I was so fucking warm.
And he was the sexiest man I’d ever seen. He didn’t even look real. Like some kind of fae-vampire-rockstar forged in the depths of an alpha hormone volcano.
The low rumble in his chest told me he wanted to give me everything my body was screaming for.
I wanted him.
Needed him.
So I took a breath and I stepped forward.
THREE
SHATTER
It was as frightening as it was freeing, stepping into Ransom’s arms.
I didn’t quite know what to expect.
His grip crushed my waist the moment I was in reach, and he dragged me against him. I reacted, hormones taking over as I wrapped my arms around his neck, dragging my body against his.
The cramps were duller, even from this brief touch. His breath was hot against my neck as he growled, low and desperate, then his teeth grazed my neck. I froze for a moment, panic setting in. But he wasn’t pack lead, if he bit me, nothing would happen. He seemed just to want the feel of my skin beneath his teeth because then he drew back and crossed the room, lowering us both to the bed.
This was more control than I’d expected so far—but it didn’t last long.
All I knew was his touch. He pinned me down, grappling for my dress, aura out—wavering and unstable. I should be frightened, but I wasn’t scared of him. We were in sync right now.
I trusted that.
The dress and panties were gone in a moment, torn away, and I arched toward him with a breath, needing him to fix the way my body burned. He had his own sweatpants removed in seconds, and he didn’t wait, grip absolute on my waist as he lifted my hips and drove into me.
The desperate sound I made pushed him over the edge. Any lingering presence died, and he caged me in, breaths rough as he rutted me into the sheets.
I let go to Ransom like I’d let go to Umbra. It was easy, with the surge of heat burning through my body. Somehow, despite everything, in the face of Ransom, it all melted away; even my mates.
The uncomfortable cramps in my stomach faded, and instead each stroke cooled me like icy clouds sweeping past my skin.
How wrong this was, it didn’t matter. I lost myself to him—to his rut.
He was all I knew, and his scent shifted again in the room, to petals unfurling beneath the sun.
Iwas doing that.
His omega.
That thought sank its claws in, bringing with it bliss. He was everywhere, taking me how he needed, every strong thrust keeping my heat sated. He had my scent, and he wanted me still, giving me what my body craved. His hands, his mouth, his cock, his body crushed against mine as I clutched him, lost for words and breath.
Sometimes he would knot me, and my heat would stay at bay for a while. There was slick and cum dripping down my thighs and whenever he stopped or slowed, I felt the heat returning.
This was what heat could be like?
Not kept at bay between goosebumps and sweat as my body battled with the temperature of a huge fridge, cramps cycling in vicious waves.
Consciousness drifted in and out, more sharply whenever he stopped.
A low whimper slipped from my chest and I raised my hips to him. My aches loosened as I settled into position, sure it would be enough. He’d just finished, but I still needed more. I pressed my cheek to the blanket, tilting my head so I could look up at him, letting out a little whine.
I needed himnow.