Page 233 of Labor of Love

BLURB

Lothian wanted to find a mate, but going into heat at the prince’s ball was not how he’d wanted to do it. He’d planned to take his time and get to know a prospective mate first, not have one foisted upon him by fate and hormones.

Sir Ryland, one of the few alpha vampires able to control himself, offers to keep Lothian safe, but at what personal cost? And does Lothian really want him to resist?

It’s just one heat, but it will change both their lives forever.

1

Lothian felt the first stirrings of his heat as the musicians struck up a saltarello. A flush moved through him and his cheeks grew hot. He set down the glass of sweet wine he’d been drinking.

“Damn it. Not now.”

Beside him, Dante’s painted lips pursed. “Whatever is the matter?”

He fluttered his lashes at the other omega and shifted closer.

The second Dante scented him, his cheeks paled, leaving two bright spots of rouge. “Here?” He glanced around the hall, which was full of alphas, and cringed.

Lothian gritted his teeth as need twisted his belly. He covered his stomach with his hand, the satin of his gown warm against his palm. Even that small sensation seemed to add to his arousal. Tears stung his eyes. “It’s early by a week!”

Dante patted his hand. “It’s not ideal, true. But you are in a ballroom full of alpha vampires who would climb over each other to mate with such a lovely omega. Pick one and go enjoy yourself.”

“Damn it, Dante. I wanted to make a rational choice! Not a hasty, impassioned decision.”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic. Any of the males here would be suitable.” Dante waved his hand, gaze lingering on a tall russet-haired alpha in the corner.

Lothian didn’t agree. He hadn’t found one to his interest yet. Theoretically, he could simply retire and weather the heat on his own as he had for the past two. He could wait until he was once again coherent and choose an alpha to be his companion then. But enduring a heat without an alpha to satiate him was hellish, long, and painful.

And dangerous to his health.

Dante had convinced him to come to the Mates’ Ball for this very purpose. They had each gone through a few heats alone and didn’t want to do it again. But there were so many alphas and so few omegas that choosing a companion was difficult. He knew it was wrong to complain about having an embarrassment of riches, but it was tiring fielding so many suitors.

It was Prince Richard who had come up with the idea for these soirees. Any eligible alpha—that is, any alpha who had the means to care properly for a coveted omega—could attend and meet the best omegas in the kingdom. Of course, it was ultimately up to the omega to decide who they would bond with.

According to the prince, this offered a safe way for alphas and omegas to meet and get to know one another before the rush of hormones took control. Lothian had hoped to find a good, solid prospect and talk a bit, maybe dance. Now, his body was going to force his hand.

“Maybe it’s for the best,” Dante said, raising his eyebrows. “You are notoriously picky. Perhaps this is nature’s way of ensuring you make a choice.”

“Just because I refuse to be a slave to sensation doesn’t mean I’mpicky. I just think I should make this choice with my head, not my hole.”

Dante snorted. “And what about your heart?”

Lothian rolled his eyes. “Oh please. No one believes those old stories about fated mates.”

His friend sighed. “You’re so unromantic.”

Another wave of warmth rolled through Lothian and sweat popped out on his forehead. “Dante, help me.” Any second now, the alphas would scent him and possibly go into rut. It would be a complete disaster. They would fight each other to the death over a fertile omega in heat.

Dante set aside his wine. “All right, all right. Don’t panic. We’ll find you somewhere to hide while you wait it out. But you must make a decision before your next heat. This isn’t healthy!”

“I will. I swear. Just get me out of here.”

He supposed he could take the carriage back to their lodgings, but he wouldn’t be able to get there in time and the idea of experiencing a heat in a moving carriage alone sounded decidedly unpleasant.

Dante took his arm, and they hurried down the hall toward the retiring rooms. The swish of their skirts drew some attention. Several alphas called after them. Lothian fought with his urge to turn back and grab one of them and let nature take its course. He knew Dante would have, in his situation. But Lothian wanted to be sure about his companion, not driven by blinding desire.

He glanced back and caught sight of two alphas who had decided to follow them. “Double damn it. We have company.”

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