Cold air hits my legs.
And standing there, waiting, are the two alphas from the display room.
The huge one with the dark curls.
The sharp, blond one in the suit.
They look like they’re one breath from losing control, eyes too bright, too focused, like they’re barely holding themselves together. It should scare the hell out of me. After all, I know these men will tear my body apart the second we’re alone, but I don't really care.
The drugs have blurred my fear into something else. Something hot and reckless and stupidly eager that coils low in my belly.
The beta at my side clears her throat, her voice snapping the moment into something official.
“Gentlemen,” the beta says, her voice slipping back into that practiced, professional cadence. She doesn’t hand me over yet. Instead, she lifts her chin toward the blond alpha. “May I see your sales receipt before the transfer?”
He reaches into his pressed suit jacket without hesitation, pulling out a folded sheet of paper stamped with something dark and official-looking. He hands it to her. She scans it quickly, nods once. Efficient and unimpressed, like she’s done this a hundred times tonight.
“Very well,” she says. “Please keep your omega close until you reach your transport. She’s still under the effects of the medication.”
Only then does she nudge me, but my feet aren’t ready. I pitch forward, bracing for the ground. But I never hit it.
The blond alpha moves faster than I can track, arms sweeping around me in a smooth, controlled catch. His grip is firm and warm, careful in a way that knocks something loose in my chest.
My fingertips land against the front of his suit jacket. His chest is broad, with solid muscle beneath the fabric. Heat radiates through the layers, steady and overwhelming. I breathe in without meaning to, and his scent that hits me is warm and deep. Sandalwood, oakmoss, and fresh wool, clean and comforting in a way that makes my knees feel useless.
“You smell good.” My words are slurred as I lift my gaze to his.
The alpha slowly smiles. It’s small, almost shy, and Ican’t help but gasp at how handsome he is. Cut jaw, angular nose, and a faint dimple in his left cheek.
“Thank you,” he says softly. His blue eyes aren’t wild now. They’re weirdly kind. Too gentle for a man in a razor-sharp suit. “You smell good, too. Like honey and chamomile tea.”
A laugh bubbles out of me. High, breathy, and uncontrollable. My knees dip again, useless as wet paper.
“Easy,” he murmurs, catching me before I sway. He steadies me on my feet but doesn’t let go until he’s certain I won’t fold again. “You’re safe now,” he whispers.
My heart lurches so hard it hurts.
Safe.
What a lovely word. It means nothing to me because I’ve never actually been safe. At this point, I’m convinced that safety is just an illusion or a fairytale, but I like the idea. It sounds nice.
“I’m Warren,” the blond alpha says, then he angles his head toward the giant looming just behind him. “And this is Grason.”
Grason nods once, eyes locked on me in a way that pins me in place. His presence is so heavy and grounding.
Warren keeps his focus on me.
“What’s your name, beautiful?” he asks softly.
My lips part. The answer slips out without hesitation. “Tansy,” I breathe.
“Tansy?” he repeats, making sure he heard me right.
I nod, just barely, and the alpha’s smile grows. Small, sweet, achingly gentle.
“It’s really nice to meet you, Tansy.” His blue eyes seem to shimmer as they look deep into mine. “How about we take you home?”
Before I can say a word, the alpha bends down andslides an arm behind my knees, the other wrapping securely around my back. I’m suddenly lifted off the ground in a clean, effortless sweep.
