My instincts were screaming that he was the one.
His nostrils flared, and his pale eyes darkened as he breathed in deeply, sampling my needy scent. A gentle, satisfied rumble radiated deep within his chest as his lips pulled into a slight grin.
Goosebumps from his delicious noise ran down my spine to my core. Squeezing my legs, I attempted to block the rush of slick threatening to gush out—earning him a warm welcome indeed.
“You are here,” I whispered, lifting my hand to touch him to make sure this wasn’t some figment of my imagination. “I can’t believe it.”
“What is there not to believe?” He let out a deep chuckle, only for it to increase my need for him tenfold. “I was told you wanted me here.”
“I do,” I gasped. I could feel the weight of hundreds of eyes on me, watching as I came undone in front of him. “Does that mean you want me too?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” he purred and lifted his hands to my sides, halting them before they could touch. “If I may be bold to ask, does this mean that you’re choosing me?”
“Yes, I choose you.” I nodded with confidence, knowing I wasn’t making the wrong decision. “And I don’t want any other alpha by my side.”
“Are you sure?” He jerked his head up, halting his purr as he glanced around the arena. His lip curled up in a snarl as his nails barely graced my sides with his need to prevent the others from taking me away from him. He gritted his teeth as he glared at those he thought were his competition. “You are allowed—”
“No, the others don’t matter,” I stated firmly, cupping his cheek to lock his dark gaze with mine. “My mind was made up last night—before I even stepped foot onto this arena floor. The only thing you needed to do was to show up, and I would’ve claimed you.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, he nodded as he tightened his grip on me. My hands found his back as I laid my head on his chest.
My body pressed against his, and instantly, he squeezed us together tighter. His alpha scent flooded my senses, full of pina coladas, making me want to drop to my knees and see if he tasted as delicious as he smelled. Only time would tell, and hopefully soon, because I could feel my temperature rising. This dress was beginning to make me claustrophobic with its itchy material clinging too tightly to my skin.
“Do we have to wait for your caretaker to escort us out?” His voice rumbled through me, vibrating my hardened nipples against the silky fabric of my dress. “Or are we free to go?”
“That’s not needed.” I sighed and snuggled my nose against his chest as I breathed in more of his cosmic scent. “She will take care of everything. I have full faith in her.”
“Are you sure?” My stomach fluttered with joy from the amount of concern that laced his voice.
“Yes.” I pulled my head away from his chest and nodded, wondering why he was being so hesitant. I had chosen him. Shouldn’t he want to take me away? “I don’t have any other reason to remain here, so could you please take me out of here? I would like to go somewhere private, so I can meet your clan and get to know you better.”
Flicking his gaze to those around us, he pursed his lips and nodded. “As you wish.”
Without another word, he released me and leaned over to pick me up.
A gasp escaped my lips as he cradled me against his chest with both arms underneath me. There wasn’t any resistance in me. Deep within me, I needed—wanted—him to take charge so I could finally relax after a long day.
Somehow it felt natural—right—being this close to him, instinctively knowing that I would be all right.
I didn’t know if the reason was that I was an omega and he was an alpha, but I didn’t want to put too much thought into it.
He was mine. I picked him—and no one was going to take him away from me.
Now I had to convince him to skip the formalities and tradition and mark me as his—preferably tonight—forever binding us together. Then, hopefully, his clan was nearby, so I could meet them too and figure out how to form a pack with those around me when the time came.
An alpha needed an omega to help calm their nature and strengthen the bonds of their clan. A bonded pair required the support of their pack, and in return, the clan needed the security that their claimed alpha could only supply.
I was refusing to allow myself to feel guilty about the alphas I didn’t choose—that I hadn’t even given a chance. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine myself being elsewhere as he carried me to his designated elevator. His purr erupted from his chest, vibrating my body as his comforting scent wrapped itself around me, making me want to forget about the stressful event and drift away into a blissful slumber.
I trusted him to take care of me from here on out.
The only thing that kept me awake was my need to leave a good first impression when introducing myself to his waiting clan. We were told that alphas could bring their most trusted clan members, typically unmated, to support their alpha. This allowed the omega to get a feel for the alpha while they were with their clan to make courting plans.
I refused to waste time with some trivial matter when there weren’t any other alphas contending for my neck. Unless the first impression with his clan was horrible, there wasn’t a need. The settling process was something every omega in their new clan had to go through, and it would take time to adjust.
Unfortunately, with my heat so near, it might expedite the whole process. But, I was sure that we would deal with it when the time came.
I needed to see where he would take me once he’d been released from his waiting room at The Den.
The sounds from his steps changed from metallic clicks to glass dings as we entered the elevator. Opening my eyes, I was welcomed to his studying me with a heavy-lidded gaze, his dark hair haloed by green lights.
“I still can’t believe it,” he muttered, pressing his nose against my hair and taking a deep breath. “I thought your caretaker might’ve been jousting me—testing me—to see how eager I was toward the idea. Perhaps even seeing if I was going to trust her word and show up.”
“I’m glad that you did.”
“Me too.” He pulled his head away, his eyes softening as he peered down at me.
Suddenly, he snapped his head toward the doors. The floor jolted as the lift came to a stop and an audible swoosh filled my ears.
“Here we are.”
