Finally, the intense pulsing stopped, and I gasped, dropping my hips.
I lay in a panting mess as Rafe’s arms wound around my waist and his head pillowed on my breasts. He rubbed his cheekagainst my skin, wracking me with shivers. He tilted his head up, looking at me like I waseverything.
If I didn’t stop this now, he’d whittle me down. Using every bit of strength I could, I slid out from under him, rolled across the bed and backed into the wall to switch on the light.
Rafe raised his eyebrows and slowly propped himself on his side, the sinewy muscles on his bare chest rippling. I yanked my attention away.
A cut graced the bridge of his nose.
Cade had also had a cut on his lip.
Had they?—
It was none of my business.
“Thanks for your service,” I bit out, direct and to the point. “Now leave.”
He stretched his arm behind his head. They were persistent, annoyingly persistent. My eyes kept being drawn to the protrusion of his cock against his pants.
“If you don’t, I’ll scream.”
His smile disappeared. I sucked in a breath. Rafe rolled to his feet with a grunt. I scowled at him as he took his sweet time.
He grabbed my drawing pad sitting on the nightstand. My words stuck in my throat. It was too late to hide the sketches. I’d given in and drawn them all on the page.
“Wow,” he rumbled. I pointedly dragged in a breath to scream. “Fine,” he growled, ripped the sheet out and left me gawking as he shut the door between our bedrooms.
I drooped against the bed. He’d made it clear; I wouldn’t be able to fight my need for an Alpha. Fern was right. I’d give her a call in the morning and ask her to admit me to the event being hosted tomorrow.
Goingdown the steps as slowly as possible didn’t stop the back of the heels pinching my ankles with each step, but I sucked it up.
Fern waved the badge she had on that labeled her a Handler as she guided me past the security doors and into the ballroom where tables had been set up. The scent of Alphas and Omegas smacked me in the face. Chatter was as low as was the lighting, creating a soft, almost seductive ambiance. I was determined to mingle with other Packs out there. The decision was born out of desperation, but I didn’t care.
I would mingle at the singles event and hope to God I could withstand one of the Packs being near me.
Fern led me to one of the empty seats along the left side of the long tables. Other Omegas sat along the lineup, some nervously looking side to side, some primping, and some visibly frightened. None of them spoke to each other.
“You’ll sit here with this.” She tapped the card in front of me with a pen to the side of it. It listed one through seventy with ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to the side. “You just circle Y if you want to be placed in contact with them. I’ll be over there with the other Handlers making sure everything is going smoothly.”
I nodded, trying not to let my pounding pulse send me running. She left, and I smoothed my hands down the simple lacy dress I’d gone out to purchase during the day. It was itchy and rough, more so than any dress I’d ever put on. I hadn’t spent much money on my clothing, choosing to stay within my budget, and the quality was telling. Father always had me dressed in the best, but I’d rather have nothing than return to being flaunted and used.
If it were up to Cade, he would have gotten me the best quality clothing considering he’d followed me all morning. Even going as far as tailing the car-share I’d ordered. As sneaky as he tried to be, I could feel something was off the entire drive and walk through the store.
And the main giveaway? When I’d gone up to pay at the cash register. The young girl had informed me everything I touched was paid for. There had beenbagsbehind the counter. Instead of screaming for Cade to come out, I’d politely insisted she make all the returns and paid for the single dress and shoes myself.
The chatter swelled along with the scrape of chairs from different Alphas sitting at the other end of the room.
“Eva!” That shout sounded too much like Dorian.
I whirled to watch him storming over. My eyes widened to the point of pain. Rafe was blocking the security guards near the door from approaching.
“We’re going to have to ask you to leave,” the security growled. Rafe wasn’t fazed.
Dorian reached me, but the table was still between us. He grabbed at me, and I was on my feet, backing up. He growled and yanked the table, sending it toppling over. Lamps crashed to the ground, and the Omegas still sitting yelped before hurrying out of the way.
Dorian stepped over the fallen table, his boots crunching over the broken ceramic. With my next breath, he had my arm in his hand. “Let’s go.”
So much movement was happening that I couldn’t focus. I stumbled after Dorian, and another Alpha dressed as security was in his way.
