“Those won’t make a dent. Not with your new metabolism. It’s either the drugs, or—” He stopped, muttering a curse under his breath as he stood and walked to the sink to fill the cup with water again. “Just drink some water. You’ll feel fine in a day or so.”
“A day?” she asked, taking the cup before he wandered back to all of his shiny medical equipment, moving her uneaten plate of food aside so he could work. “That doesn’t make sense. I felt better than this the morning after they took me!”
Even with her head spinning she could still remember the pain in the alley. Could remember the cuts from the dirty concrete, the ache between her thighs. All of the pain, inside and out, had changed to a dull ache by the time she’d woken up. Almost gone — nothing like this. It didn’t make sense.
Unless?
“Alishair, what if— what if this didn’t work with me?” Tentative excitement bubbling in her veins, she started nodding, leaning forward as the pieces clicked together. “Maybe… maybe the Clarity is wearing off and I’m going to be normal again!”
His jaw tensed, a muscle in his cheek twitching as he turned knobs and liquid flowed from one container to another. The male remained silent, but she felt a smile tugging at her lips as hope bloomed.
“Yeah, I think that’s what it is. I even feel different! I’ve got to be changing back so my body isn’t healing like before. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to be Omega and everything is just”—she waved her hands, trying to find the right word—“reverting or whatever.”
Alishair sighed heavily, bracing his hands on the table as he stared down into one of the cylinders. Shoulders tense, body rigid, he shook his head slowly. “That doesn’t happen, Karissa.”
“But—”
“By the gods, haven’t you noticed your slick is soaking my bed?” There was a quiet growl as he pushed a hand into his hair. “Pay attention to the damn signals, listen to your body. You’re an Omega, that’s not going away, and your body knows what will make you feel better. It’s the same reason your breathing is so shallow and why your temp is running hot. Your body is trying to get what it needs, spreading your scent all over my room to draw one of them in.”
“That’s not true…” she whispered. She felt different, didn’t she?
“I’m not going to sit here and let you lie to yourself. I can either give you the drugs that will knock you out and let you heal through the worst of it on your own, or I can get one of the Alphas to tend you so you’ll heal faster. Your choice.”
Even as she shook her head, searching his eyes for any hint that changing back was possible, she felt her heart sinking. Felt that momentary flash of hope slipping away. He was right, she was still Omega, could feel it where the flow of slick made the insides of her thighs slippery, see it in the rapidly cooling damp spot where she’d napped — but that didn’t mean the Alphas were the answer. It didn’t mean she had to turn herself over. It was probably like a drug addiction and these were simply the symptoms of withdrawal. She could handle it. Without drugs, and without any of the pack coming to tend her.
Pressing her thighs together, Karissa swallowed as anger and shame blistered her cheeks. “No. No way. I don’t want them in here. I don’t want any of them touching me.”
“You may think you don’t, but your body disagrees. I know this is hard for you, Karissa. I know you weren’t raised around Alphas and Betas, but you were moaning in your sleep when I came back.” He took a slow breath as he met her eyes, voice softening. “Don’t you want to feel better?”
The slam of her heart beneath her ribs seemed to answer the Omega with a yes, another affirmation from her body as slick surged and her pussy clenched around nothing. Empty. Craving what she refused to give. “They won’t help me feel better, Alishair.”
“I know you don’t want to hear it, but it’s the only thing that will help you heal.” A bitter laugh left his lips as he moved closer. “Listen to me, and think it through. Mordek didn’t cum inside you, he didn’t even come on you. There’s a reason you felt better the other times, and it’s because they gave your body what it needed. Their seed. Inside you and on your skin.”
“You’re wrong!” she shouted, and his eyes flicked to the door for a moment before meeting hers again with a flash of anger.
“I’ve been Omega since I had my Awakening, much younger than you, and I know what helps when you’ve been fucked like that. I know how sore you feel, I know how your whole fucking body hurts, and I am trying to help you, Karissa.” A soft, rumbling growl clattered in his chest, almost inaudible with his teeth clenched tight. “I’d recommend Parel or Zeke. Both of them would tend you well.”
