Page 15 of Rathgar

My whole life, my whole career hinged on constantly watching for danger. For anticipating it and neutralizing it before the enemy had a chance to act. It was that unfailing vigilance that earned me a spot at Soren’s side.

I wasn’t going to go soft now just because of a woman. A human woman, at that. What Soren does on his own time is his business, and I’m happy for him, but if he thinks I’m going to fall head over heels for an Earth girl, he’s dead wrong.

Tell that to my still-racing heart.

I run a hand through my hair and turn to face the gentle night breeze. I focus on the surroundings and look for any weak spots, any vulnerabilities, but it’s only a half focus.

My brain feels like a battlefield, and my heart? Even more so.

I still remember the way she cried out my name and clung to me like I was her lifeline. My muscles ache and my cock still remembers the soft heat of her insides. The way she tensed and throbbed around me, milking every drop of cum I had into her waiting womb…

“Fuck,” I mutter. I screw my eyes shut and shake my head. This can’t be happening. I have a job to do. My people — and my planet — depend on me.

I reacted the way any alpha would have in the presence of an omega in heat. It was simply a biological imperative. No feelings were part of it. She felt the same. She told me as much. And for that, I was at least, grateful.

Going into this with mismatched expectations would spell disaster for the both of us. We knew what we were getting into and we knew not to take it seriously. That would be that.

Or so I thought.

While I scan the perimeter, my brain drifts back to the time I saw her at the birthday party. The time when her little one so boldly ran up and clung to my leg.

A smile creeps across my face. Not so unlike her mother, that one. They both had a reckless streak a mile wide. And when Janie challenged me like she had in bed? It made me harder than I’ve ever been in my life. Like somehow, I was waiting all this time to find someone who could give as well as she got.

Too bad it’s just a contract. Nothing more.

After I finish surveying the grounds, I slip back into the bedroom to find Janie still sleeping soundly. My eyes linger on her for a bit longer than necessary — watching the way her body curls into the pillow, the way her dark hair splays out behind her on the mattress. My cock throbs at the sight of her still-naked breasts and her full, slightly parted lips.

Incredible…

Even though I’ve been trained in stealth, it’s hard for a big guy like me to move without making some sort of noise. My footfalls must have woken her, because her eyelids flutter open, disoriented for half a second before she turns her head and sees me.

Her reaction is instantaneous. She lets out a low, pitiful whimper and draws her legs up toward her chest, pulling the covers ever closer. She looks…scared?

But why?

Had I done something wrong?

I take a step toward her, but she tenses even more. Only moments ago, we were tangled in ecstasy. Was she having second thoughts? Did I really scare her that much?

“Janie?” I ask softly, carefully. I extend what I hope looks like a peaceful hand. “Are you all right?”

She doesn’t meet my gaze, opting to stare at the bed and chew her lip.

“What’s wrong?” I try again.

Still nothing.

Now, I’m getting frustrated. Where was the fiery, feisty woman I took to my bed? Where was the needy omega who sang for me so beautifully as we drove each other to climax? She didn’t really think I was going to hurt her, did she?

The thought disgusts me so much I wrinkle my nose and clench my jaw. My fist tightens before I realize I probably look like I’m angry at her. Not helping my case.

Still, I need to know where I stand. And I’ve never been one to tiptoe around a subject.

“Are you scared of me?” There, I said it. “Or do you think that since you’re my omega, you’re supposed to be sweet and submissive and weak in my presence?”

The words come out with more bite than I intend, but I can’t stop the flood of emotion. The thought that someone would take advantage of her this way…it fills my soul with a deep, possessive anger. She doesn’t deserve that.

Whether we’re heart-mates or just two people doing a job, she’s a woman and deserves to be treated with respect. Fertile females on my own planet are treasured above all else, treated like queens by their mates. I’ve seen the way Soren dotes on Lara and Iris. He’s firm, but he is fair where it counts. That’s our way. That’s how we were raised, the code we live and die by.

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