Page 49 of The Feral Alpha

14

THE OTHER SHOE

Olson woke to George’s scent all over him. He smiled into his pillow, wanting George’s camera so he could see the pictures from that photo shoot.

“George,” he murmured, sliding his hand over the warm, strong shape next to him, nuzzling into that muscled back.

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Why was there a tattoo on George’s shoulder?

Why were there so many scars?

Olson’s heart stuttered. No, this wasn’t George.

George was dead.

He shoved away the old grief and sat bolt upright, staring at the alpha in his bed. Rex. That was his name. The man who had George’s scent and George’s eyes, and who looked at Olson so adoringly that Olson hadn’t been able to send him away.

At the sudden movement, Rex stirred, looking over his shoulder. He smiled. “Olllsonnnn.”

He wriggled around to face Olson, the covers sliding down his body to expose a trail of dark hair down his abdomen. And the twin grooves on his hips, leading further down.

Olson’s insides stirred with remembered pleasure, the memory of being pinned down, Rex filling him relentlessly. The sheer need that had made his entire body ache.

His thoughts stuttered.

He’d gone into heat last night. That was what he’d been about to tell Rex, except they’d both gotten sidetracked. And now there was no lingering ache, no relentless need. “Fuck. We didn’t use a condom, did we?”

Rex tilted his head.

“Fuck. No, we didn’t.” Olson groaned, scrubbing his hands over his face. Did Rex even know the consequences of what they’d done?

When Rex’s father showed up next week—possibly to take him home—what was Olson going to tell him? That he’d slept with Rex and possibly conceived? He couldn’t make Rex take responsibility; Rex was still learning to be a civilized person.

“Oh, gods,” Olson moaned. This was all kinds of fucked up.

Rex frowned, touching Olson’s mouth and forehead. “Olson sad.”

“Not sad. Just—Fuck.” Olson slumped back into his pillow. “I just—I need some time alone. Please.”

Rex didn’t seem to understand, so Olson shoved at him. “Wait outside the bedroom for me. Get something to eat or drink. Just. I need some space.”

Rex’s shoulders sagged. He nuzzled under Olson’s ear and trailed his wrist over Olson’s arm, leaning away to get off the bed.

He looked so miserable that Olson caught his hand.

“Hey. Rex.” Olson pulled him back, brushing his fingers through Rex’s hair. “It’s okay. I’m not mad at you. I just... There’s a lot of things going on. Big things with a lot of consequences. I’m trying to figure out what to do.”

Rex studied him, those green eyes still so sad.

So Olson cupped his face, kissing him softly on the mouth. “Get something to eat. Or you can wait for me. I’ll make you something good for breakfast.”

Rex lit up at that. He nuzzled Olson’s cheek with more enthusiasm, then brought Olson’s hand up, pressing a sloppy kiss to his palm. “For Olllsonnnn.”

“Yes.” Olson kissed him again, his heart thumping. “Wait for me somewhere else in the apartment.”

With hope growing in his eyes, Rex climbed off the bed, wandering out.

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