Okay, just make a break for it. Get to your apartment and?—
A tall stranger crossed my path, stopping me short and nearly sending me on my ass. His silhouette cut through the dimming light as I dashed forward, heart pounding. Each hurried breath fueled my desperation, but the stranger's presence momentarily halted my flight. He wasn’t the mystery person lurking behind me, the one whose silhouette had been indistinct, hidden in shadows, and obscured by the hoodie that he wore. This guy was different.
What the?—
Tall, well-built, and a little intimidating, this new guy approached me, and my heart lurched, but it wasn’t out of fear.
He wore a deep gray coat with the collar turned up, his dark hair falling messily around his face, almost brushing the tops of his shoulders. It was pushed back, exposing his face, and I was frozen in place, staring up at him.
Dark eyes, strong jaw. A facial scar that ran from under one eye to his chin.
He should have been terrifying; everything about him screameddanger. His eyes locked onto me as he approached. I should retreat. The air around me was thick with tension, and this man radiated an intensity that was both captivating and unsettling. Every instinct screamed at me to step back, to put some distance between us. He had an almost magnetic presence, but it was laced with something I couldn’t quite place—was it danger or merely the unknown? I could duck into one of the alleys I’d passed and try to look inconspicuous for a while.
Except… I didn’t.
Perhaps it was curiosity that kept me rooted to the spot, or maybe it was a stubbornness to confront the unknown head-on. Whatever it was, my legs felt heavy, and the instinct to flee collided with a strange, defiant urge to stay. I didn’t move.
Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome was intimidating, to say the least.
But I wasn’t scared.
What terrified me was the unknown person behind me. So, teetering across the slick pavement, I headed straight toward the imposing guy in front of me. If he were as intimidating to anyone else, maybe he could…
“Hey, babe!” I called out loudly, darting up to him as quickly as I could. My hand shot out, grabbing his, as I closed the gap between us. Smiling up at him, I ignored his startled expression and lowered my voice so only he could hear me, desperation making my heart race.
“Please. I think I’m being followed. Can you pretend you know me?” I asked, wincing slightly. This was such a ridiculous idea. But it was also a classic. Strange men tended to leave you alone when they saw you with another guy.
The guy just stared down at me, his brows up to his hairline. There was no mistaking the confusion on his face as he ducked back slightly, his brow now furrowing as he cocked his head at me.
God, he probably thought I was insane. I had just run up to him and taken his hand like it was no big deal, thrown this whole fake boyfriend thing in his face.I’m such an idiot.
But then he spoke, his voice quiet. “And you thoughtIwas a safe option?” he asked incredulously, astonishment thick in his words.
That voice.
Deep and rich, with a slight rumble that made my inner omega stand at attention. I had approached him initially for his imposing presence, hoping he could scare whoever was lurkingin the shadows behind me. But as I drew closer, I felt an undeniable shift in the air—a powerful energy that left me breathless. My heart raced as I realized this was not only mere intimidation; it was the chaotic allure of something much deeper.
Who was this guy?
Chapter 4
Bear
She felt safe? With me? How could she possibly…?
The petite omega had no idea just how deeply those words hit me, but in the moment, I was meant to focus. Spencer had been clear: I was here to tail her, not get involved, but there was no way in hell I could walk away now that she was pressing herself against me, the fear of being followed in her eyes. She’d brazenly walked up to me, took my overlarge, calloused hand in her soft one, and asked for help. At first glance, this woman, clearly an omega, from her distinct stature and the pheromones she was emanating, believed that I was her ally, someone she could trust. Like I wasn’t—No, I couldn’t think about that right now.
God, what was I doing?
“It’s late, honey,” I said, smiling down at her. “Did you forget your coat again?”
She blushed, her cheeks turning pink as she momentarily looked at the ground, likely relieved and embarrassed she’d somewhat forced me to play this role, and I’d obliged. Did she really think I’d say no? It was obvious she needed help.
Flicking her gaze up to mine, the omega whispered, “Thanks.”
Adorable, that was the perfect word to describe her. I had observed her from a distance for only a few hours, per Spencer’s orders. But up close, I could make out the freckles dotted across the bridge of her nose, the way the corner of her eyes crinkled as she smiled, the flushed skin of her cheeks, rosy from the cold. Every small detail captivated me.
She wasperfect.
