Page 26 of Unsubmissive Omega
As Darius had walked away down the corridor, from behind the closed door my stomach had let out a terrible wail of protest. The sharp pain low in my belly reminded me I hadn’t eaten since the previous day, and even then, I’d been so nervous I’d hardly touched my food.
Yes, I could still go to lunch. And in fact, maybe this was better. It would show Darius I was my own person - if I turned downhisinvitation but went of my own accord.
I waited a few minutes, with my hand on the cold metal of the doorknob, until I was sure Darius would be out of sight, and then I drew in a fortifying breath, lifted my chin, turned the handle and stepped into the deserted corridor.
Finding the dining hall wasn’t difficult, as it had been included in my introductory tour of the compound, and anyway, Darius’scent lingered in the corridor – all I had to do was follow that. As I approached, I heard the murmur of voices, and then a hush. I hurried along, in case I was about to miss some important ritual the pack followed at mealtimes and of which I wouldn’t want to look ignorant.
My hand steadied me on the smooth wood of the doorframe just as a female voice began speaking. I couldn’t hear the words, just the higher pitched tones, and when I peeked my head into the room, I saw her. Again. The female omega that my mate had been snuggling up to in his office earlier was standing by his side as if she belonged there! Her hand was round his shoulders in a possessive gesture as she hugged him.
Dismay and embarrassment heated my face. Had he invited me to the lunch to flaunt his relationship with this omega in front of me? Goddess knew he was a handsome alpha and that, in combination with his position as Pack Alpha, would have been an effective aphrodisiac for many an omega. He could have the pick of them and he was clearly very close to this one.
Zendius’ words came back to me… ‘remember this is a business arrangement’. My shoulders sagged. When he had the choice of any beautiful omega he wanted, why would he choose me, a surly, scruffy,maleomega? I remembered the disgust from my uncle and his family when I’d first shown up. Seemed like I was always going to be a disappointment.
All eyes were on Darius and the omega, both of whom had their back to the door. Silently, I slid my hand from the timber and faded back into the empty corridor. My feet made the faintest patter over the floor as I retraced my steps back to my rooms, speeding up as I approached the end of the corridor, holding onto my pain until I was throwing the door wide, the latch closing behind me with a very finalclick.
I threw myself onto the bed, shifting as I did so. A few hours as my wolf would comfort me. My wolf buried itself under the covers, sinking down into the mattress with a whine. Even enveloped by my mate's scent in the bedsheets, I’d never felt more alone. A deep sadness ached in my bones. My chest hurt. I closed my eyes. I’d had enough for now.
*****
“Hey,” the weight on my shoulder burnt through my skin. Had someone taken a branding iron to me, or what?
“Get off me!” I screamed, my heart thudding frantically in my chest. The pressure disappeared from my shoulder but it was too late, the heat was radiating down my chest and my whole body was on fire.
A damp cloth landed on my forehead, the coolness a welcome relief. I'd shifted back to human form at some point, but what was happening?
Shudders racked me from head to toe. And I ached, I ached all over. The bed was soaking wet, my thighs slippery. What the fuck?
“Hey,” the voice said again, and as I dragged myself from my fitful sleep, I recognized it, though I couldn’t place it yet. The voice held warm tones of comfort and care, and woven through it, I sensed concern. Literally nobody concerned themselves over me, and this was puzzling enough to distract me from the fiery inferno that was my body. But only for a moment.
“Don’t touch me!”
I groaned, the sound low and guttural, extracted from deep within me.
“It’s okay,” the familiar voice said, through waves of pain and hot surges. More wetness poured into the space between my legs, and the unmistakable scent of slick hit my nostrils.Oh!
“Your heat has started.”NowI recognized the voice. Darius. Damn him and his seductive, understanding voice. As I gritted my teeth against another wave of pain, he said, “Let me take you through it.”
“No!” I croaked, opening my eyes and glaring at him as if all this were entirely his fault.
An undertone of worry laced the deep, smooth voice. “Please, you need to let me help you.”
“No!” I repeated. “Go away!”
“Xander…”
“Get out. Get out of this room. I don’t want you here.”
“Xander, if I don’t…”
I cut him off. “Get the fuck out of here!” I screamed, about to lose my mind.
I moaned, barely holding myself still. I didn’t want him seeing this. I knew how it would go. I’d had a couple of heats before and it was fucking degrading. I didn’t want this alpha watching or participating in my humiliation and shame, bad enough that he was disrespecting me outside of the bedroom. I wasn’t going through my heat with a mate that was already betraying me with another omega.
“Out!” I yelled, not sure how much longer I could hold it together. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut, seeing stars, praying he would just go and leave me to my misery.
A low growl reverberated around the room and for a moment I thought he wouldn’t go, but then heavy footsteps moved towards the door. There was a moment’s hesitation.
“Xander, are you sure…?”
