“I'm tired,” I whisper, too flustered to speak any louder.He’s so close.
Killian pauses, looking deep into my eyes. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. “You know I won’t hurt you.” He brushes my hair out of my eyes. His long fingers slip over the side of my face, and down the edge of my jaw before pausing under my chin. “Let me take care of you,” he purrs, deep and slow, as he brings his head down to the crook of my neck. The tip of his nose glides over my sensitive skin, inhaling me deeply.
My head swims, making me wobble, and my clit begins to tingle.Don't give in,I tell myself.Demand he leave!
But right as I open my mouth to speak, Killian places a single kiss right beneath my ear. He hums softly, and all thought falls from my head.
“Ah-alpha,” I stutter, trying to hold on to what little sanity I have left. “Don’t—” His warm hand touches the other side of myneck, pulling me closer. Sharp teeth nip at my skin. A shiver cuts through me and slick gushes.
You don’t want this!My mind screams, but my body hums.
Determined to collect myself, I inhale deeply and immediately regret it. My nostrils flare as I pull in Killian’s deep, masculine scent. Sharp whiskey, sweet cherries, and a warm musk that makes my nipples pull impossibly tight.
“No,” I whimper high in my throat, and Killian purrs louder.
He lifts his head, looking deep into my eyes. “It’s okay,” he repeats as his arm slips around my waist, holding me against his firm body. His cock pushes up between us, and pre-cum soaks through my shirt. “Let me take care of you. Let your alpha?—”
“I have a boyfriend,” I blurt out, loud and clear. And I instantly regret it.
Killian goes stiff. The look in his eyes immediately shifts from soft and sweet to angry. “What?” His voice is scary and sharp, making me tremble. “What did you say?” he demands and his scent burns the inside of my nose.
In an instant, all the nervous energy thrumming through my veins dies. And I’m left empty and kind of numb. Fear is always cold.
“A boyfriend?” Killian’s teeth flash, and my palms begin to sweat.
Iknewthe sweet-alpha-act was all a lie, but it’s not exactly something I’m happy about.
“You said I was the first alpha to enter your hot, wet cunt.” His crass words make me shiver. “Was that a lie?”
“No!” Panic makes my voice pitch high. “You’re the only alpha,” I say quickly, terrified he’s going to draw blood. “I’m so sorry,” I say, completely enraged with myself for bringing up Linden.What was I thinking?“I know you spent a lot of money to get me, but I have a family that needs me. A boyfriend who’s looking for me.” I suck in a deep breath, trying not to cry.“Please…” I stare at Killian’s muscular, bare chest pressed firmly against mine. “Please, don’t hurt me.” I press my chin to my chest, trying to look submissive and small. Maybe he won’t beat me too much if he realizes how defenseless I am. “I need to see my mother. I need to go home.”
Killian pulls in a sharp breath, but I’m too scared to look up at him. “Beth.” I flinch, despite the fact that his voice comes out shockingly calm. “Your family beat you.” His words land like a goddamn punch in the gut.
I should have just let him fuck me.
“Stop it.” I look up at the alpha. “They’re still my family. They love me and miss?—”
“Theyloveyou?” He lets out a bitter laugh, gripping my waist even tighter. “They don’t deserve you.” His eyes flash, and his face flushes red. I’m amazed he hasn’t hit me yet. “And why didn’t yourboyfriend,” Killian snarls as he says the word, “stop them?”
Gnashing my teeth, I force myself to keep looking the alpha in the eye. “Linden didn’t know,” I say honestly. Killian’s eyes narrow, clearly not believing that. “I had to sneak out in the middle of the night to see him,” I defend the beta, “and even then I could only see him sometimes. It wasn’t hard to hide the bruises or to wait for them to heal.”
Killian’s hands fall from my body, but he doesn't back up. He remains planted, looming over me. “What kind of alpha pursues an omega in secret?” he asks in a harsh tone, clearly judging Linden. “Why didn’t he declare his intentions?”
“He’s a beta,” I say simply, ready to defend Linden from whatever horrible things Killian is about to say—some alphas see them as lesser. Weak and pathetic.
But Killian doesn’t say anything, instead, he lets out a heavy sigh and his anger seems to fade. “So you were exploring with a beta?” His voice is so much softer. Kinder. Maybe even curious.
“I guess.” I shrug, not really sure what he means. “We love each other,” I say, knowing it might set him off all over again, but I’m too tired and scared.
“You love him?” Killian’s dark eyes search mine, almost as if expecting to read the truth written within them.
“Yes,” I say with a firm nod. “And Linden loves me.” But the second the words leave my mouth, I wonder if that’s even true. “I mean, he neversaidthat he loves me,” I say unable to stop myself, “and I didn’t say it to him, but not everyone has to say that kind of thing out loud.” I can’t stop myself from babbling, but Killian is so close. Too close. His masculine scent builds all around me, growing so strong it burns the inside of my throat. “Linden is a wonderful man and a good beta,” I finally say, hoping this whole conversation is over and Killian will leave.
“This guy,” Killian pauses as if trying to remember his name, “Linden,” his teeth flash as he says his name. “He never told you he loved you or cared deeply for you? Not even once?” He stares at my face, his powerful alpha presence making it impossible to lie.
“Um,” I shake my head, feeling a little embarrassed. “He didn't have to,” I mumble, realizing how silly I must sound.
“And he never noticed the dark bruises that littered your skin?” Killian’s tone goes sharp, almost challenging me to defend the beta. “He fucked you. Saw every inch of you. And chose to ignore the awful marks on your body?”
