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Phoenix put up his hands in a surrender gesture and grabbed Emery. "We're going, buddy, we're going." Emery started protesting, but Phoenix simply lifted Emery off his feet and carried him out.

I stared at Bayer, and for the first time, I wasn't sure what I was looking at. The gentle giant or the fierce three-hundred-pound animal. Then a whimper left my throat as another pain hit, and Bayer lunged for me.

Chapter fourteen

Bayer

I caught myself mid-lunge, gripping the doorframe so hard the wood splintered beneath my fingers. Danny's scent hit me like a physical blow—sweet and intoxicating, calling to something primal in me. My bear roared, demanding I claim what was ours.

"Danny," I managed, my voice barely recognizable, but my mind cleared a little now that the threat of the other alpha had gone. "If you want me to leave, you need to say. Before I can't."

Danny stared at me, his pupils blown wide, skin flushed and glistening with sweat. The sheet had slipped, revealing his bare chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. Even from the doorway, I could see he was trembling.

"Then leave," he whispered, but his body betrayed him. He arched slightly, a soft moan escaping as another wave of heat hit him. "You're good at that."

The barb landed, but I barely felt it through the haze of pheromones clouding my judgment. "You don't understand," I growled. "If I stay—"

"I know what will happen," Danny interrupted, his voice strained. "Emery explained. I'm in heat. You're an alpha. Biology wants us to fuck until it stops."

His crude language should have shocked me, but instead, it sent another surge of desire through my veins. I gripped the doorframe harder, feeling it crack under my strength.

"But you don't want me," he continued, even as his body shifted restlessly against the sheets. "I can go to Ellensburg."

I snarled, the thought of anyone else touching him made me go insane. "I was trying to protect you," I said through gritted teeth.

Danny laughed, the sound turning into a whimper halfway through. "How's that working out for you? Because from where I'm sitting, I'm still in danger, and now I'm in agony too."

I took a step backward.

"Bayer," Danny called, his voice suddenly small and vulnerable. "It hurts."

Those two words shattered what remained of my restraint. I crossed the room in three strides, dropping to my knees beside the bed. Danny's scent enveloped me—cedar, honey, citrus, and warm skin, now underlaid with the unmistakable sweetness of omega heat.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, reaching out but stopping short of touching him. "For everything I said. I was scared. I am scared, terrified. The thought of something happening to you—"

"Shut up," Danny breathed, his hand finding mine. "Just...help me. Please."

His fingers twined with mine, and the contact sent electricity racing up my arm. My bear pushed against my skin, demanding to be closer, to claim, to mark.

"Are you sure?" I asked, needing his explicit consent despite every instinct screaming at me to take.

Danny's eyes met mine, fever-bright but clear. "I'm sure I need this to stop. I'm sure I need you."

I couldn't hold back any longer. I captured his mouth with mine, swallowing his moan as my hands found his heated skin. He tasted like desperation and need, his body arching into my touch as if starved for it. The sheet fell away completely, revealing him in all his glory—flushed, hard, and glistening with a slickness I'd never seen in a human before.

"You're beautiful," I breathed against his lips. "Perfect."

"Too many clothes," Danny gasped, tugging at my shirt with frantic fingers. "Need to feel you."

I stripped quickly, tossing my clothes aside without care. When I returned to the bed, Danny's eyes raked over me, hunger evident in his gaze despite his earlier protests. His scent had intensified, sweet and inviting, calling out to everything in me.

"What do you need?" I asked, hovering over him, trying to maintain some semblance of control. My cock was hard and erect.

"Everything," he answered, pulling me down to him. "All of you. Now."

Our bodies collided, skin against heated skin, and Danny cried out at the contact. His legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer as his hands explored my chest, my shoulders, my back. I kissed him deeply, then moved to his jaw, his neck, inhaling his intoxicating scent.

"Bayer," he moaned, his hips rocking against mine. "I can't—I need—"