Page 11 of Feral: Part One

Or maybe that it will so I don’t have to suffer through this bullshit.

Malik lets out a low, sultry laugh that fills the pool house. “You’re nothing like the other ones. It’s refreshing. It’s also dangerous as fuck. If you need something, use the house phone to call me.”

I glance around, spotting a dusty rotary phone on the table by the bed that looks like it hasn’t been used in a while. A scrap of paper sits next to it, numbers scrawled across it. I assume that it’s Malik’s number. I look back at him, my frown deepening. “Why is this not more weird? You just fucked me. I clawed your fucking chest and your cum is currently leaking out of me.”

I look down again to see the mess of sweat and come. The scars along my torso showcase yet another part of my existence that I usually keep hidden, my body tired and swollen from the stress of my heat. When I look up, I see that Malik’s staring as well.Asshole.

“Slate, I’d do more if it weren’t for the circumstances. It’s one of the perks. You’re sexy as fuck but Kael is in a mood and I’m not sure if he’d tear off your head or mine or both, so I’m going to refrain from sticking my dick in you again. For now.” He points to a little alcove that opens up behind the bathroom. “There’s a small kitchenette over there and I’ll be back to stock the fridge. If there’s anything you want specifically, just ask and I’ll see if it’s available.”

I have so many goddamn questions about this place and what’s really going to happen but now that I’ve been fucked, I just want another shower and sleep. So, I just nod. “Stay here for a year. Don’t make any trouble. Got it. From one prison to another, I suppose.”

“I’m not sure why you expected anything different. Eat. You look like you’re gonna keel over. Don’t do anything stupid either. You might be different from the other Omegas, but they all tried to run at least once. There’s nowhere to go in here and even if you do make it out of the house and past the main house, there’snot much beyond the gates that isn’t owned by Wolfscorge. You’ll get shot before you ever see civilization and I don’t know where those people end up. For your sake? Just let it happen.”

He heads for the front door and then turns at the last second. “Dildos are in the closet and Slate?”

“Huh?”

“Try not to need me.”

Then he’s gone and I’m greeted by an uncomfortable silence, panic trying to ruin the little bit of peace I’ve been given.

Preston

The shower’s left me feeling better, the hot water washing away the nausea that’s been plaguing me all morning. My skin’s still warm, my curls damp and clinging to my neck as I straddle Thane’s thigh in the kitchen, his hands splayed over my belly beneath my lace robe. It’s my favorite one, soft and sheer and this light peach that matches my nest. It’s Kael’s favorite too, the way it hugs my curves, my pregnant belly starting to protrude.

My head lolls on Thane’s shoulder as I watch Kael on the other side of the kitchen, my Alpha poring over paperwork like something is just going to jump out at him. We’ve been over absolutely everything these past three years and nothing has made sense. We were framed, that much is obvious and thensomeone pulled strings to get us locked away in here so that we couldn’t even fight for our innocence.

Our last names were stripped from us and for all intents and purposes, we’re dead to the world. Kael and Thane have been trying to connect the dots ever since but I don’t care anymore. I never thought I’d find a pack in the men I was working with and now I’m theirs, an Omega who’s finally found a home. But something’s off since they brought that new Omega this morning. My instincts are buzzing, a mix of jealousy and curiosity, and I just want to meet the guy. I always get to meet the Omegas before we decide how to break them, so why’s this one different?

Thane’s hands slide lower, his fingers tracing the swell of my belly, and I shift, my robe slipping open as the lace brushes my thighs. Where Kael is dominant, Thane is possessive with his touch. He likes to prove who I belong to, to show me off, to parade me around as his. Kael will drag me into the back room for a fuck. Thane? He has no problem bending me over during the Saturday markets and knotting me when I won’t stop running my mouth.

I lean into his touch, loving that they’re a little more hands-on since this new Omega arrived. Kael glances up, his blue eyes catching mine, a flicker of heat there before he goes back to his papers. I’m about to call him on his priorities when the door creaks open and Malik steps inside. He smells like the new Omega, a mixture of danger and lavender, my gaze narrowing.

My Omega wants to be pissed but I’m already hard, slick gathering in my panties. Malik just chuckles as he steps up to me. “Baby, absolutely not. Not this Omega.”

I sit up straighter, my hands braced over Thane’s on my belly, irritation flaring through me. “Why the fuck not? I can take care of myself.” I don’t need to be coddled. Weallgot caught and brought to Wolfscorge.

Malik drags me by the chin into a rough kiss, forcing his tongue into my mouth until I’m a puddle of need. I melt into it, my body betraying me, but pull back when he sits down at the kitchen bar. “Because this Omega is feral, and we’re not letting you get hurt,” he says. “I know you’re very capable, love, but you don’t have to be. Not anymore.”

I huff, crossing my arms, my robe slipping further, exposing the lace panties beneath. Thane’s hand drifts lower, grabbing my cock through the fabric, and I groan before slapping at his hand, my cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and desire. “Stop it,” I mutter, but there’s no heat in it. I turn back to Malik, my frown deepening. “Is the Omega not even allowed in the house? Do I not even get a name?”

Thane kisses my cheek, his beard scraping my skin. “It’s Slate and he’s pretty.”

“Now you’re just torturing me.” Through the bonds, I can just feel him and it’s not good. Worse, Kael’s pissed off about it and I know more than anyone, he doesn’t want me anywhere near this… Slate.

Kael looks up again, his eyes meeting mine. “Preston, drop it.” It’s a warning I’m supposed to listen to but I’m not in the mood to submit, not today.

“Why?” I snap, sliding off Thane’s thigh. “You bring in a new Omega, bond him—sure it’s temporary, and I don’t even get to see him? What’s so dangerous about him that I can’t handle it?” I know the horror stories about feral Omegas but he doesn’t reallyfeelferal from what I can tell through the bond. He’s scared and confused but feral? I just… something is off.

Malik sighs as he holds out a hand, tugging me to him when I grab it. My brows furrow as I catch Slate’s scent all over him, my hands wandering before falling on a knot ring in my Beta’s pocket. “Baby, Slate’s not like the others.” He cups my cheek in his hand, pressing a soft kiss to my nose. “He’s got massive scarsalong his chest and stomach. He’s been rejected from packs multiple times which is why he’s feral.”

It makes sense why Slate was sent to Wolfscorge—to be broken. But I still don’t understand why the Omega has to stay out there. Maybe I just need something new to dig into. I’m not sure. “So he’s just… what? Out there alone? For a year?”

Thane lets out an annoyed sigh, tilting his head as he sprawls out in his chair. “He’s not your problem, little one,” he murmurs. “You’ve got enough to carry.”

“I just want to know who he is,” I say, quieter now, my voice almost a plea. “I always meet them. I don’t know why I need to but I do.” My brows furrow a little before I snuggle into Malik’s chest, drinking in the mixture of my Beta and this new Omega. Malik definitely fucked him but I don’t know why it bothers me. We always fuck the Omega. But the fact that I won’t get to…

Tears well up in my eyes as I dig my fingers into Malik’s chest, my Beta hissing at the contact. I pull back just enough to see several slits in his shirt, blood seeping into the dark fabric. The Omega marked my Beta.

---