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The shame burns hotter than the rage.
Because this thing with her - it’s not singular, and it’s not sacred. It's not an alpha claiming his omega. It's -
Sharing.
The word curdles in my mouth like rot.
I’ve never associated with anyone who claimed to live that way. I've never even considered it to be an option. Why would I?
Packs arepathetic. Weak. Disorganized. Shattering strength into fragments because no one has the balls to lead alone.
What alpha worth the title would share what should be his?
And this...situationis a disaster waiting to happen, with four alphas, no clear hierarchy, and no strategy. Just scent and need and instinct and - heaven fucking help me -Kai.
Who I just had a conversation with. An actual, honest-to-godfeelingsconversation with a man who moisturizes and gets into fistfights for fun.
He basically called me emotionally constipated, and I didn’t even kill him.
What is happening to me?!
I shove the thought away, but then - it hits me.
A pull. Gentle. Hesitant.
It’s her.
Rhea. Reaching for me without even knowing it, through whatever fragile, fraying thread the bond has become. Not commanding, not demanding. Just… asking.
The air thickens. My knees go weak, my mouth dries out like I’ve swallowed sand -
And my rut -fuck, myrut- is right there, coiled and snarling, ready to take the wheel.
It claws up through my chest, demanding I move. Demanding I stalk down this corridor and go to her, throw open that door, lay her out in that nest she’s built and remind her, with teeth and cock and instinct, who she’s already started choosing.
The rage flares. The possessiveness spikes.
And beneath it, something I hate even more: the ache. The want. The part of me that doesn’t just want to be hers, but wants her to want me back.
I slam my palm against the door behind me so hard it rattles.
Not like this.
Not when my vision is tunneling to red. Not when the rut is so close I can taste it.
I meant what I said to Kai: she deserves better than the monster clawing its way out of me, and she deserves better than the man I am tonight.
So I shove the connection down - lock it behind the steel-and-marble cage I was raised in - and force myself to turn away.
Not yet.
Not. Like. This.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Kai
This house is way too fucking big.
