Page 4 of Omega Inked

Phoenix leads me out of the apartment, his hand tight on my wrist as we move quickly through the streets. I try to keep up with his long strides, but it's hard--my legs are shaking and my heart is pounding in my chest.

I'd better not be going into heat...but Phoenix's pheromones are doing something to me.

As we run, I can't help but think about the tattoo I was supposed to get. It feels like a missed opportunity--I could have been marked as mated, finally free from being pursued by alphas who think I belong to them.

But now, with the Enclave compromised, that dream feels like even more of a fantasy. I don't know what's going to happen to us--to me, or to Phoenix, or to any of the other omegas in the Enclave. All I know is that I'm scared, and that the only person I have to rely on is the alpha beside me.

We run for what feels like hours, finally arriving at a rundown motel on the outskirts of town. Phoenix leads me to a room at the end of a long, dimly lit hallway, and unlocks the door with a key that he pulls from his pocket.

"We'll be safe here for now," he says, pushing me inside the room.

It's small and dingy, with a musty smell that makes my nose wrinkle. But it's better than being on the street, and I'm grateful for Phoenix's protection.

"I'll go get us some food," he says, looking at me with a hint of concern. "Don't leave this room, no matter what."

I nod, feeling a little bit like a prisoner. I'm used to being confined, of course--as an omega, I can't exactly walk freely without attracting the wrong kind of attention. But being confined to this tiny room, with no idea what's going on outside, is a different kind of confinement.

He turns to go, and I raise my voice. "Wait!" I say. "Where are you going?"

He looks back at me. "Look, I...shit. I don't even know your name."

I swallow hard. "Olivia."

"Olivia.." he takes a step toward me, but heat simmers between us--and he thinks better of it and stops. "Look, Ember. I know you're scared. But I'm gonna take care of you, okay?"

"I don't mean to be offensive," I say, "but...why should I trust you?"

Phoenix's eyes darken, and for a moment, I'm almost afraid of him. But then he takes a deep breath and looks at me with a softer expression.

"Because I'm an alpha," he says, his voice low. "And as much as the world may try to make you think otherwise, that means something. I know I'm not perfect--I've done things I'm not proud of. But I can promise you this: I won't let anything happen to you."

His words send a shiver down my spine, and I can feel my body responding to his alpha pheromones. Part of me wants to run to him, to seek comfort in his embrace. But another part of me knows that I can't trust him--not completely.

"Okay," I say finally, after a long moment. "I'll trust you."

He nods, seeming relieved, and turns to go. "I'll be back soon," he calls over his shoulder.

And then he leaves me alone...with desire roiling in my gut.

This isn't gonna be easy.

2

Phoenix

Ican'tbelieveI'mdoing this.

The girl is a liability--I know that. I should have parted ways with her a long time ago, because our operation is too important to let her bring us all crashing down, but I can't.

Her scent is intoxicating, for one thing.

Plus...I see something in her.

Something that demands to be wild and free.

I sigh as I lean back against the wall outside the hotel room, desperate just to catch a breath. Being in that room with Olivia makes me nearly feral.

I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I can't help it. Her curves, her scent, her soft moans drive me crazy. Her body is fucking incredible, but her face is just as pretty--big brown eyes and short pink hair that looks perfect for hanging onto.

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