Chapter Nine
Finally… a moment of peace.
I’d managed to slip out from under the noses of the two overbearing Alphas. Leo had gone on his rounds of checking traps and getting more water while Anders was in the shower. It was the perfect opportunity to slip away, I just had to hope I didn’t run into Leo out here.
I was careful to avoid his tracks, trying my best to cover up my own, even though my scent would be difficult to hide. Still, I’d enjoy this, even if this moment was fleeting.
With my opportunity for escape being so spontaneous, I didn’t have time to grab much in prep. I’d kept my knife on me and thankfully was wearing a sufficient amount of clothing, something that became necessary when being this close to my heat around two Alphas. If they caught on to my increase of slick whenever they were around, it would be unfeasible to keep them out of my den when the time came.
Though that might prove impossible anyway. Thinking about what Anders said…could it really be true? Could I have two mates?
It was so unbelievable and yet, there was a small part of me that admitted it made sense. From the moment I presented as an Omega, I knew I was different. All the mannerisms and instincts that came so naturally to the others, I struggled with. I felt like a puzzle piece in the wrong puzzle. The narrative the Holy Trinity Church painted just didn’t fit me and other Alphas seemed to sense it. It’s why I had accepted the fact that I would likely never find one of my soul partners.
But learning that I had two? Not even just that, but knowing it was Leo and Anders? Something deep in my core hummed. I had ignored the sound for so long, it was almost foreign.
Logically though, how would this even work? The church would never let us get married if they even allowed us to be together at all. What kind of stigma would follow us? Would it cause more trouble to our lives? Was it even worth it?
Being here in the middle of nowhere, with no rules other than survival, it was easy to forget the condemnation of society and propriety. But once we left here, would this all end? Would it come crashing down around us?
Would Leo and Anders resent me for it?
I shivered at the very real possibility. And then what? I’d be right back where I started, except this time with a broken heart.
I was better off alone.
Sighing, I slid through the forest, keeping my eyes peeled for any predators or a specific Alpha. The humidity curled around me as sweat beaded along my temples. I’d never been so grateful for the Force issued haircuts. If I still had my long curls, I’d be melting under the blanket of them.
I’d wandered a bit further than I had before with the others. Just between the brush and trees was a little lake, at least, I assumed it was a lake, but I couldn’t tell how deep it really went.
Framed by a series of tall trees, it made the space that much more private. Excited to cool off, I almost broke through the foliage until a familiar form caught my eye making me freeze in my tracks.
His back was to me as he stood impossibly still, waist-deep in the water which is what made it so easy to miss him. He blended in with nature. The broadness of his back never failed to impress me. The reliability in those shoulders called to me in ways I’d tried so hard to ignore.
I had no need for anyone to do anything for me when I could do it myself. And yet, the idea of him catering to my needs had slick racing down my thighs in an endless effort to make it a reality.
Fucking Anders, putting all these thoughts in my head.
I stood concealed behind the thick trunk of a tree, its gnarled roots stretching deep into the forest floor. The heart of the woods cradled the serene lake whose still waters mirrored the shimmering afternoon light. Every so often, a bird's song would punctuate the hushed atmosphere, a testament to nature's ongoing symphony.
Leo hadn’t moved from his spot in the lake, hopefully not sensing my presence. If I could just back away slowly, he’d never know I was out here.
Unfortunately, my curiosity was winning the battle, keeping me rooted in my hiding spot, studying the male.
What was he like when no one was watching?
I didn’t know much about him, seeing as he didn’t really speak all that much, especially not to Omegas.
Why was that? Nothing in Anders’s story about him really spoke about why. Was it some sort of respect thing to other Alphas, not stepping on their toes and whatnot?
But that felt wrong to me. It didn’t fit what little I knew of his character. And from Anders’s story, he wouldn’t back away from challenging another Alpha. Especially since it was likely he’d win any battle for dominance.
