“You need to stay calm, Adler,” Luca warns as if he can read my mind. “Bonding is an emotional time. Your pheromones will be going crazy.”
I ignore my friend, stomping from the kitchen to find Orin with a hulking stranger who takes up most of the room. He’s built like a mountain with tattoos covering his arms, and his tee is covered in specks of blood.
I narrow my eyes at Orin. “Who is he?”
Luca joins me. “Now’s probably not the right time for a guest.” He’s more tactful than I am. “We’re dealing with a… situation.”
Before Orin can ask any questions, I see the stranger’s gaze land on the fox statue… and the pink lacy thong draped over Fred’s ear.
The alpha’s shoulders tense as he inhales deeply, drinking in her scent with flaring nostrils, not taking his eyes off her underwear. Seeing him scent my omega sets an instant red-hot ball of fury searing through my veins.
I’m not the only one who’s angry. The unwanted guest’s massive hands curl into fists. They’re the size of small boulders, and based on how he’s blood-spattered, I’m assuming that he’s someone who isn’t afraid of doing serious damage.
“What is it, Drax?” Orin notices his sudden tension, then his eyes fix on me. “Adler, what’s got into you?”
My lips curl back as I snarl like an animal. She’s my omega. My protective alpha instincts see him as a threat to remove. Not breaking eye contact, I move slowly toward the statue before plucking her panties from it. I have to resist my urge to bury my face into them, grateful that simply having them tucked into my pocket makes me feel a little better.
“Where is she?” the alpha, Drax, hisses through gritted teeth. “Is she upstairs?”
“You should leave,” I growl. “Now.”
“Hold on a second.” Orin steps between us then asks him, “Who are you talking about?”
“Sabrina Maverick.” Drax glares at me like he wants to throw me straight through the trophy cabinet. “I saw him and Sabs getting cozy on the beach last night.”
My tongue feels too big for my mouth. “You know Sabs?”
“I’ve known Sabs my entire life.” Drax crosses his huge arms over his chest. From his guarded posture and reaction,I’m guessing they’ve been a lot more than friends, making me instantly dislike him even more.
“Do you know where she lives?” Luca seizes the opportunity to find out more about my mate. Something I would have thought about if I weren’t busy imagining how I could tackle him to the floor. “We need to speak to her.”
“So she ran out on the famous Ace, huh?” Drax laughs coldly. The fact that he’s correct only angers me more. “It figures she saw sense when she woke up. Sabs usually has better taste.”
“But you do know where to find her?” Luca presses.
“Maybe.” Drax shrugs. From his shit-eating smirk, the fucker knows exactly where to find her. “But even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. If Sabs wants to get in touch, that’s her decision.”
“Tell me where the fuck she is!” I launch myself at him. However, due to the bond sickness, I’m lacking my usual strength, so banging into his chest feels like I’ve thrown myself straight at a steel door. “Now!”
Luca hauls me off him while Drax’s breathing grows heavy, and Orin grabs Drax’s shoulder to hold him back.
“Enough!” Orin barks, causing me to whimper while Drax hangs his head in submission. Orin scowls, glaring at the two of us before finally releasing his hold on Drax. His disappointment and disgust are obvious, yet his voice softens as he speaks to Drax. “I asked you to stay with us because I’m trying to help you. If you attack my packmate again, you won’t have a place in this house, understood?”
“Understood,” Drax grumbles.
“He’s staying here?” I spit, shaking my head in disbelief. “No fucking way.”
“That’s not your call to make.” Orin draws himself up to full height. “I’m your pack leader, and I say that Drax stays. He needs our help.” Orin smooths down his shirt. “Now, is someonegoing to tell me what’s going on here, and who the hell is this Sabrina Maverick?”
Drax’s lips press into a thin line.
“That’s what I was trying to say when you came in,” Luca scrubs a hand down his face. “There’s something we need to?—”
“She’s my omega,” I declare smugly.
“Yours?” Drax scoffs. “Sabs is notyours.”
“You wanna bet, motherfucker?” I smirk. “We bonded.”
