I’ve heard that before.
The driver’s side door suddenly opens, followed by the door behind me. I hold my breath, not moving a muscle until I hear Charlie’s seatbelt click into place. Neither one of them seems surprised by the strange alpha’s presence. And while I have a million questions, I decide not to say anything. I don’t want Rhett to think I’m the kind of omega who will question his every decision.
“Everything okay, omega?” Rhett places his hand on my knee, squeezing once. I quickly smile and nod. The worry etched on his brow lifts, and he smiles too. His eyes soften. “It’ll be a long drive, sweetheart,” he says, patting my thigh gently. “Feel free to rest.”
I nod again, thankful for his soothing tone, but I’m far too wound up to sleep.
What did Rhett and Charlie talk about?
Will I be allowed to talk privately with Charlie tonight? Or ever?
And most importantly, who is this alpha in the back seat?
Two Hours Later
Oli
Every alphaI’ve ever known talks about omegas like they’re fragile things designed only for heat and hunger. But looking at Autry’s slight form now—peaceful, soft, her bottom lip caught between her teeth—I can’t bring myself to think of her like that.
She’s not mindless. She’s not just instinct.
But I’ll be damned if she wasn’t built to tempt every one of mine.
Inhaling deeply, I savor the sweet sugar curling around Autry’s lemon brightness. She smells like frosting melting into warm skin. My abs clench and my jaw ticks. I shift in my seat, trying not to let my thoughts spiral somewhere they shouldn’t.
But I can't help it.
She’d be so warm under me. Her size alone makes every filthy image in my head worse—I imagine having to hold back, having to coax her open so slow she'd cry from it. Would she arch into me or shy away? Whimper and cling? Beg?
Shit.
I drag a hand through my hair and tearmy eyes off her, but it only lasts a second. My gaze finds its way back like it’s got a mind of its own. She flushes slightly, a faint pink across her cheeks. Dreaming, maybe. Of an alpha? Of being knotted, taken, owned?
I hate how badly I want it to be me.
Biting down on the inside of my cheek, I try to ground myself. She’s not mine. Not now. Not ever.
But I still can’t help but wonder how something so small and delicate can handle an alpha’s cock.
There’s a faint sound of a breath hitch—Rhett’s. I glance up. He’s watching me in the rearview mirror. The look in his eyes says everything.
Mine.
It’s not spoken, but I feel it. The sharp edge of it. The quiet warning tucked into his stillness. My heart kicks in my chest.
He’s got that casual alpha control down to a science, but I’m not stupid. I’ve seen the way his eyes track her when she moves. The way he touched her earlier, hand on her lower back like a silent claim.
I force myself to lean back in my seat and look out the window. My teeth grind together as I remind myself that this is a job.
Yeah. Keep telling yourself that.
The beta next to me lets out a muffled yawn. I glance at Autry once more, then turn to watch him out of the corner of my eye. His expression shifts—subtle, but telling. His brows lift slightly, lips parting in silent thought. It’s clear he’s deep in some kind of internal conversation. But whatever he’s thinking, he ends it with a small,decisive nod.
Who is he?
And why the hell is Rhett bringing him back to Westbin?
“We’re here,” Rhett says, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.
