Chapter 3 #2
I hadn’t realized he’d lowered his hands until I felt them settle on my chest.
Fuuuuck.
In a second, I was hotter than a sauna, my scent saturating the air as the edges of my vision went a bit fuzzy. I wanted to fully rip the rest of his clothes off him. I wanted to pin him to the ground and tease him with my cock until he was nothing but a mess of slick and need.
My thoughts were cut short as a familiar metallic taste coated my tongue.
Panic cut through the lust, severing the choke hold it had me in.
I could not risk going into a rut around an omega again. I twisted, shoving him off me. “Rut’s hitting. Gotta go,” I growled, making for the exit.
Just in time, because only seconds later, the rut stole my mind away.
Restlessness would be the closest word to describe it, yet it was inadequate as well. It was like a burning need rising all over my body, rage forcing me to move and act. A storm which I faced; screaming into the wind while electricity coursed through me.
Trying to run from the truth that I was so undeniably alone.
Adrift.
That I was seconds away from untethering completely.
I slammed my body into a punching bag, trying to ground myself in the sensation. I was moving, clawing, desperate for the feeling to ground me. It would only do so much.
A real fight would work. The familiar exertion and pain. Something to focus on beyond what was missing.
Something to distract me from the temptation in the other room.
?
He was gone by the time I finally wore myself out, which was for the best.
I got myself a drink of water, trying to ignore the emptiness of the private gym. My hands were shaking as I took a sip.
I had thought that once I got my freedom, I would enjoy solitude again. My imprisonment had kept me caged underground alongside ten other alphas. I had dreamed of quiet, without the noises of feral alphas snapping at each other.
When Laurel had busted us out, we’d gone to one of Jade’s places. Sharing the house with Casey, Jade, and Jewel had been an improvement, but it wasn’t what I wanted.
Yet now, alone in this empty room, I hated it. It felt wrong, like the whole place was tense. A trap, waiting to spring.
I tried to shake the feeling as I walked into the shower.
I cranked it on, drowning the silence with the familiar rush of water.
I closed my eyes, my shoulders relaxing.
That was better. I could almost imagine I was back at Jade’s place.
Casey would be out in the living room, curled up with Jade, perhaps.
I could step out right now and be met with Jewel’s chattering.
I mean, not like this, because I was in the shower. And I wouldn’t have walked out into that place like this.
What would have happened if I had?
A hot pulse of arousal shot through me, and I shut down that train of thought quickly. I’d already proven I could never have something like that.
Fuck. I’d known him since he was a kid, for god’s sake. It was bad enough with Jade and Casey; they were young, but I’d only known them as adults.
It was hard stepping out of that shower into the cold, empty room again. I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts, so I decided to head upstairs ahead of my meeting with Laurel. I didn't have much else to do right now.
CASEY
I wiped my hands on my pants as I made my way through the lobby of the Crimson Palace. Today was going to be good, I reminded myself.
I was up bright and early and on my way to get coffee for the team.
I brightened as I saw Hugo leaning against the wall by the coffee shop. “Master Hugo!” I swept him up into a side hug.
He patted me on the back before I let him go. Alphas needed touch, and Hugo had been locked up alone for far too long. I was sure he was not getting the proper number of hugs per day, a problem I was happy to address.
“Hey, Casey,” he said.
“What are you doing here this early?”
He raked his hand through his long, shaggy hair. “Me and Jewel were sparring.”
He didn’t look pleased about it.
“How did that go?”
“Not great. Threw me into a minor rut.”
I nodded. That made sense. Hugo was extremely prone to rutting, and being physically close to an omega was sure to be a trigger.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Not the first time. The punching bag took care of it. You grabbing coffee?”
“Coffees. Doing a delivery. You want something?”
“Sure.”
He followed me inside, and we got in line.
“I thought you were still on leave?” he asked suddenly.
I felt my face getting a bit hot. Jewel and Laurel had said I could take two weeks to settle in with my family again, but I’d only taken two days. “Oh, well, I like to be busy.”
