11. Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
Dana
If I wasn't shocked enough by this Omega – this Omega who is actively going into heat – snatching me off balance and pulling me into his body, I would probably have a bigger reaction to the Valla – the same one I was watching earlier – appearing almost out of thin air, wrapping his huge hand around my arm to help me regain my balance.
The Omega didn't mean to offset me. He wouldn't have known about my mobility and balance issues. Based on the rich combination of mahogany and pheromones I'm currently swimming in, he didn't have much of a choice. And the longer we stand here with me caught between a snarling Omega and a growling Valla, the more dangerous this situation is going to become.
I wish I had more time to revel in the realization that they are somehow both my scent match. I want to wallow in it. The mere truth of it has me reeling. But there is no time. Neither of them are aware of the reality of our situation, and neither of them are likely to be rational. In fact, if we don't get out of this ballroom really, really quickly, both of them will definitely become very irrational.
And I won't be far behind them. This Omega's heat is hitting him hard and fast. He's mine. It doesn't matter that I don't know his name. I know his scent. He's mine, and it's my responsibility to get him safely out of here before shit hits the fan. The other unfortunate fact of the matter is that my brand new Omega's scent is going to affect the Valla more quickly and harshly than it will affect me.
“Let go, Omega.” The Valla's voice is deep, little more than a guttural sound. His grip on my arm doesn't tighten, but he tugs me once.
The Omega's grip does tighten, not too much, just tight enough that his thumb is slightly digging into the hollow of my throat, growling, making it very clear that he isn't going to let go. “She's mine.”
The one thing we don't need right now is a feral Omega in the throws of heat attacking a Valla.
“Well,” I say as calmly as I possibly can from the center of this game of tug-o-war. “You're both mine, and I need to get all of us out of here before someone gets hurt.”
Neither of them move.
“Now,” I say. “Before I get hurt.”
Still, they don't move; but the Omega releases the slightest whimper and something snaps inside of me. My throat vibrates with a purr and I can feel the reaction the sound has on both of them.
“Come with me,” I say urgently. Time is running out. I need to get my Omega out of here before he totally succumbs. “Come with me. Let's go.” Then I take a note from every needy Omega handbook ever written. “Please,” I whisper. “Get me out of this room.”
That, at least, spurs the Valla into action. He takes a breath and drops his hold from my arm to my hand and turns toward the closest door. I reach up and pull the Omega's hand from my neck and link our fingers together so that the Valla can lead us out of the ballroom without us tripping all over each other.
People gawk as we weave our way through the crowd. With every step, the Omega's hand squeezes mine harder. We aren't moving quickly enough. Even with him trailing behind me, his scent is strong; becoming increasingly intoxicating. The deep breath I take when we burst into the lobby was meant to ground me, but instead his heady scent only makes my head feel thick, sluggish. This isn't good. My room is so far away and he's falling into heat so fast. I can't afford for him to go into full-fledged heat out in the open. I don't know what might happen if another Alpha tries to take him from me.
Or what the Valla might do if that happens.
“Bring the car around,” the Valla barks into the phone that he took out without me noticing. “Quickly.”
“No,” I tell him, slowing our pace. “I have a room. We need to get to the elevators.”
“Never mind. I'll be in touch.” He tucks his phone back into his pocket and starts toward the elevator bay, pulling us along behind him.
As soon as the elevator doors close us inside, the Omega pushes his nose back into the side of my neck. “What floor?” he rasps, his breath hot against my skin.
“Sixth.” I reach out to push the button as he takes in shallow breaths and leans into me.
The Omega chokes on a whimper. “That's so far.”
“Shh.” I raise my hand and sink my fingers into his hair, tilting my head to give him better access to more skin. His scent grows sharper and stronger; so much so that it fills every bit of space inside the elevator. My eyes roll with the effect it has on me. I'm going to be obscenely soaked by the time we get to the sixth floor.
The Valla watches quietly, his hands clenched into hard fists at his sides. His slate-gray eyes burn into mine as my aroused scent mixes with the Omega's. I hold his gaze. Even if I could look away, I wouldn't. Then the Omega whines again, pressing his body even closer to mine, and the Valla breaks eye contact to close his eyes as his nostrils flare. “This is a very slow elevator.”
I glance up at the glowing floor indicator and sigh. “Just two more to go. My room is just down the hall.”
The Omega makes another strained sound and nuzzles into the crook of my neck, causing me to shiver. “Keep talking, Alpha. Please.”
Every word I know immediately falls out of my head. All the words that Alphas usually say to their Omegas during their heats, anyway. The only thing my mind brings to the forefront is the collection of empty throw-away coffee cups on my passenger side floorboard. “I need to clean out my car before you can get into it when we leave. My apartment is big enough for us, but it probably isn't as nice as what you're used to. I'll do whatever I need to do to keep you comfortable. I need to get better groceries. You can't live on bagels.”
