I don’t think I can live without any of my scent matches. I thought I was compatible with pack Prescott, but now that I’ve felt the intensity of a true scent match, nothing compares. Hunter and Phoenix are almost as important to me now as my bonded mate. I want all of them.Needall of them.
Is that selfish?
Hunter guides me to the back corner of the room. He sits down and eases me onto his lap, holding me tightly while I shiver. Caspian and Phoenix drag the dead cat toward the door. Rod has taken off his shirt and is using it to wrap the wound on Branson’s shoulder. Branson looks pale, but he’s okay. He and his packmates whisper quietly together. I still can’t believe he did that.
Quiet sobs shake my shoulders even though my eyes are dry.
“Shhh, it’s alright, baby.” Hunter smooths his hand over my head in calming strokes. “You were so brave. Such a good omega, taking care of her pack. I’m so proud of you.”
I blink, eyes burning. When was the last time someone said they were proud of me? Probably Fishybillionaire47, and that feels so long ago.
I turn my face into the crook of Hunter’s neck andcling to him, no longer holding back the tears. “W-why didn’t…” I stumble over the question. It’s not what I should be thinking about right now, but it’s what I need to know. I almost lost him before I truly had him, all because he keeps holding me at arm’s length. “Why wouldn’t you… I needed… Why didn’t you… Do you not w-want…” The jumbled words come out in a watery whisper.
Hunter tilts my chin so I’m looking up at him. “I will.”
“You will what?” I narrow my eyes, my vulnerability stirring up anger and hurt. There’s no way he knows what I was trying to say.
He holds my gaze with the slightest hint of a smile. “You’re wondering why I didn’t sink my fat cock into your begging cunt, stuff you full of my cum, and knot you so tight you’ll never be rid of me, aren’t you?”
“Hunter Anderson!” I gasp through my drying tears, cheeks burning. “You, sir, have a very dirty mouth.”
He licks his lips, leans closer, then scrapes his teeth over my earlobe. “You have no idea.”
The shivers that wrack my body have nothing to do with the adrenaline crash now, and everything to do with him. I don’t even care that Branson and his pack are just across the room. I want to claim this man right here and now. The need is all-consuming, driving away the chill and replacing it with heat.
“Once you graduate,” he says, “I’m going to show you exactly how filthy I can be. You won’t leave my bed for a week, not until you’ve soaked my mattress so thoroughly I’ll have to replace it. The things I’m going to do to you, omega,” he shakes his head and lets out a low whistle.
My body is so electrified by his words it takes a minute for my brain to catch up, but when it does, I pull back.Wait, once I graduate? There’s no way I heard that right. “You aren’t going to fuck me until Igraduate? That’s almost two years from now!”
“It’ll fly by.” He doesn’t sound convinced.
My omega is outraged, a hot blush burning my cheeks with embarrassment and a touch of outrage. If he can wait that long, he must not want me as badly as I want him. Maybe he doesn’t really want me at all. Maybe he just thinks we should be together because we’re scent matches. I try to scramble off his lap, but he tightens his grip.
“This isn’t a rejection,” he says, voice firm and commanding. “I want you more than anything. You have no idea how much I want you. I already know waiting that long to sink my teeth into you will be the hardest fucking thing I’ll ever have to do.”
“Then don’t do it. Bond me now.”
“Now?” He seems taken aback by that. “You only just found out we’re scent matches. I haven’t even taken you on a date yet.”
“Hunter, I’ve known you for years, and wanted you for that long, too. I don’t need dates and flowers and all that crap. I just need a man who will respect me. Who will take care of me without smothering or controlling me. You’ve already proven yourself to be that man. And…” I shrug, unable to articulate it quite right. I always hesitated whenever Branson and his pack suggested bonding, even when I thought things were going well with us, even when I thought I loved them. There was always this kernel of doubt. I don’t feel any hesitation or doubt right now, here with Hunter. “Bite me, Hunter. Please.”
His wide eyes study mine. “But… the university… your doctorate.” He shakes his head, a sad pinch to his lips. “We can’t risk it. You’re a brilliant archeologist, Madi. It’s because of you, and your determination, that we found all of this. I won’t have people discrediting your work because you slept with your professor.”
“We could keep it a secret.” I change positions, straddling his lap, so I can look right at him. The shivering has stopped, replaced by a familiar heat that spreads from my core up and throughout my body. This is our opportunity. I know it on some kind of instinctual level. And something about fucking my professor in secret is actually turning me all the way on. I’m wet, and I know it won’t be long until I’m dripping slick down my thighs. My scent is already a heavy curtain around us.
Hunter groans and takes hold of my hips, stopping me from grinding against him the way I want to.
“It’s risky,” he says.
“You’re worth the risk.” I drift my fingers over his cheek and along the sharp line of his jaw. He’s so handsome, my alpha. “No one needs to know.” I rock against him, hating the fabric between us. It feels itchy and tight. “And I’m not just asking you to fuck me. I’m asking you tobondme, Hunter.” Heat suffuses my body as I press against him and feel how hard he is for me. “Please, alpha.”
“Fuck.” He lets go of my hips to tug his hair with both hands. “Fuck, baby. I can’t say no to you.” He kisses me, cupping my face with both hands, taking full control. “The next time you’re in heat?—”
“No, now,” I whine, shaking again as a cramp hits my lower abdomen. Another heat spike is coming on fast. I can feel it just under my skin.
If we don’t do this now, he’ll back out. He’s too practical, too controlled. I don’t mean to pressure him, but somebone-deep instinct can’t let this go. He’s mine. I need him to be fully mine.
He pulls back, scrutinizing me with a steady gaze. “Are you having another heat spike already?”