He gave a huff of amusement, a smile tugging at his mouth. “Your mom didn’t have any chores for you? I thought you said you used to help her out all the time. Don’t you have like four younger siblings?”
Oh. He remembered that?
“Five, yeah. But Vanessa stepped up while I was gone, and Grandpa passed away, so we don’t have to look after him now. And my mom is so glad to have me back, she won’t let me do anything.”
Hugo studied me while I stepped up to the counter and ordered everyone’s drinks.
“Yeah, it’s weird being out,” he finally said. “I feel like I’m doing something wrong. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do or where I fit.”
“Exactly,” I said, relief settling over me. “I missed my family so much, and I’m so happy to be back, but my family’s house is so loud. I mean, busy.”
I cringed internally. It wasn’t their fault it was so chaotic.
Hugo snorted. “Gotcha. Meanwhile, I’m over here complaining because my place is too quiet.”
“Oh no!” I frowned. God, that must be horrible for him.
“It’s fine. Just not used to it, I guess.”
The drinks were ready, and Hugo took one of the trays from me. We started toward the lobby.
“Well, if you want some company, I’m here. I’m just doing some tasks for Laurel, it’s not very exciting.”
Hugo shrugged. “Sure. If you don’t mind.”
“Of course not! Happy to help.” I gave him a smile, and for a moment, his eyes softened and he smiled back.
It was so unexpected that I missed the step down into the lobby. I stumbled forward, the tray of coffees on a direct path to the ground.
The fine hairs on the back of my neck stood up as Hugo’s aura split the air, making him fast enough that he caught me. The coffees were whisked from my hand.
“Christ. You all right?” Hugo had his arm around me and had pulled me close to steady me.
Heat prickled my cheeks as I stared at him.
Oh my god.
I tried desperately to get my racing thoughts under control.
My frantic pulse had less to do with the actual fall and more to do with the concern showing on his face.
Or maybe it was the strong, sure grip he had me in.
Or it could be the rich scent of orchid and cedar that was inescapable this close.
“Casey?” He gently shook my shoulder.
I jerked back, clasping my hands together and giving a little bow.
Oh my god, why did I do that? My face heated more, and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. “Oh! Yes, I’m fine. Sorry, and, um, thank you.”
I must have been in full-blown panic mode because I gave another bow. I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut, but I settled for digging my fingernails into my arm and squeezing.
Stop it! Stop being awkward!
“Oh. Yeah. Of course.” Hugo cleared his throat and nodded, eyes darting to the floor.
“Could I—?” I reached for my tray of coffees, but Hugo yanked it out of reach.
He chuckled. “Why don’t you let me handle these?” he said, ruffling my short hair and starting toward the elevators. My scalp was tingling where he’d touched me.
I hurried after him, clawing back some self-control. Yeah, I thought alphas were hot in general, and Hugo was no exception.
But I was better than this!
Wasn’t I?
I did have a really bad track record recently in regards to being physically attracted to my colleagues. Jade was really, really pretty, and Jewel… well, I think you’d have to be blind to not find him hot.
Was it me? Was I just a freak?
Wait, no. Laurel and her alphas—I was fine around them. They were all attractive as well, but it wasn’t something I thought about a lot.
I followed Hugo into the elevator, still keeping my gaze directed at the ground.
It was fine. I’d just have to power through the butterflies in my stomach. They all deserved better than being around someone who was trying to use them.
Honestly, I was so glad that I could do this for him. My whole life, I’d been secure knowing I had a job to do. I thought I’d been irreplaceable in my family, but the work I’d done wasn’t enough for my father to keep me around.
I’d worked hard in the Pens too. I hadn’t really had a choice, but still. I knew those alphas needed me there. Needed at least one person to give them back their dignity.
I’d work hard at this too. I could be there for Hugo, Jewel, and Jade. They needed someone safe and secure, someone they could rely on.
No matter whether it was providing Hugo with company or going out for dinner with Jade on Friday, I’d be there for them.
Whatever they needed, I was happy to help.