It wasn’t as though he had been unkind though. If anything, Leo always went out of his way to help, me in particular, from the moment we met. It’s the thing that annoyed me most about him, the idea that he didn’t think me capable of taking care of myself because he was the Alpha and I was the Omega.
When did my thoughts change?
Was it because suddenly I had all of his attention?
A warmth spread across my cheeks as I recalled all the fleeting moments of interaction with him–the depth of his gaze, the rare but genuine smiles, and the silence that always seemed to surround him. Was it a protective barrier? Something similar to the wall I held up to keep the vulnerability at bay?
With a grace that seemed almost choreographed, Leo stepped even deeper into the waters, sending ripples across its smooth surface. As he submerged himself, the water seemed to welcome him, enveloping him in its cool embrace. He emerged moments later, hardly making a splash.
Droplets of water glistened on his skin. He began floating effortlessly, his eyes fixed on the canopy above, a sight of vulnerability and introspection, so unlike the sides of him I was allowed to see.
My heart raced. Every movement of Leo's, every silent moment, drew me in further. And yet, the fear of crossing an unspoken boundary held me back. In my indecision, I shifted my weight, causing a twig beneath my foot to snap loudly.
Rookie mistake.
Instantly, Leo's head turned in my direction, his piercing green gaze trying to penetrate the shadows of the trees, slowly settling on the tree I hid behind.
My heart stopped, the sensation of being discovered making me feel both vulnerable and exhilarated.
There was no way he could see me, but I didn’t dare peek out and check. He could still be looking.
Why am I hiding?
Taking a deep breath, I peeked around the corner, scanning the lake for Leo but he was gone and there were no ripples in the water to tell me which direction he had taken or where he had submerged himself.
One minute…two.
Could he really hold his breath that long?
With a hesitant step, I moved from my hiding spot, drawn to the water’s edge out of concern. Still, Leo hadn’t emerged.
“Leo?” I called with a frown.
Nothing.
Where had he–?
I took a step back and bumped into a solid wall of muscle.
With an embarrassing yelp, I spun around and came face to face with the frustratingly elusive Alpha.
Naked and glimmering with the tiny droplets of water, he stared down at me, expression intense, but he didn’t utter a word.
“What the hell? Don’t sneak up on me!”
He glanced down at the knife I had unsheathed out of pure instinct. A quick flash of approval colored his expression before it fell blank again.
We stared at each other in silence, me studying him and him studying me in return.
“I thought you were going to check traps, not take a dip in the lake,” I chided, not sure why I was being mean. It was half-hearted at best, a desperate attempt not to let myself get swept up in my hormones or in him. He didn’t seem bothered, likely used to it at this point.
Instead of answering my question, his hand came up and brushed along my jaw. I don’t know why I leaned into his touch, letting him tilt my head to the side and expose my neck. I don’t even know why I didn’t protest when his face drew nearer as his nose skimmed the sensitive skin there.
Breathless, my lips parted, eyes nearly glazing over as the promise of his scent began to pierce through my defenses.
Smooth, warm, and wet, his tongue painted along my throat until the tip caught the bottom edge of my ear.
Fuck…me.
Who knew getting licked would be such an immense turn on?
“You’re not fighting me,” he said. His deep voice was a raspy whisper.
“No,” I admitted with a shiver.
I wasn’t. I don’t know why I wasn’t, but anything he did at this moment would absolutely be consensual.
He pulled back, fingers gripping the tip of my chin as he studied me. I could only imagine what I looked like…sex deprived and wanting. It was an undeniable invitation.
Would he take advantage of this moment? This atmosphere?
“Let’s head back,” he said softly, pulling back and reaching for his clothes, leaving me breathless with a heaving chest.
Should I have been angry about the rejection?
Maybe I would have been in the past, seeing it as more of a reflection of my worth rather than a sign of respect. But the restraint it must have taken for him to step away from what I so clearly offered?
It only made me like him more.
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