“But how?” His eyes are pleading. “I’ve tried the medication, been keeping my distance from people who might trigger me, but none of it is helping. It only seems to be getting worse.” He shakes his head. “I always thought I wanted to be an alpha, but I never imagined it’d be like this.”
He reminds me of many of the soldiers I supported over the years. Men who joined the army to prove a point or to make theirfamily proud but didn’t realize the true sacrifice it would involve or the struggle they’d have to go through.
“Navigating this change is hard, especially alone,” I tell him. “But I guarantee it won’t be like this forever. You need help and need to speak to a real fucking doctor to get you on the right medication.”
“Right. A doctor.” He sniffs. “Thanks, Orin.”
I recline in my chair, assessing the situation. Obviously, I should fire him and report him to the dean for what happened, but these are extenuating circumstances. I’ve known Drax for years. He’s stood out among my other hires—the most dedicated, noble, honorable. And he’s usually a strict rule-follower. I’m not prepared to fuck up his future over one mistake when his biology decided to hijack his life.
“You need to be around a pack right now,” I add. Being around other alphas should help him. “You’re a danger to betas. You shouldn’t be staying in the same dorm as them while you’re unstable. Late presentation is intense. Your impulses will be far stronger than an ordinary alpha’s.”
“But a transfer to the Alpha Quad would mean telling the college what I am.” He is obviously terrified, his body trembling. “I’m sure my father would find out somehow. I… I’m not ready to tell him.”
“I wasn’t talking about a transfer to the Alpha Quad.” I roll up my sleeves. I probably should speak to the others before doing this, but I’m the pack leader, so they’ll have no choice but to go along with it. “I want you to come live with my pack until you have control of your urges. This isn’t an offer of a permanent home, but it will be good for you to be around your own kind while you navigate this.”
“You…” He swallows hard, his voice choked. “You’d do that for me after tonight?”
“What you did tonight wasn’t the real you, Drax,” I remind him, leaning forward. “I think I can help you, but I’m going to need you to listen to me. And I can’t guarantee that my pack will be happy about having another alpha around the house. However, when they learn about your situation, I’m sure they’ll come around.”
I’m almost certain that Luca will be happy to help Drax. His caring nature will be a real balancing force against Drax’s volatile urges. Adler, on the other hand, can be more of a loose cannon and territorial.
“Thank you,” Drax murmurs, his brown eyes shining. “I think I’d like that.”
“That’s settled, then.” I nod curtly. “You can stay here with me, where I can keep an eye on you, until I finish this shift. And we’ll drop by the clinic as soon as it opens for an emergency prescription.”
His lips curl into a tight-lipped, strained smile. “I do have one question.”
“Shoot.”
“What you did back there, when I was in the club…” He chews his lip. “The way you were able to get me to stop what I was doing and follow you. When Rook spoke, it didn’t work on me. I thought he had some kind of special bark. Is that what you…?”
“My alpha bark only works on my pack. I suspect that your consciousness came through and realized it was your boss talking.” I shrug. “That’s all.”
It’s a lie, but he’s already struggling enough with his late presentation without adding an extra complication to the mix. The truth is, I did use my bark on him. When I saw that he’d lost control, the command just came out in a moment of fear. I didn’t expect it to work. Itshouldn’thave worked. But it did, which ispartly why I’m ignoring my usual policy and inviting him into our home.
For now, I’ll keep my suspicions to myself, waiting until I see how things progress, and most importantly, to see whether he will fit in with our pack… A pack I believe he’s destined to be part of.
NINE
Sabs
Moving quickly while staying light on my feet, I gather up all of my discarded clothes while Adler sleeps soundly, sprawled across his supersized bed like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
Grabbing my bra off the floor, I recall what Adler said last night about how he’s determined to make this work. How I’ll be his priority. However, in the cold light of day, my stomach churns with regret, just wanting to forget last night ever happened. How could I have been so reckless?
After my argument with Drax, I returned to the party ready to launch myself into a fun time. Hooking up with a hot hockey player seemed like the perfect way to do that, but I never signed up to spend the rest of my life with Adler Ace.
I blink hard to hold back the tears, fighting against the magnetic draw my body feels toward Adler. My feet will me to climb back into bed, cuddle up against him, and bask in his zingy orange scent. But I don’t.
I freeze as he stirs, praying he doesn’t wake up then breathing a sigh of relief when he turns over. He looks adorable in his sleep—his messy, blonde hair sticking up at all angles, his parted lips drawing my attention to his sharp cupid’s bow and the divot in his chin. I think of the puck bunnies at the party,how they’d probably kill to be in this position, but I’m plagued with dread.
No matter how cute he is, I have to get out of here. Fast. Rationally, I know it makes no sense to leave him. In school, we’re taught about the dangers of an alpha and omega being parted so soon after bonding, but the thought of staying seems even worse than the prospect of facing bonding sickness. I’m not ready to face what’s next. I need to be alone.
I crack open the door, edging it slowly, hoping it doesn’t creak before tiptoeing out. All my senses are heightened. My ears twitch at every little sound. Strongest of all is Adler’s scent, following me like a ghost as I dash down the stairs.
Go back to your alpha, Sabs!
I ignore my inner omega’s pleas, having a hasty glance down the hallway. Thankfully, the house is just as still as it was last night, meaning that it’s unlikely that the rest of Adler’s pack is home as I gather the rest of my scattered clothes and get dressed. The thought of meeting them makes me want to break out in hives.
