Page 40 of Omega's Faith

"You're going into heat," I say bluntly.

His head snaps up. "What? No. That's not... it's not time."

"Stress can trigger it early. The wedding, the move, being around a compatible alpha..."

"I can't. Not now. Not with you."

The words sting more than they should. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"That's not what I meant—"

"Look," I cut him off, "you need to understand what's happening. Your body is preparing for... for mating. The fever, the disorientation, the heightened arousal—it's all normal."

"I know what heat is," he snaps. "I'm not a child."

"Do you? Because you seem pretty surprised by it."

His cheeks burn brighter. "I've had heats before."

"Alone," I guess. "Never with an alpha."

His silence is answer enough.

"It's different when you have an alpha," I continue, trying to be clinical about it even as his scent makes me want to pull the car over. "Especially a compatible one. The intensity is... significant. You'll need—"

"I don't need anything from you." The words come out sharp, defensive.

"No? So you're planning to lock yourself in the blue room for three days and suffer through it alone while I'm right down the hall?"

"If necessary."

"That's idiotic."

"It's my choice."

"Is it? Because from where I'm sitting, you don't even know what you're choosing. You've never experienced a heat with an alpha present. You have no idea what your body's going to demand."

"Then enlighten me,alpha," he says sarcastically. "Since you're such an expert."

The condescension in his tone makes my temper flare. "Fine.You want the truth? In about twelve hours, you're going to be so desperate you'll beg anyone to touch you. The fever will be so bad you'll feel like you're burning alive. Every nerve in your body will scream for an alpha's cock, and guess what? I'm the only alpha around."

He recoils like I've slapped him. "You're disgusting."

"I'm honest. Something you might try sometime instead of pretending you don't want me."

"I don't—"

"Bullshit. I can smell it on you. Have been able to since the wedding. You want me so bad it's eating you alive, but you're too proud or too scared to admit it."

"At least I'm not a drunk."

"At least I'm not a frigid prude who pushes away the only person trying to help him!"

We glare at each other across the back seat, both breathing hard. His scent is overwhelming now, honey and heat and fury all mixed together. My cock is so hard it hurts, and I can see his pupils are blown wide despite his anger.

"I hate you," he whispers.

"Good. Hold onto that when your heat hits properly. Maybe it'll keep you from doing something you'll regret."