Page 15 of Unruly Omega

Chapter Fourteen

Kellan

You’re my alpha, right?

I could barely believe it was me speaking those words. Daring to say something so bold. Last time I felt so free to speak, I had been far from an adult, and I was rapidly becoming aware of the cost of all those years of growing up. Locke was my fated, but was it even fair for me to accept Fate’s gift?

Even if he wanted me to be his, he would be getting a damaged mate, and I didn’t want to do that to someone I had so much respect for. And gratitude. He and his team had saved my life because if I had stayed in that bear much longer, I’d for sure have done something that got me put down. I recalled the single time I’d shifted in my years at the lab. Bad things had happened, things I’d never have credited my bear with doing, but now I knew the truth. My bear had not ripped the face off that white coat. It had been an attempt to implant a bear in someone—an attempt that had not had the result they sought. Somehow they’d managed to get me shifted back, but never had I been able to shift again.

I didn’t know how they did that, either, but Markus had explained that the IV shifter suppressor they were giving me could only be administered for a short time, or it could cause damage to my ability to ever shift again. And I was willing to try it because I had no other choice.

Markus also said he was researching and would see if he couldn’t find something less harmful going forward.

Whatever it took, I would do it. I couldn’t take the chance that the bear would do to any one of these kind people what he had to his creators. I still had nightmares about the bloodbath. Why hadn’t they just killed me then and saved themselves a lotof worry? They had no doubt been concerned that I might act out again. But perhaps they had the keys to the bear, so to speak? A way to call him and make him go away, and stay away.

Maybe something related to the location? Since he’d come on pretty fast when I left the parking lot. I’d have to remember to share that thought with Locke. It was clear they hadn’t had one of these inserted bears to deal with before, but another could come along or even be in captivity in the labs now.

But the alpha had not answered me.

“Alpha? You don’t have to accept me even if you’re my fated. I wouldn’t blame you at all if you chose not to. I am damaged goods.”

“It’s not that, omega. I’m damaged, too. I was a captive myself at one time.”

I sucked in a breath, the very thought of him having been in a situation like mine, enraging me. I wanted to find whoever did this to the alpha and let my evil bear rip their faces off. “Then do you not want me as your omega? I can’t blame you.”

“Omega, you are my fated mate, but it’s not the time for you to make decisions about your life going forward or to take big actions. You’re not only just out of a very long captivity but on a drug that can affect your emotions, according to Markus.”

I wanted him so much. To have him mate and mark me. “I’ve been through so much, I can’t give up one moment of life.”

“And you don’t have to. Come with me now to my home, and I’ll get you settled. I’m not rejecting you. I just need you to be clearheaded when you take me on. I’m far from perfect, omega, and my life is risky on its best days. We’re forever putting ourselves in danger to try to help those who, like you, need rescuing.” He chuckled. “Although you did a pretty good job of rescuing yourself.”

I accompanied him to his home and upstairs to a nicely appointed room. It was bigger than the one at the healer’splace, although not huge. The lack of clothing in the closet and personal belongings in the bathroom told me that this was not the alpha’s room, just guest quarters. But at least he did enter with me.

“You should have everything you need.” Locke showed me around, pointing out the cabinet in the bathroom that held a set of toiletries, the stacks of towels, and the bed. “I expect you to get a shower and climb right into bed, omega. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good night, alpha.” I studied his expression. “Thank you for everything.”

He hesitated and then leaned in and kissed me, holding his forehead against mine. “Good night, omega. We have tomorrow to look forward to.”

After he left, I hugged myself. Tomorrow to look forward to. Wow. The first time in so many years I could dream of the pleasures of the next day instead of the horrors to come.

The shower had great water pressure, and I stood under it for long minutes, scrubbing myself clean of the past. I didn’t want even a hint of the smells of that place clinging to my skin. Dried off, I padded into the bedroom and pulled back the top covers. It was all I could do to keep my eyes open long enough to cuddle down into the downy warmth.

But instead of dreams of tomorrow with my alpha, my subconscious took me right back into the nightmare of the lab, the bear they’d forced into me, and what he did to that white coat. It never got any less terrifying, and I always woke screaming.

Chapter Fifteen

Locke

My omega hollered, dragging me from a fitful sleep and charging me into action. Usually I was a deep sleeper, but not tonight.

I threw on pajama pants and ran from my room down the hallway to his. Instead of knocking, I barged in to find Kellan kicking and screaming, and punching the air.

“Kellan,” I called out loudly, trying to pull him from the depths of whatever nightmare held him in its grip. “Kellan, it’s me. It’s your mate.”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he turned, scooting across the bed as if the devil himself were reaching for him. Goddess, he must’ve been tormented for years and within inches of his life to be so terrified.

I rushed over to the side of the bed where he’d retreated from the invisible enemy and reached for his shoulders.

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