Page 41 of Feral Omega

Ivy seems to sense the danger too. Her head swivels this way and that, nostrils flaring as she scents the air. Looking for predators, no doubt. Her sense of smell is not as attuned as an alpha's, but in this feral state, I'm sure all her senses are activated. Plotting her escape, her clever little mind already spinning out scenarios and contingencies.

I resist the urge to laugh. She really has no idea what she's up against out here.

We walk in silence for a while, the only sounds the crunch of our boots on the loamy earth and the faint calls of birds high overhead. I can feel the weight of her gaze, those eyes constantly assessing, always watchful.

Finally, we reach a small clearing, ringed by towering pines that blot out the sun. Perfect.

"Here," I say, gesturing for her to sit on a fallen log. "Might as well enjoy the peace while we've got it."

Ivy eyes the log warily before perching on the very edge, back ramrod straight and hands clenched in her lap. She's like a little bird, all tensed muscle and fluttering nerves, ready to take flight at the slightest provocation.

I settle onto the log beside her, leaving a careful distance between us. No need to spook her further—not yet, anyway. Instead, I lean back and cross my ankles, the very picture of relaxation.

"Enjoying your freedom, little rabbit?" I ask lightly.

She doesn't answer, just gives a small shake of her head. Smart enough not to take the bait, but not quite smart enough to hide the way her gaze keeps darting toward the tree line, searching for gaps, for openings.

"What, you'd rather be back in that sterile box they call the infirmary?" I press, unable to resist needling her. "At least out here you can breathe real air, not that recycled shit they pump through the vents."

A muscle ticks in her jaw, but she remains silent, glaring straight ahead. Stubborn little thing, this one.

"Come on," I goad with a lazy smile. "You can't tell me you're not just itching to make a break for it. To put all that feral spirit of yours to good use and disappear into the trees."

Her chin lifts a fraction, eyes narrowing to icy slits. Got her riled up now, her inner fire stoked higher.

Good. I want to see that fury, that hatred burning hot and bright. I want to bask in it, let it sear me to the bone.

"If you are thinking about it," I say, leaning in until I can feel the warmth of her body, smell the rapid kick of her pulse, "you'd better make sure you grab some weapons first."

She goes utterly still at that, not even seeming to breathe. I let the weight of my stare linger on her, trailing over her slight form in blatant appraisal.

"These woods are full of beasts, little one. Beasts that would tear into that pretty flesh without a second thought." I lean closer, close enough that I could count those ridiculously long eyelashes if I wanted to. "You wouldn't last a night out there unprotected."

A shudder wracks her body, but she holds my gaze, defiant to the last. I grin, all teeth and dark promise.

"I could show you, you know. How to defend yourself properly." My voice is a low, dangerous purr. An offer and a threat all wrapped into one silken tone. "Maybe then you'd have a chance of getting out of these woods alive."

Ivy stares at me for a long, breathless moment. Then, slowly, she shakes her head.

The fire in her eyes says it all. She'd rather take her chances with the beasts in the night than accept any help from me.

My grin widens. Oh, this one is going to be fun to break. I can already tell.

"Suit yourself, princess," I say, rocking back onto my heels. "But don't say I didn't warn you when you end up as wolf chow."

She holds my stare, that stubborn tilt to her chin never wavering. God, she's gorgeous like this—all wild fury and untamed defiance. The perfect combination of beauty and ferocity, a siren calling to the darkest depths of my soul.

Yeah. I could get used to this.

The sound of approaching footsteps shatters the moment, heavy and purposeful. A familiar scent hits my senses—leather and smoke, alpha musk and banked rage.

Thane.

"What the fuck is going on here?" His voice is a low, dangerous growl as he stalks into the clearing.

I twist to face him, slouching back against the log in a show of nonchalance. "Just getting a bit of fresh air, boss. Thought our rabbit could use a break from being cooped up."

His obsidian gaze pins me, the weight of his fury like a physical force. "You took her outside? Without my permission?"

---