Chapter 32
Jude snarls, his eyes a blazing inferno. “Fuck this.” He storms up to me and Mack and slams his hands down on the desk. His pupils are blown again and he has that same feral look in his eyes that he did in the book store, only this is somehow worse.
My omega is throwing up warning signs left and right in my mind, only bolstered by the fact that McKenzie is cursing up a storm behind me. I turn to him with wide eyes, trepidation lacing my tone. “What’s happening?”
Mack’s eyes are nervous and his fingers are clenching my hips so hard I might have bruises tomorrow, but he keeps his voice quiet and urgent.
“I wanted him to be the one to tell you, but I’m worried our display tipped his alpha over the edge into rabid territory.
A few months ago Jude was diagnosed with the early stages of alpha rabidity.
The only treatment is spending time with a scent match or compatible omega.
He didn’t tell me until after we met you, and by then he was already entering the second stage, which is arguably worse. ”
My heart hurts for Jude as things start to click into place.
His mood swings, the way he treated me when we first met, his bouts of irritability that seem to come from the smallest triggers.
He stayed away because he was scared. This alpha was worried he would hurt me if he went into one of these states.
“Is there a cure?” I ask hesitantly, afraid there might not be.
Mack nods slowly, biting his lip like he doesn’t want to tell me.
“The only cure is bonding a scent match. Jude’s dad has it too, and hasn’t found an omega, so he’s in a facility right now and…
it’s bad, Posey. But Jude isn’t completely gone yet or he would be attacking me for touching you right now.
” He bands an arm around my chest to emphasize his point and Jude growls but doesn’t advance, tracking the movement with his eyes.
My mind spins, processing this information. “So theoretically, if I bit Jude…”
“Posey,” McKenzie starts to protest, but I put a finger on his lips to silence him.
“I know. But I’d already decided to forgive him before I walked in here today.
His condition is only going to get worse, right?
” I phrase it as a question, but we both know it isn’t one.
Not really. “I’ve seen alpha rabidity in action back home and it would be a cold day in hell before I let my alpha go through that when I’m right here. ”
“This isn’t—”
“Don’t say it isn’t my responsibility, McKenzie. I know that.” I finally disconnect us and turn in his lap after adjusting my skirt. “Do you plan on letting me go without bonding me someday?”
He growls, yanking me to his chest. “Absolutely the fuck not.”
I bury my smile into his chest, inhaling his scent and letting it calm me.
Jude is hovering behind us, quiet grunts and growls escaping as he paces back and forth.
It seems like his alpha has completely taken over, shoving logic into a mental backseat.
“He needs this, Mack. Maybe it isn’t fair to bond him first and I’m sorry, but… ”
“But he’s pack. And he would do the same for any one of us.
” He sighs, kissing the top of my head. “I can’t stay or it might aggravate his alpha even more, but you can take him into his office and I’ll be standing right outside the door, okay?
It’s not ideal, but there’s no way we’ll get him across campus unscathed in this state. ”
My sweet, supportive alpha. “You’re such a good alpha, McKenzie,” I murmur, placing a chaste kiss on his lips.
“I love you, pretty girl. Take care of our grumpy guy, okay? Don’t let his alpha scare you. I know he would never hurt you, even in this state.”
I nod with a small smile. “I know. See you soon?”
Mack leaves after I promise again to call him if I need him, and then I’m able to focus all of my attention on the pacing alpha behind me. He’s tugging at his hair, nonsensical words spilling from his lips in a vaguely threatening way that confirms it’s his alpha in the driver’s seat. “Jude?”
He doesn’t even flinch, so I try again. “Alpha?”
That gets his attention. Dark eyes lock on mine with laser focus. “Omega,” he growls. I nod, keeping my tone soft and body language relaxed. “Yes, your omega.”
My mind races, a dozen different scenarios flashing like a highlight reel, but none of them seem good enough. I’m terrified we’ll bond and he’ll snap out of this and be horrified. By our bond or his actions, I’m not sure.
