6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Vivi
The door slams behind me as I finally enter my apartment, and the familiarity immediately works to calm my frayed nerves.
Home. Safe.
A shiver ripples down my spine, and my teeth chatter as cold sweat pops up on my skin. My body is off, shaken, and exhausted.
A little meow greets me as my big gray cat, Mako, winds around my legs. I drop my cheer bag by the door and quickly step out of my shoes, bending over to greet my favorite feline.
“Hey, buddy,” I say, hefting his huge body into my arms for a snuggle. The feel of his soft fur helps to center me further; and when he butts his head against my chin, I know everything will be all right.
Walking deeper into my house, I scan the room, taking a sniff to make sure everything smells normal. An omega can never be too careful.
Thankfully, the usual aromas filter into my nose as I walk along the dark wood floors to my kitchen. The space is small but sleek and modern, with lots of bright whites that make it feel light and airy.
“You want some food?” I ask Mako, who meows and then purrs against my chest. Guess that’s a yes. Setting him on the floor, I wander to my cupboard and rifle through it, looking for his preferred kitty cuisine, when my belly cramps hard enough to make me gasp.
What the heck?
It ends abruptly, and I grab the food, breathing out a sigh of relief.
“This better not be my heat three weeks early,” I grumble. Although I use scent-blocking lotions daily, heat suppressants are only available by prescription, and they’re scarce.
The little brown pellets tap on the pretty blue ceramic dish as I pour Mako’s food before grabbing a second one for water. The bowl fills quickly, and I twist the tap off before turning to place it on the counter for Mako when another sudden cramp causes me to stop in my tracks.
“Fuck!” Bending at the waist, I grip the smooth counter and try desperately to suck in a breath.
Cool water sluices over my hand as it trembles from the discomfort, and dread slithers up my spine. The chill of the liquid burns against my skin, and a whimper escapes. Fever?
“Shit,” I tell Mako, placing his water next to the food dish and heading toward my bathroom to grab a thermometer from the wall cabinet.
A trickle of cold sweat runs down my back as I uncap the small device and place it against my temple, hearing the soft beep before gliding it smoothly over my forehead.
Closing my eyes, I take a few deep breaths. Almost too nervous to look.
101 degrees. High…but not heat high.
My breath whooshes from my lungs, and I exhale with a shaky sigh. Dread pools in my stomach, but I don’t have time for this. Nope. Not happening. I have three weeks. This is just a spike. Or maybe I have an honest-to-goodness cold.
A cold would be lovely.
Mako appears in the doorway, stalking up to me on his silent, padded paws, rubbing his head against my leg and releasing a purr. His nearness soothes me like nothing else does. The gentle rumble isn’t quite an Alpha’s purr, but it’s just enough to help me settle. Even if my heat comes soon, I can handle it.
On. My. Own.
I always have before…
“You’re right, buddy. It’s all going to be okay,” I say aloud, but heat simmers under my skin and my pussy flutters. “A shower will fix me right up.”
Lie.
Water runs in rivulets down my back, slipping from my long tresses and dripping onto the floor to create a puddle around my feet. Shivering from the cold shower, I grip my bathroom sink as heat battles in my core.
Knot. Knot. Knot.
My eyes meet their reflection in the mirror, and I can’t help but notice the deepening color, the flush on my cheeks, and the enlargement of my black pupils.
Fuck. This is so bad.
My body hums with skin so sensitive that even my giant fluffy towel felt too grating against my tender flesh. A whimper builds within me. There’s only one way to make this better. But I don’t want it. I can’t.
Knot. Knot. Knot.
Ignoring the wet trail behind me, I make my way back toward my bedroom, searching for my phone as hunger surges through me. A deep, devastating hunger for both food and Alpha cock.
My hands lift my blankets and pillows, their soft textures inviting, as I frantically search my nest for the lost phone so I can order some meal deliveries before this heat becomes full-on. After tossing half of my nest on the floor, I realize I must have left it somewhere else. Walking feels impossible as my limbs become heavy, and I sway back and forth on my feet, bumping into the wall as I continue my search.
“Ouch,” I mumble, but the pain in my shoulder quickly fades behind the constant, unrepentant ache of my pussy.
I’m going to have to take care of that as soon as I place some orders.
Panting from the simple exertion of fighting my heat, the tiniest hint of relief rushes through me when I spot my phone on the counter. Snagging it as quickly as my sluggish body will allow, I tap the screen to turn it on and move to open the refrigerator.
Cool air fans my overheating skin, and the heat-fog lifts for just a few seconds, allowing me to take stock of what sustenance I currently have on hand in my apartment. And the answer is nothing. There are a few sports drinks, a lone, sad apple, and a box of ancient takeout stuffed at the back.
Shit. Shit. SHIT.
Tears fill my eyes at the sight of the empty shelves as my stomach growls and clenches. Pressing my cheek against the open door, I try to blink them back and swallow the emotions threatening to swamp me.
Mako meows at me, leaping up onto the counter, completely amused by my current hot-mess status.
“Yeah, I know. I should have gotten groceries like a week ago,” I mumble, berating myself for all the things I should have done differently. Number one—not confronting sexy Alpha holes who were perfectly designed to send me into heat.
“Actually, no, this isn’t my fault,” I mutter to the empty room, opening the freezer to see if it might help cool me further. Sadly, this side has less food than the other, and I hold back the desperate whine building in my throat. “This is their fault. Getting me all worked up. Pushing me over the top. Mates, my ass, more like banes of my existence.”
