Page 44 of Omega's Fever

One moment I’m sitting on the park bench with Kao, the next, Kellen explodes out of my building like he’s being chased by demons.

Even from across the street, I can see the fury in his dark eyes.

“Get inside!” His voice carries across the street, rough and commanding. “Now!”

My body reacts before my brain catches up. I’m already standing, heart hammering against my ribs. Beside me, Kao grips my arm. The teasing from minutes ago completely evaporates.

Kellen skids to a stop in front of us, barefoot on the cold pavement. The t-shirt I bought him yesterday clings to muscles that bunch and flex with barely contained energy.

“Inside,” he growls again. “Both of you. Now.”

I’ve never seen him like this. Even during our encounter in the courthouse interview room, when desire overwhelmed us both, he maintained a certain control. This is different. This is an alpha protecting what his territory. The primitive part of my brain recognizes it and floods my body with terror.

His eyes are locked on something behind me with the focused intensity of prey spotting a predator.

I start to turn, needing to see what’s put that look on his face, but his hand shoots out. His fingers wrap around my shoulder—not painful, but firm enough to root me in place. The heat of his palm burns through my jacket.

“Don’t look. Just move.” His voice drops low, controlled despite the wildness bleeding from every pore. “Both of you. Inside. Now.”

We start toward the building, my legs feeling disconnected from my body. Then I hear it—a whistle. Low and casual, the sound slithers down my spine like ice water.

Kellen’s fingers spasm against my shoulder, just for a moment.

“Keep walking.” Kellen says steadily.

But I can’t help myself. Some self-destructive impulse makes me glance back, needing to put a face to that voice.

The alpha from the supermarket sits on a bench around fifty yards behind the one where Kao and I were just sitting, lounging like he owns the entire park.

He raises his hand in a casual wave, fingers wiggling in a mockery of friendliness. My blood crystallizes in my veins.

I dash across the street, faster than I’ve ever moved before. Kellen stays behind us watching our backs.

The doorman’s eyes go wide as we burst through the lobby, but I don’t stop to offer explanations or apologies.

We bundle into the elevator and Kellen presses the button, then stands in front of us blocking whatever threat he thinks may be out there.

The doors close too slowly and then we are stuck in the tiny space with the great hulk of my alpha.

Kao looks at me wide-eyed. I can tell that he wants to make a joke to lighten the mood but he’s still not sure what’s happening.

Kellen’s scent fills the small space with cedar and adrenaline.

The moment we’re inside my apartment, Kellen shoves the dresser back against the door. The heavy wood scrapes across my hardwood floors, leaving marks. Right now, I can’t bring myself to care.

“What the hell was that about?” Kao demands, but his voiceshakes slightly. He’s trying to maintain his composure, but he’s rattled.

Kellen doesn’t answer immediately. He moves through my apartment, checking everything. His bare feet make no sound on the floor.

I watch him move and feel that now-familiar tightness in my chest. This is what he was doing last night while I slept. Creating a fortress out of my apartment.

The apartment is dim, all the light blocked. Kao and I just stand there and wait helplessly while Kellen finishes prowling.

Finally, the big alpha comes back into the living room. He stands at an angle to the window, then moves the drape a fraction of an inch to look out. Then he frowns and moves back, but the tension in his shoulders relaxes.

“Have you got someone who can escort you home?” Kellen asks Kao without turning around. “An alpha you trust. More than one if you can.”

Kao exchanges a glance with me.