His Isolated Omega Luna

Chapter Seven

The hope in Axel’s chest finally broke free when he dared to reach out and cradle Cassandra’s beautiful face in his palm. She didn’t pull away, so Axel slipped his hand up a little more until he could feel the soft downy hair just behind his ear. A throbbing pulse was moving just under his fingertips and it made Axel feel more possessive than ever.

“Cas...” Axel breathed against her mouth, stroking his thumb gently down the side of Cassandra's face. He curled his other hand around her hip and pulled the female closer. “Give me a chance... please.” Axel leaned in a little more and swept the pad across Cassandra’s bottom lip. “Just give me one chance to prove I really deserve you…”

***

I didn’t think I had taken a single breath for however long I had been standing there and staring up at those persuasive eyes.

I knew the answer before Axel even finished his sentence. I exhaled a long sigh against Axel’s hand where it was still resting on my cheek.

“Deserve me?” I murmured in disbelief. That had thrown me completely. Female omegas were beneath everyone. I didn’t understand why Axel couldn’t see it.

I was nothing.

“I don’t really know what you want from me, Axel.” I whispered. Axel reluctantly withdrew the touch and dropped both arms back to his sides.

My mind was now a storm of confusion. I didn’t know how I could have been so mistaken. I was pretty sure my brother, Gabriel, once told me all alphas just take what they want. Axel was actually asking MY permission to try and earn my submission, rather than assume a right to it. I was almost tempted to lift up Axel's top lip and examine the points of his teeth again just to make sure. “A chance to do what?”

Axel frowned, moving his head back to study my expression. I surely wasn’t that emotionally dense that I had no idea what Axel was trying to ask me.

“Seriously? You really gonna make me say it?” Axel replied, but his tone was gentle. He was biting back an embarrassed smile while I was still staring at him like I was in some kind of suspended animation.

***

Axel rolled his eyes and stuck his hands in his back pockets. “Well,” Axel faltered, desperately trying to think of a polite way of saying it. He fished around in his supply of least distasteful pick-up lines and wondered aimlessly how Lucas would have phrased it. “Well, to win you over, I guess…" He offered hopefully.

“Oh.” Cassandra gasped. Axel lifted both eyebrows in anticipation, shrugging an apology for his painful lack of skill at just being able to ask Cassandra outright if she would ever consider him as a potential suitor. “You think I’m a beta? Like you.” Cassandra added suddenly.

The abruptness of it made Axel inhale a sharp breath. That wasn't what he expected at all.

“Actually, I was really hoping you weren’t.”

“What?”

“Nothing, Cas. Never mind. I just thought maybe - ”

Axel started to wish he had been able to tell Cassandra exactly what he was before it all got so awkward, but he didn’t want to scare her away completely. He only just managed to gain her trust, and he wanted to help her overcome her fears, not make them worse.

That must be what Cassandra chose to believe because it made it easier somehow.

***

I knew right then I had to do something I should have done much earlier that evening.

“Axel, I think I need to get away for a couple of days. I’m due on shift tomorrow down at dispatch anyway, so I may as well stay there and try to clear my head.” I was really trying to hide the developing signs of my inherent nature as they began to bud again, but I couldn’t tell Axel that. “We’ll talk more when I get back if you… if you still want to.”

***

Axel ran his tongue across the line of his mouth and just nodded. He couldn’t think of anything else to say when he watched Cassandra force another smile and hitch her bag over one of her shoulders.

“Bye, Axel.” Cassandra said softly, letting herself out of the apartment with Axel’s burning gaze melting the back of her head.

Lucas returned less than twenty minutes later and tapped on the door as a polite warning before he tentatively pushed it open and poked his head through the gap.

“What you knocking for?” Axel snapped at his brother.

Axel was standing by the window and looking down on to the dark pavement below. He didn’t turn around.

"Huh?"

“You live here, you i***t!”

Lucas threw the door all the way open once he realized he wasn’t going to walk in on them in a compromising position. He strode into the room and Axel knew Lucas was looking for Cassandra by the way he moved his head and scanned every corner.

“Where’s Cas?” Lucas asked breathlessly.

“Gone.”

“What do you mean, gone?” His face changed completely when he remembered the last thing he had said before he closed the door on them. “Did you tell her?” His voice was a strange combination of excitement and anticipation. If he had told Cassandra the truth, that might well have explained her sudden absence and he wasn’t sure Axel would have taken that well at all.

“No.”

“Axel.”

“What, Lucas?” Axel finally pulled himself away from the window, banging his hand against the wall. “God, she’s driving me crazy.” He admitted at last. “There’s just something about her... something that draws me in.” Axel seemed to have drifted off with his own thoughts again.

“May I make a suggestion?”

“No.”

“Axel.” Lucas started. He completely ignored the scowl that was aimed directly at him.

“I said no.”

“Alright I won’t, but you might want to know about something weird that happened to us at the coffee shop.” Lucas said slowly. Axel’s ears suddenly pricked up.

