Chapter 28
My first appointment with the DAU’s therapist cuts short when I receive a text from Ridley telling me about the package left on Bea’s porch. Of fucking course these assholes can’t leave my Omega alone.
Thankfully, the therapist understands and tells me to call to reschedule. I rush out of her office and fly down the stairwell, making it to the ground floor just in time to hop into the van of techs headed to collect the evidence.
Agents eye me cautiously, clocking my grinding teeth and bouncing knee.
The instinctual drive to see Bea, to feel her in my arms, is making me crazy.
I’ve felt like I was going to crawl out of my skin since the moment I walked away from the car the night we arrived back in New York several weeks ago.
I hate feeling so out of control of myself. Not knowing when I will snap and hurt someone around me. Sometimes I wonder if I should have someone put me down before I go feral.
Shaking the thoughts from my head, I don’t wait for the van to pull to a complete stop before I am out the door and up the sidewalk. Bea’s apartment door is unlocked when I twist the handle and send it flying open. My eyes snap to her, cradled in Creed’s arms and looking so damn upset it guts me.
I’m standing before her without thought, lips pressing to hers in an agonizingly intense kiss.
The faint hints of her pineapple coconut flavor that burst over my tongue draw a groan up my chest. I lose myself in her, hands crawling up to bury in her hair when pain splits through my nipple from her fingers pinching it.
Swearing, I pull away, burning beneath the fire in her gaze. “Brat,” I grunt, massaging the sting away. Desire flares through those mesmerizing midnight blue orbs before uncertainty replaces it. A feeling I’ve earned, given how long I’ve spent pushing her away.
Creed’s arm sneaks around her waist, pulling my mate away from me before I can say anything stupid and fuck this situation up more than I already have.
I can’t tear my eyes away from Bea as we talk.
Magnetized by her existence in a way I doubt I’ll ever be able to escape.
Not that I want to, not really, but what I told her before is true.
I need to get a better handle on my trauma before I risk bonding myself to her.
I’d rather lose myself to ferality than witness her break beneath the weight of my problems.
A knock on the door pulls me away. Lukas Dromir waits outside, following me in when I leave the door open for him.
Leading the DAU alongside Donovan, he is technically my boss.
He’s also a pushy asshole who convinced Bea’s best friend, Omen, to confront her father last summer, nearly leading to the other woman’s death.
Something I have not forgiven him for.
His explanation of the package is brief and uninformative, which is to be expected.
I meet Creed’s eyes, sensing the war he is waging within himself.
The need to stay and comfort Bea is overwhelming, but if we can finally track Marcus down and throw his ass behind bars…
It would be worth a few hours away to know she never has to face that bastard again.
He must agree with me, because he kisses her, making promises to return quickly, before heading to his car. I hesitate, then say fuck it and press a chaste kiss to her lips, too, before heading outside to slide into the passenger seat and buckle up. We’re ready for a manhunt.
The condo we roll up to is mid. Made of weathered tan bricks and dated windows. Blankets hang on the windows, blacking out the view inside.
I follow Creed to the front door, expecting him to knock. When his foot connects with the wood below the handle, breaking the lock open and sending it careening inside, I can’t hide my grin. Looks like we’re here as Bea’s Alphas, not federal agents.
A woman screams inside, bolting from her couch toward the stairs. The scent of stale cigarettes fills the space, and it takes several seconds for me to realize it comes from her.
“Where is your bastard son?” Creed growls, reaching out to block the stairway and preventing the older woman from fleeing. She shakes, but plasters on a scowl when she sees who we are.
“You aren’t welcome in my home, Creed Barrett, so get the fuck out before I-”
Creed’s hand flies to her throat, squeezing in warning. “Shut the fuck up, Alisha. You’ll what? Call the cops? Do it. I’ll make sure they know exactly where your drug stash is when they show up.”
When she deflates, still glaring, he drops her, wiping his hand on his pants like the mere thought of her skin makes him feel dirty. “Answer the question. Where is Marcus?”
“I don’t know-”
His foot collides with the coffee table behind her, shattering the wooden leg with ease. Alisha yelps, shrinking beneath the anger permeating the room.
“I don’t know where he is, but I know where he might be!” Her voice is shrill as she shouts. I listen as she rattles off several potential hideouts, some we were already aware of and a few we hadn’t known about.
