Page 69 of Alpha Hunger

“Fifty-four males,” Arkin says.

“Fifty-three,” I correct. “Junior snatched one.”

“A new record.”

I nod. “Fix me.”

Arkin grabs my wrist and my shoulder, then yanks. The shoulder snaps into place.

My Omega covers her face. “Jesus.”

The pain makes me see stars, but I swallow my scream. Arkin put me back together. The ankle will find its own way.

I pick up my Omega and sling her over my good shoulder.

“I can walk,” she says.

I grunt and leave the IT department, take steps, sometimes bumping into the walls as they appear to be closing in on me. Maybe I have a concussion. Upstairs, the hologram crackles, the last of it draining from lack of power. It shows me a door we use on Regha. No tech required. I press a palm against the wall, and it opens. Stepping inside, I close it behind me and put the Omega down. I can barely make her out. My head spins.

I take her hand and lead her to the shower, which I start manually. The water washes the blood off my body, soaks my Omega’s hair and clothes. She says nothing when I peel off her clothes and lift her up, putting her against the wall. My cock, hard and ready from fighting, fits inside her pussy as if it’s meant to spend a lifetime in there. Which it is.

Anna is at the tail end of her heat, and I have a duty to breed her now more than ever, show her I would never leave her unprotected in order to chase an enemy, even if that enemy’s freedom burns in my lungs. I would never give her up. Not for the space gate, not for the crown, not for my pride. I let the enemy go so I can stand by her and protect what’s mine.

I fuck her hard. I pound into her pussy, listen to her whine, moan, beg, tug my braid. My armor holds steady. Maybe that’s why it makes me feel more savage than usual. There’s something primal about fucking my Omega in the armor of a bonded male. The red armor protects the single Alpha so he can defend his Omega as much as a pack of Alphas would. It’s not so I can fuck her with it. But I like it.

“I let him go,” comes out of my mouth before I can stop it.

Anna’s lips are at my ear as my lower body pummels into her. “It’s okay.” She hangs on to me.

“I’m going after him.”

“I’m coming with you.”

I spill inside her with a roar, inflate my knot, and stay there for a while, not saying anything. Soaked, Anna is quiet too, tears spilling out of her eyes.

I kiss her softly. “Pack your bags, Princess. We’re going hunting.”

* * *

Anna buried her father today. I did not attend. Adrenaline runs through me, and as the contractors leave, I itch to follow them out of the office. I hired people to build walls around the Stronghold.

Junior paces downstairs, his snarling and excitement getting all the hounds worked up. Fights will break out if we don’t get going. I check the clock and Anna’s list. She’s late, won’t have time to pack. Christy must’ve anticipated this, because he’s in my closet, preparing for our departure.

I’m Horde, a Regha prince with an imposter claiming to be the prince on the loose. I will hunt him down. House by house. Neighborhood by neighborhood. I will plow through this entire country.

Office repairmen come in. I step away so they can start fitting in new windows. Peering inside my closet, I check on Christy. He’s packed a sack for Anna, but it looks like he’s taking three extra suitcases.

“I need two kilts and two pairs of boots. Leave the armor.”

He lifts one empty suitcase. “Gonna pack my things. I’m coming with you.”

“Certainly not.”

Today, Christy wears no makeup, and his short black hair is ruffled. He looks like he just crawled out of bed, and he’s been here the entire day. He pushes past me and heads for the stairs.

“Christy,” I warn.

He spins around. “Why not?” He’s gonna cry on me.

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