Chapter 55
Chapter Fifty-Five
~Harlow~
I chew my lip, wondering if I’m allowed to leave when I’m not on my suppressants. But after speaking with Thane and apologizing for earlier, I feel a little more at ease. "How far is it?"
"Just down the road, and we can take the car. No one will catch your scent," he tells me. Rhen walks out of his office, and he stops to look over at us.
"Aren't you supposed to be working?" he asks, about to knock on Thane's door. Raidon holds up the bag he is holding.
Rhen's eyes dart to me, and he sighs. "She's not going anywhere smelling like that."
Raidon doesn't move to leave, and Rhen's eyes flick back to him. He raises an eyebrow at his mate.
"I said no! Zara, go wait in my office before this fool starts thinking it’s a good idea to take you down Main Street smelling like sex on legs."
I peek up at Raidon, who is glaring at Rhen.
"Now, Zara," he growls.
I jump to my feet, only for Raidon to snake his arms around my waist and pull me toward him. He buries his face in my neck and whispers in my ear.
"Wait for him to leave, then come down the fire escape, meet me in the parking lot," he says, pecking my cheek.
I step away and raise an eyebrow at him. Rhen clears his throat.
“I said now, Zara," Rhen snaps, and I rush toward his office.
Geez, most Alphas paw over Omega pheromones, yet something must be wrong with mine because all I get is their anger.
I huff, doing as I’m told while considering Raidon’s proposal of sneaking off with him.
I would much rather be with him than a brooding Rhen or murderous Thane.
Even Leon is preferable, though he would slurp on me like his personal juice box.
Rhen doesn't leave the hall until after I hear Raidon leave.
With a huff, I push open Rhen's office door and step inside, waiting by his door.
I leave it cracked open and peek out, only to notice Leon smirking at me from his desk down the hall.
He puts his head down and scribbles on a piece of paper before holding it up. In big, bold black letters, it reads:
I dare you!!
He drops his head, scribbling again. I peer down the hall toward Thane's office when Leon clears his throat, holding up another note.
Rhen loves a good chase.
I snicker, covering my mouth to muffle my laughter when he holds up the first note up again, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
I try to mime for him to come with me, but he shakes his head.
I glare at him before he taps his watch, telling me I’m running out of time.
Glancing at Thane's door, I see it is still shut, and I kick off my heels, holding them in my hand before I take off toward the fire exit.
Just as I pull on the door open, I feel the heat of someone's chest against my back. He moved so silently that I didn't even hear him. I stiffen when I feel his breath sweep across my neck as he leans his face down.
"And where are you running off to?"
"There was a draft," I tell him, internally facepalming myself at my lame excuse.
"That's what happens when you open a door," Rhen purrs before gripping my hip and turning me around to face him. I notice Leon standing down the corridor, and I nearly snort when he holds up another paper note in big black letters.
I double dare you to run!
I roll my eyes. Is he so bored that he needs my death as entertainment? Rhen, however, mistakes the action as me rolling my eyes at him. He growls, gripping my face in his hands.
"Are you trying to sneak off with Raidon?"
"Just airing out my shoes in the draft," I tell him.
He doesn’t find my words as amusing as I do. I notice Leon waving his arms, trying to get my attention. I can see the new note he waves at me. That man is trouble, and he is trying to get me to join in his silly little games.
Chicken
I am no chicken, and even if this is purely for Leon's entertainment, I decide to go against my better judgment. My blood sizzles in anticipation. Leon clears his throat behind Rhen, who turns to look at him. The moment his back is to me, I take off down the steps, hearing Rhen curse behind me.
Adrenaline pumps in my veins at the joy I get racing down the stairs. I finally understand what everyone means by the thrill of the chase. Though dangerous, and probably stupid, it makes my blood come alive, and I laugh, actually laugh, for the first time in ages.
I make it down seven flights before I feel his hand grip the back of my shirt.
We hurtle toward the wall, and I shriek, closing my eyes as I trip over my own feet.
A loud thud reaches my ears, and I hear the air expel from his lungs as he hits the hard surface.
I remain unharmed, as he pivoted at the last second to take the brunt of the fall.
His grip tightens, and he growls furiously. "Are you insane, Zara?" he snarls at me.
I briefly wonder if I am, yet the adrenaline pumping through my veins makes me giggle, until I hear a growl from a few flights down.
Rhen's aura rushes out, and I hear rushed footsteps before the slamming of a door makes me jump, his hand around my waist the only thing stopping me from cowering under the weight of his aura.
"If they didn't get a whiff of you before, they certainly have now," Rhen growls, and I sniff the air, which is potent with my Omega scent.
I’m not given much time to be concerned before Rhen is moving back up the stairs. He is raging, and I suddenly don't want to go back up there, worried he will hand me over to Thane. Stupid Leon! He better own up to his participation in my misdoings, or he is going on a frozen blood bag diet.
When I don't move fast enough for Rhen, he growls, grabbing me and tossing me over his shoulder, and starts rushing up the steps toward our floor.
The closer we get, the more certain I am he is about to dump me at Thane's feet and snitch.
I push my hands into his back, trying to get him to put me down.
"Stop it. You're in enough trouble," Rhen snaps, but still, I struggle.
"It is Leon's fault, not mine. Blame him. He told me to do it."
"And you listened to him," Rhen snaps.
"Please, I’ll be good," I tell him.
He huffs as if he thinks that’s impossible for me. It kind of is. I’m always in trouble for something, and trouble tends to find me. Today, trouble came in the form of Leon and Alpha Jake, so third time's the charm.
I dig my elbows into his back and rest my chin on my hands. Rhen growls but sets me down after getting to our floor and closing the fire door.
I glance up at him to find his eyes a demonic black.
He smirks. "I won't tell Thane," he whispers, and I eye him suspiciously.
"My office now," he growls, pointing toward it, and I peer over my shoulder before sighing and stalking off toward it. I hear Rhen spray the de-scenter everywhere. I push the door open only to turn and close it, spotting Leon with a triumphant smile on his face. What is he up to?