At the thought of their handsome faces, the memory of their scents wraps around me. Dash’s dark chocolate causes my nipples to pucker instantly, hardening to sharp points. Even the air seems too rough against them, and the sensitivity makes slick drip from my core.
Oh goodness. I need them.
A whine leaves my lips, and my limbs tremble, but I focus back on the task at hand. I refuse to be pathetic right now. I can take care of my own damn self.
Tapping rapidly on my favorite meal delivery app, I schedule several different food drop-offs for the next few days and breathe a sigh of relief. After closing it, I notice the bright red bubble above my text messages for the first time.
“Fifteen new texts. What the heck?”
The refrigerator beeps at me angrily, and I grab the lone carton of ice cream from the freezer before slamming it shut. Great, it’s fucking dark chocolate… my favorite, but now I’m mad at it. For a moment, I consider tossing it back in, not needing the reminder, but it’s the only thing I want. The only thing that can satiate me. It will have to do for now.
The container is heavenly against my overheated skin, and I hold it tightly against my abdomen as I open the silverware drawer to grab a spoon before popping the top and digging in.
The cold, creamy deliciousness melts over my tongue decadently, once again making me think of that big, sexy Alpha jerk. Ugh. No, thank you. But, just the same, I can’t stop the image of Dash that comes to mind. His big muscles bunch as he reaches over me, lifting the treat to my lips—eyes darkening as I swallow it down.
“Stop it, you horny b!” I scold myself, shaking my head to dispel the thought.
Buzzing erupts from my forgotten phone, and I look down, surprised to see it in the same hand that’s grasping the ice cream container like a lifeline.
Unknown
Even if you don’t say yes, please just let us know you got home safe, little flier.
My mind stutters, trying to make sense of the incoming text message, but no explanation is forthcoming.
Who is this?
Who calls me little flier?
The message makes no sense, but I open it anyway, surprised to see that it’s actually one in a long chain of texts with a few different numbers.
A group message?
Unknown
I know this is weird, but we got your number from Tam. This is Ty. The other two numbers on here are Dash and Fox.
Unknown 2
Fox here! Hey, little flier.
Unknown 3
Dash
Pausing my perusal, I quickly save their numbers to make it easier to see what each is saying. Also—what the hell, Dash? Not even a hello? Freaking surly-ass Alpha.
Ty
We know this is out of the blue, but it seemed like there might be a bit of a connection today. We want to take you out on a date.
Fox
He means if you want to. The choice is yours.
Ty
But like also, give us a shot because you smell delicious, and I might die if you say no.
Fox
Ignore him. Even if you don’t say yes, please just let us know you got home safe, little flier.
Giggling at their silly banter, I feel lighter than I have since getting home. My pussy is still needy as hell, and slick seeps between my legs, coating my thighs in sticky arousal, but I’m suddenly not so afraid.
My fingers hesitate on the keys, wanting to beg them to come over. Yearning to ask them for help with this spike… or get me through my heat—but it’s too soon. I can’t.
Right?
The thought of them in my nest, their scents surrounding me as they devour my body, makes me moan. Yes. That’s what we want, my inner omega purrs. But I can’t give in to my instincts. These men are still a mystery to me. Not to mention, all Alphas are control freaks. They can be mean, harsh, and punishing. No, better to use Mr. Sparkles and some painkillers.
Thoroughly chastened, I simply reply:
Me
I’m home. I’m safe. And I’m not ready… but I’ll think about it.
Three bubbles instantly pop up next to Ty’s name, and my heart soars, looking forward to what he has to say, but before his response appears, the face of my ex dominates the screen.
Dread twists my stomach, and bile threatens my throat. Do I answer? If I don’t, Marcel will just call again, and again, and again. Asshole. Breathing deeply, I clear my throat and answer.
“Hello, Marcel.” My voice sounds strained, even to my own ears, and he picks up on it at once.
“Princess,” he practically purrs, and all the hair on my body stands on end. Shuddering with revulsion, I cling to the chocolate ice cream, sniffing deeply and trying not to admit that I wish Dash were here. “I’m so glad I caught you. Get ready. I’ll pick you up for dinner in an hour. Wear something black that shows off that tight little body of yours.”
Ugh. His orders rub me the wrong way, as always. Why did I ever let my parents push me into meeting him? It seemed easiest to just appease them at the time, but now I can’t rid myself of this Alpha-sized plague.
Spooning a little more ice cream into my mouth, I hold back a moan as it melts on my tongue. There is no way I’m going out with him—tonight or ever again. A point that I’ve driven home on numerous occasions over the last six months.
Yet, somehow, he keeps popping up.
“I can’t tonight, Marcel, and I’m pretty sure I made it clear that I’m not interested in continuing a relationship with you. I would prefer if you wouldn’t call me again,” I state, injecting my voice with as much strength and conviction as I can muster. “Or show up at my practices. Or anywhere else.”
And, of course, the bastard chuckles. He fucking chuckles, and I can practically hear the giant eye roll coming from the other end of the line.
“Oh princess, I do love it when you play hard to get. But your heat is coming, and you promised it to me.”
“I did not,” I screech with outrage, but he doesn’t even acknowledge that I spoke.
“I’ll be seeing you real soon. Be ready to present for me like a good omega should. Ass in the air, pussy dripping,” he snarls. “You wouldn’t let me knot you before, but this time it won’t be your choice.”
The dead air on the line after he disconnects is impossibly loud in its silence, and tremors work their way down my limbs.
What do I even do?