And the burn in my chest?
It’s not just fear. It’s panic, trapped inside me, waiting to ignite because I know that there is more to tonight than I even know.
“Eat, Sweetmeat, you’re going to need your energy,” he growls low and hungry into my ear.
I want to vomit. To run. I want my nest. The comfort it gives me. My razor blade.
I’m not sure what my father has up his sleeve, but I’m scared. This isn’t going to end well for me, I just know it.
“Eat,” Ray growls again, his dominance creeping over me, and as much as I hate it, I comply and do as he says.I hate alphas.
My fingers close around the fork, but they don’t feel like my own. Metal clinks awkwardly against the ceramic plate as I fumble to spear a bite. I raise it to my mouth, chew, and swallow. I’m so on edge that I can’t even enjoy how good it tastes. But I keep eating, not wanting to hear the man beside me in my ear again.
When their voices begin, they’re not directed toward me.
Initially, it’s just boring. Business, I assume from the bits and pieces I pay attention to. Some jobs that didn’t go according to plan. Money owed.
But something in my father’s tone is off, catching my ear, and I sit up straight, paying more attention.
“When is her first heat expected?” Miles asks, his tone calm and cool. No crack or stutter in his voice. Just smooth and confident.
No. Please don’t tell me this is what I think it is.
“She turns eighteen in three months,” my father says, his chest puffing out in pride.
“And she’s pure?” Ray angles his body toward me, his tongue gliding across his bottom lip, eyes full of hunger.
“Yes. She hasn’t been with anyone. No boyfriend,” my father answers.
Miles lets out a low growl—a dry, knowing sound—and Ray leans in, voice dropping just slightly. “It’s going to be so sweet breaking you.”
My fork scrapes the plate in reaction as I swallow hard.
“You like that, Sweetmeat? Knowing that virgin pussy is going to bleed for me and my brothers?”
I pretend his words don’t affect me. I don’t look up. But I know he’s fully aware of his effect on me. That he can hear my heart beating frantically.
“River will make an amazing omega for your pack. She’ll maintain your home and bear you many children. Future heirs for your business.” My father continues to ramble on and on about me and what an asset I’ll be to these men, but I tune him out as I process what he said.
He’s offering me to this pack as their omega. No, this can’t be. I had a plan and it didn’t include my father at all. Heat suppressants and running were what I intended. Not this.
My body trembles, and I fight to hold back the tears. I won’t fall apart in front of them.
“No need to sell us on her, Elbert. Elliott already has. Three months. We’ll want her before then.”
I don’t know what comes over me, but I violently shake my head. “No. I can’t. I have school and I don’t want a pack.”
My moment of power is short-lived as Miles reaches out, gripping my chin with his hand and turning it toward him in one quick motion. I whimper under his power.
“Apparently, your father is mistaken about how obedient an omega you are. But it’s a flaw that will quickly be corrected when you are ours. And make no mistake River, you are ours. As far as school goes, it’s useless. You can go until we take you, but education isn’t something you need in order to fuck and have children.”
I want to scream, but I’m frozen, my eyes locked on his dark caramel ones. No matter how hard I try to keep from shaking, I can’t help it.
“Go, leave us to discuss the details,” Miles orders as he lets go of my chin.
I don’t hesitate. I’m ready to be free from them. My hands grip the edge of the table, and I push my chair back before standing on unsteady legs. Shooting my eyes to my father, I give him a silent frantic plea, but it’s useless. He’s made his decision.
Moving swiftly across the room, I leave, but not before hearing my father speak.
