“I swear it,” Zayd says, planting a fist on his chest.
Through gritted teeth, Sutton adds, “And if you claim her, I swear, I will kill you.”
Zayd bows his head. “You have my word, Sutton Nash. I will not claim your mate.”
“Bite me, doc. I’m fucking dying here.” Sutton takes my hand and kisses the back of my palm. “I love you, Layla baby.”
“I love you, Sutton. I’m so sorry.”
Next to me, Razyr says with his voice low, “I need to draw some blood, Layla.”
I nod, giving him my arm, never taking my eyes off my husband.
“I’ll see you soon,” Sutton hisses through his teeth as Strykr sinks his fangs into Sutton’s arm, filling him with alpha venom.
As Razyr finishes drawing my blood, Sutton’s eyes flutter shut.
“Come, Layla,” Zayd says, placing a heavy, clawed hand on my shoulder. “We need to get you to our room before your heat comes on again.”
My stomach rolls with guilt. Though we have Sutton’s permission, the idea of having sex with anyone else feels wrong. The only solace I take is knowing that once the pain of the heat overwhelms me, I won’t be able to think about anything other than soothing it.
And so, after placing one last kiss on Sutton’s forehead, I leave my husband, hoping we made the right decision.
Chapter 4
Zayd
“Arewealmostthere?”Layla asks, her voice full of sadness as she follows me to our room.
Her scent is intoxicating. If Strykr had not sent all of the unmated alphas to the training comb after so many of them tried breaking into the med comb when Layla’s heat overwhelmed her, there would be a trail of dead alphas along this corridor, fighting to the death to claim her.
But my Layla is not to be claimed.
Not by me or any alpha.
I swore to her and to her husband. I will keep my word no matter how hard my instincts conspire to break that promise.
“We are here.” I punch the code into the panel. The door slides open. “If my room is not to your liking, you are welcome to alter it. You will need to nest. Please. Tell me what you need to make yourself comfortable. I am here to tend to your every need, omega.”
Layla’s body shudders as she begins to sob. “I need my husband.”
I kneel at her feet, bringing our faces level. “I am sorry, Layla. If I could heal him faster, I would.”
Layla wipes her tears away with her tiny fingers. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
“I would never lie to you, Layla. Omegas are sacred. Whether we are to be mated or not, I will honor you as though we are.”
“I appreciate that, Zayd.” Layla swallows heavily like she has a rock in her throat.
“Your heat is coming.”
“I’m scared, Zayd. I don’t want to cheat on my husband, but I don’t want to feel that pain again.”
“Do not think of me as a mate. I am but a salve to ease your pain. A tool for you to use as you need.” This arrangement is not what I want with my omega, but Strykr was right. Layla is notmyomega. “I am here.” I strip my clothing and lie naked on my bed. “I will do as you ask.”
My nostrils flare, and my cock hardens as Layla’s slick begins to flow like a river, readying her for my knot.
The longer she waits, the more the pain shows on her face. Her brow furrows, and her cheeks bloom, blood red.