“Parel,” she repeated, almost laughing at the suggestion.
“Yes, he knows how to help. How to be gentle.”
Glaring, she opened her mouth to argue, but there was something in Alishair’s voice that told her he knew Parel’s ability first hand. Still, within the males Parel would not have been the one she’d describe as gentle. Not when she could still clearly remember his roughness in the alley, the sharp words he’d said, but… she could also remember the look in his eyes as he’d shouted at Mordek. The way he’d fought against the command of his Alpha to try and protect her. Maybe he was a good male, somewhere underneath his Alpha nature, but the answer was still — “No.”
“Dammit, Karissa! Stop acting like a stubborn child!” Alishair shouted, losing his temper for the first time around her. “You can’t just hide in here forever pretending your situation will spontaneously change!”
“Getting fucked again isn’t going to help me either, Alishair!” she yelled back, frantic anger making her voice high-pitched.
“Yes. It will.” Another soft growl from the male Omega as he stormed to the door and yanked it open. For a moment she thought he was leaving again, but Alishair caught the door with his foot before it could close. His quiet whisper was followed by the low baritone of Parel, neither of which she could make out over the pounding of her pulse in her ears. Just as she was about to argue, to rant, to scream until the entire pack heard it — Alishair leaned back into his bedroom and tossed a wadded up ball of cloth at her.
Fuck.
She’d caught it on instinct and the scent hit her instantly. Warm spice, no… heat. Like the peppered air near a fire, coupled with something inherently delicious. Mouth watering, she pressed her face to the cloth, breathing deeply, and then everything pulsed. Cunt clenching, saliva pooling, slick flooded under her to ruin another section of Alishair’s bedding, but there was no stopping it. The hunger made her clit throb, body curling in as she clutched the wad of fabric with a sudden desperation.
Parel. This is Parel’s scent. He’s outside.
And he’s mine.
So close. It would only take a word and he’d be in front of her, on top of her, inside her. She could taste this scent on his skin, lick it from the hard planes of muscle until she drove her teeth in to get a mouthful and swallow. He’d make the subtle cramping in her lower belly stop before it turned into true pain. He would fill her, give her pleasure, make everything good again.
STOP.
Whining, she tore the cloth away from her face and frantically tried to breathe in Alishair’s scent. To calm the chaos inside before it took over — but even as she grabbed his pillow and breathed in, all she could smell was her own slick.
“Just say the word, Karissa. He’ll make it all feel better.”
Looking up, she saw Alishair with one arm across the door frame, blocking it, and on the other side? Parel. Golden skin, bright green eyes, and an expression that reflected her own dark hunger.
Not right.
Clutching the pillow to her chest, her hands formed claws in the cloth with the effort it took to stay still, to not lunge for the door and taste him on her tongue. But if she was going to give in to the driving hunger focusing between her thighs… he wasn’t the Alpha that she pictured above her when her eyes closed. If she had to choose, she wanted the one who had fough
t, who had put himself between her and his leaders. With a rough voice, she spoke through clenched teeth. “Donvin.”
“What?” Alishair asked, obviously confused as Parel moved closer.
“I choose Donvin,” she growled, refusing to let them bait her with a sweat-soaked shirt into what they wanted. If this was what she needed, Karissa was going to choose her fate. Shifting to her knees, she threw Parel’s shirt at the door and dug her nails into the pillow once more. Fighting the urge to answer the deep, bass-like rumble in the Alpha’s chest.
“Parel, can you bring Donvin here?”
The large male snapped his teeth at Alishair, almost pushing past him until the Omega braced both hands on the huge male’s chest and then… hugged him. For a moment Parel didn’t react, dilated eyes still glued to her, but after a long minute he finally blinked. Leaning down to breathe in Alishair’s hair, Parel wrapped one large arm around the smaller male’s shoulders and squeezed. “Fine.”
Fear trickled down her spine, cold and uncomfortable, but with the haze of lust pounding in her veins it was a losing battle. She needed an Alpha to stop this feeling, to get her body under control, and even though she still ached from Mordek’s violence — she could only focus on the strength in Parel’s chest and arms as he moved back to the doorway. Away from her.
