by A. R. Ford
Then I saw dozens of Alphas behind him. All had long hair worn in braids or left flowing free. Dressed in armor, weapons held in their hands. Huge. Deadly. Moving steadily closer.
Frozen for only seconds as I surveyed the Alphas, I turned and fled. I was the fastest runner in the village. Chest heaving, feet digging into the sand. Almost. Almost there. An arm the size of a tree limb caught my waist, tugging me back against him as he roared. My struggles and screams were answered with a gravelly growl that struck fear in my heart.
“You are mine now, Omega. There is no hope of escape.”
The air filled with a deafening roar. Cheers. Hoots. Catcalls. They knew I belonged to him. None would dare challenge him. He stood at least two heads above the others. The group boarded a transport. As it soared into the air, the Alpha sat in a seat near the cockpit. He clutched me with one arm.
“How long until we land?” the beast growled.
A Beta sitting at the controls in the cockpit glanced over one shoulder, hazel eyes flicking briefly over me. “Anxious to claim her, are we Kade?”
“I said how long.” The threat in the beast’s voice was apparent.
“One hour,” the Beta replied.
My mind shrank in on itself. Fear, metallic and bitter, filled my mouth. The Alpha began to stroke my hair with one big paw. I shrank from each caress only to freeze in terror at the beast’s growl.
“You are mine,” he whispered. “I will do with you as I please.”
Tears welled, clouding my vision until only bright sparkles of light from the cockpit instrument panel were the only things I saw. Thoughts of my mundane life in the village returned. If only you had stayed in the hut. I knew it was too late for wisdom.
“We are landing now,” the Beta piloting the carrier advised.
A clank of metal on the ground and sensation of no longer moving were the only changes I noticed. Hoisted over the beast’s shoulder as if I were nothing more than a sack of grain, I watched the carrier disappear. We entered a forest. Thick, green foliage closed in around us. The staccato thud of feet marching along the path was all I could hear save the sounds of birds calling in the distance. Humidity clung cloyingly in the air. Perspiration covered every inch of my body. My hair clung to my head and neck as if it were a living thing.
The journey ended not long after the last particle of light faded around us. The hubbub of voices alerted me when we entered a more populated area. The beast removed me from his shoulder, setting my feet on the ground. His paw clasped my hand, fingers tightening just short of pain. It was warning enough. He led me toward a garrison constructed of stone. Over half the building lay within the mountain that loomed over us. Great walls at least twenty feet in height encircled the building. Combat boots drummed on the stone floor as we walked. I could not say for certain where, only that my fate now lay in his hands.
A massive door swung open to reveal a sizable chamber. A four-poster bed large enough to hold Beast was pushed against one wall. Pillows and colorful blankets brought some life to the otherwise drab room. Black granite floor, ceiling, and walls. A narrow window that would provide no hope of escape. Two other doors I assumed led to a closet and a bathroom. It may as well have been a prison. The door slammed shut behind us. A bolt several inches thick slid into place. He led me to a corner.
Beast retrieved a chain and shackle from a dresser. What sort of man keeps shackles in his room? I did not dare to guess the answer. The cold metal clamped around my ankle. Beast grinned, a mere peeling back of his lips from white teeth that resembled fangs—at least in my horrified mind.
“This should prevent you from getting into trouble,” he rumbled.
A knock came upon the door. Beast opened the door to reveal a Beta standing outside. He stepped into the hallway. The door slammed shut behind him. I remained frozen, legs trembling as a reed in a summer storm. I did not have to wait long. He returned with a tray containing food and water.
Beast moved to a table and chairs sitting not far from where I stood. “You should eat,” he advised. “Come, sit.”
In the light I could see more details of who this man was. His skin was darkly tanned. Scars marked his flesh. His face was sculpted from stone. Each plane perfectly aligned with other elements of his features. Perfectly balanced. More handsome than any man I knew. Thick brows curved over stormy, grey eyes so dark as to nearly be black. Full, sensual lips drew my attention. Further, down the thickly muscled neck, broad chest, and defined abdominal muscles. Pants covered his body from the waist down. Thighs the size of tree trunks supported his weight. Every bit of him was constructed for one purpose: war and victory.
