Vor scowled. “And chance another of the alphas getting to you?”
“None came in just now.”
“You didn’t hear them trying the lock on the door?” Vor asked.
“No,” Snow said, eyes widening. “I didn’t.”
Vor played with Snow’s curls. “Had I not triple locked it last night, they might’ve made it in here.”
“Triplelocked it?” Snow cringed, worried it had been Shen trying to get in.
“The cottage was built by an alpha lord a long, long time ago. This was his bedchamber—and he’d built in protections for himself and his omega. If you check the windows closely, you’ll see they are covered with iron cages. The door has two bolts. One that rises into the stone above and another below. The door itself has a metal sheet within it, as well.”
“That’swhy it’s so heavy,” Snow murmured, eyeing it.
“They’re not getting in here with us,” Vor said. He tucked a knuckle under Snow’s chin and lifted it. “I know you might feel as if you’re denying them. I hope that’s not the case.”
Snow considered that question, unsure the truth would go over well. “Playing with them is fun, but my heat belongs to my alpha.”
Vor’s face relaxed.
Snow grew silent, his body both exhausted and exhilarated. He knew he should rest before the second wave, but he had so many questions stirring in his mind. Itwashis first time, after all.
“I was told that I might say things—strange things—when I was finally with an alpha during my heat,” Snow said.
“Like begging me to breed you?” Vor asked, one corner of his lips curling up.
Snow’s cheeks warmed.“Yes,like that.” He trailed the fingertips of one hand over Vor’s furry chest. “Were you also afflicted by instinct when you said the things you said?”
“Afflicted? You make it sound as if it were a disease.”
Snow scrunched his nose up. “Well, in a way, it almost feels like a disease. Of the mind. I didn’t feel in control at all. Between you claiming my body and the instinct taking over my mind, I had little choice in what I saidordid.”
Vor’s smile faltered. “I’m sorry you feel that way.” He frowned. “If you feel this is too much, we can part before the next wave hits. You can lock and barricade the door behind me.”
“Vor…no.I didn’t mean that I disliked it or I was upset… it was just… surprising how little control I had over my own body and mind.” He paused to toy with a curl of hair on Vor’s chest. “Did you have control?”
“Ruts don’t affect alphas as strongly as heats affect omegas, or so I’m told. While it’s near impossible to fight the instinct, I can, if need be.”
“I don’t want you to.”
Vor inhaled and released it slowly before toying with his curls more.
Snow looked up through his lashes. “And the things you said?”
“We’re not ready to have a child, Snow.”
An implied ‘yet’ hung in the air and made him grin. “You said you could control it, yet you said you wanted to fill me with your sons.”
“It was the instinct. I wasn’t fighting it when I said those things,” Vor replied, a hint of a smile on his lips. “Now? I know better.”
“And if I end up pregnant this heat?”
Vor’s smile faded. “I don’t know how to answer that. Especially when it makes me feel even worse for doing what I’m doing with you.”
“We’re mates.”
“And I’m a captive. Do you really wish to bring a child into this prison?”
