Page 6

"My what?"

"The cure for the Crimson Plague." He takes a step closer, and I press myself harder against the wall. "I know you're working on it."

"How do you…"

"I'm the Alpha of the Stonefang pack," he interrupts. "We've lost twenty people to the virus already."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Well, you're about twelve hours too late. My funding was just cut, and I've been strong-armed to work for Blackthorn Biotech. So, if you want to talk about my research, you'll have to take it up with Evan Blackthorn."

"My cousin Mara is infected," he continues. "She doesn't have much time. I need to put an end to the transmission before I lose anyone else."

The desperation in his voice catches me off guard. I've been so wrapped up in the science, in the molecules and mutations, that sometimes I forget there are actual lives at stake.

I sigh, suddenly exhausted. "Look, I haven't found a cure. I was making progress, but then my funding was cut, my lab wasransacked, and now you're in my apartment giving me a mini heart attack. Nothing has gone right since I started researching this virus."

"You're my only hope," he says quietly.

Something inside me bristles at his words. "I hate that phrase. 'Only hope.' It's melodramatic and puts unfair pressure on people."

"It's the truth." His eyes flash with anger, and he suddenly slams his fist into the wall beside me, making me jump. "You think I want to be here? Begging a human for help? My people are dying!"

The impact leaves a dent in my drywall, and I should be terrified, but something else is happening to me. A musky, wild scent like sand after rain floods my senses, and it overwhelms everything else.

Heat crawls up my spine, spreading through my body like wildfire. My skin prickles, and suddenly I'm burning up from the inside out.

"Are you…" I gasp, doubling over as a cramp seizes my abdomen. "What's happening to me?"

Onyx's anger vanishes, replaced by shock. He stares at me as his nostrils flare. "No," he whispers. "It can't be."

"Don't come near me," I manage to say, pressing a hand against the wall to steady myself. My legs feel wobbly, and there's a pulsing ache building between my thighs. "Don't come near me."

But he does the opposite. He walks closer to me; his eyes never leave mine. "When did this start?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I pant. Sweat beads on my forehead, and my clothes feel too tight, too rough against my hypersensitive skin.

He reaches out slowly, and I should slap his hand away, but when his palm touches my cheek, I can't help leaning into it. His skin is blissfully cool against my burning face.

"Fuck," he swears softly. Then he leans in, his nose skimming the side of my neck, inhaling deeply.

A growl like an actual growl rumble from his chest, vibrating against me where our bodies nearly touch. The sound sends a jolt of pure need straight to my core, and I bite my lip to keep from moaning.

"Impossible," he whispers against my skin. "After all this time..."

"What?" I ask, my voice barely audible. "What's happening to me?"

"You're an Omega," he says, his voice thick with disbelief. "A dormant Omega who's just woken up."

Chapter 3 - Onyx

Ican't fucking believe what's happening. Her scent hits me like a truck—sweet and ripe, like summer fruit ready to be devoured. My wolf claws at my insides, demanding I claim her right here against the wall.

Dahlia's eyes widen. "What? No, that's not possible. I'm human. I've always been human."

"Apparently, you're not." I take a step back, trying to create distance between us before I do something I'll regret. "Your body is changing. I can smell it."

She slides down the wall until she's sitting on the floor, then she wraps her arms around her knees.

"What's happening to me?" Her voice shakes and sweat beads along her hairline.