Walking straight over to the buffet table, I snag a chocolate covered strawberry off Vann’s plate and make eye contact with him while I eat it. He grins like he just discovered a secret.
“Need some more, birdie?” he asks.
“Nope,” I say, popping thep. “I’m good.” I lean my shoulder against Rhodes’ arm, feeling instantly calmed by the big beta’s presence. Turning my nose into his jacket, I relish the chilly scent as heat licks through my body.
“Are you okay?” Rhodes asks, the genuine concern in his voice has tears welling in my eyes again. Seriously, what is wrong with me?
“People are looking.” Tanner’s voice comes from behind me, and I turn to see him standing side-by-side with Orion. Their muscles strain against their shirts, and I imagine peeling each button open to expose the bare flesh of their toned chests. I want to lick the lines of their abs. That sounds much tastier than any of the food at the buffet.
Cinnamon sugar and fresh baked dough flood the space around me, all of it laced with a deeper richness that gives me away. Slick pools between my thighs, and my thoughts spin out of control, supplying me with image after image of how I want to have these men.
They look at me with something like fear and wonder and… shock. Why shock?
A cramp twists my stomach, my perfume exploding with new force. Somewhere behind me a dish crashes to the floor, someone gasps, growls sound, and I understand.
I’m going into heat. I can’t explain how I know, but this isn’t a heat spike. It’s not as sudden as the other times. I feel more aware, like my body is easing me into it because it knows things are about to get very intense for a while. I’ve only experienced one heat, and it was completely medicated under the supervision of a doctor. I don’t remember much of it. But I remember this build up. I know what’s about to happen.
Everyone is staring. Alphas stiffen, like predators about to pounce, eyes dilating and locking on me like prey. Betas let out shocked little gasps. I catch the eye of the other omegas talking with Meggie Hart, the founder of this charity. There’s a mix of emotions on their faces that I can barely stand to look at, sympathy, fear, and crushing disappointment. I’ve let them all down. I’ve ruined this for everyone. The thing we were trying to prove wouldn’t happen if omegas competed safely in the Olympics is happening.
An alpha beside us at the buffet grits his teeth and growls. He lunges for me, but Vann is faster, pulling me out of the way as Tanner’s fist flies forward and connects with the man’s jaw.
“Ours,” Tanner growls.
I stand there, frozen with fear. Foster swoops in and throws me over his shoulder, barking at anyone who gets in our way as he cuts a path toward the door. Tanner and Orion rush ahead to open it for us. I can hear Vann andRhodes following close behind, telling everyone to stay away fromtheir omega.
Tears run down my forehead in my upside down position, and I try to hide my face in Foster’s back. My hair cascades toward the floor revealing the raw bite mark on my neck. More gasps ripple out around us.
This is a disaster.
52
RAVEN
Once we’re outside, Foster sets me down, but I cling to him, gasping for breaths as the tears turn to sobs. “I’ve ruined everything.”
“No you haven’t.” Tanner’s voice is firm. “This wasn’t your fault.”
“Someone did this to you,” Foster says, anger seeping into every word. “We’re going to find them and make them pay, but right now?—”
“The sponsors, my coach, Meggie Hart—the reason I’m here, the one who started all of this—they all saw!” I wail.
“Listen to me, omega.” Foster grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him. “This. Wasn’t. Your. Fault.”
Some part of my brain knows he’s right, but in my heightened emotional state, I can’t seem to calm down and agree. I just cry harder.
“Omega,”Orion barks.
My body snaps to attention. Foster lets go of my face, and I look at my bonded. My alpha smiles, and it meltssomething in me, calming my nerves just enough for me to wipe the tears with the back of my hand.
“You’re not upset?” I whisper. Shouldn’t he be upset? This is the worst possible time for me to go into heat. “Everyone saw. We just made a scene in front of all of those investors. Aren’t you worried about?—”
“Not even a little.” He kisses my forehead.
I swing my attention to the other men crowded around me. None of them look angry. If anything, all I feel from the alphas in the bond is eagerness, excitement, hope, and raging desire. Woah.
“What about your game?” I ask. “You can’t miss it.”
“Fuck the game.” Tanner sets his hands on my shoulders and turns me to face him.
