Yes. Yes, yes,YES.
“No.”
I couldn’t give him the power he sought over me, no matter how desperate I was, even if his dirty words spoken in husky tones were enough to have an orgasm fluttering.
Jerking my hips into him, I almost screamed when he slowly removed his fingers. He tapped my pussy once and stepped back, leaving me with the burning ghost of his touch on my throat and core.
He lifted his left hand and ran his tongue over the arousal coating his fingers, groaning softly. “Just as I expected, you taste so fucking sweet, Emme.”
I was plastered against the door, my lungs screaming for air. “Asshole,” I spat, my core throbbing in time to my ragged breaths.
He showed no visible reaction to my insult as he dropped his hand. “You know what to do, little omega. You need to stop fighting fate and admit who you belong to. Then I’ll bring you the screaming orgasm you’re desperate for.” He leaned down again and I held my breath. “Oh, and don’t even think about touching yourself in the shower again either. I’ll know if you do, and the punishment will be severe.”
My knees buckled, and I gripped the doorknob to keep myself standing. Yanking harder on it, it clicked open and I all but fell out into the entranceway.
Dark laughter followed as I scrambled to my feet and raced for the exit. His name had never felt so appropriate as when I escaped his clutches. Thehunterand hisprey.
There was no sign of Kellan in the lobby, and even knowing I shouldn’t leave on my own, I couldn’t stay up here a second longer.
Slamming my hand against the elevator, I closed my eyes and concentrated on calming myself while I waited for it to arrive. I’d completely lost it in there with Hunter, but at least I’d said no when it counted.
I might have let him own my body, but I never verbally handed over the control he desired, which meant I’d be able to do the same when it came to the mating bond.
No matter how hazy my boundaries got around them, I could never forget where I came from, and where I’d be going if I let this desperate need for them win.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Despite my best efforts, by the time I stumbled into the main foyer of the building, my body wasn’t remotely calmed. At least a dozen curious employees stared as I fled, and I was surprised when no one stopped me from exiting the building.
It made more sense when I raced down the steps and spotted Kellan chatting to a familiar alpha. Alpha Stalker knew he waited outside for me.
Kellan spotted me not even ten seconds after I hit the street, and he cut off whatever Sorenson was saying to rush to my side. Pausing in front of me, his blue eyes were dark as he examined me.
As he leaned closer, his nostrils flared. “I see you survived.”
“That’s one way of putting it,” I groused.
A knowing smirk crossed his lips. “Judging by your scent and that pretty flush in your cheeks, not all of you is happy.Naughty Daddy Alpha. Don’t let him fuck you into submission, Shortcake. No one controls you.”
“If only that was the truth.” I closed my eyes, knowing I should be embarrassed, but I remained in a state of numbed disbelief. Numbedhornydisbelief.
“Well, hello there, Emmeline,” Sorenson called as he strolled across to join us. “I was just about to head over and pick up Chelsea from her bakery. She’d love to finally meet you, if you want to join us.” When he was closer, his nostrils flared as well, as if he could also scent my arousal.
Kellan crossed his arms and leveled the other alpha with aget fuckedstare. “I will bring her to the cafe. If she arrives home with your scent all over her, you’ll have World War Three on your hands. And that’s just from me. Hunter will level the planet.”
Sorenson threw his head back, deep laughter booming from him. “So dramatic. But rest assured, your little omega smells solidly like your entitled alpha right now. His claim has never been stronger, even without a bite.” Probably half the reason for Hunter’s actions in his office.
“I’d love to meet her,” I said, cutting off further alpha posturing since we didn’t have all day. “She’s the only omega I’ve heard about in the pack cities.”
Sorenson’s expression sobered. “There are a few omegas across the shifter cities, but they don’t have quite the same protection we offer here. The council even tried to petition for one who was with an abusive pack, but they couldn’t get around quintet law.”
Mom’s face flashed in my mind, and Kellan wrapped his arm around me as I stumbled. “What happened to her?” Both alphas flinched at the hushed horror in my voice.
I’d already lived through what happened to an omega in an abusive pack, so while I was fairly sure how her story ended, I still had to ask.
Sorenson’s gaze was probing as he answered. “As far as we know, she remains with them. Still miserable, but she won’t take the necessary steps to leave. They have her so enthralled with their bond that she can’t see the abuse.”
