Page 68 of Desperate Omega

“What’s that?” asks Brik.

“When Thorus left here, he was covered from head to toe in that camouflaging paste. We’ll never be able to follow his scent.”

“Damn,” Brik says.

I spring to my feet inside the nest.

“You won’t need to follow his scent if you take me,” I say. “I can feel where Thorus is. I can lead you right to him. Now come on, let’s get ready…”

I start to move out of the nest, but in a flash, both of the alphas are on their feet, one on each side of me, clutching my arms, keeping me from taking another step. I look back and forth at both of them, and I see their faces are taut with concern.

“I don’t know about this, Syra,” Markus says.

“It’s incredibly dangerous,” adds Brik.

I appreciate their protectiveness, but there’s no way in hell I’m going to let them leave me behind.

“Listen,” I say. “I understand it’s dangerous for me to go with you, but it’s even more dangerous for me to stay. Thorus is my mate now, the same as both of you are. If he dies, that would be a thousand times worse for me than any danger that might be waiting for us outside this cave. If you really want to protect me, you’ll let me come with you. You’ll let me help you find Thorus.”

Gradually, Brik loosens his grip on my arm. It seems I’ve managed to convince him. Markus, however, is still holding firm.

“You’re forgetting one thing,” he says.

“What’s that?”

“Your scent.”

CHAPTER 28: MARKUS

Her scent.

Her omega scent.

The nest is filled with it. Hell, the whole damn cave is filled with it.

And my body is filled with it too.

I can feel it coursing through my blood like wine, making me drunk with lust. I feel guilty for being aroused at a time like this, while Thorus is apparently in trouble, but I cannot help it. The hardness in my cock, the aching in my balls, the urge to shove Syra down and rut her until she screams for mercy. All these things are instinctual, my body’s natural reaction to her heat-scent.

If we let Syra leave the cave, any alphas who are nearby will smell it too, and their reactions will be the same as mine. She cannot safely lead us to Thorus while she’s still in such a state.

“The paste,” Syra suggests. “You said Thorus used the camouflaging paste to hide his scent when he left, right? There must be more of it.”

Brik shakes his head. “It won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“Your scent’s too powerful, Syra. That paste is strong, but not that strong. It can mask the odor of an alpha, or even an ordinary omega—but an omega in heat…?” He shakes his head again.

I have to agree with Brik’s assessment. The paste is not strong enough to conceal the scent of a heat-stricken omega. Plus, Syra’s heat is especially intense. No amount of paste would be able to hide her.

But there is another way.

“Syra,” I say. “Just how far are you willing to go to help Thorus?”

“I’ll do anything,” she says, her face hardening with resolve. “I would give my life for him if necessary. I would give my life for all of you.”

She’s dead serious.