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"You're not," he says. "You were born into a system that treated you like a commodity. Sure, your daddy may have been one of the major players, but you didn't have any leverage."
"Yeah...my only leverage was telling him that I wouldn't pack up," I murmur. "And he didn't care. I barely got by without him bartering me off for political capital."
"See?" Porter says. "You needed to watch out for yourself. I get that."
"In that case, why were you watching me?"
Porter sighs and shakes his head, raking a hand back through his shaggy hair. "Because we're covering all our bases," he says. "Your father is trying to build a resistance to the new government in Solstice Bay, and he's had his hands in all kinds of shit. He recently tried to get an omega assassinated--the first omega senator."
Jesus. I'd heard about the attempt on Sloane Ashford's life, but I didn't realize my father was behind it.
"He's an evil man," I murmur. "I wish I knew something about where he is...but I don't."
"I appreciate it anyway," Porter says with a half-smile.
My soup bowl is empty, but I'm still not quite satisfied, and Porter glances over his shoulder. "How about some hot chocolate to chase your dinner?" he asks.
I bite my lip. "You know just what I need, don't you?"
He grins. "I even have another movie in the queue if you want to watch it with me."
My heat seems to have subsided for now, but I'm not sure what to expect. Still, something tells me that I should trust him, that I'm safe, and something else...well, it says that I want him.
And why shouldn't I have him?
I go over to the couch and cover myself up with a big fluffy blanket, catching the end of the old musical he had on. The fire crackles merrily, Porter bopping around in the kitchen and making me some hot cocoa.
As he returns with two steaming mugs, I can't help but admire the way his muscles ripple beneath his hoodie. He's rough around the edges, but that only makes him more appealing. I take the mug from him, closing my eyes as I inhale the sweet scent of chocolate.
"So, what movie did you pick out?" I ask, taking a sip of the hot cocoa.
Porter grins, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "It's a classic. Die Hard."
I laugh, feeling my body relax for the first time in what feels like forever. "I love that movie."
He takes a seat on the opposite side of the couch after popping in the movie, and we settle in comfortably. The movie begins and the credits roll, and I think maybe--just maybe--this nightmarish heat is over.
Then I finish off my hot chocolate...and my stomach twists.
I can feel the desire rising, and I glance over at Porter. His face is trained on the screen, but I can tell he feels it too based on the way his shoulders flex, his face flushed. Yeah...as an alpha, he'll be able to scent me. I should go back upstairs, use Kai and Callum like they asked me to.
But I don't.
I bite my lip and move slightly closer, letting the blanket slip to the floor. I put my mug down on the side table, then I crawl toward Porter, whose jaw tenses. His eyes flit toward me, though he doesn't look at me head-on.
"What are you doing?" he asks.
"You can scent me, I'm sure," I whisper. "You know what I'm doing."
God, he smells incredible, and I can see how gorgeous those eyes are even if he won't meet mine. His grip tenses on his knee until knuckles are white, but he doesn't move.
"You want me, don't you?" I ask.
He barks out a harsh laugh. "Fuck yes. But those guys upstairs aren't gonna like it."
I get close enough to graze my nose up Porter's neck, and he shudders as he lets out a breath. "They're not my pack," I murmur. "And I'm a liberated omega...you should know better than anyone that I decide what I want."
Porter's eyes slide shut for a moment, and I can feel the way his body tenses as I trace my fingers down his chest. "Jesus," he mutters. "You're playing with fire, you know that?"