He moved toward me, a hand curling around my bicep, pulling me toward the chair where I sat without question. Beast sat in the chair opposite mine. He pushed a bowl of some thick, fragrant stew across the table. A glass of water followed.
“Eat.” Stormy eyes observed me closely. I stirred the stew, took one bite and knew I would be sick. My stomach roiled, nausea filling my gut. “Eat, Omega.”
“I can’t,” I whispered, eyes screwed shut, hands clutching my stomach.
“Are you ill?”
“I think I’m going to be sick.”
At my muffled admission, Beast sprang into action. He carried me to the bathroom. The clink and clatter of the chain followed. At least it was long enough to allow me to visit the bathroom. I bent over the toilet, gut clenching, perspiration icing my brow. Without warning the contents of my stomach spewed into the bowl. I flushed the commode, pushed past Beast to the sink where I rinsed my mouth. No doubt the metallic stench of Omega fear filled the air. If he detected it, he said nothing. I stood with my head down, hands clenched. Defeated. Terrified.
To my surprise, Beast carried me to the bed even as my head swirled drunkenly. He pulled the blanket over me, fingers stroking my hair. “You should sleep,” he growled.
“Why am I here?” the faintly spoken words spilled past lips gone suddenly dry.
“You will be my mate. The Omegas are nearly extinct. Do you think I would let one of my men take you?” He chuckled, obviously quite pleased at his discovery. “Your scent drew me from over a mile away. How could I deny an attraction so strong?”
“No. I will choose my mate.”
Beast grinned at my response. “No one told you that decision is made by the Alpha. Deceit I am grateful for. You are my mate.”
“You mean to rape me.”
Beast threw back his head, Adam’s apple bobbing as his laughter roared into the air. “No, little Omega. You will agree to this when you enter estrus.”
“My most recent estrus ended a few weeks ago. You will be waiting for months.”
“Ah!” he sighed. A chuckle vibrated within his chest. “You do not understand my intentions, little one. An estrus induction will be injected. You will enter estrus. I will rut you through it and claim you. It is your duty to give me a child. Hopefully many children. How is it no one has claimed you before now?”
“My people believed the Omega should select her mate. I am the only Omega in our village. I found none worthy among the Alphas there.” Ice tinged my words. It failed to cool his curiosity.
“And no battles for the right to rut you through estrus occurred?” His eyes narrowed, voice deepening with the question.
“The village elders constructed a place for me to reside during estrus. A cave with only one entrance turned into a makeshift home. Several fences and gates surrounded it. Beta guards were placed there at all times. The sentence for breaking into the enclosure was death. None of the Alphas in my village were foolish enough to attempt it.”
Beast laughed at my explanation. “How fortunate for me none were worthy of your attention. How old are you?”
“Nineteen.” The whispered word was tinged with dread.
A hand nearly as large as my head reached out, fingers trailing across my lips. “You are untouched.” A gaze tinged with fire held mine for a moment. “I shall enjoy claiming you, little Omega.”
<
br /> My mind shut down at his words. I knew with certainty this madman meant to keep me. It was all too much to process. I fell asleep with hopes I would wake up to find this day was a horrible nightmare.
*****
Of course, there was no such luck. I woke at dawn to find Beast in bed with me. His powerful arms held me so tight I could scarcely breath. Finally managing to wiggle free, I stood up and grimaced when the chain clanked on the stone floor.
“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice had the same quality as boulders crashing down a mountain. Deep. Dangerous. Powerful.
“I have to use the bathroom.” Inwardly chastising myself for sounding so afraid, I stood with shoulders hunched awaiting his response.
“Go.”
The bathroom was small and functional. It contained a shower, sink, medicine cabinet, and commode. After emptying my aching bladder, I washed my hands and rinsed my mouth with water. I turned with dread toward the door. The door that lay between me and my captor. I knew taking too long could raise his ire. It occurred to me that doing so was unwise.
He sat up in bed, the blanket pulled across both legs to his waist. Stormy eyes watched as I walked to the bed. The chain clinked with each step. My ankle ached from the shackle. I paused at the side of the bed. He caught me, pulling me into bed with him, forcing me to sit on his lap. There his fingers traced the outlines of each facial feature before moving to stroke along bare arms and legs. When his hand moved above a knee, I panicked. Slapping at his hands did nothing to dissuade him. If anything, it increased his determination.
