Page 23 of Rome's Mate: Hunted Omegas

“That’s another sign that you’re an abomination.” Julie was calm now. She’d sunk deep enough into the illusion of what needed to be done that she was scary. The look of determination on her face sent a sense of dread through Amelia. It was kill, or be killed.

“I didn’t mean to kill your mate. How do you deserve a mate when I had to kill mine?” Julie kneeled down in the ankle-high grass, scratching at the dirt. When she stood, there was a beautiful dagger in her hand. “This is the gift we receive when we graduate to full hunters.”

“It’s beautiful.” The dagger was black from tip to handle. There were rubies and emeralds embedded in the handle and scrollwork along the blade.

“It is, but not beautiful enough to justify a life lived without a mate and a best friend.” There was nothing Amelia could say to that.

“Die Abomination.” Julie ran at her, attacking her with the knife. They fought, rolling in the grass while Julie cut Amelia across her ribs and thighs.

Amelia wasn’t sure what she was waiting for. Was it for Julie to repent, to see the error of her ways? To realize she wasted her life? She punched her in the stomach and kneed her in the groin when she rolled Amelia on her back.

There was a decision to be made. Julie switched her grip on the knife and placed it against Amelia’s throat. A manic grin twisted her lips.

“You’re dead,” her words slurred. “Finally, I will get vengeance.”

Amelia’s hands shot up into the air, shifting into paws with wicked claws. She tore out Julie’s throat before the knife could dig deeper into her own throat. Julie’s dead body fell onto her, and she hoped that in death she could find the peace she hadn’t found in life.

She tossed Julie’s body off her as tears for her mate poured down her face. It took a will of iron to stop the tears. She needed to get him home before she could lose it. Her future felt black. What was there now that Rome was dead?

“Crying for Julie?” She looked up to see Rome standing at the edge of the tree line, looking well and whole.

“Rome?” Was it her imagination? Then he opened his arms.

She ran, not stopping to think. When she got close enough, she leaped, and he caught her, hugging her tight. Tears poured out, soaking his shirt. He was alive. As impossible as it was, her mate was alive.

The intense feelings of loss and fear, the feeling of being bereft and clinging to the last bit of sanity. Then there was the joy that overwhelmed her when she realized he was alive and holding her. Together, it all combined to throw her into her heat. She needed him now.

Chapter Thirteen

Rome pulled out hisphone, holding Amelia closer. Her hands were all over him like an octopus. He needed to keep calm. The scent of her in full heat was messing with his head, but he wouldn’t take her on the ground next to the dead wolf who tried to kill her. She needed finesse. He was beyond finesse, but she deserved a bed. He might be immortal, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t taken blows over the years that didn’t affect his bones and muscles at certain times. The thought of making love, even if it was heat sex, with his mate on the ground made his bones ache.

“Saul.” His second answered the phone. He explained briefly what happened and that there was a body lying about. “Send Jordan, Callum, Adan, and Draven to take care of it. I’ll be in the truck. Tell them not to approach. When I see them, I’ll take off. Clear everyone away from the private path to my rooms.” He hung up without waiting for Saul to speak. One day, he would understand.

“Let’s take this to the truck, little wolf.” He wasn’t sure where that endearment came from, but she looked like a little wolf in shifter form. Her white hair and the silver eyes. She was an omega wolf, but she was the alpha mate and that made her powerful.

She looked up at him, and he could see that her silver eyes were cloudy. He was going to have to find the strength to move away from her. She needed to agree to what was happening or he would have no choice but to lock her up until her heat passed. He never wanted his mate to think he took advantage of her.

She wasn’t moving. He picked her up and carried her to the truck. Her pheromones were scenting the air. The last thing he wanted was a battle with unknown wolves, or his brothers, because his mate’s scent was so thick and enticing, they couldn’t resist. He got her into the truck and buckled her in. It was an attempt to put space between them in the small space of the cab.

She was fumbling with the buckle when he got in. “Stop.” His alpha voice was out, and he winced at using it on his mate. It had no effect on her whatsoever. That was new. His heart realized that his mate would be an equal partner. That gave him a sense of freedom, and he started breathing again. It was easy to slip into alpha mode after all the long centuries. Now it didn’t matter, he may slip, but Amelia would ignore him.

Rome shook his head, realizing that he was like every other wolf with a mate. He wanted to laugh. He was used to being different, set aside from the larger pack. Now, he would take lessons from them on the art of compromise. His wolf gave a howl of agreement. Not only was their mate beautiful, but she would bring joy and intrigue into their lives. They had grown bored, but now the world stretched out in front of them, new and mysterious.

“Rome.” The pleading in Amelia’s voice snapped him back to his surroundings.

“Drink this, please, mate.” He handed her a tumbler that kept liquid cold for hours on end. She took it in hands that were shaking too much to open it.

He took the tumbler back and opened it, helping her lift it to her lips.

The cold water slid down Amelia’s throat. It was cool and seemed to touch the fire that was licking at her insides. She slumped against the seat, taking shallow breaths. If she breathed too deeply, she’d be overwhelmed with the scent of Rome’s desire.

“What happened?”

“Your heat that has been teasing us has finally arrived. You have decisions to make.”

“Decisions?” She frowned, not understanding. What should she decide? If this heat was here, then it was unavoidable.

“You don’t have to mate with me, because your heat is here. It would be tough, but you can ride it out alone. If you choose to do that, it will give you more time to know who I am, and to trust me. When we finally mate, there will be a claiming involved. My wolf refuses to wait any longer. You will become my mate in more than words and our lives will be joined. There is a chance of pregnancy during your heat. It is the only time you can get pregnant. We’re dealing with the hunters.”

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