Salvation (Wild Heat)

Chapter 8 – M E M P H I S

The dark treessurround me as I storm into the forest. Their trunks are hard and unbending, like they’re passing judgment on me. They saw my weakness and cowardice when I ran from the fire. I should be stronger than that, with more control. I want to roar my frustration.

I’ve never lost control like this in my life. No other Omega has ever made me feel like this. A single whiff of her intoxicating scent stripped away all my common sense. No more keeping my eye on the trees around us, checking for threats. No, my eyes were glued to Brooklyn’s face. Her cheeks had flushed the most delicious shade of pink, like a sunrise peeking through thick morning fog. Her lush lips were an even deeper shade.

Fuck, a man could spend days exploring the contours of those lips.

A bitter laugh escapes my chest when I think about the photo of Brooklyn on her birthday. The one that I couldn’t get out of my head. That girl called out to me, begging me to find her. Save her. If I dared to dream of finding her alive at all, I pictured her falling to her knees with gratitude. Thrilled that some hero had finally come to rescue her from isolation.

It’s laughable. If that helpless girl ever really existed, she’s long gone now.

There’s nothing helpless about Brooklyn. She’s a determined, clever, stunning woman. Watching her sneak into our camp, each step perfectly placed to make the smallest amount of noise, it captivated me. I’ve never seen a person move with such grace before. She reminded me more of a lynx: feline and elusive.

No wonder she was able to survive so long out here. She’s no prey— she’s a predator. She’s wild and instinctual, like she was made to walk these woods. To rule them like some savage fairy queen.

Of course she wouldn’t be happy to see us. There’s no doubt in my mind that she doesn’t want to be dragged back to civilization. What’s waiting for an Omega there? Just rules and walls. She’d be escorted everywhere by chaperones, aka glorified babysitters. Her behavior would constantly be policed in the name of keeping her safe.

There’s no fucking way the Omega by the fire wants to be kept in a cage, waiting for an Alpha to bond with her. She’s too fierce for that.

When I reach a fallen tree, I stop and sit on the stump. My body wants to keep going and let off some of the energy that’s been building in me. But I know I can’t go too far from camp. The other guys will expect me to help them keep watch. Besides, running away isn’t going to work. I need a solution.

I’ve got no idea where we go from here. The hunter in me bucks at hauling her home without her consent. I still don’t know what she’s running from, but I find that I don’t care. Clearly, Brooklyn’s out here because she wants to be. If she wanted to find her way home, she’s capable enough that she could have done it months ago. Part of me just wants to let her be.

But Roger Castle is paying us. A lot. He’ll expect results, and I doubt he’d settle for some lie about us not being able to find her. It’d be too hard to hide the truth, and I don’t want a billionaire as my enemy.

Plus, I can’t deny what I really want. What all my Alpha instincts are begging me to do.

I want to keep her. Her scent is too fucking sweet, like it was designed specifically to tempt me. It’s sweet honey and nectar, the most luscious parts of nature.

Brooklyn is like me—I can just feel it. We both choose to be silent instead of giving in to people who expect us to talk. Both of us would rather sleep under a starry sky than a comfortable roof. The wildness in her calls to the tracker in me. She was made to run free, and I was made to find her.

But I can’t think like that. Brooklyn and I haven’t even had a conversation—I have no idea what she wants. If she wants to stay out here, she might want to be alone and free. I know that if she goes home, Roger Castle wants bigger things for her than living on my parcel of land out in Memphis.

The whole thing is a mess.

I’m a quiet man, but I’m not fucking shy. I just don’t see the point in speaking unless I’ve got something worth saying. And right now, I’ve got plenty. I yell it out into the trees.

“Fuck. Fuck this fucking job. Fuck off, you goddamn judgy trees. Fuck my life. Just fuck everything!”

It’s not articulate, but it sure feels good to say. I take in a deep breath of the cool night air then sigh it out.

There’s no way I could leave Brooklyn now. I know that. But resisting her feels equally impossible. I might be able to stop myself from jumping on her, but I’ll never manage to hide how much I desire her. She’ll see it written all over my face. Hopefully, Camden can find the herbs and berries we need to keep her heat from coming on, because if her smell gets any more intoxicating, my self-control will evaporate. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one.

Her face swims back to the front of my thoughts. Just the memory of those wise, wary eyes, staring me down, makes my cock stiffen. I press my palm against it, groaning at the touch. I’m like a teenager again, getting hard at just the fantasy of a woman.

I pull my cock out, gripping myself hard as I run my hand up and down the shaft. Getting myself off is a temporary solution. The minute I catch a whiff of the Omega’s sweet scent, my cock will be hard all over again. But I have to come now, because if I can’t take the edge off, I’m going to lose my goddamn mind.

Closing my eyes, I try to remember the last woman I was with. It’s been a few months—I crave sex as much as the next guy, but I’m not looking for companionship. I’m a solitary guy, more into planning my next hunt or maintaining my land than wasting my time dating. I’ve only been with a few Omegas before, and they were safely on repressors. I had no idea what I was getting into.

Scenting Brooklyn was like stepping into the sun after years alone in the dark. Awe-inspiring. Life-changing. Beautiful.

No. Not her.I squeeze my cock painfully hard to stop myself. The Omega’s too dangerous to fantasize about.

Instead, I think back to that pretty Beta I met at a bar back home. She was all long, curvy limbs and breathy sighs, tall enough that I didn’t have to strain my back to lean down and kiss her. I brought her back to my place, where she took my cock in her mouth like a pro. Her red-painted lips were gorgeous stretched around my width.

But the image changes, red lips turning into full pink ones, her body now small and slender, yet somehow strong. It’s thick dark hair that I’m pulling tight with my hand.

Fuck. My fantasies aren’t safe from her. She’s too consuming.

So I give in.

Even though it’s a bad idea, I let myself think about her while I stroke myself. I imagine putting my hand around Brooklyn’s slender neck, pressing my thumb against her pulse point to feel the rhythm of her heartbeat. She’s so guarded, hunched in on herself, constantly protecting her vulnerable parts. I’m dying to see her unfurl. When I brushed my lips against hers, she’d arch her back and press her breasts against my chest. She’d loll her head and give me access to her neck. I’d run my tongue up and down the soft, delicate skin until she smelled like me.

My hand tightens around my shaft, moving faster. My release is so fucking close, I can taste it.

Brooklyn’s slick smelled so delectable. I’m desperate to get close to the source and press my nose up against her pretty pussy. I’d let that sweet honey scent overwhelm me. Just one lick would be enough. One small taste. Of course, I’d bury myself in her for hours if she’d only let me, but I’ll take whatever I can get. I’d beg on my goddamn knees if she’d let me swipe my tongue through her folds even once. I’d worship her.

She’s mine. She’s meant for me. She wants me to take her, I can see it in those wild, mismatched eyes.

I come in my hand, sighing with relief as my spend spurts onto the forest floor. My breath comes in sharp pants, but some semblance of clarity has come back.

For now, at least, I can think of things other than Brooklyn’s scent. The desperation to take her is still there, but it’s manageable.

I know it won’t last long, though. She’s wriggled her way too deep under my skin.