“Take me in there with you,” she whispers. “We can be together for your rut.”
Pretty girl, my Alpha growls possessively.Luscious girl. Lovely, sweet Beta who only wants to please me.
I walk forward with Zen in my arms until her back is pressed against the wall and her body is trapped by mine. I groan as she shifts her thighs to wrap around my hips and her softness molds itself to me. My knot aches and thickens. My mouth seeks her throat. An Alpha isn’t meant to spend his rut alone, but I always have, restless and frustrated, waiting for my Omega.
What Omega? WhatfuckingOmega?
Frustration lances through my knot. I am so certain that she exists, and yet I have not seen one sign of her in all my years. By all the fucking gods, my teeth hurt. I put my hand over my mouth and squeeze my jaw.
“Are your dragines hurting?”
I nod and take a lungful of her sweet, familiar scent.
“What do they feel like?”
“Like teeth.” I feel a rush of heat just sayingteethto her. I imagine sweeping her silky black hair aside and sinking my teeth into her nape. How beautiful Zenevieve would look with my red teeth marks etched into her flesh.
I press my lips to Zenevieve’s throat, and she gives the most delicious pant. Her breasts are crushed pleasingly to my chest. She’s too precious to be a lavish. She can’t be used once or twice and discarded. I would never do that to her.
But I could hold her like this. There’s nothing wrong with just holding someone.
Go into that building.
Take Zen with you.
My head is filled with hunger and growling.
Her arms are locked tightly around me. Her hair is so silky. Drawing my fingers through it, I picture this lovely black hair spread out on my pillow. Stroking her cheeks and then her throat. Feeling her hands caress me. Smoothing down my chest. Seeking my knot.
If I take her into the ruthouse with me, I’m not going to be able to resist touching Zenevieve, kissing her, undressing her. Making her come so she moans my name and begs for more. I’ll coax surrender from her again and again until she gives me everything, which she will because Zenevieve has always been so, so eager to please me.
That thought alone nearly has me walking into that building with Zenevieve in my arms. It’s dangerous how much I adore that she so desires to please me.
I have just enough of a grip on my sanity to understand that there’s been a very good reason why I’ve always kept away from Zenevieve during my ruts, and it’s got nothing to do with my temper and pacing around at night.
I take a deep breath, set Zenevieve back on her feet, and step away from her. My arms ache as I release her, and my dragines throb.
“Stesha,” she whimpers, seeing my closed expression. “Please, let me come with you.”
I’ve always tried to tell Zenevieve the truth, but right now, I have no choice but to lie through my teeth. “I don’t want you here. Go home.”
“I think that you do,” she says, stepping closer. Her sweet scent envelops me, and it’s filled with her arousal. Gods, she smells incredible. I want her scent all over me. I want her on my tongue.
I rub the heel of my hand between my eyes, trying to clear the angry snarling in my head. My Alpha wants her so much he’s rampaging around inside my skull.
I am not my rut. I’m the one who’s in control.
“Please, Stesha. I can…”
“I said go home,” I snarl, and the words reverberate with my Alpha roar.
Zenevieve flinches and is compelled to step back.
I turn on my heel and march inside the building, slamming the door behind me. I won’t ever forget the hurt that I’ve inflicted on her beautiful face.
Upstairs, one of the attendants shows me to a room, mercifully swiftly, and doesn’t try to talk to me or offer the services of any of the lavishes. I’ve been coming here long enough that they know I’m not interested in company. I just want to be alone, now more than ever.
I lean against the closed door in my private room and struggle to breathe. My Alpha is rampaging around inside my skull. The vast, empty bed meant for two is mocking me.
