Page 14 of Dance Omega Dance

I knew that tone. Protective. Reasonable. Still, something in me bristled.

No. Not now. Not after everything. I would not be folded away, fragile and forgotten. I could still feel the adrenaline in my veins, sharp and bright. My leg ached, sure, but my mind was clear.I was clear.

I straightened, pain tugging at me like a warning I refused to heed, and smiled, cool and unwavering. “I’m fine,” I said, the words cutting clean through the tension. “And I want to help.” My gaze slid to Blake. “Besides, I’ve got a doctor right here if anything goes wrong.”

Zach let out a low laugh, eyes glinting with approval. “I like her,” he said, stepping closer with that easy swagger. “She’s got spirit. We need that.”

Anders nodded, his smile warm, matching the gentleness in his eyes. “It’s a good thing,” he said, steady as ever. “We all need to come together right now.”

Blake didn’t answer at first. He just watched me. Really watched me. His gaze was sharp, assessing... but there was something softer underneath, something approving.

Finally, he gave a quiet sigh, almost like he already knew I wouldn’t back down. “Alright,” he said. “But stay close. And if that leg acts up, youtellme. Don’t push yourself too far.”

I nodded, something fierce and alive rising in my chest. “I promise.”

And for the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t just surviving. I waspartof something. I was choosing.

Chapter Six

The ground still grumbled beneath my bare feet as I stumbled through the rubble, maintaining my balance with difficulty. Dust choked the air and coated my tongue. My body ached, the pain sharpening with every step. I wrapped an arm around my ribs to brace against it. Around me, the world had turned to chaos and ruin.

Cries of terror and agony rose from every direction, piercing the relentless rumbling that still echoed from deep within the earth. Buildings that had stood straight before, now tilted at unnatural angles, while chunks of brick and concrete were strewn across the buckled streets. Glass shards glittered like jagged diamonds in the ash-smeared sunlight, and I stepped carefully to avoid them cutting my feet.

I coughed, my lungs rebelling against the thick, dusty air, and scanned the Hellscape for any sign of safety. Survivors staggered by, faces blank with shock beneath streaks of blood and grime. A woman clutched a wailing baby to her chest, eyes wide and unseeing. An elderly man sat on a shattered curb, staring at the broken remains of his cane.

Pain lanced up my leg as I pivoted to avoid a toppled street lamp. I gasped, black spots dancing at the edges of my vision. Gritting my teeth, I forged ahead, refusing to let my weakened body stop me. I was an omega, alone in a world fractured by disaster... showing vulnerability was not an option.

"Summer!" A deep voice sliced through the destruction, commanding and urgent.

I spun towards it, ignoring the scream of protest from my battered muscles. Blake had stopped ahead, his gaze sharp as it flicked to me, taking in my struggles. His powerful form cut an imposing figure against the backdrop of ruin. Even with his chiseled features streaked with soot, and his dark hair disheveled, he radiated unwavering authority and strength.

His piercing blue eyes swept over me, taking in the way I favored my left side. His brow furrowed, and lips pursed. "We need to get to the epicenter," he said as he reached my side. "Emergency services will be focused there."

No matter the fact that I’d sworn to stay away from alphas, a treacherous part of me responded to the underlying protectiveness in his words. I'd carved out my independence with blood and sweat; I didn't need an alpha charging in to save me.

"I’ll get there myself," I bit out as he looped his arm around me, my voice rough with pain.

Blake's eyes narrowed. "Don't be stubborn Summer. You're hurt and you have no shoes."

"I'm fine," I lied, straightening my spine and nearly biting through my lip as agony ripped through my side.

His jaw tightened, a muscle flexing as he wrestled with the urge to throw me over his shoulder and carry me off. I glared at him, daring him to try it. After a tense moment, he exhaled harshly.

"This isn't about your pride," he growled. "The city's in crisis. Let me help you so we can help others."

I wavered. He was right, damn him. Every second we spent arguing was a second someone else went without aid.

Swallowing my protestations, I gave a tight nod. "Fine. Let's go."

Relief and approval warmed his gaze before he stepped forward, reaching for me. I flinched instinctively, and regret flickered over his face.

"I'm going to pick you up again," he warned, his deep voice gentling slightly. "It'll be faster and easier on your leg."

Rationally, I knew he was right. But the fierce, independent part of me still balked at the idea of being cradled in an alpha's arms, even if that hunk of an alpha was Blake Valensky.

Mouth dry, I gave another jerky nod. Permission granted, he closed the remaining distance between us. Strong arms slid beneath my knees and behind my shoulders, gathering me to his chest with infinite care as he lifted me like I was made of spun glass.

I gritted my teeth against a gasp when my body molded against the solidity of his. Heat radiated from him, seeping through my torn and dusty clothing. This close, his rain scent filled my lungs, wild and enticing despite the destruction surrounding us.

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