by P. Jameson
Ashla
CHapter Six
Delicious heat swept over me, and for once, I didn’t resist it. My heat had always been scary. A time of anxiety, not knowing if I’d be able to find safety, and who was aware of the changes in my body before I was. As omega females, we took measures to stay one step ahead of those opportunists. Those thieves. There was no need to glorify the situation anymore. We could expose it for exactly what it was.
It was time to reclaim my heat.
I was in that place between sleep and consciousness, the place that embraced me tightly and didn’t want to let me go. I didn’t resist that either. Since I moved into the castle, I’d been flirting with the fantasy of safety, of stability, but I never let it get close enough to let all the good feelings it offered sink in. Under this thin veil of sleep, I was finally ready.
But that peace didn’t last long, and this dimension had me firmly in its grasp. My skin melted away, and I was all wolf, running through the Badlands, but it looked different. It looked like it did when I was a little girl. There were still hints of opulence and prosperity that the dust and hard times had yet to blast away. The heat made me think this was the beginning of a renaissance, the first signs of progress of the program that Tavia and Dagger had enacted. All my omega friends, the women I’d considered sisters had all used their turn of fortune to do good for others, even if they had a funny way of going about it. We had to work through the anger that we’d pushed down for so long before we could help bring the peace the King had promised to the region.
Still, we worked at the whim of the King. But did he finally have our best intentions in mind?
What would my mark on this renaissance be?
I was no longer in the Badlands, and the wall that had separated us for so long dissolved as I ran past it. The guards that had once held me back cheered me on.
The city was full of wolves, and none of them were omegas. Betas and alphas had all shifted, and the city was in chaos. Wait, was I back in the Badlands? Storefronts crumbled and burned and wolves fought over scraps, betraying their own family for one more fleeting chance at survival.
But I wasn’t afraid. For the very first time in my life, I let myself feel my power. I’d been through this before, and I could show these frightened wolves how to survive.
I searched for my mate, willing his delicious omega scent to guide me to him.
That earthiness, laced with sage and a hint of wildflowers, lured me into the castle. I still didn’t feel like it was my home. I never would, I knew that now. We were meant for more than the castle.
But my mate had served the King so long he didn’t know another way. Yet.
My body shielded me from whatever happened next, snapping me awake. I gasped, shocked to find myself in the safety of Solen’s heat bunker, in the comfort of his bed, with him sleeping beside me.
The soft white sheet covered him to mid torso, contrasting with his dark skin. Even as he rested, his muscles were sleek, strong, and ready to fight. Sometimes, I had to remind myself that Solen was an omega, because his life had been so different from mine. But he was, and he was proof that we could be so much more.
If only I could convince him it was a strength and not something to hide.
Careful not to wake him, I picked up the sheet to see how much naked Solen I was dealing with. Although, if it was a lot, ignorance might be bliss. I was a little disappointed to find he was still in his military uniform from the waist down.
Always the soldier.
His eyelids fluttered and instinct tensed my muscles. This time, I couldn’t give into the surge of heat between us, that earthy scent that I wanted to bathe in, because it would send me straight into heat. And last time Solen and I were face to face, we’d come to a pissed-off truce.
“Hi.” His voice was raspy, and those golden eyes were full of light. Like somehow the sun could reach him deep in this underground bunker. Knowing this omega, he’d probably figured out a way to make it happen. “I came to watch you sleep.”
My heart fluttered, begging me to let my guard down. Maybe just a little bit would be okay. But my head knew better than to fall for those desires. “Liar.”
His head twisted slightly on the pillow, and he grinned at me in disbelief. In this thin veil between reality and dreams, Solen was vulnerable too. “You finally allowed yourself to rest, and once I ensured our safety, I couldn’t keep myself away. You have a way of drawing me in, my little spitfire.”
“Why now? Is this a new feeling, or did you know what I was to you before Zelene crashed the royal party?”
I hadn’t realized he was my mate right away, because I never dared to dream that I could belong to someone as strong and important as General Solen of the East. Things like that weren’t possible for an omega, or so I thought. But once I’d been given access to more than the dark underbelly of the castle, I dared to want more.
He took a deep, slow, sleepy breath and nestled a little deeper into the bed. My mouth watered with need. It would’ve been so easy to crawl over and press my lips against his. But I still had an advantage, knowing where General Solen’s strength really came from, so I would relish that power as long as I wielded it. If this wolf wanted a kiss, he could come and get it.
“I knew you were special as soon as I had a chance to work with you in the armory. I suggested that you could handle more responsibility than the other omegas. You worked hard and with pride. Many of the others went through the motions. Even though they knew they could be punished for their mediocrity, there was no reward for going above and beyond. But you did it anyway.”
I thrived from praise for my work. It was the only thing that had kept me going when there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Some alphas twisted my responsibilities to make them seem like a burden. “I did it for my own sanity. I had to keep my mind busy, and learn every single thing I could about my job even if it never amounted to anything.”
“But it did.”
“Nothing good, since I’m currently a fugitive.”
