Page 14 of Claimed By Four Alphas

I can't help the low growl that escapes me, or the way my nostrils flare as I take in more of her scent, trying to identify the Alpha who's marked her.

"Detective?" Her voice breaks through my haze.

I focus on her face for the first time. She's beautiful. She has wide hazel eyes and full lips, and her light olive skin is glowing even under the harsh hallway lights. Her curly hair is pulled back in a bun, with a few strands escaping to frame her face.

I clear my throat. "Dr. Baldwin."

"Can I see some ID?" She's looking at me with suspicion, one hand still on the door like she might slam it in my face.

I pull out my badge and hold it up. "Detective Leo Byers, Shifter Crimes Division."

She studies it, then me, and her eyes linger on my face for a bit. "Fine. Come in."

I step inside, immediately scanning the apartment for exits, potential weapons, and vulnerabilities. It's neat but lived-in, with books stacked on every surface and a small collection of potted plants by the window. It smells like her but also like another Alpha.

My bear doesn't like that. At all.

"My life is drawing in too many shifters these days," she mutters, closing the door behind me.

I don't respond. I can't trust myself to speak without growling again. Instead, I position myself near the door, cross my arms, and watch as she moves around the apartment.

"We need to leave soon," I finally say, keeping my voice flat. "Mr. Blackthorn has arranged a safe house and lab facility for you."

She stops, turns to face me, and crosses her arms in a mirror of my stance. "And what if I don't want to go to Blackthorn's little hideaway?"

"It's not optional." I check my watch. "You have fifteen minutes to pack what you need. Clothes, toiletries, any personal research materials. Everything else can be replaced."

"Excuse me?" Her eyes flash with anger. "You can't just barge in here and order me around."

"I'm not ordering you around. I'm doing my job." I meet her glare with one of my own. "Someone broke into your lab, destroyed your research, and might be coming for you next. So yes, we're leaving in fifteen minutes."

She opens her mouth, likely to argue more, but something in my expression must convince her I'm serious. With a huff, she turns and stomps toward what I assume is her bedroom.

"Fucking shifters, thinking they can control everything," she grumbles, loud enough for me to hear. "First Onyx, then Evan, now this guy..."

Onyx. Evan. The names ping in my memory. Onyx Stonefang is an Alpha wolf, leader of one of the largest packs in the city. And Evan can only be Evan Blackthorn, the billionaire who's apparently now my boss.

Two Alphas, both circling around this Omega. Just what I need.

I hear drawers opening and closing, the sound of a suitcase being unzipped. At least she's cooperating, even if she's not happy about it.

I take the opportunity to check the apartment more thoroughly. The living room windows face the street which makes it a vulnerable spot. The kitchen on the other hand has a small window over the sink that leads to a fire escape and its potential exit route.

I'm checking the locks on the front door when she emerges from the bedroom with a small duffel bag in her hand.

"I'm ready," she announces, her chin lifted in defiance. "Though I still think this is ridiculous."

"Noted." I take the bag from her, ignoring the spark when our fingers brush. "My car's out front. Stay close to me."

She rolls her eyes but follows me out the door. I position myself slightly in front of her as we walk down the hallway, my senses on high alert. The bear inside me is protective now, despite my personal feelings about scientists. She's an Omega. A rare, vulnerable shifter type that triggers every protective instinct I have.

Even if she does smell like other Alphas.

We make it to my car without incident. It's an unmarked police sedan. I open the passenger door for her, she hesitates, then slides in with a sigh.

“Real subtle ride, officer.”

“It gets the job done,” I mutter, shutting the door behind her. I round the hood and slip into the driver’s seat, still scanning the surroundings. Nothing seems out of place, but my instincts are still on edge.

---