He chuckles and the soft, low sound of it makes me want to groan. The Valla is right. This is a very slow elevator.
“What's your name, Omega?” I ask him. His hair is thick and soft between my fingers as I gently run my nails across his scalp, and he makes another soft sound for me.
Before he can answer, the elevator dings and the doors open. The Valla holds up a hand to stop me from rushing out , then steps out to scan the hall. It is utterly bizarre for me to let another person decide whether or not I'm safe to walk into a hallway. I'm sure that sentiment would be lost on him, though. Valla's are the top of the food chain, after all.
After a moment, he reaches back inside the elevator and I look at his hand for half a second before I take it. He didn't reach for the Omega. He definitely reached for me. I have no idea how this is going to go. So far, he doesn't seem to want to take the Omega from me; but that could change once we're in the middle of heat instead of just the beginning.
By the time we get to my door, the still nameless Omega is panting and leaning heavily into me. It wouldn't be too much if I were in my regular shoes, but even though my heels are low, I'm struggling a little to keep us upright. “Hold on,” I say as I open my bag and take out the room key. Again, the Valla steps in front of me and walks inside the room first. “That's a little excessive, don't you think?” I murmur. I understood the caution walking out of the elevator, but there's no reason for anyone to be in my room.
“No,” he says simply, and holds the door open for me to lead my Omega inside.
The moment the door closes behind us, the Omega falls to his knees, panting and wraps his arms around me, fully encircling my ass and upper thighs. He presses his forehead against my lower abdomen. “Please, Alpha. I need – ”
I sink my fingers back into his hair and gently turn his face up. “You need to tell me your name, Omega.”
“Beckett,” he breathes. “Please. It's hitting so hard.”
“I know,” I tell him. “It's alright, Beckett.” He sighs when I say his name. “Let's get you more comfortable. Do you want to go to the bed?”
“Okay,” he says.
“Are you staying here at the hotel? You need nesting supplies. Did you bring them?”
He shakes his head. “I have a room at CCOE, but I wasn't planning on going back there tonight.”
I glance at the Valla.
“I'll get whatever he needs.”
I nod gratefully. Thank you …?”
“Pierce. What sorts of things do you like, Beckett? What textures should I be looking for? What scents?”
“Smooth things,” Becket says. “Nothing furry.”
“I'll be back soon.” Pierce steps around me to leave, but stops just behind me. He turns and steps into me, so that I can feel his chest brushing against my back and bends his head to draw in my scent. “Name?”
“Dana. Here. Take the key.”
“Dana,” he repeats huskily, then takes the key and leaves.
I take a breath of the lingering earthy scent and let my mind reel with it for just a few seconds before I pull Beckett to his feet. “Let's get you to the bed. When did you last eat?”
“Earlier.” His forehead is beaded with sweat and I can feel the heat rolling off of him as I follow behind him to the bed. “I'm sorry if this is awkward.”
“I don't care about awkward. I just want to help you. You may have to tell me what you need. I don't want to do anything you don't like.” What I don't say is that I'm a nervous wreck because it's been a little longer than a while since I last slept with someone, let alone an Omega.
He starts tugging at his clothes with trembling hands and I gently pull them away so I can take over. First his suit jacket, then I begin on the shirt, button after button. He starts working on his belt buckle and pants as I push his shirt from his shoulders. Time, as well as my heart, stops the second I see the faint marks marring his shoulders. My breathing stops when I pull his undershirt off.
“Who did this?” I growl. I can't stop the sound and he flinches at the harshness of it. I don't like that and it only serves to sharpen my outrage and anger.
“I was having spikes.”
“Give me names.” I stare at each one, gritting my teeth. It's more than a few marks from rough sex. If I had seen him when these were fresh, I probably would have gone into an immediate rage. On his shoulders. His neck. His ribs. Everywhere but his neck. I'm almost afraid of what I'll see when his pants are off.
“They don't matter,” he sighs. “I called the heat service through the center. I don't know them. It was just a spike.”
All this from one spike? Then I register the word he said. “They? How many?”
“Two,” he says. “I just wanted to see what it was like.”
It isn't his fault, I remind myself. He's an Omega. Omegas go into heat. They have spikes. They need help. That's why heat services exist. This happened before he and I knew the other one existed. But it is obvious that the experience wasn't a pleasant one for him. Still, I need to know. “Males?”
“Yes.”
“Is that your usual preference?” I hope it isn't. I really do.
He shakes his head. “I'm happy with the right Alpha. That's all that matters.”
I'll take it. His face tightens and his stomach clenches. The time for talking is running out. “Are there more marks?” I glance down at his pants.
He pinches his eyes closed. “Some. Please don't let – ”
“I wouldn't let anything stand in the way of taking care of you,” I tell him firmly. “But we will revisit this. I do want names when this is over. How many days do you usually go for?” I don't have anything pressing me other than the Westover case, but I would like a general idea of how long I'll be unavailable.
