Page 165 of Bred

"Lily?" Rowan called out.

The pantry door was slightly ajar. I reached out to close it, then yipped as it whipped open. I burrowed deep into my nest, hiding my face.

"Omega." His voice was loud. He sounded angry. What did I do wrong? "Lily?" He sounded closer, his tone a bit softer but still scary. "Come out here."

I pulled my knees under my chin, curling into a tight ball. He wouldn't come in here. No decent alpha would enter an omega's nest without permission. In here,I was safe.

He sighed hard before speaking in a firm tone. "I don't like that you lied to me this morning. You said Dage did nothing to you, but that's a lie. Isn't it?"

I didn't move or speak, praying he'd go away.

"Did Dage hurt you? Did his son? You need to tell me what happened." His voice rose as his anger grew. "I can feel it in our bond, Lily. You're scared. Really scared. What kind of mate would I be if I let you stay this way? You have to let me fix it. Please, tell me what happened."

He wasn't forcing me to speak, but my wolf still pulled hard within me, begging me to answer my mate. Scared and conflicted, a soft whine left my lips.

"Omega," he whispered softer, clearly trying to tamp down his anger. "Please, don't make me order you," he begged.

I peeked over the edge of my blanket. Rowan stood in the doorway. His feet touched the edge of my nest, and I suddenly felt trapped. Fear gripped me hard, and my feet moved before I could stop myself. Scrambling on my hands and knees, I darted between his legs, then ran toward the front door as fast as I could. A big arm circled my waist, jerking me back.

"Let me go!" I begged, tears pouring down my face.

He spun me, forcing me against his big body. I raised my hand to hit his chest, but he grabbed my wrist, then squeezed.

All the air in my lungs whooshed out in one fierce breath.

The memory of that horrible day slammed into me at full force. The images that repeatedly haunted me in my sleep, kept me from leaving the house at night and kept me too scared to live a normal life, hit me like a rolling boulder to the gut.

Fierce red eyes.

Long sharp fangs.

Strong, angry hands.

His thick oaky scent.

It was all too much, and I screamed.

I screamed and cried, hitting at anything I could reach. I needed to run, to get away. He was going to hurt me.

Someone needed to help me!

My back was suddenly flush against soft blankets, a big body hovering over me. I tried to fight, but an enormous weight pressed into me, pinning me in place.

Then someone purred.

My mind raged, wanting so badly to scream and run and fight, but my pathetic body obeyed my alpha, and I felt limp against the plush fabric. "Help me," I mumbled, my mind still raging. "P-please, help." Hot tears leaking down the sides of my face.

"You're safe," Rowan whispered. The rolling purr that poured off him intensified.

My insides smoothed, and I took a deep breath. My mate's thick scent flooded my lungs, soaking into every pore. I felt sluggish, and my wolf was calm. For a brief moment, I couldn't remember why I was scared.

Rowan's soft lips brushed over my cheeks, lips, and eyelids. Even our bond flooded with his deep comforting presence. I relaxed as he gently pulled all the fear out of my body, bringing me back to him.

"It's okay," he said, his voice a gravelly purr. "I'm here, Lily. You're safe, my mate."

I nodded, unable to speak. My eyes grew heavy, my lids falling. I wanted to sleep. But before I could close my eyes, Rowan's mouth found its way to mine. He kissed me sweetly, then deeper. His tongue was so soft in my mouth, and his warm skin pressed against me. Slick gathered between my legs at having him so near.

Rowan's hands moved between us, undoing his belt as he continued to kiss me. Then big hands parted my knees, and he slipped his thick cock inside me. I grunted at the stretch, still sore.