| Body |
I have nowhere to sleep, no money, no job. I don't even have a way of contacting my family for help. All I have is this belief that my true love is out there waiting for me.
But my heat is here and even though I've managed to hold off all these years, my time is up. I'm going to have to give in and get knotted by a pack that isn't mine.
But I have one rule- No bonds.
I'm going to screw these three big schlong men hard.
————————
"Passion fruit martini."
I turn around, sipping my drink, and scan the crowd. I have to make this drink last. Just enough to look like I belong here. I glance down at my bag and discreetly shove it back against the bar. I can't afford to look homeless.
I spot an alpha watching me. He's not big, but he's got an intensity that is almost scary. With a smirk in his direction, I turn back to the bar, casually popping up a foot. My boots are cute, my butt looks great. All systems are go.
It would be impossible to miss the inferno of heat that leans over me. I suck in a breath and hold perfectly still. He's not touching me, but he's so close it wouldn't take much.
"Have you heard of personal space?" I say, turning my head only enough to see him out of the corner of my eye. He's a blurry shape looming over me, but I don't feel threatened. Maybe I should. Strange.
"I've heard of it. Never much cared for it, though." His voice is a soft drawl that goes straight into the spank bank.
I have never been turned on by just a voice before.
A huge hand slides down my shoulder along my upper arm, stopping before he hits my elbow. It's a completely innocent touch.
It sets my body on fire.
It's hard to breathe this shallow. As soon as I take a deep breath, my back presses against his chest. He rumbles. An actual rumble that I feel through the places where we touch.
I close my eyes and will my self-control to return.
"What's your name, beautiful?"
I look down, trying to find some equilibrium, some willpower, and he vanishes from my mind in an instant. I scramble away from him, crouching awkwardly, searching for my bag. But it's gone as if it was never there.
I whip my head around, searching through the crowd, looking for anyone with my backpack. All my clothes are in it. My money. The last of my food.
The guy has vanished, but I'm almost in tears. What can I do? Ignoring everyone, I rush back and forth along the bar, looking between people's feet and searching to see if I can see it.
When I can't, I realise it's been stolen and panic. The room spins, and I'm frozen still in the middle of everything, while it all turns into a blur.
Only one thing stands out clearly. That guy I was looking at before, the one with the dangerous aura. He's a big guy in a tight black t-shirt, and I rush towards him like he has all my answers. When he turns slightly, I see the words written across the back of his shirt saying 'Security'.
"Help me, please." The words tumble out of my mouth.
He turns back to me and raises his eyebrows. He's got one golden eye and one pale blue one. I just have enough light to make that startling discovery. It makes him look even more dangerous. His hair is styled in silver and violet streaks, and when he smiles, it doesn't reach his eyes.
"What do you need?" he asks, and now that I have his full attention, I'm wishing he was anyone else. I'd even take the drunk guy because he's almost as good looking as the guy at the bar.
"My bag," I manage to force out. I blink rapidly, trying to shove this vision out of my mind and focus on what's important–all my worldly belongings.
"I'm going to need a little bit more to work with than that, love."
I clench my teeth and point to the bar. "My bag was stolen. Please, help me."
"All right, when did you last see it?"
"I was standing at the bar drinking my drink, and it was by my feet."
"Did you go to the toilet or-"
"No, I'd just got here. There was a guy, he leaned over me, and that's when I noticed it was gone."
He nods and starts walking towards the bar. I follow on his heels and bounce off his back when he stops abruptly.
"Hey, Hunter, seen anyone take her bag?"
He just shouts it out across the bar. The bartender looks up, his eyes latching onto me, and shakes his head. He looks away immediately and smiles at a gorgeous blond. I'm jealous, I have to admit. What did I do to upset him? No, I don't care. My bag.
He turns and makes his way towards us and looks me up and down. It makes me feel exposed and not in a bad way. In a way that makes me want to preen and climb up undressed onto the bar and wiggle for his attention.
My cheeks heat. Where did that thought come from?
"Who was hanging around her?"
Hunter glances at the security guy and shrugs. "Just Crow."
Crow? What kind of name is Crow?
"Come on," the guy says into my ear. "This way."