“What?”

“Just something that got me wondering, is all.” Lucas mused, pulling a face when he realized maybe he shouldn’t have mentioned it at all. Axel was already pacing again at the thought of Cassandra going away for a couple of days. Lucas should probably not deliberately throw more kindling on to that particular smoldering fire, but it was too late to recant now. Axel was waiting for details. “Well, it might be nothing, but this dude was all up in her face.”

“Yeah?”

“Like.” Lucas struggled for an appropriate sentence. “Like he wanted to eat her.”

“What dude? Where?” Axel demanded, curling his fists up in agitation.

“Axel. Chill. He’s probably not even there anymore, and Cassandra is safe now.”

“I’ll rip his f*****g head off.”

Lucas was watching his brother with some modest level of amusement while he tried to fight against his baser instincts. He had seen Axel lose control before, and he was all too used to having to leave one life behind and move on to try and start another.

This was different though.

More intense.

Lucas tried to make light of it with a hollow attempt to distract him.

“Aah. You’ve only known her a day, and you’re already prepared to defend her honor.” Lucas prodded him. “That’s actually kind of cute.”

“f**k off.”

“Again with the expletives. Always so articulate, Axel. I have no idea how Cassandra manages to resist you.”

“Lucas, seriously.” Axel looked as though he might actually hurt him if he didn't stop, so Lucas backed up a bit and continued to tell his brother what had been bothering him all evening.

“I don’t really know why, but it got me to thinking. I just found it all a bit disturbing, and Cassandra had this little box of pills she told me were like Xanax, or something, but there was no label and she only popped them after she got settled, and it was just before that anyways.” Lucas shook his head. “I’m probably reading too much into it.”

Axel hesitated, trying to put together all the fractured pieces that had accumulated in his memory since he introduced himself to Cassandra that morning. It seemed like a lifetime ago already, and Axel knew he would never be able to get Cassandra out of his head, whether she returned his affections or not.

Lucas would probably put it all down to s****l frustration and fifteen years of dead ends, but Axel didn’t think so. He had sensed deep longing inside his heart and the caress of Cassandra’s warm breath against his skin felt like the sweet redemption of gentle rain on an arid desert.

He didn’t pass those images on to Lucas.

***

I was breathless and jumpy by the time I made it to the entrance. I wished now I had taken Lucas up on his offer of walking me to the stop earlier. The encounter in the crowded coffee bar had left me feeling very vulnerable and I had to wait in the bus line for what seemed like an eternity. To add to my distress, no matter what I did, I just couldn't get Axel Harrison out of my head.

There was something so profound about the way Axel looked at me earlier. He clearly hadn’t seemed put off by the fact that I assumed he was a beta. The implications of it all had me pondering the whole incident while I headed down the stairs.

I allowed myself just one beautiful memory of being pressed up close to Axel and suddenly felt something warm spread across my ass and down between my thighs.

I froze in panic and tried to turn to see if it was what I thought it was. I hesitantly dabbed one hand against the back of my legs.

“Shit.” I muttered, making my way to the bathroom as quickly as I could without arousing too much suspicion. I locked myself in one of the stalls and removed some of my clothing. I anxiously examined the patch of shimmering oil and lifted it up to my face. There was something sweet about it, but it wasn’t overpowering. I felt around in my back pack for an aerosol.

After a few liberal sprays on the material and then myself, I got dressed and tried to make it to the break room without anyone noticing. I had packed a change of clothes and enough tablets for a couple of days but I didn’t think the new ones were working the way they should. Recent events had confirmed that in abundance.

Gabriel occasionally sent me special wads of absorbent padding he said might come in useful, and never to ask where he acquired them, but I hadn't really needed them before. A stray thought played with my subconscious.

Before Axel Harrison.

I really needed to speak to my brother. We had an unspoken understanding we would only contact each other in an emergency. Gabriel had tried very hard to protect me all these years, and if that meant anonymous and impersonal contact by mail and not much else, then so be it.

I was trying to think of somewhere private where I could go to call him. It had been four years since the last time I even heard his voice. The day I discovered our father had passed away.

I hadn’t cried.

Gabriel told me I shouldn't even consider coming home. Everyone presumed I was dead, and it was probably better that way.

Better. I sighed resentfully. Better for who exactly had never really been made clear.

I just remembered all the hateful looks, and the shame I caused them. I hadn’t chosen what I was, but sometimes I was made to feel it was somehow my fault I was different.

The room was still empty, so I pulled out my phone. One finger hovered over the buttons just for a minute as indecision swept over me.

No - this was definitely an emergency.

I inhaled a deep breath and pressed in the code. It seemed to ring forever, and just when I was about to end the call, I heard a click and a muffled gasp.

“Cassandra?”

“Hello, Gabriel.”

“Hey, little sister. Been a long time.” There was a soft pause. “I still miss you.” I heard a small shuffling sound just before Gabriel cleared his throat. “What’s wrong? I would ask if you’re alright, but if you’re calling me then I already know the answer.”