“Whether you like the circumstances or not, they brought us together. First in the armory, and now here.” He was so close to me, the heat from his body washing over mine, daring my heat to blossom. “But I think we’ve only seen a hint of what you’re capable of, Ashla. You have a strategic mind.”
“Oh yeah?” I’ll admit it--I was praise motivated. I liked it in the armory, and I especially liked it when I woke up next to my mate. “What else do you think I’m capable of?”
His fingers were under my chin, and I gasped. Not at the surge of electricity that coursed through my body just from that little bit of touch, but because he caught me off guard. Judging from the slow smile that spread over his face, he liked my reaction to him. He leaned in and closed his eyes just before his lips slanted over mine.
Instinct twisted inside me. My first thought was to resist. This kind of contact was usually unwanted. But I had to keep reminding myself who Solen was, and that he promised me he’d keep me safe.
It was time to believe him.
His lips were soft but urgent as he moved against me. I parted my lips, letting him inside. Our tongues tangled, and I let myself enjoy this kiss.
My hands were on his shoulders, and I ran them down his back, experiencing the way his muscles tensed and relaxed as we came together. Exploring each other. Trusting each other. This kiss was a concession, a promise. I could get addicted to the way his skin felt under my fingers. Soft and powerful. It was like he was reintroducing himself to me as we lay tangled in the sheets.
I couldn’t totally shake the feeling of danger. But now I was almost certain this powerful warrior would fight beside me. But would he fight for me?
We’d need a few more kisses to determine that outcome. And that fight, I was ready for.
He moaned against my lips before he drew away just enough to break the kiss.
“You’re destined for greatness, Ashla. Once we get through this battle, you will have a great role i
n the prosperity of the city.”
A great role in the prosperity of the city? That was all he had after that kiss? I wanted—no, I needed—so much more from him. There was no way he didn’t feel my temperature skyrocket. His skin was dewy from it.
I needed to tell him, but all I could manage was that telltale whine. “Solen—”
“I know.” His eyes turned to golden lava. And I was so ready to burn. “Will you let me take care of you?”
Solen
Chapter Seven
Ashla’s heat was intense, pulses of pheromones slamming into me in a continuous wave as her distinct whine drove my animal to the brink of insanity. I felt more feral than ever before. More animal than man. But then again, I’d never rutted with an omega before. As an omega male in hiding, I’d had to stay far away from the Badlands and any possibility of scenting a female’s heat, lest I lose my senses and hunt down a rut.
I swallowed a growl.
The idea of my Ashla hiding in a dirty heat bunker while other males fought to get to her… to hurt and take advantage of her… it made my blood boil. She was mine. No male would touch her again. No matter what happened going forward, she would never have to ride out her heat alone and afraid again.
Because of my status, I could give her this guarantee. It made what she called my betrayal all worth it. She could think me a traitor if she wanted, but never again would she be vulnerable when she was in need.
My heart lurched as I stared down at her. I hoped one day she would understand why I’d allowed the Badlands to wither. Adalai was made to hate them under the training of his father. It wasn’t as if I could have used my status to persuade him. Not before he mated Zelene. No matter how alpha I appeared or behaved, I was omega, and Adalai could have had me banished to the Badlands if he’d wished. Or worse.
Could Ashla ever see that things had happened the way they did so that we would have this exact moment to ourselves? Things work out the exact way that they should. Always. My mother taught me that before being cut from my life.
No. Don’t think about family now.
I slammed the walls down on my emotions and focused on my mate. Taking care of her now was going to soften a lot of those hurts that I’d stuffed inside for so long.
“Solen?” Ashla touched my cheek and for a moment the lusty fog that clouded her expression cleared. “Do you want this?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but she wasn’t finished.
“You can leave me here. Lock me in and come back for me in four days. But you have to go now, before it’s—”
My snarl ripped from my throat, stopping her just before my lips crashed into hers. No way in hell was I leaving her here. Her nails raked down my back, giving me a clue to just how needy she was.
Pulling back, I used a claw to slit the front of her shirt down the middle. She bucked up when the cool air hit her bare chest, presenting her tight nipples for my attention. The heat radiating from her was intoxicating.
I braced my forearm under her back to keep her propped up so perfectly, and watching her reaction, I slowly lowered my tongue to lap at one hardened bud. Her cry of pleasure pierced me like a weapon, threatening to make me lose control.
Closing my lips around her nipple I sucked until she writhed in my arms before moving to the other one to repeat the action. My cock pressed against my zipper and she found the hardness, rubbing carelessly against it with her pussy through our clothes.
Need to be skin on skin.
Lifting to my knees, she followed me up, clawing at my waistband until my cock sprang free, bobbing and ready to sate her lust. All the breath rushed out of my lungs as she wrapped her fingers around my thickness and stroked.
“Fuck,” I croaked, straining for more of her touch.
Her gaze went to mine and beyond the sheen of sweat and lust, I saw her satisfaction. As if this made her feel powerful. And something unexpected happened inside me. I liked making her feel powerful. Was this the difference between an alpha and omega male? I didn’t feel the need to cage her, or dominate her.
