Chapter 8
Noelle
My heart stutters in my chest at the intensity of his words.
Honestly, that’s only a small part of what has the air stilling in my lungs.
The way his eyes darken, the way his muscles bunch as he clenches his hands into fists, and the way he stares down at me, as if he can rip out my very soul with merely a blink, does something to me, something so primal and fundamental I nearly fall to his feet.
Alpha command be damned. This prime specimen only needs to look at me to get me to do his will.
Rubbing my hand against the rough cotton of my underwear, I try my best to take away the sting that lingers from his punishing hand. Deep inside, I knew it was dumb to just mark everything. And yet, does he really not understand just how fucking desperate I am?
None of that seems to matter as he glowers down at me, looking for a response of some sort. The problem is, I know if I open my mouth, the very wrong thing will come out. I won’t just plead with him to ease this ache between my thighs, I’ll beg him to hurt me while he does it.
It has to be these pheromones. It’s the only rational, logical explanation.
I’ve never needed nor wanted pain before.
Somehow, it’s the only thing quieting my mind.
It’s the only thing driving away the ache of failure and loneliness and replacing it with an anguish I can actually do something about.
After a few more silent moments, he crosses his arms again and smirks. “You don’t think you did anything wrong, do you? You think you’re still going to get through this unscathed? Your clothes were just the start. I plan to strip your very soul before you leave this clinic today.”
Glancing down at the tatters, my heart and mind collide until I can’t breathe again.
My good clothes. The one set I spent more money on than anything else.
I went a whole week eating only dinner when I came back home to make sure I could save up for it.
Was I really about to throw all that away with just one gruff growl from his impeccable lips?
This time, it’s my turn to glare at him. Standing up as straight as I can, I force the quaver from my voice. “You owe me a new outfit.”
“Really?” This time, his voice has a slight drawl to it, a hint of a twang that sounds like butter dripping off some corn.
God, but it’s the sexiest thing I’ve heard. Shaking my head, I do my best to shut him out, to shut all of this out. I can hold on for just a bit longer before I succumb. I just have to keep my wits about me.
“Yes. We didn’t agree for you to destroy my property.”
“Is that so?”
That fucking infuriating smirk. It’s enough to make me want to punch his face and kiss him at the same time.
They really should put a warning on the papers you fill out.
These pheromones will make you go completely bonkers.
Boink at your own risk. As it is, the receptionists and doctors left me completely unprepared.
“Yes,” I snap back. “Now I have nothing else to wear if I go somewhere nice.”
“Oh, so you can afford that now? Interesting. Last I checked, your balance was still negative even with taking off all the overdraft fees. After looking through your financials, I thought you were a more practical omega. Now I see you’re just like all the rest—get a taste of money and it’s back to frivolity. ”
My vision blurs for a moment as rage and guilt surge in me at once, leaving me breathless and weak in a way that has nothing to do with the obstinate man in front of me.
“Ever heard of work parties? You know, the types you’re forced to go to but aren’t any fun?”
“I am well aware. But I also know where you work. Let’s be honest. They aren’t all that fancy. Are they?”
Fuck. He has me there.
Narrowing my gaze, I cross my arms and give him the best scowl I can muster. How dare he judge me when I’m doing the absolute best I can? Besides, I’m sure he’s never wanted for anything a day in his life. He was probably raised on a silver spoon.
“I just wanted something nice. Okay?” I spit out.
“One fucking nice outfit I could look at in my closet and feel just a touch better because I have it. It’s not like I’m sporting a Hermès bag or Chanel perfume.
It’s an outfit from a big box store that was, for once, not on fucking clearance.
I know clearance is a foreign concept to a big moneybags type like you, who probably has the same suit in every fucking color because why not? It’s just money.”
His lips twitch. Only a fraction. So small I almost missed it. But I don’t. I’m right, and he knows it. If I had to put a name to the flash of emotion, I’d say it’s regret, but that might be giving him too much credit.
Clearing my throat, I continue to steam on a head while I still have the courage.
“If you were able to research every purchase I made, as you so boldly claimed by the way, you’d understand that everything I buy is usually second-hand or clearance whenever possible.
I don’t buy the good meat. I wait until the day it’s going to expire and get it at a deep discount and go home and cook it for my brother and me.
Thank God he hasn’t gotten food poisoning.
I’m sure you don’t have to worry about that.
Doctor’s bills? Don’t know her. Meanwhile, I have one nice thing.
One thing I can call my own. And you destroy it without a second thought. ”
My tone pitches up as sorrow and anger coalesce into this writhing mass of hurt and fury. All the emotions I’ve forced myself to tamp down come swirling to the forefront. Who cares if I anger him? What’s he going to do? Spank me some more?
“Are you quite done with your tantrum?” He murmurs, his tone low and rumbly, rich and melodious, unflappable, unshakeable, like a fathomless pool, so deep it barely even ripples when disturbed.
