“Maybe you should try acting like less of an ass.” I cross my arms. “At least you can actually control that.”
His lips part in surprise for a fraction of a second, briefly giving me a sense of satisfaction. This moody alpha needs putting in his place.
He’s so close now that I can practically taste his fury: storm clouds, rain, and scorched earth. His whole body quakes with rage, but I stand my ground. Running is what he wants me to do. He may be happy to keep hiding from me, but I refuse to cower in his wake.
“Leave, Faye.”
The way my name rolls off his tongue, like rumbling thunder, makes my knees quiver.
“Is that what you really want?” I sound breathier than before, unsure whether it’s from my indignation or being incredibly turned-on.
His bare chest is mere inches away, giving me a close-up of his deliciously sculpted abs. Swirling black and gray ink wraps around his torso, starting on the left of his chest then curling up his shoulder and down his arm.
He grits his teeth. “Are you always so damn difficult?”
“Why are you really avoiding me?” I counter. “I know it’s not just because of my scent. There’s more to it.”
“Let it go.” He grips the skin between his dark gray eyes. “Whatever I do is for the good of the pack.”
“From where I’m standing, you’re only pushing everyone away.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he bites back. “Are you mad because I’m not bowing at your feet like the others? Do you want me to spend money on stupid gifts?”
“If you spent two minutes actually talking to me, you’d know I don’t care about anything like that!” My angry words come out through gritted teeth. “Do you get off on acting so self-righteous?”
His jaw clenches while a sharp, stabbing pain in the pit of my stomach makes me double over in pain. A burning-hot flush races through me, like a spring has snapped deep inside me, and I’m losing control.
“Faye?” I jump at Damon’s hands on my shoulders, scorching my skin. His voice is full of worry. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
I struggle to draw in a deep inhale, feeling like an army of fire ants is eating me alive.
“Not now,” I whine, more to myself than to him. “Please, no.”
“Fuck.” Realization of what’s happening dawns on him. “I can’t be here.”
“No!” I wrap my arms around him. I can’t let him go! “Don’t leave me, Damon. Please.”
“Shit,” he groans. “Let me get the others.”
“No, please!” I cling onto him. He’s so wide that it’s like hugging a tree trunk. “Stay with me.”
His body is still quivering as he reluctantly wraps his arms around me in a sheltering embrace. With his heart thundering against my cheek, he gingerly cradles me, like he’s afraid I’ll break.
“I need to get you help, Faye,” he murmurs. “Where are your heat patches? We have emergency ones somewhere… Fuck!”
“I’m already wearing one.” I put one on earlier as a precautionary measure. “I don’t think…” Ugh, I can’t think straight. “I-I don’t think they’re working anymore. I need…” I whimper as my cramps ramp up. This heat is hitting me like a freight train. When it comes, it’ll take everything from me. “I need a knot, Damon.”
“You don’t know what you’re asking.” He genuinely sounds terrified. “I can’t, Faye. I just can’t, okay? No matter how much I may want to.”
His rejection is like a sucker punch to the gut.
“What’s wrong with me?” My eyes sting from holding back tears. “Why don’t you want me?”
“You still think I don’t want you?” His shaggy hair falls over his face as he shakes his head. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything; that’s the fucking problem.” At his words, my perfume blooms, filling the room. My scent blocking panties are soaked through, slick dripping down my inner thighs.
His jaw tenses. “We need to get you out of here. Now.”
“I need?—”