Was she mine? Yes. Nothing would ever change that. Ashla belonged to me.
Did I want her beneath me, pounding her with my strength while we both came together? Yes. Fuck yes. But I also wanted to give her power over me. I wanted her to have her way with my body.
I wanted her to be the only one who ever could.
I… I wanted to belong to her.
I swallowed hard as she lowered her lips to take my cock deep in her mouth. A growl slipped out when I hit the back of her throat and my bones turned to jelly. Fuck, she was making me weak and I didn’t even care.
She sucked hard enough to make an obscene noise when her mouth popped free, and she pushed me back until I was flat on the bed beneath her. The scraps of her shirt fell away and with another quick move of my hands, her pants were gone too, giving me so much more of that sultry heat scent. I wanted to feel that slick, hot place between her legs, but before I could, she twisted her body, straddling me backward so her ass was in my face.
“Yes,” I growled in appreciation.
Leaning forward, she took my cock in her mouth again, but the sight of her glistening pussy, swollen and waiting for me to lick it, sent me into a frenzy. I needed her taste on my tongue more than I needed my next breath.
Gripping her hips, I positioned her over my mouth, taking a slow lick up her center. The taste of her arousal made me dizzy with desire. I wouldn’t last long like this, with her mouth on me, and my mouth on her.
Ashla moaned around my cock and her knees gave out as her pussy quivered and throbbed under my tongue. Still, I held her there, wanting as much of her as I could get, until I couldn’t take it anymore.
I needed to be inside my mate.
Lifting her off me, I laid her back, spreading her legs wide to fit between them.
“Solen,” she whimpered, hips undulating uncontrollably.
“It’s okay, mate. I’ve got you.”
With my next breath, I pushed into her slick channel, planting myself to the hilt, and kissed away her scream of pleasure as I lost myself in my female’s heat.
Ashla
Chapter Eight
Solen pumped his cock into me and I had to keep forcing myself to open my eyes, even when the heat overwhelmed me and the electricity that flowed from his body to mine threatened to set the entire desert on fire, because when I closed them, we were both wolves.
And we were free. There was no Luxoria, no Badlands, no alphas, no omegas. It was just me and him.
His shaft swelled, and the very last pulses of my climax fluttered around it as he knotted and shot his seed into me. My temperature soared and that fire had never felt more real. His body stuttered and his muscles went tense. In that moment, he’d never been more vulnerable, stronger, or more beautiful.
Once his knot released, the only sound in the room was our labored breathing as he picked up my ruined top and pressed it between my legs, wiping away any evidence of our union. It was a thoughtful gesture, but it made me sad. I wanted to wear his mark. It was only a matter of time before those rogue soldiers would catch up to us and when they scented me, they should have no doubt I belonged to Solen.
He dropped the cloth on the floor and grinned before crawling over to me. His feral grace sent another wave of heat through me. Soon, I’d need him again.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice soft. He was showing me a totally different side of him. Like he finally wasn’t afraid to be himself. Not just with me, but I had a feeling this was the first time he’d ever let his walls down.
I did that for him.
“Best heat ever.” I dared to press a kiss against his cheek.
Solen laughed, and it was such a beautiful sound because it was real and genuine. “It really is. And we’re not done.”
My exhausted core muscles fluttered a hell yes in response.
“What was it like for you before?” I asked. Omega males didn’t have a heat like femal
es, but they had cycles that coincided with ours.
He rolled onto his back and sighed. “Difficult. Every time I rutted with a female, I feared I would shift. So I only did it when necessary. And when the omegas in the Badlands reached the peak of their cycles, I made sure to stay as far away as possible. I’d come here. This bunker is fully outfitted with everything I need to lead the east. But even with the best of precautions, I couldn’t always prevent my shift.”
Fascinating. The omega males I’d grown up and worked with had had a much different objective. There was some sort of male omega pissing contest in the Badlands that reached a frenzy as the females went into heat. Rutting was a badge of honor for them, and a mark of horror for unmated females. Solen’s experience was closer to mine.
I wouldn’t tell him that. Didn’t matter what class this wolf was, he still had his pride.
“Did anyone else ever see you shift?”
“Adalai,” he said. Even though the two men were cousins, and omega blood ran through the King’s veins, I wondered how that went. If Solen was ashamed, and his kin disgusted. “And you.”
I raised a brow. “All these years, you only shifted in front of two people?”
“As far as I know.” He turned and looked at me. “It’s possible that someone in the castle saw something they shouldn’t have. It might be why we’re in this situation right now.”
I hated that my omega side thought he meant the two of us in bed together as a situation. Like it was a bad thing. But I had ways of protecting myself too.
“Why did you shift in front of me?” I’d walked in on him in the armory. I’d heard him before I found him in a dark corner. I’d always assumed it was a mistake and I was glad I was the one who found him before he revealed his secret to any other omegas.
But did I find him in time? Did I do enough to keep him safe? That was a thought I never expected to have.
