Page 68 of One Wild Omega

Acid-tongued Tanner McCreary apparently liked to read sweet stories of bare-chested alphas raiding forts, scooping up tentative omegas, and riding off into the sunset together, happily ever after. He scanned a few pages and soon learned they weren’t so sweet, after all. The sex scene he stumbled on was enough to raise his brows.

When he found a couple of BDSM-themed novels tucked deep in one pile, he grinned and read the backs. It didn’t surprise him at all that Tanner had a wild streak.

He replaced the books and walked over to a chair that held a couple of Tanner’s tunics. Lifting one to his nose, he scented that something… the same something he’d scented on Bellamy. Why hadn’t he scented it on Tanner before?

The article came back to mind. Had his reaction to Tanner’sScentexoverrode his other senses?

Fitz closed his eyes and took another deep inhale, letting Tanner’s scent wash over him. He frowned, lowering the material back to the chair—despising himself for not realizing the truth sooner.

Hating what he’d done to push Tanner away…

And realizing he might’ve pushed the man too far to ever make things right again.

He padded barefoot over to the bedroom door and gazed in through the narrow gap. Tanner lay on his side, eyes wide open. The sadness on his face… it tore Fitz up even more. While he knew he had no right to be there, to be that shoulder, he wanted to.

Pushing the door open a little more, he entered.

Tanner’s head popped up a little, and he eyed Fitz. Silently, Fitz moved to the other side of the bed and crawled in. Tanner looked over his shoulder a minute before turning and pressing himself into Fitz’s outstretched arms without a word.

His omega melted into him.

Fitz closed his eyes, loving the feel of the man beside him. He ran his palm over Tanner’s back, trying to soothe his omega… and soon, he felt the even, slow breathing of sleep. Once he was sure Tanner slept, he allowed himself to drift off for a while.

Chapter Fifteen

Tanner awoke some time later, a big, warm, lump beside him. He had no idea what time it was, where he was, or who the muscle was beside him, but he didn’t want to move an inch. If he could mewl, he would. The chest his head rested on lifted slowly and evenly… the man was asleep. Drawing in a deep inhale, he realized who it was.

He lifted his head and saw Fitz snoozing in his bed. It took a few seconds to remember why—and when he did—he wished he hadn’t. He’d lost it all… all of his work… everything he’d created and either hadn’t sold or couldn’t part with. The tears came back… but along with it, came anger.

Glaring at the man in his bed, the anger grew. He shook Fitz, awakening him. “Get up and get out.”

Fitz scrubbed his face with one large hand before frowning. “What?”

“Get up… and get out. You’re not wanted here.”

Fitz stared at him a moment, the slumber not completely faded from his face. “What did I do now?”

“This…” Tanner spread his arms around. “Being nice to me. Rushing in like some hero to the rescue. You’re not my hero… nor do I want you to be.”

Fitz scrubbed his face again before sitting up straighter. “I was trying to help, you ungrat—” Fitz closed his eyes, squeezing them tight. “Tanner… I was able to hold back the anger before… because you needed me. If you start yelling at me, I won’t be able to control it.”

“So leave!”

Fitz’s eyes popped open. “You shouldn’t be alone!”

“I can handle myself. Always have. Always will.”

“Can you just not be so… so…”

“So what?” Tanner asked, frowning.

“So,you!” Fitz yelled. He climbed out of the bed and shoved a hand through his hair. “I came to find you last night because I think you lied to me. I think youaremy mate. And if you are… that means I can’t control this anger. Not when you’re onScentex. I don’t want to be like this around you, Tanner. Idon’twant us to argue. Idon’twant to say these things to you. Especially not now.”

“How were you so nice to me earlier?”

“I have no idea,” Fitz said. “I think it was because my need to protect you was stronger than this anger.”

Tanner stared a moment, off-put by that answer. “The only thing I need protection from isyou! Just leave.”

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