Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
~Thane~
I can never fully claim an Omega. It’s why Alpha Packs give them serum. A normal pack doesn't need it, though most still give their Omega serum anyway, to forge a stronger bond. Alpha Packs, however, need the serum.
Only the Alpha of a pack can claim an Omega and make her pack, yet being an Alpha-of-Alphas makes things more complicated. There are many benefits to Alpha Packs, the primary Alpha becomes larger and stronger, our auras more potent, and our wolves two to three times the size of the average Alpha.
But with that, our knots are also bigger, and most end up killing the Omega.
Hence the serum. It gives some of our blood and DNA to the Omega.
It strengthens them and acclimates them to us, kind of like a tailored suit, but even that is no guarantee.
And giving an Omega serum made after a pack has already bonded means they would have the same rank as the Alpha-of-Alphas.
That would cause disorder and trample any form of control within the ranks.
"Would it be such a bad thing, Thane? Zara is a good girl. She’s quiet, submissive, not to mention gorgeous. Would it be so bad that she can't give you an heir or take your knot? It's not like you knot your mates, anyway? What difference would it make?" Tal asks.
"Submissive? She is a pain in my ass," I snarl.
"But your mates like her, don't they? Or you wouldn't be here whining to me. You’d be at home with them. And her," Talon says.
"We don't know her. Zara might not even be her real name. God knows who she truly is," I snarl at him.
"Maybe earn some trust and she’ll tell you. Just something to think about," Tal says, and I sigh. I can’t trust her. There’s something she’s hiding, and I plan to get to the bottom of it.
Talon has to get to work and check on his employees, so I wave him off. For a while, I sit there pondering. Tal's words have me worried. Does my pack really feel we are lacking without an Omega? Lost in thought, Raidon opens the mind-link.
'Can you please come home?' he whines. I blink and sit up.
'What’s wrong?' I ask while stretching. My back is killing me. Tal really needs to get a comfier couch.
'Nothing, but her heat is getting worse. Leon is struggling, and her scent …' He groans, and I can feel the discomfort from all of them.
'I told you to go ahead and do as you please,' I growl.
'As if we would do that without you here. Plus, she’s not exactly compliant. She even slapped Leon for trying to touch her and kicked me in the damn balls,' he snarls.
'She attacked both of you?'
'Yes. We’ve been feeding her suppressants like they're Tic-Tac’s, but she’s still fighting her instincts. And Rhen looks like he’s been moments away from strangling her all morning.'
I growl, appalled that she would reject my mates. It irritates me. Why would she reject them? Nothing is wrong with my mates. It pisses me off. Does she think she is too good for them?
'I'm on my way home,' I growl, cutting the link. Getting up, I walk out of the office, furious with her. I gave her my damn mates, for fuck's sake, and she throws them back in my face.
I don't remember the drive home or even getting out of my car. I only return to my senses when I climb out and her intoxicating scent hits me like a slap in the face. Slamming my car door, I can hear them arguing with her.
"Raidon, just grab her. We need to get her into the damn bath before she overheats," Rhen snaps. I hear her growl before Raidon hisses.
"Command her, damn it," Raidon growls.
"She’s in enough pain, asshole. Just grab her," Rhen replies.
Having heard enough, I storm through the house, heading for the Den.
The room falls silent as soon as I open the door.
I trudge down the stairs, my footsteps deafening as I stomp down.
When they come into view, I find Zara huddled in a ball, her knees pressed to her chest, and she’s panting hard.
She’s completely naked, and I can see claw marks down her body, as if she clawed herself to try to abate the excruciating heat rolling through her in waves.
Her face is flushed and bright red. Her skin glistens with her sweat, and her pheromones have me instantly hard.
Noticing me, she looks up and looks almost relieved. "Finally! Can you please tell them to let me leave?" she pleads, her voice coming out breathless.
Raidon glares at her while Rhen scratches the back of his neck awkwardly. He moves toward her, and her eyes track him like he’s her prey.
Glancing around, I spot Leon chained to a chair. Blood drenches his front and I can tell it’s fresh, so I know he bit her recently. He awkwardly wiggles his fingers at me. I pin him with my glare until he whimpers and looks at the ground.
"I will deal with you later," I growl at him.
Turning back to the sunken Den, I focus my attention on Zara.
She shrinks under my gaze. I know she can feel my aura, and I force it on her, pressing harder against her.
In heat, most Omegas would be throwing themselves at any Alpha's feet, but here she is, fighting instinct and rejecting my mates as if there’s something wrong with them.
"You, I will deal with now," I tell her, toeing off my shoes and shrugging off my jacket. I kick my shoes aside and toss my jacket on Leon's lap before dropping into the Den. Her eyes widen as I stalk toward her.
Fuck, she smells divine. My eyes flicker, and she shrieks, scrambling backward. Stalking toward her naked, retreating form, I bend down and wrap my arms around her waist, ripping her from the mattress. Zara squeals and thrashes, but I ignore her and walk to the cushioned corner.
"I didn't touch them, I swear," she panics as I sit down. "I didn't, I fucking didn't, you have to believe me!"
I pull her into my lap. She thrashes, but one growl is all it takes for her still. Her breathing is harsh, and I can feel her body trembling.
"Stay," I command, loosening my tight grip on her.
She doesn't move, stuck under my command.
I unbutton my shirt, tug it off over my head and set it aside.
Placing my hand on her stomach, I force her back until her spine is flush against my chest. Zara moans in relief, yet I am more shocked by the tingling sensation moving over my skin.
"I swear, Thane, I never did anything with your mates," she pleads.
"That is not what I am fucking angry about, Zara. Or should I call you Z?" I snarl, and I feel every muscle in her body tense.