He nods, licking the side of my neck over my pulse. I tilt my head to the side, giving him more room as my imagination runs wild wondering what it would feel like if he bit down. “Mhmm,” he hums. “Hearing you use my full name in that sweet little accent of yours makes me want to bend you over the nearest surface and fuck you every single time.”
“So do it,” I challenge.
He growls, gripping my hips in his huge hands and taking over, slamming me down onto his cock in quick thrusts that have me crying out in seconds. “Play with your clit,” he rasps. His movements are getting erratic, breaths coming in quick pants that send more sweet cotton candy into the air.
My fingers drop to circle my clit, the pleasure sparking into an inferno that takes over my whole body. It only takes a few seconds before I cry out, my body shuddering as an orgasm crashes into me like a tidal wave. McKenzie tenses beneath me, cursing as he reaches his own peak. He holds me down but doesn’t knot me, which I don’t understand until I glance up and see Jude practically shaking with the effort of holding himself back.
Jude snarls, his eyes a blazing inferno. “Fuck this.” He storms up to me and Mack and slams his hands down on the desk. His pupils are blown again and he has that same feral look in his eyes that he did in the book store, only this is somehow worse.
My omega is throwing up warning signs left and right in my mind, only bolstered by the fact that McKenzie is cursing up a storm behind me. I turn to him with wide eyes, trepidation lacing my tone. “What’s happening?”
Mack’s eyes are nervous and his fingers are clenching my hips so hard I might have bruises tomorrow, but he keeps his voice quiet and urgent. “I wanted him to be the one to tell you, but I’m worried our display tipped his alpha over the edge into rabid territory. A few months ago Jude was diagnosed with the early stages of alpha rabidity. The only treatment is spending time with a scent match or compatible omega. He didn’t tell me until after we met you, and by then he was already entering the second stage, which is arguably worse.”
My heart hurts for Jude as things start to click into place. His mood swings, the way he treated me when we first met, his bouts of irritability that seem to come from the smallest triggers. He stayed away because he wasscared. This alpha was worried he would hurt me if he went into one of these states.
“Is there a cure?” I ask hesitantly, afraid there might not be.
Mack nods slowly, biting his lip like he doesn’t want to tell me. “The only cure is bonding a scent match. Jude’s dad has it too, and hasn’t found an omega, so he’s in a facility right now and… it’s bad, Posey. But Jude isn’t completely gone yet or he would be attacking me for touching you right now.” He bands an arm around my chest to emphasize his point and Jude growls but doesn’t advance, tracking the movement with his eyes.
My mind spins, processing this information. “So theoretically, if I bit Jude…”
“Posey,” McKenzie starts to protest, but I put a finger on his lips to silence him.
“I know. But I’d already decided to forgive him before I walked in here today. His condition is only going to get worse, right?” I phrase it as a question, but we both know it isn’t one. Not really. “I’ve seen alpha rabidity in action back home and it would be a cold day in hell before I let my alpha go through that when I’m right here.”
“This isn’t?—”
“Don’t say it isn’t my responsibility, McKenzie. I know that.” I finally disconnect us and turn in his lap after adjusting my skirt. “Do you plan on letting me go without bonding me someday?”
He growls, yanking me to his chest. “Absolutely the fuck not.”
I bury my smile into his chest, inhaling his scent and letting it calm me. Jude is hovering behind us, quiet grunts and growls escaping as he paces back and forth. It seems like his alpha has completely taken over, shoving logic into a mental backseat. “He needs this, Mack. Maybe it isn’t fair to bond him first and I’m sorry, but…”
“But he’s pack. And he would do the same for any one of us.” He sighs, kissing the top of my head. “Ican’t stay or it might aggravate his alpha even more, but you can take him into his office and I’ll be standing right outside the door, okay? It’s not ideal, but there’s no way we’ll get him across campus unscathed in this state.”
My sweet, supportive alpha. “You’re such a good alpha, McKenzie,” I murmur, placing a chaste kiss on his lips.
“I love you, pretty girl. Take care of our grumpy guy, okay? Don’t let his alpha scare you. I know he would never hurt you, even in this state.”
I nod with a small smile. “I know. See you soon?”
Mack leaves after I promise again to call him if I need him, and then I’m able to focus all of my attention on the pacing alpha behind me. He’s tugging at his hair, nonsensical words spilling from his lips in a vaguely threatening way that confirms it’s his alpha in the driver’s seat. “Jude?”
He doesn’t even flinch, so I try again. “Alpha?”
That gets his attention. Dark eyes lock on mine with laser focus. “Omega,” he growls. I nod, keeping my tone soft and body language relaxed. “Yes, your omega.”
My mind races, a dozen different scenarios flashing like a highlight reel, but none of them seem good enough. I’m terrified we’ll bond and he’ll snap out of this and be horrified. By our bond or his actions, I’m not sure.
Then an idea hits me. Jude’s office door is propped open behind his desk. All I have to do is lead him there and let his instincts take over. “Hey alpha, catch me!” I taunt as I turn, breaking into a run.
Heavy footsteps pound down the stairs after me, making my heart rate spike. I’m not afraid of Jude, but the thrill of the chase has my adrenaline pumping like I am. I barely manage to beat him to the office and collapse onto the dark brown leather couch before he’s on top of me, snarling like a wild animal. I can see now he truly is lost to his instincts, not a single flare of recognition in his glassy eyes.
Even now, there’s no fear in my mind. Jude’s alpha knows my omega on a soul-deep level and would never intentionally hurt me. My fingers tangle in his hair and I drag his lips to mine, taking his lips in a fierce kiss that only drives him crazier.
I move to unbutton his shirt but he knocks my hands away, much more gently than I would have expected when he’s practically rabid. But then he rips his shirt open, buttons scattering across the room.
Hooooly hell.
