Page 7 of The Dancer

“Elias, brother, you need to breathe,” the man says, and I pray to all that is holy that he can calm the enraged Alpha.

Elias swings his head toward the newcomer, and I see the shift fade slightly. “Maddox?”

“Yes, brother,” he replies. “You need to calm down. We can talk about whatever the fuck is going on here. There is no need for violence.”

Elias reaches back and grabs my hand, tangling his fingers with mine.

“Get them out.” He gestures toward Abel and the other men.

“I’m not leaving her alone with you,” Abel interjects. “We can talk about this, but I am staying until I know she is safe.”

“She isn’t yours to protect!” Elias roars, and two of the bouncers flee the room.

I wonder if Abel knew he employed cowards.

I know the rest of Dark Side of the Moon has been emptied to avoid more issues from arising. An unclaimed omega is enough to cause sane men to go into a rage as they try to get at her. Throw in the charged atmosphere of the club and an Alpha like Elias, and it will probably end in bloodshed, if not death.

I never should have agreed to dance for him. I knew this was a bad idea from the moment Abel asked me.

Taking a chance, I place my other hand in the center of Elias’s back before speaking.

“Elias,” I say softly.

His entire demeanor changes as he faces me. His body seems to want to curl around me and protect me from everyone else.

“It’s okay.” I cup his face gently, and he leans into my touch. I hear someone curse softly, but I don’t shift my attention from the enraged Alpha. “Tell me what is going on in your head. I know my scent is overwhelming, but you are one of the most powerful Alphas in the world. You can fight through the haze of lust.”

“You can’t feel it?” he asks with a frown.

“Feel what?”

“You’re mine. My mate. The one I gave up looking for.”

“No, Elias.” I shake my head in disbelief.

“You won’t feel it until the effects of the patch wear off,” Abel says from the doorway. “The only reason he can tell is that he is an Alpha. A regular male would have missed it.”

Shock courses through my body at Abel’s words. “How long does it take to wear off?”

“Seven to ten days.”

“But I know,” Elias says, gripping my chin and forcing me to look at him. “You are mine.”

“I don’t know you.” I pull away from him. “You could justwant an omega to knot. To use and leave behind.”

He looks like I physically slapped him, and I want to take back my words. But I learned long ago that if I don’t protect myself, no one else will. Alphas need omegas to take their knot and procreate but many Alphas just use and discard omegas.

“What now?” the man named Maddox asks.

“That depends on Quinn,” Abel says.

“Come with me to my pack,” Elias implores. “I need to make sure you are safe. You can’t replace your patch, or the effects will never leave your body. And I will go insane knowing my mate is out in the world where anyone can hurt her.”

My gaze locks with Abel’s. “It’s the safest option, Quinn. He can protect you.”

“I don’t know you,” I repeat softly, already feeling I am losing myself.

“Now you have seven to ten days to get to know me.”

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