THE OMEGA WHO RAN FROM THE HEAT

Unwanted attraction

Avery Cruz POV

My best friend would probably label me as suicidal if he were present because I climbed down the tree and landed squarely in a shifter's arms. A werewolf Alpha, not just any shifter. The worst kind of all.

I wasn't lucky in the past, and today was no exception. I let my hand slip off the branch.

To save themselves, most people would grab something. I didn't. I closed my eyes and relaxed.

When I hit the ground, I braced myself for pain, but it never materialized. I was grabbed by powerful arms and pressed up against a hard chest.

My breath caught. How come his scent had to be so strong?

"Hey, how are you?" Mateo Knox muttered.

I thought I heard worry in his voice, but I quickly dismissed it. Someone I'd attacked would never genuinely care.

"Never been better," I yelled, my tone full of sarcasm. "Honestly, I'd feel better if you let go of me," I hurriedly added.

And here I was hoping for a thank you. Or a kiss, anyway. Mateo teased, "I've saved you twice now.

He helped me up, but I ignored him. However, he continued as soon as I felt liberated. He pulled my dress down.

He winked and turned back to face the club, saying, "Sorry, I couldn't focus on anything else."

I crossed my arms and walked over to him, muttering, "f*****g perv."

He called out, his laugh too inviting and smooth. "I heard that."

I yelled back, "And I was hoping you would."

I looked around as he vanished into the forest. Perhaps I could get out of here. Although it was dangerous to cross borders, I had run before.

I didn't intend to come here. While looking for Adrian Soto's cheating ex, I simply lost track of time. I wanted to confront him, make him understand what he had lost, and teach him a lesson.

I was jolted back to reality by a voice. "Have you decided against it? Mateo said, uncomfortably close, his arm encircling my waist, "It happened sooner than I thought."

When I felt him pushing against me, I almost jumped. There was a huge disparity in height. Everything else's size was obvious, but I ignored the thought.

I've never been fond of shifters, much less wolves or Alphas. I made a self-promise that neither an Alpha nor a monster would be in charge of my life or needs.

I inhaled deeply. "I'm merely reflecting. When he couldn't see, I rolled my eyes and said, "There's no need to push your... thing into my back."

Alphas detested being disrespected. They took it seriously.

Mateo laughed. "So you enjoy being rubbed up but become bashful when it's done back? Adorable," he remarked.

When he ruffled my hair, I didn't know what to anticipate. Did he treat me like a child? A pet?

I whirled away from his hold. I might have liked it if it had been someone else. Not him.

I poked his chest with my finger. "I'm not adorable! I'm fierce! I could defeat you once more! Do you want that night to happen again? I will gladly offer it to you!

Mateo did not recoil. Rather than that, he licked my finger to his lips.

I was frozen by shock. He was now a horndog, not just a werewolf Alpha.

I wrenched my hand away. "What's wrong with you?" I gave a hiss.

Mateo stepped back and said, "Calm down." "I had to end your strange little condition. Come on, we must move.

He took hold of my hand and dragged me along.

I didn't say anything until I almost fell. "Would you please slow down? Three of my steps are equivalent to one of yours! I've had enough of chasing you!

He took the opposite action. Mateo stooped, slung me over his shoulder as if I were weightless, and ran silently.

I fought, trying to get my bearings, trying to break free.

Knowing that punching him would be pointless, I growled, "Let go of me, asshole."

"Stop rubbing your scent all over me unless you want me to carry you home for another lap dance!" Mateo snarled.

What was it that he had against me? Trauma during childhood? Before he became Alpha, was he an outcast? Too conceited? Too difficult to distinguish between creepy and sexy?

I opened my mouth, but when his hand touched my ass, I closed it. Yes, I had gone overboard with the seduction, but he didn't require a reminder.

I muttered, "f*****g perv," louder this time.

"Definitely, sweetie. A pervert, and all I want is to bring you home, restrain you, and spend weeks savoring every inch of you. Mateo said in a low, menacing voice, "I've never had a kitten before, so don't tempt me."

My body tensed, my mind racing, I froze. How did I get here?

My heart raced with each step he took. My gut told me to fight, flee, or stay away, but I remained silent out of curiosity, annoyance, and an irritating attraction.

I believed I understood how to deal with Alphas. I was learning otherwise from Mateo Knox.

Except for our heavy, quick steps, the forest around us was silent. My lungs were burning. Relief screamed through my body. Mateo, too? He didn't appear to be tired at all.

I gave him a scowl. "Do you carry girls like they're weightless all the time?"

Over his shoulder, he grinned. "Only those who enjoy it."

Heat rose to my cheeks. I was enraged. irritated. and perplexed. Mostly perplexed.

"What are you confused about?" he teased gently. "You have red cheeks. Do you feel ashamed?

"Stop talking. I don't feel ashamed! I retaliated by spitting.

"Sure, sure," he said in a low voice. "Remind yourself of that constantly. And you're trembling, Avery. Recognize it. You found it enjoyable.

I wanted to give him a slap. Give him a punch. Something. "I didn't enjoy it!"

"So why do you smell like that?" Mateo said, grinning broadly.

I took a swallow. He was well aware of his actions.

"I don't like wolves. Alphas. I forced myself to believe it as I gritted my teeth and said, "Nothing like you."

With a menacing purr, he uttered, "And yet, here you are."

I balled my fists. The surrounding forest became hazy. Each tree appeared to be a cage. Threats were whispered by every shadow. Mateo, too? Like a predator, he was composed, in command, and incredibly amused.

"You believe you can frighten me?" I asked, attempting to cover up my fear with rage.

His lips were near my ear as he leaned slightly. "Avery, I don't frighten you. I thrill you.

My chest constricted. I felt weak in my legs. I attempted to push him in order to get away from the intimacy, but he was too strong.

I muttered, "You are insane," but more than my accusation, my voice betrayed my incredulity.

Are you crazy? Perhaps. However, I am aware of my desires," he remarked.

I tugged at his shoulder and growled, "What you want is not me."

He smirked and said, "Isn't it?"

I froze. How did he always make me question who I was? Every laugh, every touch, every word made my mind race.

"Stop doing that," I uttered in a barely audible whisper.

"What are you doing?" Mateo's hand remained on my waist as he asked naively.

"Making me feel... things," I said, my heart pounding.

"Things?" he asked in jest. "Avery, I believe you enjoy it. Avoid fighting it. Not with me.

I attempted to back away, but my body froze as he leaned in closer. My gut told me to flee, but my instincts? conflicted. Inquisitive. tempted.

"You can't just—" I began.

Mateo interrupted, grinning broadly, "Oh, I can." "And I will. If you allow me to.

My heart was pounding. I screamed to push him away with every warning I had shouted inside of me. Every sensible thought told me to flee. However, I paused because of something more profound, unfamiliar, and dangerous.

Mateo's presence pressed in like a storm from which I was unable to flee, and the surrounding forest seemed closer and smaller.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to yell. I desired to engage in combat. However, my body? frozen. My thoughts? Broken.

Mateo said, "You are mine tonight, Avery," in a low, menacing whisper in my ear just as I was about to break free. You will also discover what it means to be alive.

I gave a gasp. My hands shuddered. My legs trembled. My heart felt like it might explode.

Then I asked myself, "How did I get myself into this mess?" More importantly, would I survive?

The shadows whispered threats as the forest appeared to lean closer. Mateo's hold was terrifying, firm, and uncompromising.

And I shivered when I realized that everything could change tonight.

Had I already lost control, or would I be able to withstand what lay ahead?