Finished with the stench, I head out to the car, Creed following behind me. Fuck, it feels way too good to cause mayhem with him. Reminds me too much of our days in the service.
The first location is a bust. Some dive bar he supposedly frequents with his Eternals buddies. The only people inside are old-timers.
At the second apartment leased in Alisha’s name, we find signs that Marcus has been here recently. He isn’t here now, though.
“Fucking shit,” Creed growls, tossing Marcus’ stuff everywhere.
“Come on, we have one more stop to make.”
I lead him back to the car, but movement at the corner catches my attention. It isn’t Marcus, but the teenager currently hightailing it to the next block looks familiar. Nodding my head, I grab Creed’s attention before I jog after him.
He glances back, sees me following, and bolts down an alley. I pick up my speed, but there is no rush. Creed will cut him off before he can escape. I’m proven right when I hear the roar of the Blackwing’s engine before tires crunch over gravel.
The teen tries to climb the side of one of the surrounding buildings when he realizes he is trapped, but Creed yanks him back to the ground.
“Where’s Marcus?”
“I don’t know nothin’.”
“Then why were you watching Marcus’ apartment?” I ask, crouching to glare at the kid. A wave of dominance rolls off of me, stilling his squirming. He fights against me, but then Creed follows my lead, our combined Alpha auras forcing the kid to answer our questions.
“I was paid to keep an eye on the place.”
“By Marcus?”
“By the Eternals.”
Creed grunts, jaw clenched tight enough he will crack a tooth if he isn’t careful. He whips his phone and shoves it in the kid’s face, a picture of Marcus on the screen. “Is this who hired you?”
“Yes,” the kid grinds out, clearly unhappy with being coerced into answering.
“How are you supposed to contact him if you see someone at his place?”
We walk away with a phone number, leaving the kid with promises we’ll be back if he’s lied to us. I don’t enjoy scaring kids, but when they’re as ingrained in gang life as he is, there’s no backing down. Leniency will earn you a knife in the back if you aren’t careful.
In the car, Creed dials the number.
“What?” Marcus’ voice snaps, sounding as annoyed as we feel.
“You threatened my Omega.” Creed’s voice is deadly cold as he speaks, darkness weighing around us with the feral energy pouring off of him.
“Did your pretty flower like my gift, brother ? I can’t wait to pluck her petals, forcing you to watch as my men break her before I slit your throat.”
Dual growls rattle through the interior, sharp and fierce. No way in hell is this asshole getting his hands on our mate.
“We’re coming for you,” I grit between clenched teeth. “You aren’t getting away this time, and the law will not stop us. You should know better than to mess with a bonded Omega.”
Marcus laughs, taunting us with more words, but Creed hangs up. The car shifts into gear, and we’re flying away from the abandoned apartment.
We’ll tear this entire city apart if we have to.
My hands ache from pounding the heavy bag at the local gym. Our hunt for Marcus led nowhere. A-fucking-gain. This asshole pisses me off more and more each time he slips through our fingers. At this point, I’m certain I would snap his neck if I saw him in person.
Flexing my fingers on the steering wheel, I drive aimlessly around town. Returning to an empty apartment won’t help settle the raging sea inside of me. Neither will a night at DAU or FCDA headquarters. I’d just pick a fight with the other recruits and get scolded for it later.
Starburgh is quiet in the early hours. As sleepy as a city can ever truly get. I pass by empty parks and closed storefronts, lost in thought.
When I realize I’ve stopped, I’m idling outside of Bea’s apartment. Of course, my instincts led me here. I feel settled when she is near. When she’s safe.
Planning to camp out on her steps again, I startle when the front door opens and Creed walks out. He nods, clapping me on the shoulder as he leaves, mumbling something about new trainees. He must be heading to work.
Slipping into the apartment, I settle at Bea’s island, body relaxing in her space. The first rays of light are starting to paint the kitchen a cheery yellow when I hear rustling. I’m expecting one of her other mates, but it’s Bea who stumbles out of her bedroom.
She stops when she sees me. Eyes wide. “Lex?”
“Good morning, brat.”
A scowl forms on her face as she heads to the fridge, digging a bottle of water out. “What are you doing here?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” I admit. “Needed to make sure you were safe.”
