the door,” I say, stopping at the base of the stairs.

She glances back at me, her cheeks flushed, her lips parted slightly. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me,” I mumble, turning away before I do something fucking stupid.

The sound of the water running in the bathroom grates against my nerves. My head’s a fucking mess. This is bad. This is so bad.

I drag a hand through my hair, pacing like a damn caged animal. Since Lena… I haven’t been with anyone. No one but my own fucking hand.

And now, out of nowhere,thiswalks into my sanctuary. A goddamn Omega. Her scent still lingers, even with the water masking most of it—floral, sweet, and... wet.

It’s making my cock come to life.

I stop mid-stride, gripping the back of the couch. “Get a grip, Rowan. Just walk the fuck away.”

But I don’t. Instead, I head to the closet and yank out one of my oldest sweatshirts, the kind that’s two sizes too big for her, and a pair of old sweatpants. Something to cover her up, at least. That should help.

The water shuts off, and I freeze again. My chest is tight, and my fists clench around the fabric in my hands.

She steps out, the bathroom door creaking slightly. Her skin’s blotchy, like she scrubbed herself raw, and her breathing is still ragged. But it’s the towel that does me in.

It’s clinging to her, barely covering what it’s supposed to, and water is sliding down her neck, over her collarbone...

Fuck me.

She looks up, her amber eyes meeting mine. They’re glowing—an Omega in heat. It’s unmistakable.

“What’s your name?” she whispers shakily.

“Rowan,” I manage, my throat dry as sandpaper. I toss the clothes to the floor, unable to bring myself to step closer.

She nods and admits, “This… this has never happened before.”

I try to breathe, try to focus, but her scent is still there, still driving me insane. “What do you mean, ‘never happened?’”

“I take suppressants,” she says, her eyes darting to the floor, then back up at me.

Suppressants. Yeah, they don’t mean shit when you’re this close to an Alpha.

“Clearly, they’re not working,” I bite out, my voice pitched low. My fists are digging into my thighs now. I’m desperate for control. “You shouldn’t have come here.”

“I didn’t mean to,” she says, and I can see her hands shaking.

I take a step back, trying to create space between us, but it doesn’t help. Her scent clings to the air, and the sound of her breathing only makes it worse.

“I can’t… I can’t leave,” she says, eyes wide and pleading.

“Fuck,” I grit out under my breath.

She whimpers, and I’m done. My body moves before my brain can stop it, stepping closer until her scent completely surrounds me.

I dip my head toward her neck, just to breathe her in, to confirm what I already know.

“You’re an Alpha,” she whispers, and her voice trembles even more.

“Yes,” I growl, hands twitching at my sides.

“Please don’t hurt me,” she says. Her amber eyes are wide with fear and something else—something primal.

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