“I…” It’s pathetic, but tears prickle in my eyes. I bite my lip and will them not to fall. I refuse to cry in front of this terrifying, yet totally hot stranger, giving him another opportunity to remind me that I’m a fool. “I-I-I didn’t?—”
“Didn’t think?” He rakes his hands through his wavy hair and sighs, dispersing more of his scent. “Clearly.”
“Are you…?” I gulp, fearing the alpha group will descend any second. “With them?”
“The football team?” He looks over my shoulder and scoffs. “No, but it looks like they’re pissed.” His lips stretch into a satisfied half-smile before it swiftly vanishes again. “They were looking for an omega for their treasure hunt. It’s SVU tradition. Didn’t you see their uniform?”
Now I feel even stupider.
“I thought they…” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter.” I stare at the ground, wishing it would swallow me up. “I’m sorry for bothering you.”
“Next time, if you’re going to run, you should at least look where you’re going.”
“Yes, sorry… I’m sorry… I…” I gulp down the lump in my throat, doing all I can to hold it together. “Sorry.”
“Are you hurt?”
I tilt my head to the side in confusion. “Hurt?”
“You fell.” He states the obvious. “Maybe you have a concussion.”
“I’m fine, really.” I cringe at the thought of walking into the emergency room to explain that I bumped my head by running into an alpha. “Sorry again for bothering you.”
I turn to walk away when he calls, “Wait!”
He grabs my shoulder, making my entire body jolt like I’ve been hit by lightning. I spin to see the moody alpha. He opens his mouth to speak, his pupils dilated. Does he feel a connection too? Then he scowls and points in the opposite direction. “Omega Village is that way.”
Nope, no connection. My touch-starved brain must be reading into things that aren’t there. Thank God it’s dark, so he can’t see my blush.
“S-sorry.”
Rigid creases bracket his mouth, telling me this only irks him more. “Do you say anything other than ‘sorry’?”
I open my mouth to apologize again but catch myself just in time.
“I’m walking you to the gate.” He narrows his dazzling green eyes at me. Their color against the paleness of his skin has a startling effect. “Before you injure anyone else.”
Arguing seems futile, so I don’t protest. As we walk in silence, I trot along by his side, struggling to keep up with his quick pace. He’s over a foot taller than me—6′3′′, at least. Despite his intimidating appearance and moody scowl, being in his presence makes me feel … safe.
Goose bumps pop up over my arms, and I suppress a shiver. Apparently, I don’t do a good job of hiding my coldness as Mr. Moody huffs and stops abruptly. He pulls off his black hoodie then thrusts it at me. “Here.”
“Oh, I couldn’t.” I try handing it back. “You’ll need it.”
“I’m done listening to your teeth chattering.” He sighs impatiently. “Just fucking wear it, okay?”
I do as he says. His hoodie drowns me, but being wrapped in the soft fabric feels like a warm hug, and it’s still toasty from his body heat. It’s also steeped in his delicious scent, which is an added bonus.
“There,” he grunts, nodding at the gate ahead. He can’t go any farther because of Omega Village’s strict rules. “I’ll wait here until you go through to make sure you don’t do any more damage.”
“Thanks,” I mumble, beginning to take off his hoodie.
“Keep it.”
“You don’t have to—” His stormy gaze silences me, so I don’t argue. I attempt a friendly wave, but my wrist makes a limp movement instead, like a flapping fish. “Well, bye, then.”
His gaze scorches my back as I go. I’d like to ask him what his name is, but I’m sure he’s already fed up of playing babysitter and angry at me for ruining his evening. I ran into him, stole his clothes, and he had to escort me back to Omega Village. Being more independent was one of my goals in coming to SVU, so I’m not off to a great start. Although maybe I’ve made some progress in my ability to be around alphas without wanting to run a mile.
When I cross the gate back into my safe, alpha-free zone, I turn back, but the tall, dark, handsome alpha is already gone.