“My last heat went for three days. Do you have an implant?”
“No. There hasn't been a need for one.”
“What about pregnancy?” he asks.
“The Valla will have to get over it.”
The scent of heat and slick is suddenly overwhelming. “You don't care?”
“No.” Right now, I don't. I gave up thoughts about having babies years ago, but I wanted them. It doesn't matter that I've only known Beckett's name for a few short minutes. He's my Omega. Mine. If he wants kids, we'll have kids. And the Valla will, in fact, have to get over it.
Beckett laughs and grabs the back of my neck again. He jerks me into him again and I put my hands on his chest to steady myself. “It's different with the scent match,” he growls. “Better and worse. Everything is stronger, but it's easier to deal with.” Then he grips my jaw and turns my mouth up for a brutal, aggressive kiss. He all but smashes his mouth over mine and thrusts his tongue inside, groaning.
The running joke is that Omegas are the least dominant designation. Omegas in heat take what they want and you can either keep up or be dragged along. I don't like being dragged. I open my mouth to him, letting him take it how he needs to, and toe off my shoes. It's astounding how much difference an inch or two make. When I was wearing the heels I was almost at eye-level with him, without them he's at least a few inches taller than I am.
I reach back to unzip my dress and slip the straps down my arms. The dress falls to the floor in a cloud, leaving me in just panties. Beckett's hand leaves my jaw and snakes down my side, purring when all he feels is bare skin. I slide my hands down his sides and push his pants off his hips. His scent gets even stronger and I fight the urge to shove him away from me and onto the bed.
He needs a nest. I can't forget.
As if by magic, Pierce chooses then to return. The sound of the door unlocking turns Beckett's purr into a snarl, and then a growl when the door opens and quickly shuts. I listen as he takes a few steps into the room and stops. The deep breath he takes is loud, even from several feet away. “I don't know how to do this,” he says quietly.
Beckett's kiss doesn't falter. If anything, he becomes more aggressive. His hand lowers to my hip and pulls me roughly to him. Something about the sharpness of the movement or the motion of it makes me grunt, wincing away from the kiss. Beckett is too busy glaring at Pierce to notice. His eyes are dark, one pupil nearly completely blown.
I try to turn to look at Pierce, but Beckett's grip on my neck tightens. I can give him a lot of grace right now. He is in heat, and it seems like it's going to turn into a violent one. Even so, I'm only willing to let him control my body so much. “Let go, Beckett,” I order. “I need to see him.”
He shudders, but lets go of my neck. Instead of allowing me to step away from him so that I can see Pierce, he turns me quickly, again forcing me off balance; and the way my body twists with my feet still hung up in the dress and encumbered with the shoes makes me wince. “There,” he says against my shoulder. “You can see him.”
Pierce's eyes roam down the front of me, slowing as they cross over my thigh and hip, but his clipped words are for Beckett. “Don't jerk her around like that. It hurts her.”
Beckett pauses in dragging his nose up the side of my neck. “Did I hurt you, Alpha?”
“Yes,” I tell him honestly. “I have problems with my hip and leg.”
“I'll be more careful,” he kisses the top of my shoulder. “I promise. I just need you so much. And you wanted to see him. Omegas can be jealous, you know.”
“I brought you nesting material.” Pierce says, still openly staring at the scars from my injuries and surgeries. “You need it.”
“Thank you,” Beckett replies, but doesn't let go of me.
“Is this going to be a problem for you?” I ask either of them who care to answer. I need it to not be a problem.
Beckett sighs and answers truthfully. “I don't know. Maybe.”
“Let's see how you feel after we make your nest,” I suggest.
He licks across my shoulder and hums in pleasure. “Just being near you … Are you going to help with the nest?”
“Do you want me to?”
He's quiet for a moment, but then answers honestly again. “No. Just watch. Do you have any worn clothes here?”
I nod. “Let me get them for you.”
He releases me and crosses the room to take the basket of silky materials from Pierce. He dumps it out onto the bed and sighs contentedly as he gets to work.
This is an odd heat so far. Maybe it's because everything is awkward and new, or because of the scent match, or even the presence of the Valla. I don't know. But it seems out of place that he's gone from whimpering in the elevator to the aggressive display of the last few minutes, and now he's happily fluffing and weaving his nest together.
I go over to my suitcase and pull out the clothes I was wearing earlier and add them to the pile of material Beckett is working through. I step back, away from the bed but not toward Pierce. I don't know what to do with him. Beckett isn't interested in him being involved in this, but I feel a pull toward him as strongly as the one I feel from Beckett.
We barely know each other's names, and I have to figure out how to navigate this heat without either of them drawing blood. I thought getting them out of the very public ballroom would be best, but the only improvement to the situation is that we aren't in public. I'm still the center of their tug-o-war. This could still go very badly.