I had no idea what came over me in that moment, but while I listened to the concern in my brother’s voice, I just collapsed into a fit of dry sobs that made my whole body shake. I heard Gabriel calling my name, but my throat was so tight I couldn’t form a single word. I rubbed at my eyes and inhaled a shaky breath.

“Sorry. I’m sorry. I’ve just had one of those days.” I heard my brother force a bitter laugh.

“Yeah, well. You’re lucky it’s just the one day. Things could be a lot worse, Cas.” Gabriel said seriously. “What can I do to help? Did somebody find out?”

“No. Well, I don’t think so but - ” I hesitated, biting at the skin of my lip. I formed the sentence on my tongue several seconds before I could bring myself to say it. “I met someone.”

“Cassandra!” Gabriel cried in despair. The force of it made the static vibrate against the side of my face. “You know you can’t do that. The only way to stay safe is to be alone. I told you that.” I couldn’t argue. I knew my brother was right. I could so easily be betrayed and abused.

“Yes, Gabriel. I know what you said. I’ve spent over half my life believing it, and all it did was turn me into a paranoid pill-popping mess.”

“Stop.” Gabriel said firmly and I still obeyed without question, even after all this time. “Just stop right there. Everything I ever did was because I love you. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being taken against your will. I still have nightmares about it.” So do I. I thought sadly, but I kept quiet. “Anyway, what about those new suppressants I sent you? Any good?”

“Actually... no, Gabe. That’s part of the reason I’m calling. It’s getting worse.” I paused. “Then tonight I just leaked everywhere.” I could feel my stomach turn at admitting something so personal to a brother I hadn’t spoken to for years, let alone had any personal contact with. “It hasn't been this bad since I was a girl.”

I waited for a response, but the other end of the call was disturbingly quiet. I thought I heard a deep sigh, but it might have just been a bad line.

“Cassandra. Something, or someone, must have triggered it. Get somewhere safe tonight and I’ll see what I can find out.”

I thought back over the last day to try and figure out when everything started to feel so different. My mind was filled with a fading image of Axel Harrison pulling my bloody finger from his mouth and touching me for the first time.

That was the moment.

“Oh.” I gasped at the realization.

“Cassandra?”

“Yes. Sorry. Yes, I’m here. I’m at work, so safe as I can be from the rest of the world for now, if that’s what you mean. I’m not on duty ‘til tomorrow so I can just hide out here. I don’t think anyone will check.”

“Okay, that’s good. Stay there, and don’t go anywhere alone. I’ll contact you as soon as I fully understand what’s happening.”

“Alright. Thank you. Gabe?” There was another pause. “Have you ever heard of a beta, or even an alpha, who would value someone like me?”

I could almost hear Gabriel frown into the phone.

“Never. I’m sorry to say it, Cas but I haven’t. Why do you ask?”

I could feel myself blush at the warm memory of Axel’s hands on me. How I had longed to return that touch, but remembered myself and pulled away. I was almost glad I had. If I secreted such a substantial amount of slick in front of Axel, I would never be able to speak to him again. Axel would want nothing more to do with an Omega like me, and then I would be completely alone again.

“No reason.” I lied. “I was just wondering.”

“Okay. Be careful, Cas. I’ll speak to you soon.”

I heard the line go dead before I even had a chance to thank Gabriel again, or to say goodbye. I pocketed the phone and stood up. When I opened the door, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in one of the mirrors screwed to the back wall.

I looked dreadful. My dark hair was damp and disordered. My clothes were all messed up, and my skin was unnaturally pale and drawn save for a few seemingly random patches of flushed pink skin that felt like they were on fire. I rubbed one hand across my face and moved slowly towards the wash basins with weary steps. I ran the cold tap and splashed handfuls of water onto my cheeks and smeared some over the curve of my throat.

I hesitated, just staring at myself in the glass. I slipped my shirt down over one shoulder and twisted my head to one side until I could see a pale strip of unbroken flesh stretching all the way up to just underneath my ear. My pulse was throbbing under the surface of my skin and I watched the movement of blood rush through my veins, heart pumping faster and faster when I imagined Axel’s penetrating gaze staring back at me over the rise of my shoulder.

I pictured Axel's strong arms circling my waist and pulling me back against a hard length. Opening his mouth and licking a curved tongue over those keen tapered points just before he growled out his dominance and sank them deep into his omega's neck. I moaned shamefully when the vision blurred my delicate senses. I had to reach for the edge of the sink to steady myself.

Everything started to fade as my body shuddered in response.

So much of my life had been spent tormented by terrible waking nightmares of what would happen to me if I was ever claimed like that. The pain and the fear of being so powerless against the possessive strength of a male alpha who only wanted to use my body and subdue my will.

Just for that one single moment, belief in everything I had ever known faltered at the mouthwatering thought of Axel touching me like that.