"Isn't it?" Her blue-green eyes hold mine, unflinching despite her increasingly precarious condition. "You've been expecting me to fail from day one. Waiting for history to repeat itself."
"I've been protecting the team."
"From what? From me?" She shakes her head. "I'm not a threat, Jackson. I'm your coxswain."
"You're an Omega in pre-heat about to be locked in a narrow shell with eight unbonded Alphas." I lower my voice, aware of potential eavesdroppers. "If your scent breaks through fully during the race—"
"It won't," she interrupts. "And even if it did, I trust this team. I trust you."
The simple statement knocks me off balance. "You shouldn't."
"Why not? Because of your past?"
I clench my jaw. "You don't know anything about my past."
"I know enough." She looks away briefly, then meets my gaze again. "I know something happened at your previous school. I know there was an Omega involved. I know you transferred here afterward."
"Ancient history."
"Not to you." Her voice softens slightly. "It still defines your every interaction with me."
She's not wrong, but I'm not ready to admit it. Not here, not now, with her scent growing stronger by the minute and the most important race of the season so far approaching.
"This isn't the time," I say, taking a step back.
"When is the time? After the race, when everyone finds out anyway? When it's too late to change anything?"
The frustration in her voice mirrors my own internal conflict. She's right, but she's also wrong. The timing couldn't be worse, but the truth can't stay hidden much longer.
"One race," she continues, voice dropping lower. "That's all I'm asking. Let me get this team through finals. If you want to get rid of me after that..." She trails off, unable or unwilling to complete the thought.
I study her, this woman who commands eight men twice her size with nothing but her voice and her will. The determination in her eyes despite the biological tide rising within her. The sheer stubborn courage it takes to stand before me, an Alpha who's made his distrust clear from day one, and ask for trust.
"And if I sense you losing control during the race?" I challenge.
"Then you'll do what needs to be done," she says simply. "As a member of this team."
The quiet confidence in her voice settles something in me. Not all the churning doubts, not the memories that still haunt me, but enough to make a decision.
"Okay." I nod once. "One race. But Reese..." I use her first name deliberately, ensuring she understands the gravity of what I'm saying. "I can already scent you. It's only a matter of time before the others do too."
She swallows hard. "How long do you think I have?"
"Based on current progression? Maybe an hour. Hour and a half at most."
Relief flickers across her features. "The race should be over by then."
"Should be." I don't sugarcoat it. "But if it's not, if something delays us, or if your body processes the drugs faster due to stress…"
"I understand the risks." She straightens her shoulders. "I'm still asking for this chance."
Before I can respond, Zane's voice calls from around the corner: "Team meeting, guys!"
Reese gives me a questioning look. I nod once, a silent agreement to her request.
"Thank you," she says quietly before turning to head back to the team.
I remain behind for a moment, collecting myself. The scent of her lingers in the air, growing more distinct by the minute. My body responds to it instinctively. Heightened awareness, quickened pulse, a warmth spreading through my core.
