“Stop.”

I jerked upright at the deep voice, feet planted on the ground and refusing to move. Looking around, I could see nothing but shadows, and suddenly I was hit with the foolishness of what I was doing. A storm was coming, and not only was I wandering the forest off any path, I was purposefully looking for an unknown alpha while on the cusp of my heat.

A shiver rolled down my spine as the fine hairs along my body stood on end. Movement in the shadows ahead drew my attention, and I had to gulp back a scream. I couldn’t see the alpha who’d issued the command to stop, but I could feel his presence, each labored breath filled with his pheromones.

“What are you doing, little omega? You should be safe in your nest.”

I panted, the anger that had fuel me melting away and leaving my insides quivering.

“I was—I was…”

I couldn’t form words, the taste of him painting the back of my tongue with each breath warring with the fear my brain insisted I should feel. Instincts battled intellect, my body trapped in indecision.

“Were you looking for me?”

The purr in his words sent another gush of wetness running down my legs. The shadows moved again, a massive form taking shape as lightening flashed behind him. Hormones swamping my brain, all I could do was shake my head, trying to deny the obvious.

“Mmm, I think you were. Are you scared, little one? Have my gifts not proven my intent? I promise not to hurt you in any way you won’t enjoy.”

My knees threatened to give out under his seductive purr. He hadn’t moved any closer and I couldn’t see more than shadows in the darkness, but the size of him was sinking in, telling me this wasn’t just an alpha from a neighboring village.

“There are monsters in the mountains. You mustn’t wander alone.”

My father’s voice surfaced from memory, the warning suddenly more believable, and my heart threatened to gallop from my chest.

“Monster!”

The word burst free of my lips before I could clap a hand over them to hold it in.

“You’ve figured it out. What will you do now?”

I couldn’t tell if the ground shook with his steps, or if it was my knees making me waver, but I was seconds away from collapse as he moved closer. More of him came clear. His towering height, bulky shoulders, and something extending from the sides of a head not shaped like mine.

An arm rose, hand reaching, another bolt of lightning lifting the darkness enough for me to see the claws extending from the tips.

The spell holding me still snapped.

Turning, I raced between the trunks, letting instinct guide me home. Windows shuttered against the coming storm, there was no light to guide me, and I hadn’t paid attention during my rush to follow that delectable scent that still filled me with pheromones whispering to submit.

I made too much noise to hear if he was following, but my fear was confirmed as his voice floated to me when I tripped over a fallen branch.

“Careful, omega. I don’t want you injured when your cycle’s finally here.”

Unable to hold back my scream, I jerked away from the direction of the sound, scratching myself on the branches of a bush. The sting barely registered as a different form of thunder rolled from a chest instead of the clouds above.

My body threatened to rebel, a cramp clenching my belly and wetting my legs with more sweet slick. The only thing that kept me moving was another flash of light showing me the end of the trees and the buildings beyond.

Chapter Seven

Mel’cam

My little omega was terrified, running blindly through the trees to get back to her nest. I tried to contain my irritation at the way she was putting herself in danger, knowing my growl only made it worse, but the smell of her had instincts surging forward. Rational thought was a struggle.

Slowing my strides, I forced myself to stop at the last tree, watching her continue across the clearing. She kept looking back, expecting me to follow.

I would, but not yet.

My growl lingered under the trees like a continuous roll of thunder, further silencing the animals hunkered down against the coming storm. I was both relieved and irritated by the weather. After waiting so long I was too impatient to delay until nightfall to take my omega, and the storm would provide cover.