Then an idea hits me. Jude’s office door is propped open behind his desk. All I have to do is lead him there and let his instincts take over. “Hey alpha, catch me!” I taunt as I turn, breaking into a run.
Heavy footsteps pound down the stairs after me, making my heart rate spike.
I’m not afraid of Jude, but the thrill of the chase has my adrenaline pumping like I am.
I barely manage to beat him to the office and collapse onto the dark brown leather couch before he’s on top of me, snarling like a wild animal.
I can see now he truly is lost to his instincts, not a single flare of recognition in his glassy eyes.
Even now, there’s no fear in my mind. Jude’s alpha knows my omega on a soul-deep level and would never intentionally hurt me. My fingers tangle in his hair and I drag his lips to mine, taking his lips in a fierce kiss that only drives him crazier.
I move to unbutton his shirt but he knocks my hands away, much more gently than I would have expected when he’s practically rabid. But then he rips his shirt open, buttons scattering across the room.
Hooooly hell.
Jude is absolutely ripped. His chest and abdomen are so perfectly sculpted they could be on billboards. Hell, he could be an underwear model. I’m pretty sure there’s a super famous brand that did a campaign recently featuring an alpha in the smallest pair of boxer briefs known to man.
Maybe I should buy Jude some of those… for research.
He growls again, gripping my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Mine.”
I nod, knowing he’s too far gone to understand much right now.
My panties are long gone and Mack’s cum is still dripping out of me, but slick joins it when Jude rips my shirt straight down the middle, my bra not far behind.
He doesn’t waste time taking my skirt off, instead dragging his pants down and lining himself up without preamble.
The first thrust is almost painful, even after having just been with McKenzie.
Jude is frantic, rutting me into the couch with abandon as he grunts and growls while simultaneously nuzzling into my neck, licking a spot over my pulse just like his pack mate did earlier.
I can feel my pulse thrumming in my neck as my heart takes off at a gallop, nerves finally getting to me.
I’m not regretting my decision to goad my alpha into a bond, but I am a little afraid it’s going to hurt.
Mama and I never talked about bonding because I was always so vocally anti-alpha in an effort to be like Maisie.
And it felt way too awkward to talk to her about any of this while I was staying with her pack.
I don’t have too much time to dwell on the possible pain before Jude tilts my head to the side, staring intently at my throat as his thrusts grow ragged.
He’s breathing hard, the smell of kettle corn and honey mingling in the air around us as we grow closer to release.
I’m not sure what’s going through his head but he grunts, shaking his head like he somehow gained enough traction in his mind to stop himself from biting me.
Deciding to take matters into my own hands, I push on his shoulders, ignoring his growl of protest, and manage to flip us so I’m in his lap. I sink down onto his cock facing him, whining when his knot brushes my clit. “Alpha, please,” I beg.
“My omega.” He snarls, gripping my hair in a tight fist and tugging hard enough to sting. I nod in agreement.
“Bite me, alpha,” I beg as I writhe on his lap.
He clamps his lips shut, shaking his head, but I can see the war in his eyes.
His alpha is in control but Jude is still in there, trying to keep me from doing something he doesn’t think I really want.
My orgasm is hovering just out of reach and I feel like if I don’t get him to bite me now I’ll lose the opportunity.
He’ll come to and pull some self-sacrificing nonsense and allow himself to succumb to the rabidity in a misguided effort to protect me.
So I do the only thing I can think to do. The moment he glances away from me I lean forward, lick his neck just under his chin, and bite.
He roars, forcing me down on his knot as his teeth find the same spot he was licking earlier and dig in.
The bond snaps into place at the same time as my orgasm takes over, and everything gets hazy.
I can feel Jude at the edge of my consciousness, his emotions a complete tangle while his own orgasm hits him.
I lap at the fresh bite on his throat, purring with satisfaction when each lap makes his emotions a little clearer to me.
Confusion, realization, elation, relief.
“Posey?” He says my name like a question, his raspy voice displaying his nerves.
I lean forward and boop his nose playfully, a sassy smile pulling at my lips. “Hey there, alpha. Feeling better?”