Page 19 of Alpha's Fated Flame

I wondered at the abruptness of Lucien storming out as I continued to lather myself up with soap. The rejection stung a little after the amazing experience we had just shared. Well, it actually stung a lot. Tears pricked the corner of my eyes, but I dashed them away with the water.

Yes, my question could be considered a little rude and invasive, but I thought we had a connection. I forced myself back into the present moment and shook off my ill feelings. I wouldn't let one bad moment taint an entire day of wonderfulness.

It didn't even feel like a day. It felt like I had been with these alphas for a lifetime. There was this bond that I could not explain, connecting me with them and making them feel like the family I had always longed to be a part of.

I finished washing myself up and turned off the water. I scanned my belly for any sign of pain, but I was good so far. Fingers-crossed that this was the end of my heat. Although, aside from the pain, it really wasn't a hardship to be in heat.

I smiled to myself, feeling the pleasant ache between my thighs as I walked back into the bedroom. I found another dress lying down on the perfectly made-up bed. This time, it was a shade of green that matched my eyes perfectly.

It was also as provocative as the former dress I had worn. I slipped it on, the buttery fabric feeling wonderful against my skin. I left my room, looking for some company.

I found Duncan sitting in what appeared to be a library. Stacks of books surrounded him, and he was scribbling away in some notepad. I sat down across from him at the table. He looked up and flashed me a warm smile.

"Hello, love. I'll be done soon, and then I can come and find some food with you."

His calm greeting soothed my heart from Lucien's cold exit, and I smiled happily back at him.

"There's no need. I don't want to bother you. I was just wondering where everyone was at."

"They went out to finish up some more pack business before we head back to Nevada," he said matter-of-factly.

My heart stopped.

"You guys are leaving?" I asked in a pained whisper. I had already gotten attached way too fast.What the hell was wrong with me?

Duncan looked up at me sharply, but then a knowing realization came over him. "You really don't know what it means to be an omega, don't you?"

I huffed in annoyance. "And I'm really tired of hearing that."

"Obviously, you are coming with us, love. We are your pack now, and we are to be together for the rest of our lives," he explained carefully.

I balked at his words. "Look, this was fun, whatever this was. But I'm not about to leave my hometown to go shack up with four dudes," I said, trying to remain calm. "If you guys want to stay in town, we can date or something.”

"So you're planning to raise our pups on your own?" He inquired, raising a thick brow.

His words were like a bucket of ice-cold water splashing onto my face. Pups?

Adrianna, you fucking fool.

The thought of pregnancy never even crossed my mind. All this time, I was gallivanting about with zero form of birth control. I clutched my stomach in horror. I was way too young to be a mother and literally just met these alphas.

"This is a good thing, love," he pressed on. "After all, this is why Kayden wanted to find our mate. He needed pups desperately."

That was the final nail in the coffin…my heart shattered into a million painful shards.

"So this whole time, I was just meant to be an incubator for your pack?" I asked in a pained whisper.

"No, love, don't say it like that," he said, trying to backtrack quickly. His face twisted like he knew he fucked up big time. "Of course, after we met you, everything changed."

I felt like vomiting. I stood up and held out a shaky hand to stop his desperate ramblings. "I heard enough, Duncan."

"Where are you going?" he asked tentatively.

"I'm hungry. I'm going to go make a sandwich or something,” I said- the lie springing from my lips with ease.

"I can help you with that,” he said, getting up from his seat.

"No, no," I said, forcing a giggle. "I just need time to process my new life, and I'd like to be alone."

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