Page 4 of A Mate for the King
It was perfect.
Peaceful. Restorative, even.
Or at least it was until Zehr caught a scent on the wind. Sugary sweet and cinnamon.
Omega.
“All-Mother,” he swore, inhaling deeply. The omega was in their early heat, not quite in that place where a knot and teeth were their world. Ruts and heats were a primal experience for alphas and omegas alike. Zehr had always been uncomfortable with it, feeling unsettled by the thought of losing his control.
He took another deep breath and almost groaned. This omega was like a bowl of candied fruit being offered up to him after only having bland oatmeal for a decade. The scent was tempting enough to make Zehr reconsider his restraint.
All-Mother, if he could come home to an omega that smelled like that…
He licked his lips at the thought. How did they smell so delicious this early in their cycle? The omega would be impossible to resist once they had reached their peak. Before Zehr could process what was happening his feet were moving him toward the tantalizing aroma.
How could an omega smell like everything he never knew he needed?
An omega as sweet smelling as this required protecting, and if he had scented them he could only imagine what other alphas might be on the move. Isolated and alone in the woods was a vulnerable and scary place for an omega in heat.
His lip curled in disgust at the thought of another alpha’s hands on this particular omega. There was no way in hell he would allow it...unless, of course, the omega wished it.
Wouldn’t he?
Zehr gave himself a stern mental shake. There was no scenario that he wouldn’t honor the omega’s wishes.
Whatever they chose, or whomever they chose, he would help them. It was his sworn duty as a direct descendant of the All-Mother.
He would, he was...sure of it…
Swallowing hard against the mounting indecision, Zehr focused on moving quickly and silently. The last thing he wanted to do was spook the omega.
A breeze rustled the leaves overhead, and a fresh wave of the omega’s pre-heat scent nearly knocked Zehr on his ass. He had never experienced anything like it, and for a moment he felt drunk. Staggering slightly, he shook his head, trying to clear his mind. It was just the omega pheromones muddling his instincts, making his world spin, and urging him to fall into his heat haze where his wolf ruled.
He took another step and swayed slightly. This was normal, he told himself with a heavy step.
Wasn’t it?
He just had to see the omega. That would, his hindbrain whispered, make it better. Allow him to feel steadier.
Just one look.
Suddenly, a flash of blue exploded overhead and illuminated the shadowy forest so brightly Zehr had to close his eyes and wait for it to retreat. For a split second he was stunned, and some primal part of his brain screamed for him to find cover.
Magic.
