Emerson had never experienced a full rut, if that’s what he felt. He had nothing to compare against what he was feeling, only the vaguest memories of a teenaged health class description—one which failed to impress upon him the weight of need now racing through his veins.
The whispered voices in his head? Instinct? He supposed it was, but it felt like something more. It threatened to rob him of control and turn him into a mindless beast. Emerson had to hold on… he had to protect his mate.
All while needing to be inside Dash as much as he needed sunlight, air, and water combined.
Only Dash was nowhere to be seen.
Scenting the air again, he drew in his mate’s pheromones. Dash’s scent had always seemed somewhat unusual. Emerson hadn’t questioned it enough before, but now he realized there was a hint of a sweeter, syrupy aroma hidden among the spice—more like that of an omega.
Was Dash, in fact, an omega—hiding as an alpha?
Emerson hung at the door, standing in the threshold, hesitant.
I never wanted an omega…
Yet this was Dash, not an omega. He was a brilliant, handsome man who was nearly Emerson’s equal in size and strength.
Dash waseverythingEmerson had always wanted.
Did it truly matter if he was alpha—or omega?
He was Emerson’s… and Emerson was his.
Emerson shut the door, locking them both inside with Dash’s primal need. It did not matter, one way or another. Alpha.Omega. Dash was overwhelmed and had begged for his help. He wouldn’t allow his mate to suffer.
Emerson followed his nose, stalking to the back of the boat. His hard shaft pushed painfully against the inside of his jeans, throbbing to be free. Peeling his shirt over his head, he tossed it onto the floor and had the button popped on his jeans before he opened his cabin door. What he found inside nearly took him down to his knees.
“Oh, sweet heavens,” Emerson whispered.
There, on his bed, Dash was already completely bare and ready for him. Dash knelt on the bed on all fours, his back arched and bottom raised. The bathroom door hung open, pale light spilling into the bedroom. Coupled with it was moonlight filling the portholes, giving Emerson all the light he needed to see how beautiful his mate was.
Dash’s gaze flew to his. His face twisted into anguish before he mewled, arching his back even more.
A silent invitation.
Sweat dotted Emerson’s brow as he lowered his hand to unzip his jeans. It shook on the way down, the urge to claim his mate stronger the closer he approached. There were questions—so manyquestions—but he no longer had the bandwidth to ask or process a single answer. Every inch of him had been claimed by the instinct.
Once he was as bare as Dash, he ambled closer to the bed, holding his mate’s gaze. Dash crawled back, away from him, as if wary.
Emerson paused, worried he’d misread the signs. He tried not to take it personally. Dash was in a vulnerable state and considering Emerson struggled with his control, the man had reason to be cautious.
He held out a hand, slowly growing closer, until he rested it gently on Dash’s stubbled cheek.
Dash watched him for a few seconds before he turned his face towards Emerson’s touch, trembling.
“I’m sca—” Dash whispered before screwing his eyes closed tight and shaking his head. When he reopened them, Emerson could see panic in the depths. “I’ve never…”
“We don’t have to,” Emerson whispered.
Dash scoffed. “Where do you think either of us can go now?”
Emerson frowned, the instinct roaring in his mind. “I’ll toss myself into the bay if I have to.”
It would be the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he’d manage it somehow—if that’s what Dash wanted. A few seconds ticked by without an answer. Emerson couldn’t breathe as he stood there waiting for it.
Dash shook his head, his panic shining in his eyes. “Don’t leave me.Please.”
Emerson caressed Dash’s cheek, releasing a held breath. “If you want me here… I’m yours.”