Karissa bit her tongue until she tasted copper to avoid calling him back.
Not him. You chose. You chose Donvin, he’ll be here soon.
And choosing makes it better… doesn’t it?
Chapter Seven
Donvin
“She wants you.”
The words didn’t register for a moment, but when they finally sank in through the fog in his head he was sure Parel was speaking to someone else. Except, the male didn’t move, and as Donvin shifted in the chair he noticed the empty table around him. Setting the bottle of tahgrog on the wood in front of him, he slowly raised his gaze to the male.
“Did you hear me? Our Omega is asking for you.” This time the bitter edge was easier to catch. Parel was angry, but not at him. The little Omega must have refused Parel’s offer to tend her. “By the gods, Donvin, are you fucking—”
“I heard you,” he answered, cutting off one of Parel’s angry rants before he could start. But, going to her might be one step too far today. Their pack was a fragile alliance on the best of days, and today had definitely been a shit day. One for the fucking record books. He’d gone after his Alpha. Ignored the bone-deep pain of disobeying a command from their sworn pack leader and attacked. Feral or not, he’d attacked Mordek… and failed.
That meant he had no right to go to the female. No right to tend her.
Looking across the room, he saw his packmates spread out and solemn. The beginning of the end, because an Omega could tear a normal, balanced pack apart. This one? Top heavy with Alphas and not enough Betas to fill out the ranks? Eventually they’d tear themselves — and Karissa — apart if she didn’t return to them.
Donvin knew it because he’d seen it.
He’d buried the consequences of that kind of chaos with his own two hands. Slept in the bloody aftermath of his home for days before he’d finally dragged himself to his feet to hunt down the males involved and slaughter them. The scar on his shoulder twinged, and he reached up to rub the mating bite that seemed to wake every time he remembered Nandestra. His mate. The first Omega he’d failed.
Yet another reason to keep your damn seat and let another male tend the Omega.
“What the fuck, Donvin! Get up and help her!” Parel grabbed his bicep, trying to haul him from the chair. Donvin grabbed his wrist and twisted, standing to follow it through and wrench the male’s arm behind his back. A snarl of pain and rage was the only thing Parel got out before Donvin kicked the back of his leg, buckling it, and put the other Alpha on his knees.
“Don’t.” A single word, but it made Parel freeze. Shoulders still twitching with the urge to fight back, his breathing was harsh for a minute until there was a slight drop of Parel’s head. It was the only sign of weakness the male ever gave, and then Donvin realized he was growling. Teeth bared, ready to rip out his throat. Hard-wired by too many brutal years, it had been instinct — but this was his packmate. His chosen brother, and the male had been through enough. Releasing his hold, Donvin stepped to the side and offered a hand to lift Parel to his feet.
When the male took it, he was almost surprised, except Parel used the hold to pull him closer. “She’s hurt, you have to be careful with her. She chose you and…” Jaw clenching, Parel paused for a long breath and tightened his grip. “Swear it, Donvin.”
“I swear I will tend her well.” Returning the grip, he rested his other hand on the male’s shoulder and held on until Parel released him.
“Good,” the male grumbled as he stepped back, out of his way.
Grabbing the bottle of tahgrog, he kept it at his side as he walked towards the door. Every Alpha in the pack watched him, he could feel their eyes, the weight of their attention, their concern. A solid pack, a good one, was much like a spider’s web. Spread out, but always connected no matter how large it got. Stronger at the places where they were close together, and just like the threads of a web a single vibration, a single problem, could make the whole thing shake.
Donvin lifted the liquor and took a swig, letting the sweet fire burn its way into his belly and numb the pain a little more. Everything was completely fucked. His pack wasn’t just shaking, it was close to coming apart. Mordek had his back in the shadowy corner by the bathroom, as far as fucking possible from the door that led to where their Omega rested. Damaged by their Alpha’s actions.
And she chose me to fix this? Bad fucking choice.