Her body softens, lips tightening at my reminder of the threat made against her yesterday. She downs half the bottle, toying with the label while she sits with her thoughts.
“I know you said you want to be with me. I guess I’m just surprised you’re actually here.”
Pushing to my feet, I round the island and cage her against it. Drawn by her uncertainty and the sadness in her midnight blue eyes.
“Your doubt of me is well-deserved, Omega. I have to prove myself to you. To earn your trust. You thought I was spouting bullshit the other morning, didn’t you?”
Her head jerks in a sharp nod. I should have expected this. My actions have cut her too deeply for her to keep her faith in my words. Why would she believe I am trying to be better for her when I haven’t shown her?
Gripping her throat, I use my thumb to tilt her head up. “I’m so fucking sorry for the way I have treated you, Bea. For pushing you away and acting as if the connection between us was nothing more than an inconvenience. You deserve better.”
Wetness builds along her lashes, so I gently brush it away. My lips brush against hers, light as a feather. “I will be better for you. I swear it.”
Her hands grip my shirt, keeping me close. Shining in her mesmerizing oceanic eyes, I see her desire. It’s an inferno that grows and spreads, surrounding me until the air between us feels too thick to breathe.
“Lex.” My name is a whisper. A plea.
Slamming my mouth to hers, I claim her in the only way I can. With tongue and teeth and emotion. She kisses me back, just as fervently. Her hips grind against mine. I hike one thigh up, leaving her panty-clad pussy open to grind fully against my cock where it hardens beneath my shorts.
“Please,” she begs, pressing open-mouthed kisses across my jaw and down my neck. “I need to feel you.”
Fuck. I shouldn’t. Not when I haven’t earned her trust. But I can’t deny the same need in my heart.
Even if it’s just for this moment, I want to experience my mate the way I should have done months ago. The night she tried to go out to that stupid party to fuck someone else.
Trembling fingers grip the hem of her shirt and pull it over her head.
I groan when I see her gorgeous tits, nipples tight and begging for my tongue.
Dipping down, I lave over one while my fingers pinch the other.
Bea is so responsive. Moaning and pushing her chest out.
Her hands dig into my hair, holding me against her.
My palms drag down her sides, over her hips, and push her panties down her thighs until they wrap around her ankles. Slipping my hand between her thighs, I almost lose my mind when I feel how wet she is.
I want to savor her. To sink to my knees and prove how much I want her by making her come on my tongue until she’s mindless and begging me to relent. But my hindbrain demands I sink my cock into her. To feel her walls pulse around me.
Shoving my shorts down, her hand wraps around my length and strokes me. Her soft skin feels incredible, the pressure perfect as she plays with me.
“Fuck me,” she demands, head tossing back and eyes heavy-lidded with desire. She lines me up with her entrance, foot pushing on my hip, trying to get me to move.
Lifting her onto the counter, I slide into her pussy. Warm, heavenly devastation wrecks me with each inch I push into her. She feels amazing. Like she was made to take my cock.
Bea wraps her arms around my shoulders, holding on as I take her. Our joining isn’t romantic; it’s primal. Driven by our need to connect.
Slapping flesh and the squelch of her slick, soaked cunt fill the room, mixing with our pleasured sounds and heavy breaths. The soundtrack to perfection.
“Yes,” she keens, “knot me!”
My teeth ache with the urge to bite her. To claim her. I turn my head down and watch as her pussy swallows me instead. This is about pleasure and physical intimacy, not bonding. Nothing about this moment is permanent beyond the reminder that this Omega owns me, heart and soul.
The feeling of her pussy clamping around my knot as it swells inside of her is euphoric, sending starbursts of light across my vision. “Fuck,” I groan, flooding her with my cum.
Our lips meet as we come down from our orgasmic high. Softer kisses. Butterfly wings carrying promises that this is only the beginning of the next chapter in our lives together.
Her body sags against mine, exhaustion stealing her strength. I lift her against me, careful not to let my knot pull too hard where it is still lodged inside her. Carrying us to the couch, I stretch across the soft cushions and hold her against me.
Sleep finds me easily with my mate in my arms. A restful, peaceful thing. The best night’s sleep I’ve had in years.