Page 65 of Alpha’s Possession

Leon waits for me to calm down and feel more under control. The doors to the conference room open up, and Thane, Raidon, and Rhen step out with the Alpha. They seem all buddy-buddy again. As Alpha Jake passes the kitchenette, Leon’s arms tighten around my waist, and I tense.

"I'll catch you later, Leon," Alpha Jake says, nodding to him before turning his eyes to me. I don't miss the odd glint to them that chills me to the bone.

"And I'm sure I'll see you again real soon, Zara," he says, drawing my name out longer than necessary.

"It was lovely to meet you," I tell him, my voice sounding robotic to my own ears. He says nothing, his eyes watching me. Thane claps a hand on his shoulder, steering him toward the elevator.

"Fuck, he is a dick," Leon growls against my neck as he buries his face in my hair. He didn't rat me out, but that does not make me feel at ease. No, it makes me even more worried for some reason.

Chapter Fifty-Four

~Harlow~

Raidon watches Leon and clears his throat awkwardly. At first, I don't understand, but then I hear Rhen arguing with Thane by the elevator. The worry I had about Jake is short-lived, knowing I now have to deal with a very angry Alpha.

"It's not her fault," Rhen growls, and Leon jumps away from me. Raidon peers down the hall toward the small lobby before his eyes dart to me nervously.

"She tried to leave, and she has no trouble controlling herself around us. She is bloody lucky she didn't send him into a rut!" Thane roars. I blink, and my stomach sinks. Is this because of Jake challenging him?

His fury is written all over his face when he suddenly appears in the doorway to the kitchenette. "If you pull that shit again, I will hand you over to the authorities," Thane snarls at me, and I take a step back. I swallow down the sickening feeling that is clogging my throat.

"Fucking Omegas! You and your stupid fucking hormones making you act like a—"

"Enough, Thane. Don't confuse the old shit with Harlow and Jake with what’s happening now. Zara is fucking scared of him, not throwing herself at him," Raidon snaps, and his hand moves quickly to grip Thane’s arm as he goes to step into the kitchenette. Instinctively, I step back from the fuming Alpha. Leon's chest brushes up against my back, and Thane glares daggers at him when his arm slips around my waist.

"Get back to work!" he growls at us before storming off. Yet, I’m stuck on what Raidon meant by that. This is the first time I met Jake, and I hate the man. He’s responsible for killing my sister, so how could Thane possibly think I was throwing myself at him?

"He'll calm down. The Obsidian Pack Alpha always sets him off. Don't take it personally," Leon murmurs behind me before squeezing my arms and following after Raidon. Rhen sighs, wandering off also. They leave me alone in the kitchenette, more shaken than ever. Especially now, since at the end of the day, I’ll have to go home with Thane like this. I chew my lip as I turn back to the coffee machine to stop it from quivering.

He just faulted me for something I have no control over. And yet, my stupid Omega instincts are telling me to follow after him and beg at his feet for his forgiveness.

One thing I am becoming aware of is that my instincts are becoming harder to ignore. Soon, my suppressants may not work at all, even if I had them.

I now know that Thane’s serum is very much alive and active in my system. I’m acclimating to Thane and his pack, even if I don't want to. Their constant presence only proves how impossible it will be to continue hiding who I am from them. I need to consider the possibility of telling them the truth.

But what if it angers them? I need to leave anyway, and I won’t have that chance if Thane kills me. But what if he forgives me for running two years ago and listens to my side of the story? What if I could stay? And I want to stay here. I could have a pack, something I never wanted but find myself suddenly hoping for. I want them, and it is becoming harder to ignore. I’m not sure if I can bring myself to leave, even though staying is becoming dangerous.

I finish making more coffee for everyone. Walking to each of their offices, I stop at Thane's and knock. My mug and his shake on the tiny tray. I can't stop the fear surrounding me. I’m not sure if I’m more scared about needing to leave or of wanting to stay. Maybe both. Maybe neither at all. All lines are officially blurred, and no path seems correct.

"Come in," I hear Thane call out, and I suck in a deep breath. My hands are sweating as I fight my instinct to beg at his feet and to run as far as I can from him. I slip inside. Thane is typing away at his laptop but sits back when I place his coffee cup beside him. He sighs, watching me. I turn to leave when his hand grips my wrist, making every muscle in my body tense.

He leans across, grabbing the tray from my hand and setting it down as he swivels in his chair, pulling me to stand between his legs. "I'm sorry, Zara. I didn't mean to take my anger out on you," he murmurs.

"It's fine," I tell him. What else can I say? He’s made it perfectly clear the only reason I am here is because his mates seem to want me around. Thane sighs, letting my wrist go. I swiftly grab the tray and my coffee, heading for the door and away from him.

"I know you're not the same as Harlow," he says as I reach the door. I stop, if only because I’m scared he’s realized that I am Harlow. I turn around to see if he has anything else to say.

"You're not her, I know that. It’s just… Jake… We have a history revolving around Harlow and seeing him try to take you reminded me of when he did the same with her," he tells me, reaching for his mug. He sips his coffee, and I watch him, wondering what other information I can get from him. Maybe I can change his mind.

"You hate her because you think she killed your mother?" I ask.

He swallows, nods his head, and looks out the window.

"But you never found her. So, what if she didn't do it?"

"She did. I know she did," Thane says with unwavering certainty. I’m about to drop the subject, seeing I’m not going to get anywhere with this conversation, when the door opens. Raidon steps inside, holding a plastic zipper bag with some tubes in it and a needle.

"Leila dropped this off," Raidon says before smiling at me.