Page 49 of Alpha’s Possession

I quickly scramble off, backing away. I wait for his attack, only to realize he is clutching his family jewels, which I must have stepped on.

He glares at me, and I yelp, scrambling for cushions to cover my nakedness.

"Kind of pointless, don't you think? I’ve seen you naked already," he groans, rubbing his crotch and sitting up. He looks over at his sleeping mates and I glance around, wondering where Thane is. Usually, where one is, they all are. Yet I couldn't see him anywhere in the vast room.

"Where am I?" I stammer, moving closer to the outer edge of what appears to be an enormous bed, set into the floor.

"Our Den," Rhen says before lifting a hand over his head and tugging his shirt off. He tosses it to me, and I quickly pull it on, turning as I do, giving him only a slight view of my ass.

This is embarrassing, damn embarrassing; I reek of them and them me. "What happened… We didn't… um…" My eyes dart to Raidon, who is in his briefs, and Leon is still fully dressed.

"No, and you would feel if we did," Rhen answers my question.

I let out a breath of relief. That would have made the workplace awkward. And Thane would definitely fire me if I had fucked one of his mates. Well, technically our mates. They just aren't aware of who I really am, especially to them. Turning, I move to the ledge and start to climb out, when Rhen speaks again.

"Where are you going?"

"Home," I answer. Though I would hardly call the loading docks home. My makeshift little Den behind the shelves isn't nearly as comfy as this place. I would think, however, that me climbing out of the sunken bed would be pretty self-explanatory as an attempt to escape from them.

"Get back in bed. You're still in heat," he growls.

"I'm good. I feel okay," I tell him. I climb out, having to dig my feet into the walls to haul myself up. Every instinct tells me to go back to them, tells me I need them. Yet, I can't have them; they aren't mine. Thane has made that abundantly clear. Besides, I need my job more than I need an Alpha, so I won't risk being fired by giving into temptation.

"Get back in the Den!" Rhen commands. My body feels the jolt of his aura instantly, making me freeze.

"The moment you step out those doors, you will have a target on your back. Until your heat abates, you will remain here," Rhen snarls.

I try to fight his command, when I suddenly feel his hand grip the back of his shirt I'm wearing. The air leaves my lungs in a whoosh as I’m ripped backward, falling onto the soft, cushioned bed with a soft thump.

"Thane said you are to stay here until your heat is over. Therefore, you remain here," Rhen snaps, glaring down at me.

I swallow. So, Thane knows I’m here. I’m sure he’s plotting my murder already. That’s probably where he is: digging my grave.

Rhen rolls away from me, and I look at Raidon. He’s stirring, and I know he will wake soon. I can't stay here. It’s one thing to tolerate them at work, but I don't want to spend any more time around them than I have to. That comes with far too many risks. Like them figuring out who I am; them commanding me; me becoming Leon's personal juice box, or dead. Yeah, the alternatives sound really fucking appealing.

"Where is Thane?" I ask nervously, and Rhen growls.

"He left because you're here," he tells me, climbing out of the Den. His words make me feel like an intruder, and the harsh tone makes my stomach sink.

"Wait here," he says, storming up the stairs. His feet sound loud in the quiet room. When the door opens, I welcome the draft. Goosebumps raise on my flesh and the cloud of their scents eases a little, although not much, because another wave of heat rushes through me.

Chapter Forty-Two

~Rhen~

As I go to fetch her some water, I’m not sure what bothers me more: the fact she stomped on my balls or that she tried to sneak off while we were sleeping; like this was a one-night stand, and she was trying to avoid the awkward morning after. Walking into the kitchen, I grab some bottles of water, knowing I should have probably restocked the bar fridge down there earlier, before making my way to the linen cupboard and grabbing some fresh towels. Tania also brought some de-scenting soap. It won't abate her heat, but it might help me think a little more clearly if she doesn't smell like my own lust-filled, personal sin.

I grab the bag with all the supplies Tania bought from the counter when I feel the mind-link, and Thane's voice flits through my head.

'You're awake?' he asks.

I roll my eyes. Of course, he felt me wake up. He always does. Nothing escapes that man when it comes to us.

'Where is Zara?' he asks.

'In the Den,' I answer warily. He isn't going to make me kick her out, is he? The thought bothers me more than it should. She won't be safe out there. Her heat may have abated for now, but it will return. We gave her suppressants, but they won't stop a heat that has already started. They will just give her some reprieve until her cycle ends, which could take days.

We intend to keep pumping her full of suppressants through the end of her cycle. The only alternative is to fuck and knot her, and neither Raidon nor I are comfortable with that, even with Thane’s permission. It feels wrong. Mates are a pack, which she isn't part of, and Thane has no intention of making her part of ours. Therefore, we will fight the urge to mate her.