Chapter 17
Dorian
He took her. She’s in there.
I beat my fist against the door, still hopped up on adrenaline as I cracked my neck from side to side. Atlas was a dead wolf the moment he’d thought he could take my mate from me.
The show had gone beautifully. Ken and Mike gushed their praises, keeping me after the curtains had dropped and popping open bottles of champagne.
The pyrotechnics and dance routine went off without a hitch.
No doubt the numbers would be rolling in soon as the viewers talked about the show. It was one to be remembered.
That was why it would’ve been the perfect opportunity. One this asshole had to ruin.
I’d seen it all play out. Imagined dropping to my knees with the flame projectors blasting in the air. Opal would be stunned after the aerial dance, but I’d stun her even more when I confessed for all the world to know that she was my fated mate.
“Open the fucking door or I’m breaking it down.” These things had to be shifter-proof, because it didn’t crack under the pressure of my fist.
It was very anti-climactic.
And it pissed my wolf off even more.
He snarled and paced, worked up by the male scents in this hallway. The smell of wrong. Of Atlas’s stink and the lingering fresh notes of cotton candy that didn’t belong here.
Some rational part of my brain was screaming at me to stop. To go somewhere and cool off. The cameras were recording. But I couldn’t think straight.
My mate was in heat.
She needed me.
Opal was an Omega. During my hasty studies through the past few days, I’d learned a thing or two about my mate.
It was common for Omegas to take multiple mates because they had special needs while in heat.
That was fine with me. I didn’t mind sharing.
The more the merrier. Hell, a good exhibition was one of my personal kinks.
We could have a whole harem if she needed it.
But Atlas was not invited.
“I said, open this door right—”
My booted foot paused midair as the door was wrenched open and the potent perfume of my beautiful, needy mate surrounded me. I slowly composed myself.
Opal stood in the doorway with freshly kissed and swollen red lips. Her hair was finger-mussed and wild, as wild as the erratic beating of my heart.
He’d touched her.
I’d kill him.
“Dorian,” Opal breathed my name.
“I’m here, babe.” I drew her to my side, growling at the beast who dared to take what was mine.
His scent was everywhere.
She doesn’t smell like me.
I needed to get his scent off her; needed to bury myself in hers. Spread her legs open and coat my body with—
The air rushed from my lungs as my back hit the wall. I growled, snapping my teeth at Atlas’s face.
“Get ahold of your wolf,” he growled.
“I am.” My voice was garbled with my beast and sandy fur began to sprout on my arms. Oh shit. I shook my head.
“Like hell you are.” Atlas tightened his grip. “Enough.” He tried an Alpha bark on me.
I was already shoving my wolf down, but he flared back up at the indignity. “I’m not your pack and you’re not my Alpha.” I jerked my shoulder free, sending it into Atlas’s chest.
He caught me by the shirt collar and snarled. “Maybe you need a real Alpha to teach you a lesson.”
“Guys,” Opal whispered.
“Fuck you,” I spit at Atlas, seeing red.
“No thanks.” He growled. “I’ve given you enough already.”
“Given me what?” I mock-laughed in his face.
His wolf flashed in his eyes. “My time. My energy. My…” Atlas closed his eyes and breathed. When he opened them again, his wolf had retreated. “But you will not take my mate.”
“Hey, guys…”
“Your mate?” I shouted, fed up with his bullshit as I reached between us to wrap my fist around his thick neck. “She’s mine. You backcountry, stuck-up, sorry excuse for an Alpha.”
“Guys!” Opal’s high-pitched scream broke through my angry haze. Both of us turned our attention slowly toward her.
Shame had a bitter scent.
She stood in the hallway, surrounded by a camera crew who’d crept up silently. A boom pole and microphone hung extended between us, picking up every word.
Not exactly the way I planned to confess my love to the world.
“While I’m sure this is entertaining to everyone else, I’ve had enough drama for the night.” Opal hugged her middle, pale and sick-looking as she backed away. “And if you’re both going to be like this every time we’re around each other, I don’t see how this is going to work.”
Tears filled her eyes as the camera crew stepped to the side to let her pass.
My Omega turned and ran.
“Let go.” I shoved Atlas off, intending to chase her down and make this right.
Atlas growled at the camera crew until they backed out of his doorway and then slammed his door closed, blocking my escape.
“Get out of my way,” I growled through clenched teeth. I’d kill him if I had to.
“No.” A heavy exhaustion settled around his eyes as he dragged his hand through his hair. “Opal will be fine for a minute. It’s you and I that need to talk.”