Another drink, and he turned away from his Alpha, away from all of his brothers, and opened the door to the hall. The walls were cracked where the fight had taken place, and he could remember the cold fear in his stomach when he’d seen Mordek go feral. Even when the whole pack reacted, trying to hold him back, fighting all of their instincts to try and take him down, he’d broken free and made it to the door. Jeden had caught up to him first, but Donvin had been on his heels — and still they hadn’t kept her safe.
Hadn’t protected her.
They’d failed the new Omega, and he wanted to explain that to her. To apologize. Offer himself as an outlet for whatever rage she felt, and maybe that was all she wanted. To hurt them back. If that was what she needed, he wouldn’t stop her. Wouldn’t restrain her or purr to calm her anger. By the gods, he already had a cracked rib, she could break the rest if it would mend their failure.
Hand on the doorknob to Alishair’s room, he stopped himself from turning it and knocked instead. A second later, the Omega male tore the door open with a wild look in his eyes.
“Finally!” Alishair snarled, using a tone he’d never heard from the male. Angry, irritated. He stepped aside, waving a hand towards the inside of the room, but Donvin stumbled on his first step.
Her scent hit him like a wall. No, it was both Omegas’ scents woven together, and his cock kicked in his pants as he grabbed onto the doorframe hard enough to hear the wood creak. Fuck, they were the only Omegas he knew of on the whole damned planet, and they had been in the same room too long. Stressed, sweating, slick-soaked, until the very air in the room was saturated with Omega. It was impossible to resist, but with the deep inhales he caught the change in Alishair’s scent instantly.
Fear.
The small male had backed up to the wall. Head bent, eyes downcast, hands shaking. It was enough to make him put the liquor on the floor so he could grab for the other side of the door frame, bracing so he wouldn’t make a mistake that would ruin everything. Donvin reined himself in, pushing back the thrumming growl before he turned to look at Karissa. She was still naked, only now she was conscious. Not just awake, but kneeling on the bed, staring at him with wide eyes, lips parted as she breathed just as deeply. He felt the possessive pull in his chest that demanded he take her while his compet
ition was elsewhere, and it was so tempting. The shiny slick on her thighs beckoned him, the rapid rise and fall of her chest a tease that demanded his response. He wanted to push her legs wider and plunge in, feel her cunt take every inch as he bared her throat so she’d know where she belonged.
“Sir?” Alishair whispered.
Turning back to the male, he saw the dilated eyes, the flush in his cheeks, the hard cock in his pants. Alishair was pouring arousal into the air, a firestorm of Omega scent from either side that had him digging his nails into the wood, paint scraping free. The male was not why he’d come to the room, but he couldn’t touch Karissa like this. Not now.
She’s hurt, you have to be careful.
Stepping forward, Donvin yanked the healthy male off the wall. One fist in the Omega’s hair, he summoned a purr and gathered enough self-control to wait until Alishair melted into his hold. Lips parting, a quiet, trembling purr fluttering in his chest, the male still trembled in his grip. Afraid. Purring louder, Donvin bent down to run his tongue up the male’s throat. Omega. Different than Karissa’s taste, her scent, but still powerful. Consuming.
And one he knew well.
“Please, let me help…” A quiet request for permission, and Donvin answered with a nod, releasing the Omega even though every instinct told him to shatter the glass shit on the table to clear a space to bend the male over. The male knew how close to the edge he was, his soft Omega purr pushing back the haze as Alishair quickly shifted to his knees, tearing buttons open until Donvin’s cock was free. The first confident stroke over his shaft had Donvin slapping his palm onto the wall, groaning and returning his fist to Alishair’s hair as the male moaned quietly and licked the seed already leaking from the tip of his dick.
“Now.” The word was half growl, half purr, but the Omega on his knees didn’t hesitate. Hot, wet, the mouth closing around the head of his cock was an overwhelming feeling, amplified as he slid over the male’s tongue until he bumped against Alishair’s throat. A slight jerk, and the male was moving. It was a sensation that always made his balls tingle, pleasure pulsing with each heartbeat, the purr becoming a constant thrumming rumble in his chest even as he groaned.
Alpha's Bond: A Reverse Harem Omegaverse Story (The Clarity Series Book 3) Page 5
