AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Hello?" I call out, my voice barely audible above the hum of the air conditioning. "Is anyone here?"
There's no response. I hesitantly take a few steps farther into the room, my eyes scanning the space for any signs of life. The silence is deafening, and for a moment, I'm convinced that I've made a terrible mistake.
I feel like Goldilocks, intruding on a house that isn't mine.
"I need help," I call out, my voice weak and scratchy. "Please? If anyone is here...I need help."
My heart stands still when footsteps thud on the tile floor...then a huge man steps out of the shadows of the neon light. He's got a thick beard and his brown hair is pulled into a messy bun, tattoos coating every visible inch of him.
An alpha--I can already scent him, and he smells delicious enough that I'm sure I'm going into heat.
"You're trespassing," he says gruffly.
I try to gulp down a breath, but my throat is dry. "I'm sorry," I whisper. "I need help."
The alpha's eyes narrow, scanning me up and down. His gaze lingers on my bare feet, on the dirt caked onto my skin, and on the blood that's crusted over on my arms and legs. I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks, knowing that I must look like a wild animal that's crawled out of the gutters.
"What kind of help?" he asks, his voice suspicious.
I swallow hard, feeling my throat constrict around the words that I need to say. "I'm...an omega," I tell him, the admission feeling like poison on my tongue. "And I'm going into heat. I need a place to hide until it passes."
The alpha's expression changes, his eyes widening in shock. He steps closer to me, his nostrils flaring as he takes in my scent. I can feel his body heat radiating off of him, warm and inviting. His scent is intoxicating, and I can feel my body responding against my will.
Soon, it won't matter what I want.
I'll be his.
"You came to the wrong parlor, sweetheart," he says. "This ain't an Enclave shop, if that's what you're looking for. ACB's been cracking down on those places, and there isn't one for miles around."
"It doesn't matter," I breathe. "Please, I don't have anywhere else to go."
"Tell me who you are and I'll consider it," he says.
"I'm nobody," I whisper. "I was at the train station when...when whatever happened, happened. I've been wandering the city looking for help ever since."
Compassion flickers across his face, his brow furrowing in concern. "Shit...that was three days ago."
"I'm aware."
The alpha takes another step closer, and I can feel his heat rolling off of him in waves. My body is already reacting, my omega instincts urging me to submit to him. I can feel the slick between my legs, the need to be touched and taken. It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
"I'm going to need your name," he says, his voice lower now. "And if you're lying to me, I'll know."
I take a deep breath, knowing that I'm putting myself in a dangerous position. But if I don't find a safe place to ride out my heat, I'll be at the mercy of any alpha who comes across me. And that's not a risk I'm willing to take.
"My name is Kendra," I say, my voice shaking. "Kendra Morrison."
The alpha's eyes widen in recognition. "As in, Senator Morrison's daughter?"
I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yes, and I know that I...yes, I killed him, okay? But right now, I'm willing to give you anything if you'll just give me a place to hide out until my heat is over. I have money, resources--"
It's all a lie, but I don't know what else to do. I'm at my wit's end, already unbelievably turned on, and with nowhere to go, I could end up accidentally mated toanyone.
The devil you know is better than the devil you don't.
And right now, this tattooist is my best chance at salvation.
The alpha takes a step back, his eyes darkening with desire. He's holding back...but he's on the brink.
