Chapter 6
764 Words
Autumn
But then something shifts, when his Calling washes over me just as is aura did when he had me pinned, it stuns me momentarily, shocked he would use it, it’s sacred and only supposed to be used on your mate. No one seems to notice though as my body turns languid against his, and he presses closer, stopping me from falling at his feet.
The aggression ebbs slightly as though some invisible line has been crossed or maybe erased entirely. His grip on my hair loosens fractionally—not enough for me to escape but enough for me to notice—and his kiss slows. What had started as harsh and punishing becomes...different. Softer? Gentler? His lips move over mine hesitantly now, almost cautiously.
For one fleeting heartbeat, it feels like we are alone in the room—like everyone else has disappeared and this moment exists only for us.
And then he pulls back, his Calling drops.
The abruptness of it leaves me dizzy and disoriented, like being yanked out of deep water after nearly drowning. His hand lingers against my cheek for half a second longer than necessary and my hand fists his shirt, knowing if he moves right now, I will fall on my ass and beg at his feet. Stupid omega instincts, he must realize this and some part of me worries he would humiliate me even more by stepping back to show how affected by him I am. So I am shocked when he remains, blocking me from view as I try to regather my bearings. His thumb brushes over my swollen lips briefly, a ghost of a touch that sends shivers down my spine before his arm drops back to his side.
He stares at me for what feels like an eternity but can’t have been more than two seconds. My fingers slip from his shirt, as my surroundings return with cold clarity.
For just a moment, I see it: his wolf surfacing behind those intense eyes. It flickers briefly, a flash of black overtaking brown—before retreating again just as quickly as it had appeared.
“She did it,” Ryker says flatly, his voice devoid of any emotion as he turns away from me abruptly. The cold mask slides back into place over his features so effortlessly that it leaves me wondering if I’d imagined everything else entirely—the softness, the hesitation, his wolf peeking through his human facade.
He glances at Brielle with an icy glare that makes her flinch ever so slightly despite herself. “Happy now?” he asks dryly before adding. “Now let the freak leave.”
The words hit harder than any of his earlier actions—’freak.’ It echoes in my mind.
The room stays silent as Ryker steps away from me without another glance and retakes his seat, sinking back into his chair like nothing had happened at all.
Everyone snickers while my face flames. Brielle laughs along with them when I realize Jaxson isn’t laughing. Instead, he is glaring at me.
I wipe my mouth, heart pounding, shame burning up my throat.
But no one opens the door. I try to walk around the circle to the other door when Brielle blocks me with a smirk. “We’re not done yet.”
I try the other door, but it’s pointless; the thing is locked. “Autumn!” Brielle snaps, enjoying my torment far too much, she nods for me to retake my seat.
I’ve just gotten to my seat and am about to demand the key when the bottle spins once more, pointing directly at me.
Of course. Just my f*****g luck.
I clench my jaw. “Truth.” I spit at her, not wanting to be forced to kiss another asshole.
Brielle smiles and taps her chin thoughtfully. “Are you a virgin?”
I hesitate—just for a second. But it’s enough. Gritting my teeth, I reluctantly answer.
“Yes.”
The room erupts in mocking laughter. My face burns hot, humiliation coursing through me as I try to keep the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes from spilling over. Don’t cry here. Not in front of them.
“Wow,” she says, dragging out the word as she tilts her head to one side, her perfectly curled blonde hair cascading over her shoulder. Her lips curl into a smirk that doesn’t reach her cold blue eyes. “That’s actually pathetic for an Omega.”
Something inside me snaps.
“Why? Because I’m not a slut like you?”
- Writer