If only I could be like that. But then, I can’t afford to not care. Not like him. Not like this.
“It’s not a tantrum if it’s true,” I eventually grumble.
“That’s not entirely accurate,” he laughs as he takes another step toward me, enveloping me with his intoxicating scent that scatters my thoughts.
“What does it matter to you, anyway? The pheromones will finally fully kick in soon, and I won’t care what you do or say to me.”
He stops short and raises an eyebrow. “What pheromones? Did they inject you before you came in here?”
My stomach clenches as I puzzle through his words.
“Well, no. But isn’t it like a mist or something?
They must have dosed me somehow before coming in.
Why else would I be feeling all of this?
Why else would I want you to have your rough way with me, even though I can’t even fathom what that even means? ”
Shaking his head, he walks over to a table where he picks up a rag and a bottle that appears to be empty until it sloshes a bit and a wave of clear liquid swirls around inside.
“Oh no, my little omega. You’ve been feeling these emotions stone cold sober.
I was supposed to dose you while we played.
You know, a little kidnapping, a rag around your mouth and nose as I pinned you down and made you mine?
Now, I’m wondering if I should just take you like this.
Let you feel me invade you with nothing to help ease your mind or body. ”
“No,” I manage to whisper as I back away from him. “That’s- that’s not possible. It’s the pheromones. It has to be!” Desperation claws at my insides as my reality threatens to shatter.
“Sorry to burst that innocent little bubble of yours, but it’s not. Trust me, you’re still far more coherent to be under the influence of anything. Guess you’re just a dirty little pervert like me.”
“Wait!” The word rips from my throat as I hold up my hand in a pathetic attempt to stop him.
It does nothing but spark that dark heat and need blazing in his eyes.
Still, he pushes toward me, ignoring my outstretched arm.
Instead, he grabs my wrist and hauls me forward, forces me to nearly trip as he drags my body into his, slamming us together in such a perfect melding of flesh and bone.
I worry that I’m simply going insane then.
Who the fuck thinks like this? Who the fuck notices how his body so uniquely cradles my own, fitting my curves into his hard planes like a puzzle piece that’s been missing?
“Who’s going to stop me, hmmm?” He murmurs against my ear as he expertly moves his fingers across the bra clasp in the back.
“There’s nothing on your sheet that would make anyone come in to save you.
I’ve crossed no boundaries. I’ve broken no rules.
And you know why that is, little omega?” His hot lips skim the juncture where my neck and shoulder meet, the spot where he could claim me if he wanted to.
“It’s because you didn’t put any fucking rules or boundaries down on the sheet.
” As his ferocious growl permeates the air, his teeth clamp down on the delicate skin.
It’s not enough to break the surface. It’s not enough to mark me, claim me, force me to be his.
Unfortunately, it’s enough to let loose all the aches and longing I’ve kept pent up over the years, the little hurts when another Alpha leaves me.
Because they all do. They all fucking leave and I’m alone once more.
Omega after omega found their happily ever after, but not me.
They planned lavish weddings with rich Alphas who took care of their every need, but not me.
They did brunch, shopped, lived a life of ease, but not fucking me.
Why not fucking me? What did I do that was so cosmically wrong that I can’t get my own happy ending?
“I feel you, little omega,” he whispers across the crown of my head as he shifts his fingers ever so slightly to unhook my bra with very little resistance.
“I feel the pain and turmoil. You’ve carried these burdens far too long.
But don’t worry. You won’t be able to think about a damn thing while I have my way with you. ”
With a quick yank, he pulls the practical bit of white cotton off my body, exposing my breasts to his hungry gaze.
Instead of simply folding it or tossing it aside, he locks his gaze with mine as he finds the weak point in the fabric and tears.
That horrid sound floods my ears as everything in me threatens to collapse.
“You won’t be needing this.”
More bits of cotton litter the floor moments before he drops the rest of it and pushes me back. The instant my thighs hit the bed, he stoops down and hooks his arms under my knees and pushes me onto the mattress as he spreads me out in one fell swoop.
With my legs splayed out like they are, I can’t hide the arousal from him.
I can’t pretend he doesn’t have any effect on me.
It’s there in all its slicked up messy arousal, staining the gusset of my underwear, which I’m sure will be the next thing to suffer the wrath of his strong hands and even stronger opinions.
“No one should own anything this plain and horrid. Not someone as pretty as you,” he grumbles as he slides them over my knees and whips them off my feet.
Again, I’m forced to watch as he looks for some miniscule hole, some weakness, before tearing them apart. This time, I do look away, but he’s soon over me, smothering me with his heat as he pulls my chin back to look at him.
“Oh no,” he chuckles. “I want you to see this destruction. I want you to watch me as I rip everything from you. Because, trust me. This is the least damaging thing that could have happened to you today. Before you leave, you will learn that your actions have consequences.”