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Sighing, I tried to pull my thoughts back to the present. The sun was directly overhead, and I hadn’t been paying attention to see if we were getting close to Barcole yet.
“Will we make it to the town soon?”
It took De’drik a moment before he answered.
“Not for a few finger spans yet. I’ve been looking for a place to stop for a bit so I can catch something to eat, but I can keep going if you wish.”
I already felt guilty for him having to carry me so far, I couldn’t deny him a break, and I had no idea how much something his size needed to eat. He hadn’t shared my morning meal, so for all I knew, he hadn’t eaten since last night.
I shook my head.
“No, we can stop. I’m sure you need a rest.”
He chuckled, the rumble vibrating from his chest throughout my body. My thoughts had distracted me for a while, but new heat flooded through me as he shifted his grip, making my breasts rub against his chest.
Careful of my foot, he set me on the ground, his hands lingering before leaving trails of fire over my skin when he pulled away. Swallowing a whimper that tried to tear free at the loss, I looked up at the massive male towering over me as he sucked in a deep breath before speaking.
“Give me a moment to set up a place for you to sit.”
His voice was low and rough, like he was fighting to speak through the same ball of desire that was strangling me. Unable to pull my eyes away from him, I nodded, watching as he turned to drop his pack and pull out the furs that now carried both of our scents.
His powerful body moved with a fluid grace that reminded me of the horses that used to gallop through the fields next to my parents’ farm. Each action was performed with perfectly controlled strength and zero wasted motions, a comfy little nest awaiting me in moments.
My core clenched as I thought of him using that control with me. Of how soft and gentle his hands were when wrapping my foot, yet how carrying my extra weight all day hadn’t even made him breathe hard.
If everything went to plan, I would return to my life of drudgery before sunset, and never have an opportunity like this again, much less with an alpha who awakened a need inside me that I hadn’t known was there. I was isolated in my aunt’s home, the three of them betas without the pheromones to stimulate my instincts, and I doubted I would ever have the chance to know the touch of an alpha if it didn’t happen now.
The idea had been teasing me long enough, and I decided if this was my one chance to have a moment to remember, I was going to take it.
Pushing myself upright with the aid of the tree beside me, I took a hobbling step toward De’drik, careful to keep any weight off the ball of my foot. He turned just as I was within arm’s distance, reaching out to steady me with his hands around my hips.
“What are you—”
I pressed my fingers to his mouth as I limped closer, stopping him from popping the bubble of bravery pushing me on. His lips were warm and soft, firm beneath my finger as he stared at me. Sliding my hand over to his cheek, I marveled at the texture of the short fur, softer than any velvet. I tried to think of something to say, something that would express the tangled feelings in my chest, but I couldn’t come up with anything that didn’t seem cheap, so I decided actions were better than words.
Reaching to grab the unbroken horn, I slid my other hand around the back of his neck as I pressed myself against him and bared my neck. I might not be in heat, but it was still an offer of submission, and I saw the surprise and hunger on his face when I glanced from the corner of my eye.
“Ivy, you don’t have to…”
I cut him off again by pulling on his horn and letting out a purr as I rubbed against the erection trapped between us.
“Please, alpha.”
With a groan his arms came around me, crushing me to him as he lifted me off my feet and licked the flesh of my neck. Eyes closing, I followed my instincts, wrapping my legs around his waist as my back hit the pile of furs.
Chapter Fifteen
De’drik
It was too good to be real. I must have hit my head and was dreaming, because I couldn’t figure out how Ivy ended up beneath me, rocking her hips in search of friction.
I’d been struggling not to dissuade her from going back to her kin, knowing it was selfish of me to want her to stay. I’d only known the omega for two days, but my instincts screamed that she was mine. No smart omega would agree to stay with an alpha after such a short time, and I knew Ivy was smart, but I still wanted her. I’d been drawn to her the moment I’d seen her, and she felt perfect in my arms.
“Are you sure?”
It took all my strength to pull my lips from her neck and ask, but I needed to know this wasn’t some misguided attempt to pay me for my help. I didn’t want her to think I expected it.
I didn’t expect anything from her. I wanted her, but I needed to know she wanted me as well.
