Page 9 of Outcast Island

Her scent invades my thoughts and permeates my skin, drenching me with her aroma in a declaration that suggests her blood already finds mine to be compatible.

Which is impossible.

I had looked for centuries for an Omega who was compatible with my blood type. I wasn’t like the rest of my family. I was a monstrosity among Vampire Alphas, and I had an unknown marker that set me apart.

That made me feral without a mate.

I had searched for one in sheer desperation to resolve the issue. An easy way to test compatibility is to allow an Omega to taste another Vampire Alpha’s blood.

Incompatibility should simply mean a sour taste.

In my case, it means death. And I have far too many dead Omegas on my conscience as it is.

Never again.

The blood rage had only worsened as the guilt festered. After a close call with my little brother when he’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time, I knew I had to give up my search.

Exile.

Glancing down at the gorgeous female with brownish-blonde hair, I dare to hope that might change.

I could go home.

But where are you from, little diamond?I wonder, because now that I have found a compatible Omega, her needs will always come before my own.

Why is she here? How had she found herself careening in a fireball streaking across the sky?

The overwhelming need to protect her and care for her makes my arms shake, but I will them to remain strong and steady, so as not to jolt her.

Our exchange of magic has to be done before I can properly tend to her needs.

And I will tend to all of them—with her permission.

Next will be the exchange of blood.

Only if she wants it,I remind myself.

I’d rather die than force an Omega to live a lifetime dealing with me. Our magic-bond can be broken. It’s only the first step in a mate bond between vampires.

Dismantling it would hurt.

It might even kill me.

But I would do it, if it pleased her.

Closing my eyes, I allow her blissful scent to dig into my skin and taste the magic that courses through my blood.

My magic is violent and unruly, but a calmness unlike anything I’ve ever felt rolls through me as I let the Omega’s magic saturate me.

You’re so powerful, little diamond.

More powerful than you could possibly know.

The burning escape pod dims from my senses, and the tree line remains quiet. Now that I’ve killed multiple Vampire Alphas, now that I’ve foundher, I’ll be able to bloodmist us to my lair without risking insanity. But first I need to make sure I finish the exchange.

My body gives her all the blood rage I’ve dealt with for years, trusting her to handle its impossible weight. Unfortunately, I have no choice in the matter. The alternative would be that I keep it in, and I know what would happen next if I did that.

She would die. I would force my knot on her, then I would drain her.

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