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I laughed and followed him around the marketplace. I made a mental note to drag the entire pack here. Ember would pop around like a pixie and grab random ingredients for Alejandro. Ben could feel and smell the produce without feeling self-conscious, and West and I could make dry commentary on everyone.

My mind churned at the idea of writing a crappy song outside of my normal methods just for the hell of it. I could do that. It wasn’t like my current way of browbeating myself was actually working. If I wrote something and it veered way into melodrama, well, that was my brain’s own fault for not letting me write something more normal.

I told Alejandro I was going to check out the bread and pies, thinking we could bring some treats home. I stared at the wooden shelf filled with cherry, apple, strawberry rhubarb, and other pies. Another shelf had banana, pumpkin, zucchini, and lemon poppyseed breads.

“Hey, omega.” A gruff voice next to me brought with it the scent of motor oil and leather. “You smell sweet.”

I looked to my side. A tall alpha with a goatee and an undercut was leering at me.

Inwardly I sighed. I did not receive as much attention in public as Ember did, but a portion of the population had a fetish for male omegas.

“I’m taken.” I pulled the collar of my shirt to the side, showing Ben’s bondmark. When Ben bonded me, he wanted to know where I wanted it, and I picked the most popular spot because I wanted everyone to know I belonged to him.

When I asked Alejandro for his bondmark, I wondered if I wanted it somewhere private or somewhere public. So I could show this asshole alpha two bondmarks.

“Always room for more.” He stepped closer into my space as I took a step back. The alpha was over six feet tall with wide shoulders and a physical presence that said he was used to using his body to get what he wanted.

“No, thank you,” I said, backing up almost into the side aisle. “My pack is full.” He had to have smelled my other packmates on me. Including Alejandro.

“Awww, come on.” He reached out for me, and Alejandro slipped between us. He grabbed the alpha’s hand and twisted it to the side.

The alpha yelped in pain, his face deepening into a scowl.

“He said no. Twice.” Alejandro’s voice was cold and commanding. My omega instincts immediately began to purr.

“Pretty boy, I could—” the alpha started, but Alejandro continued twisting the other alpha’s hand until he went white.

“If you don’t walk away right now, I will break every bone in your hand for daring to try to touch my omega,” my alpha said calmly. Like he was commenting on the weather.

The alpha took one look at Alejandro’s face and then nodded. “Fine, fine.”

Alejandro released him but stayed put and watched as the man glared at us both and then left.

He turned to me. I yanked him into a searing kiss, my cock rock-hard. It was a public place, but I didn’t care.

He met me, using his teeth and mouth and lips and tongue to claim me.

I pulled away, panting. I rubbed my cheek against his, scenting marking him again. “Can we go home now?”

“Yes,” he growled.

He paid for our food, and we loaded up the car. He drove, leaving me free to distract him. I ran my hands up his sides. “I’d say pull over and rail me in the car, but I want to be knotted.”

Alejandro hissed and increased the speed.

“You’re so laid-back.” I kissed his free hand. “Which I love. But it’s nice to see another side come out too.”

“No one is allowed to touch you. Except the pack.” He growled.

He pulled into the driveway and put the car in park before dragging me over to him and plunging his tongue into my mouth.

I moaned, raking my hands through his hair. He leaned over the seat, using his body weight to make me feel enclosed.

I dragged him out of the car with a whimper, and we made it as far as my nest before he pounced. I tore off his shirt, running my hands up his chest with a sigh. I licked a trail, and he sighed. “You are maddening. Your scent drives me insane.”

I shoved my hair out of my face. “I can say the same thing about you. I have never wanted so many tropical fruits in my entire life.”

I pushed him onto his back, rubbing his cock through his pants.