I reach up, fingers brushing over the stretched and partially torn seam of my mask. Can't go out like this. Can't risk the seam unraveling.
I cross the room to the dresser I put over the hatch in the floor, my movements still jerky with lingering panic. Heart still pounding harder than it should. I slide open the left top drawer and pull out one of the many nearly identical black masks I keep for exactly this reason.
Stepping into the bathroom and shutting the door behind me, I quickly swap the masks out. One second of complete exposure while I change masks. Even with the door shut, vulnerability claws at my spine. My hands are at least steadier as I secure the new mask in place.
Safe again.
Hidden again.
I let out a rough breath, tossing the torn mask into the trash can. Cool evening air rushes in to soothe my nerves as I slide the window open again and slip out.
When I glance back into the loft before dropping onto the roof, the omega is still on my couch. I memorize the sight of her wrapped in my blankets, watching me, a soft smile on her perfect lips.
I was supposed to protect her, then leave.
Let her bond with the pack if she wants.
With alphas who are normal, who can talk, who deserve to love an omega.
Alphas who aren't monsters.
Instead, I'm starving for her touch, craving her scent, planning to bring her favorite food, and worst of all… hoping she'll look at me like that again.
I'mfucked.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
IVY
The entire surreal exchange plays through my mind on repeat in Wraith's absence, each moment amplified by the lingering effects of the suppressant shot and the early symptoms of my heat.
My body still tingles where his hard length pressed against my knee. Couldn't have missedthat.The memory of just how massive he is in every way has been seared into my brain.
So is the memory of his mask slipping down just an inch or two on the right side. That brief, accidental glimpse. The panic in his eyes was undeniable. Absolute, bone-deep panic. He thought I was horrified. Thought he'd traumatized me.
But it wasn't that. I was shocked, yes. Surprised, definitely. What I saw in that split second before he frantically yanked his mask back into place was severe, staggering scarring.
I saw a flash of white that had to be teeth. There's nothing else it could've been. His cheek was torn and scarred in a permanent grin.
But how were his teeth sosharp?
I only saw a few, but they were daggerlike, pointed, like a predator’s teeth. It shouldn't even be possible for teeth to be shaped that way. Not without being modified. And if he hates himself so much, he wouldn't choose to make himself look more frightening.
Unless it wasn't a choice?
Shit. Maybe I was hallucinating.
I press the heels of my palms against my eyes until sparks dance behind my eyelids. The suppression shot could have fucked me up more than I thought. I’m feeling better now, but…
I drop my hands from my face, feeling my pulse finally slow to something approaching normal. My skin still hums with awareness, with the memory of his hard body beneath mine, the heat of him seeping into my bones. I curl tighter into his blankets, trying to recapture that feeling of being surrounded by him.
My body still feels the phantom warmth of his, the solid wall of his chest against my cheek, the gentle strength of his muscled arms cradling me close.
I miss it already.
Miss being held by him.
