Page 83 of Feral Alphas

I actually feel sympathetic. Colt doesn’t get angry often, but when he does, it’s enough to send ghosts crossing my grave. It’s the reason I know that he’ll be the head alpha of any pack we form.

I nod once. Despite Colt’s generous forgiveness, what Kye said is true. I am a butcher, and I earned that name through the few kills the Alpha Center found out about. Far more water under that bridge than anyone but me knows. Well, Colt knows, but we don’t talk about it because he’s a law enforcer. He says I’ve done my penance by getting beaten within an inch of my life.

I’ve been on the right side of the law for fourteen years, but some days I feel like I’m inches away from stepping onto the dark side. Without him, I’d never have made it this far.

Colt washes his hands with soap, like touching the musician has polluted him. “If you understand, then get out, and don’t let me smell you until tomorrow.”

Kye bares his teeth. “This might be your house, but you’re not my alpha.”

Colt snarls at him. “No, I’m not, and we’ll never be a pack unless we all mutually trust and respect each other.” He stalks close to the musician like he’s ready to eat him. “So think about that while you get the fuck out of my house for the day.”

He pauses and adds, “And while you’re at it, answer this. Who would you rather have nearby when two feral alpha killers join this family and I’m not around? A musician who doesn’t want to get his hands scratched, or a man who can take them out single-handedlyif need be? Luka Nesters is my submissive because he chooses to be, not because he’s timid. Don’t ever forget it.”

Kye’s wide eyes flick to me as he backs away. Colt postures up while our newest pack member circles the island bench warily and collects a few things from his room, standing guard until the front door slams shut behind him.

“Such a privileged turd,” Colt says, scrubbing a hand angrily over his face. He spins around and comes to me, wrapping both arms around my stiff shoulders. “And who said you could move, doll?”

I drop my head onto his shoulder. “Sorry, Sir.”

He snorts, and some of the tension radiating through his body eases. “Luka, if I wasn’t worried about putting my back out, I’d carry you to the bedroom.” I grin remembering his bluster from earlier as he takes my hand and tugs me off the table. He’s right. I’m not as well-built as him, but I’m still nearing two-hundred pounds, scrawny and all. Most alphas are on the big side.

In our room, he nudges me down onto the bed and squats at my knees. “Luka, look at me.” When I lift my eyes, there’s pain glinting in his hazel ones. “You’re not what he said. You’re Luka Nesters, my sub, and a valued member of this family.”

Yeah, because he gave me his own damn surname when I was reintegrated with society. He’ll make me fucking cry at this rate, and I haven’t cried in years. “You don’t have to—”

His fingers dig into my knees, cutting off my excuses. “Yes, I do. You’re my responsibility, and I’ll do everything in my power to take care of you. Now, do you want me to finish what I started, or do you want some quiet time?”

As much as I want to ask what he wants, I don’t, because he hates his questions being answered with another question. It could besomething the doms’ group taught him, but it’s also just as likely it comes from his career in law enforcement. So the only thing left for me is honesty.

“I want to finish.” Because all that protective rage has made me hard as ice again and my balls are heavy, and I need him to drive away all the bad memories rising from my sordid past.

He smiles and reaches up to rest his hand against my cheek. “Lie back.” Then Colt Nesters, the OCB Special Agent who took in a killer, proceeds to make love to me like I’m as fragile and precious as a damn omega.

Chapter thirty-two

Rose

I press my nose to the car window and finger the galaxy necklace around my neck as we drive through the outer city suburban street. “Which one is it?”

Colt chuckles and rests his hand on my knee. “We’re almost there.”

I run my hand across my pocket, feeling the unfamiliar bulge of my brand-new phone. Leslie made sure I knew how to use it before hugging me and saying goodbye as if we weren’t going to be in contact every day for the next two weeks while I settle in.

Apparently most omegas don’t have all these check-ins, but most omegas haven’t been used as scent bait for feral alphas fighting in underground death matches.

Colt massages my thigh lightly. “Rose, there’s something I need to tell you about before we arrive. Have you heard of dominant and submissive relationships?”

“Oh, like Fifty Shades of Beta?”

His lips quirk up. “Yeah, something like that. Luka and I are in that sort of relationship. He addresses me as sir and obeys everything I ask. He won’t be that way with you, though.”

“Sounds fun.”

Colt puffs out a single laugh. “Well, that’s one perspective. I’m glad you’re not weirded out by it.”

I throw him a look that asks if he’s crazy. “Why on Earth would I be weirded out by my alphas?”

He sucks air between his teeth and shakes his head. “Heaven was looking out for me when they sent you along.”

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