“Ren,” I whimper in pain. An overwhelming urge for release and connection comes over me. “I need you. Please.”
TWELVE
Ren
“I need you,” Faye pleads.
It took everything I have not to claim her against the shelves. She’s always smelled incredible, but this? It’s intense, thick with lust, and the heady aroma of melted vanilla with honeycomb. Her perfume has a comforting edge, bringing out my caretaker side, making me want to tuck her into bed and curl up beside her to keep her warm. But it’s also buzzing with an undercurrent of something else. A deep, primal element that makes me want to strip her naked until she claws my back and moans my name.
“You’ve got me, Faye,” I try to sound reassuring. “I’m right here.”
It’s hard to think straight with my aching teeth and every urge screaming to claim her.
Her glimmering brown eyes are filled with terror, confusion … and lust. God, I could drown in those exquisite pools of hers.
I don’t let her go as I usher her out of the library, shrouding her in my scent. I’m not a violent person, but I’ll kill any alpha who so much as looks in her direction while she’s like this.
I release extra pheromones into the air in hopes of concealing her. While it’s not something I’ve done before, I’ve read about it—though it usually only happens when an alpha is bonded to an omega—and it seems to be working.
As soon as we’re out of the library, I get ready to call Cole, my pack leader.
“Please, Ren,” Faye tugs on my sleeve. “I need you. I need a knot.”
She doesn’t know what she’s saying. This is the heat talking, and as much as I’d like to give her what she wants, I won’t take advantage of her when she’s in this state.
“You don’t know what you’re asking, Faye.”
Her bottom lip quivers. “Y-you don’t w-want me?”
I’ve never wanted anything more than I want her right now, but she won’t even remember this conversation in a few days. When an omega enters heat, it’s like going into a trance with the sole goal of chasing desire and relief. As an alpha, it’s my job to take care of her.
“Of course, I do.” I hope I’m saying the right things. “But we need to get you somewhere safe. Someplace comfortable where you can rest, all wrapped up in blankets. Okay?”
I’ve never seen an omega’s nest before, but in case we ever find one who wants to join our pack, I’ve done enough research and stalked enough forums to know exactly what most omegas like.
“I could take you to the wellness center?” I offer. It’s not too far away, and I worry we won’t make it back to Stella House before Faye enters full-blown heat.
“No!” She pouts like a toddler having a tantrum. “You said you wouldn’t leave me!”
When she holds onto me even tighter, I pat her on the back, feeling like a total dick for even suggesting it. The SVU wellness center has strict rules on unauthorized alphas entering for safety reasons.
“It’s okay.” I run my palm up and down her spine. “I’m here.”
“No wellness center,” she insists. “Promise me. Promise you won’t leave. I need you.”
In that moment, she perfumes again. And I’m fucking gone. I can smell her slick through her sundress. I know this omega is mine, so I’m not going anywhere. Who was I kidding? There’s no way I’d ever leave her at the wellness center.
“I’ll take you to my pack house.” I turn us that way. “Does that sound good, baby?”
It’s closer than anywhere else I can think of. We can’t rent a cabin with this short notice, and I can’t enter Omega Village. But I’m still out of my depth. I’ve done my best until this point, but I’ve got no experience with omegas in heat.
“You smell so good.” She rubs her cheeks into my shirt, scenting me, then she doubles over in pain. “It hurts so bad.”
“How long do your heats normally last?” I ask. “Do they come on quickly?”
“I-I I don’t know,” she whimpers. “I’ve only ever had one true heat before. My first time. I’m… I’m scared, Ren.”
“Come on.” Thankfully, I don’t see many alphas around. “I’m going to call for some help, okay?”
