Page 15 of Cleat Heat

Fox

The door splinters, and a wave of cupcakes makes my feet stumble as we rush into the space. Her scent is thick enough that she may be in or at least very close to her heat. My mouth waters, my cock immediately thickens in my post-practice sweats, and a haze of need muddles my brain Mate. Mate. Mate, chants through my head, even as her cries make me see red. Luckily, the apartment is tiny, and I’m able to locate my omega almost immediately.

My mouth gapes when I catch a glimpse of her. Vivi’s silky green robe flutters around her, giving me a perfect view of her completely bare, peachy ass. Want and need battle for dominance, even though sanity must prevail. Our girl is hanging on tightly to some blond alpha’s back, attempting to wrap her dainty arm around his neck.

“Choke him out, little flier,” I crow, as I wade forward, intent on snapping the neck of the asshole who dared to lay his hands on my mate.

“He’s going to kill Mako,” she wails, and although I don’t understand her words, the sheer terror in her voice pierces me straight through the heart. An angry roar erupts from my very soul, echoed by Dash and Ty, the sound booming like thunder in the small space.

The soon-to-be-dead alpha upon hearing us, spins around, and my mouth drops. An enormous gray cat hangs from his face, swinging back and forth as the Alpha tries to wrestle him off. Surprise slices through me at all of the blood since the feisty as fuck feline has left gaping claw marks across his face, his chest, and down his arms. Marcel tries with all his might to stop the little predator from biting his jaw, but the cat’s fangs are deeply embedded in his face.

With a final snarl, the Alpha pries the cat off his face and flings him across the room. My stomach lurches as the gray furball sails through the air, and Vivi shrieks in horror. Her voice reaches an ear-piercing decibel—loud enough to shatter glass. Completely frozen, I can’t figure out whether I need to save the cat or my little flier more. Fortunately, Ty’s there, hurling his body forward, his arms outstretched to grab Mako out of midair.

Thank goodness for packmates.

Taking a split second to catch Dash’s eye, I nod at him, and we move forward as one. Raising my hands, I grasp Vivi by the waist as gently as I can, careful not to touch any of her exposed skin, although I’m dying to run my fingers over every single fucking inch.

Her body quivers, throwing off distress pheromones, but she doesn’t let go of the stranglehold she has on his neck. Unsure what to do, I press closer, surrounding her with my scent and wishing like hell we had a bond so she could feel me. Ripping her off of him could injure my precious omega, and there’s no way in hell I’m going to risk it.

“Shhhhh, little flier, I’ve got you. You’re safe. You can let go,” I rumble into her ear. The trembling of her body only increases, and—although I would hate to use it—I’m a second away from forcing her with my bark to release him when she takes a deep breath.

“You can do it, baby girl,” Ty purrs, moving closer. “This kitty here wants a cuddle.”

“Mako?” she asks, a concerned frown tugging down her lips.

Mentioning her cat seems to do the trick, and Vivi instantly releases the piece of shit, allowing Dash to move in and give him a bone-crunching punch to the jaw. She falls into my arms, and I pull her slight frame into me, holding her gently to my chest. My omega tucks her nose against my neck, gulping in big breaths, which make my inner Alpha preen with delight.

Mate likes me.

Marcel howls in pain, but the fragile little bundle in my arms has stolen all of my focus. Her robe is gaping open, allowing me the perfect view of her breasts and silky skin. Though my cock is as hard as a rock, I tug the material closed to preserve her modesty. She may be my mate, but that doesn’t give me any rights to her body. Waddling awkwardly, I cradle her against my chest, and my eyes dart around the small space, finally finding Ty standing in a darkened doorway.

“Let’s put Vivi in her room for a minute,” he whispers. “So we can help Dash take out the trash.”

Hesitantly, I enter her space, instantly noticing the thick scent of her arousal and frustration… along with a buzzing noise. Despite my superior Alpha eyesight, the drawn curtains and the dark room cause me to stumble over the bed.

Ty, the little shit, laughs at my clumsiness.

“Baby girl,” he says, stepping closer and stroking a hand through her white-blond hair. She twists in my arms, clearly listening. “Fox and I are just going to help Dash get rid of that asshole. Will you be okay on your bed by yourself for a few minutes?”

“Mako?” she whimpers, unfurling herself and climbing gracefully onto her bed, which I can barely make out as my eyes adjust. Her voice is soft and raspy from all the screaming, yet it still sends a zing to my cock, which has yet to go down. It throbs, pressing against my pants in response. Not the time.

“He’s right here.” Ty places the purring cat in her arms, and she sits on the mattress with a sigh, burying her face in his soft fur. I want to be the one to give her comfort.

Great, now I’m jealous of her pet.

Turning, we exit the room, although every one of my instincts is pulling me back. My feet feel like lead with every step I take away from Vivi, and it’s painful. Is this what scent-matching feels like?

Chapter Eleven

Vivi

The door creaks, then softly closes, and I finally release the most omega whine that has ever come from my throat. It’s pathetic, and I absolutely hate it, but I couldn’t let them hear me.

“Mako, Mako, Mako,” I repeat, soothing myself with the soft furball currently purring away in my arms. More lame-ass tears track down my face, and I just can’t stand what a needy puddle I’ve turned into. A rough tongue laps at my chin, licking away the tears, and it helps me to compose myself.

“What a heroic boy you are,” I coo at my brave cat. Never in a million years would I have expected him to attack Marcel, but when he pulled me into the apartment, Mako turned into an absolute live-wire of protective wrath. His hiss was so loud that I’ll never unhear it. My brave kitten attacked with the ferocity of a lion, startling my ex enough that he was forced to let go of me and fight off the gnashing teeth and vicious claws Mako unleashed. “You’re going to get so many treats.”

He bumps his head against me before leaping from my lap. There’s some grunting from the other room, and my heart picks up as my mind tries to make sense of what just happened. Were Dash, Ty, and Fox really in my apartment? How do they even know where I live?

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