“I will touch you in any way I wish. What is your name, Omega?”
“Mia.”
I thought his name was Kade but given the possessive nature of his hands and the foul temper he displayed since our ill-fated meeting on the beach, I decided it best to think of him only as Beast. Perhaps he would care enough at some point to tell me his name. His hand moved to the apex of my thighs, fingers sliding beneath the leg band of my panties. My reaction was instantaneous. Legs clamped together, I grabbed his hand, whimpering, struggling, anything to prevent the intimate exploration of my body.
A deep growl rumbled in his chest before bursting free. My belly ached, tensing until I groaned. Unconcerned with his exploration, my hands moved instead to clutch my belly. “Stop! Please. My belly aches.” I found myself flat on my back on the bed. Beast hovered over me, glaring at me, jaw clenched. Every muscle in his body tense, ready to explode into action.
“Please, no!”
“My name is Kade. I am your Alpha, little Omega. You will submit to me in any way I find pleasing. Has no one told you of these things?”
What things? That he would touch me in the most intimate, embarrassing ways possible? Was there more to tell?
“You have no right to touch me.”
Kade growled, eyes mere slits. A groan of appreciation came, inciting a cramp that forced a cry from me. “I have every right.”
I was confused by his declaration. Customs differed here. If only parents had educated me to these differences. But no, I grew up as an orphan in the village. No one claimed me as their child. No one adopted me. Only the village elders told me what I knew of Alphas and Omegas. Could I trust Kade’s declaration?
His possessive touch annoyed me. “Let me go home, back to the village. They need me!” My fists pounded against Beast’s chest.
Kade caught my hands before forcing them over my head. Pinned, I could not move, could not refuse his advances. He caught my mouth in a ferocious, scorching kiss that took my breath. Nipping. Teasing. Groaning. Frozen, unable to move, I knew he could easily overpower me. Resistance was futile.
“Not now, Mia. We will attend to this matter. You will be injected with an estrus inducing compound. When it takes effect, you will be mine.” He released me and rose to his knees. His body was even more impressive without clothing. Muscular, rippling with raw power. Even that part of him that jutted proudly from his groin as it pulsated, leaking clear fluid.
He left bed, stalking to a dresser where he retrieved clothing. A pair of camouflage pants and tank top. The combat boots appeared to be the only footwear he owned. “Come. I want you to see what greatness my people have created on this island.”
Kade unlocked the shackle before taking my hand. He led me down the long hallway. Two wooden doors nearly a foot thick, standing well over ten feet in height guarded the entrance to the Garrison. Each door was reinforced with metal straps. Kade opened one door before leading me outside into the sunlight. An expansive courtyard opened before me. The area bustled with activity. Each person seemed intent on some duty. None of them lingered or faltered other than giving a nod and cursory greeting.
Guards in armor patrolled the top of the wall. Each man carried a weapon. Kade led me through the courtyard. The beehive of activity was reflected in each area I saw. An armory. Barracks. A stable of heavily muscled horses similar to those commonly found on the island where I lived. Once lived.
“There is more, Omega, that I cannot show you. My people have created greatness out of nothing more than forest and earth.” Kade gazed at me when he spoke.
“There are so many weapons,” I murmured. “Why do you need weapons?”
He chuckled at my question. “For war. Those who held us captive will pay for their crimes tenfold.”
Books by A. R. Ford
The Hunter (Prequel to the Hidden Gems series)
The Warner Series
Forever My Knight (Warner #1)
Concrete Justice (Warner #2)
Darkness Overcomes (Warner #3)
The Warner Series Trilogy (Warner #1-#3)
The Dirty Billionaire Series
Dirty, Rotten Bastard
Hidden Gems Dark Omegaverse Series
Doppelgänger (February 14, 2020)
Claiming an Alpha’s Heart (April 2020)
Twisted Fates (expected July 2020)
About the Author
A.R. Ford is a lifelong resident of the Appalachian Mountains. She lives there with her husband. She enjoys quilting, crafts, and traveling. She is an avid reader with a preference for books in the romance, erotic romance, and erotica genres. Ms. Ford prefers to write dark, twisted, erotic tales filled with action and suspense.
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