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I stumble over a rock and the world comes out from under me as I flail, my stomach dropping like I’m on a rollercoaster as I land in the water. It’s much deeper here and the liquid quickly consumes me. The shock of it meeting my face has me sucking in a surprised breath. Except it’s not air I’m breathing in, it’s water.
A coughing fit threatens to take over as I find the pebbled bottom, planting my feet to surge from the water. If my lungs were on fire from all the running, then they’ve turned to molten lava as I expel the water and suck in deep breaths.
Footsteps pound against the rock-covered shoreline, creating a crunch that spells out the metaphorical cell door slamming closed on my freedom.
No! This can’t be it.
I dash for the tree line, searching for the fattest trunk that might hide my small body. A desperate attempt, but that’s what I am right now, completely desperate. My back presses against the bark, and the sting of it digging into my skin grounds me. I have to hold both hands over my mouth to suppress the coughs wanting to give me away. My body is trying to betray me, the fucking bitch.
Knowing I can’t prevent the cough forever, I whip my soaked shirt over my head and ball it up before pressing it against my mouth to muffle the sound. The fabric swallows the noise, and I’m thankful it’s wet since it helps to smother it even more than it would’ve if it was dry.
The footsteps chasing me slow to a stop. “Verity, come on, Precious, stop running from me.” His smooth voice wraps around me like a warm embrace. I don’t even know the man, but being called precious speaks to something deep inside me. The most delectable scent I’ve ever come across flutters toward me, wrapping around my senses. I can’t help but suck in a few lungfuls. Wait, is that cinnamon and nutmeg? It’s like a Christmassy hug wrapped in a sexy sounding alpha. Why does he have to remind me of my favorite holiday?
The sound of his voice, paired with that damn nickname, on top of him smelling like something I want to lick all over… it’s overwhelming and calls to my omega. My sweet pear perfumes the air and my eyes go wide. Why now? Can’t my body tell we’re trying to hide from this alpha, not call out to him?
But no. My scent continues to billow out from me, like it has a mind of its own and wants to tempt the alpha nearby. For fuck’s sake. My perfume knows no bounds. It’s like a squid who inks when it’s in danger, except mine happens when I’m turned on. It’s inconvenient as fuck.
“Oh, shit,” the alpha whispers, taking a deep whiff of me. I can barely hear him inhale and my mind automatically pictures him adjusting an enormous cock in his pants as another round of pears thickens the air. Instantly, the smell of cinnamon answers my pheromones drifting between us. A groan threatens to escape my lips because, goddamn, he smells so good. My thighs clench and my legs twitch in an effort to take us to him like they have a mind of their own.
I clutch at my legs, holding them in place, and glare at them like the traitors they are. “Be a good girl for me and come out here,” he demands, using his alpha sass. Technically, it’s an alpha bark. But let’s face it, it’s the male version of trying to force their own way like a nagging woman. It has sass written all over it, and I haven’t been able to think of it any other way since making the connection.
My legs shake as I stand, and I grit my teeth against the disdain I hold for being forced to show myself. With eyes downcast, I step from behind the tree, but it doesn’t take long for me to defiantly raise my gaze to take in the alpha standing a dozen feet in front of me.
Time seems to slow as I study every detail. Naturally, I start at the boots on his feet, traveling up his body, until I reach the very large bulge tenting his pants. I fucking knew it! My thighs shift together and my nipples pebble tightly.
With considerable effort, I tear my eyes from the fabric hiding his cock, and take in the form-fitting shirt that’s glued to the rippling muscles underneath before climbing to the amused smirk on his face. I can’t help it when my gaze quickly returns to the area covered by his shirt, wanting to memorize every dip of his abs. His tee is damp from the water he splashed through when chasing me. And my goodness, his muscles are divine. He’s strong enough to throw me against a tree and hold me there while he—
I probably shouldn’t finish that thought.
His gaze soaks each supple curve of mine in turn, and when those deep, almost endless pools of blue eyes of his reach my face, I blow him a saucy kiss and twirl on my toes before dashing away from him. He releases a feral growl, and I instantly realize my mistake. I just initiated a chase with an alpha. It’s like dangling the softest of blankets in front of an omega in pre-heat.
“Fuck,” the alpha mutters, his tone sending shivers through me as I hear his footfalls chasing after me. Thump, thump, thump. It’s a steady rhythm in time with the pounding of my heart. “Now you’ve really done it.”
Dumb, Verity. You’ve studied the traits of every designation. You know alphas can’t control the need to chase their prey, especially when they’ve scented your pheromones. I waved a goddamn red cape in front of a bull. And I like the way it makes me feel.
You’d think the biggest problem I have right now would be the alpha chasing me, but surprisingly, that isn’t it. Oh, no! My biggest problem is the fact that him chasing me is turning me on even more. Warm spices and pears fill the air like a decadent pie waiting to come together in the best of ways, and I want nothing more than to find out what happens when he catches me. The man behind me is one of the hottest men I’ve ever seen, and my fucking inner self wants me to give in to my designation.
If only it weren’t for what comes after the ceremony, maybe I’d let myself.
Strong arms wrap around my waist, reminding me I’m not wearing my shirt. It’s fisted in my hand. His skin is almost scalding against mine. I didn’t realize how much the creek water chilled me until now. He lifts me off the ground. I don’t waste the opportunity, kicking back and forth, trying to nail him in the shin to free myself from his grasp. That is until a rolling purr vibrates through his chest and into my back, instantly relaxing me.
My body goes limp in his hold, all the fight draining out of me with the calming sound. This alpha is pulling more omega traits out of me—more than I’ve ever shown before. It further proves why I desperately ran into the woods, trying to escape my destiny in the first place.
His hard cock presses against my ass, and he nuzzles into the crook of my neck, marking me with his scent. My omega preens, wanting him to bite and claim us. I can’t help but grind back into him or the moan that escapes my lips. “I’ve got you, Precious,” he murmurs. “You’re safe now.”
I tilt my head to the side, wanting to take in his handsome features again. But at the same time, I wonder why the fuck he thinks I wasn’t safe in the first place. “What—“ I’m not sure what I was going to ask, but the whispered word hangs in the air between us as his purr gets stronger and my train of thought stutters to a stop.
He takes in my questioning gaze and the sound of my voice seems to break through the instincts taking over him. His eyes go wide with surprise and he puts me down, stepping away, but keeping his hands on my shoulders to steady me. It looks like the thought of letting me go is too hard for him to fathom right now. And honestly, I feel the same way.
Fucking pheromones. Our bodies are predisposed to follow certain instincts the moment we smell them. I hate being beholden to the whims of my body—this isn’t the life I want. And yet here we are…
“Alpha Andrik, did you find her yet? The ceremony is about to start and our orders are to bring her in before it finishes,” a voice says, coming through the radio clipped to the back of his belt. So, his name is Andrik. I almost want to test it on my tongue.
I twist to face him, wanting to take in his features now that I know his name. I study his arched brows and sharp jawline peppered with day old stubble.
Andrik sweeps his gaze over me and pulls me against his chest, wrapping one arm around my back. He holds me close while he reaches behind him to grab the radio like he’s afraid I’ll slip away again.
Smart man. He’s not wrong.
