So much control.
I’ve never met an alpha quite like this one before. So calm. Restrained.Sexy.
My gaze lingers on Killian’s mouth. The tips of his white teeth. His soft, dark blond beard.
Stop it!I silently command myself, but it’s too late. Killian’s thick aroma has completely surrounded me, seeping into my very core. Heat coils in my belly and slick gathers in my folds. Unable to fight the pull to the mighty alpha, I lean forward, desperate to be closer. To be touched. To be?—
Desperate to regain control of myself, I jerk back as I suck in a quick breath.
What the hell is happening to me?
I’ve been around alphas my whole life—and not just my family. Linden’s parents are alphas, as is his eldest brother. I’ve also met random alphas who have come to our house to visit with Burke and Tony. While I’ve found their strange scents to be overwhelming and pungent, an alpha’s presenceneveraffected me.
Until now.
It’s like Killian put a spell on me.
A wicked, evil spell.
“You are safe here,” Killian repeats himself as he cups my cheek. There’s so much sadness twisting between his brows as he admires my face. “You are so beautiful,” he whispers, slipping an arm around my waist. He pulls me to his firm, hot body, pressing my chest against his. I try to push away from him, but I have no strength left in me. “So small and sweet.” Killian lets out a slow breath as he ghosts his mouth over mine. “You might be the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Heat spreads across my cheeks and I scowl. I hate blushing for him. He doesn’t deserve to know his compliment flatters me. None of them do.
They bought me like cattle, not caring about who I was or what I wanted,I remind myself.
“I need to go home,” I say firmly.
“And I want you to be happy here.” Killian’s gaze flickers from my eyes to my mouth, completely dismissing me. “I think you’ll end up loving it here. I think you’ll end up loving us.”
I go stiff as his hand drifts to my neck. His fingertips graze beneath my ear, and my whole body tingles. He rests his thumb over the spot right where my mating gland is, then he gently presses.
A rush of desire washes over me and my abs flex.
“So pretty.” His lips touch mine and I turn my head.
“Stop,” I whimper, hating how helpless I feel under his touch.
“Is that what you really want?” His warm breath fans over my skin. His beard looks so soft. “Do you want me to leave you alone?” He pushes his tongue over his bottom lip. Then bites it, letting it slowly slip free. “Do you want me to let you go, omega? Or do you want me to take you home?” His deep voice vibrates from his chest into mine.
A shiver cuts through me and my clit pulses. Slick is already dripping, soaking into my shitty sweatpants.
I feel dizzy. And confused. And stupid. And angry. All at the same time.
Is this the mindless submission my mother warned me about? My body craving an alpha? My deep desire to be touched and owned by a man much stronger than me?
It feels so good.I fucking hate it.
“Where are they?” The voice of a young man cuts through the trees, and Killian leans away from me.
I frown, fighting the urge to whimper out loud.
“Come on, sweetheart.” Killian smiles at the look on my face. I try to fix it as fast as I can to hide my obvious disappointment, but it’s too late. He saw how he affected me. “I want to introduce you to Jeremy.” He takes my hand, squeezing ever so softly.
I follow quietly, too embarrassed to argue. I should just make a run for it right now, but the pressure between my legs is toomuch. I wouldn’t make it more than a few feet before the alpha would catch me. And I’m scared of what I’d ask him to do once he had me.
Killian pushes through the wall of pine trees first, using his body as a shield against the spiky branches. I follow him closely, frowning when a few pine needles catch my shirt. I can smell the sticky sap coating them. I just hope not too much of it got on me. I hate the way it feels on my skin.
“Welcome home.” Killian stops, and I look up.
