ca

up to

The kind that lets your mind start imagining worst-

sn't in

and safety-clung to the blankets like an invisible shield. But the longer I s

room in a borrowed laundry basket, twitching in her sleep. I tugged Tyler's hoodie tighte

e was lo

kitchen doorway, hidi

't know wh

us

sure it's

her

not telling her until I f

. I pressed my b

hre

d then he said something t

inks. If they come near her, t

into the

o his ear. His eyes widened slightly when he saw

thing I should

esit

," I added

ne sent a message this morning. Anony

wisted. "Wha

ook I reserved for professors who tried

.. you're marked. And

of the kitchen c

watching you. Watching us. And they wa

y voice cracked. "I

you are. An unclaimed omega. Close to a high-

d. "Is this abo

ot

ilence for

d, "So wha

ntly. "We stay ahead of it. I'll talk to Coach Aster today, f

"You want m

t you

stled. "I'm

"No. You're not. Bu

argue, to insist I could handle myself, but deep d

ctures? That was

ecrecy, dominance p

his forehead to mine. "I won'

s coiling tighter in my stoma

t with two bags of takeaway, a smug grin, and a

t her in. "You're brave, coming

d on the table. "Besides, you nearly knocked my best fr

ed. "Fai

couch with my noodles. "Lex, this isn'

ately. "I know. Tyler c

ked. "

ing on in case something happened." She looked at me, seriou

ted. The

beside me. "Okay. Then

ossed, watching us like we were some p

Aster. See who's poking around. You two don'

ed him. "Sir

and turned to me. "

st before he stepped out, he

e afraid

w to explain tha

iving room while I

he muttered, eyeing m

m n

written all o

and leaned back. "What

're

ague. This? Us? My stupid heat instin

lpha. He made his choice. And you sweetheart you're not a burden. You're t

ked a

he said softly. "He's differe

I didn't ask f

the universe doesn't ask what we want.

respond.

me already kne

came this time,

was e

hrough the peephole. "It's just a

pen it,"

lready unlock

exi

nked i

ly stepped forward, shoved somethi

ooked

an en

ess. No

word on t

IC

ht it over, both of us starin

ng it," I

ri

ed to

he flap ba

a single sh

pe

u think he is. If you don't walk away, you

igna

n

a t

at me. "What

ok as I rea

ag

luff? A sc

who actually knew

rom earlier ech

re m

enly, I

painted right betwee

n one hand, fists clenched. "They just sent me something too,

d turne

you, Erica. They