He leads me down the side of the bar and to a door that I hadn't even noticed.
"What's this?"
"We're going to check security footage," he grumbles.
I follow him in, but when he turns left, I'm abruptly frozen, staring at the god who has just walked out of the room on the right.
His eyes narrow, and he approaches me like a hunting cat. I suppress my nerves and steel my spine. He's got black hair to his chin, and his eyes are just as dark. He bites his lower lip as he looks me up and down, really slowly.
"Oh, you look so much better from the front."
I jolt at the recognition in hearing his voice.
He lifts a hand and runs his fingers through my hair.
"You're the guy with no idea of personal space," I accuse.
His lips lift as he ducks down so we're on eye level. He pecks me hard and fast. I don't expect it. That's why I don't push him off me.
I mean, it's a good excuse.
I just have no excuse for why I pecked the stranger back.
---
I PULL BACK WHEN I remember who I am and struggle past him. It is far too dangerous remaining in his presence. He's obviously far too potent to be allowed near people, and I am a weak omega currently. Weak and needy.
If I had alphas like these, I'd never leave the bed. They are so, so hot.
I jolt. They're alphas. I hadn't been aware of it on a conscious level, but now that I am, I catch the scent of licorice and taste it on my lips. The delicious scent almost makes me groan. I could lick him all day, all over and keep going.
Send help!
In the room that appears to be some kind of employee lounge or office or both, the guy with violet and silver hair is leaning over a computer screen, intently staring at some black and white footage. He frowns and turns, gesturing for me to come closer. He points, and I watch a woman pick up my bag and quickly exit the bar.
"Can we catch her?" I ask anxiously, unknowingly clenching my fingers around the hard heat of his shoulder. As soon as I realise, I jump back with a squeak.
"Listen, love, the chances of being able to find this person, let alone recover your bag, are about zero."
I stand there, my ears ringing as my existence crumbles around me. My situation is compounding on me, leaving me shaking and dizzy. Homeless. No food, water, job, money, clothes. All I have left is my body.
Am I going to have to sell that?
"Hey? You all right?"
I shake my head. No, I'm not all right, I haven't been all right since I left home. I've been running, trying to find the something better to prove that I can be someone, and all I've done is fail. Over. And. Over. What is so unloveable about me? Why don't I deserve love?
I reach out to catch the wall, but I miss and end up staggering back, my legs collapsing. Arms catch me and hoist me up.
"What'd you do to her, Saint?"
The violet and silver-haired man glares at whoever is holding me.
When my legs still don't hold me, I'm lifted bridal style into powerful arms. I find myself studying the hot bartender, I stare at his strange eyes, hypnotized. So pale with those striking rings. Is he wearing contacts?
"No, I'm not."
I blink and realise he's answered my question.
Crow gets all up and over me, causing my stomach to flutter wildly. I can still taste him on my lips. I stiffen as he reaches out, putting a finger under my chin and turning my head towards him.
"What was in the bag?"
I burst into tears. "Everything."
Hunter jostles me and moves to sit down. "It's going to be okay. You're going to be just fine. Just get it out. You're safe here."
I cry until my eyes feel puffy and fall silent. His hand strokes my upper arm and we've got an audience of two peering at me anxiously.
"Have you got somewhere to stay?" Hunter asks slowly. His voice is deeper than the other two.
I open my mouth, and then shut it with a snap.
"Money?"
My cheeks burn.
"Family?"
I look down at my hands.
"I'm guessing the only clothes you've got are what you're wearing?"
"I'll be fine," I whisper.
"I don't think so," Hunter says with finality. "What's your name?"
"Bethany Raines."
"Bethany, beautiful name," Crow purrs and comes in with a black silk handkerchief that he uses to mop up my tears and wipe my nose.
I'm too astounded by his actions to even think about protesting. I just stare at him because no one has done that for me since I learned to walk.
They seem to stop and have this silent conversation. It reminds me so much of Kelly and Raider that another pathetic tear slips from my eye. I miss them so much.
"Right, well. Here we are. You're just going to have to come home with us until we can get you on your feet."
I open my mouth, but Crow presses his fingers against my mouth.
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