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W hen the fuck is this beta gonna sleep? He’s been at this for hours. Moving boxes from one tent to the other. Bobbing his head along to whatever is playing through his headphones. He’s gotta stop sometime, right?

I’m hunched behind a wood crate, on the edge of the main portion of the site, with a clear line of sight to the big tent as well as the smaller one the beta keeps taking things to. The first fucking thing he took to the smaller tent was the radar I need. I almost got caught sneaking in once already, but had to bail when he came back almost immediately. That’s when I figured out he’s moving things. He’s clearly not an alpha, but the guy has impressive stamina for a beta. And a pretty nice ass, too.

He shuffles another box into the smaller tent, but this time he doesn’t come out. I wait. My nose itches. Fuck, I want to get out of here. The sun will start coming up soon, and then this place will be crawling with people again.

I sneak around to the back of the tent and listen. Nothing. Is he sleeping in there? This is a work tent. He’s got all the equipment—including the fucking radar—in there. There’s no room for a cot.

As carefully as possible, I slip around the front and peek inside. He’s hunched over, unwrapping a microscope from one of the many boxes scattered around him. Is he planning to unpack tonight, too?

Yeah, no. I’m out. I’ll have to try again tomorrow night.

Slinking back into the shadows, I creep to the edges of camp, back the way I came. But there’s a tug in my gut. That sixth sense I have, telling me there’s something good nearby.

Hmm, yeah there is.

Her tent is one of the last before the perimeter, a little farther away from the others. Probably a precaution because she’s an omega. It’s clear this is a scent-free dig. So whoever is paranoid about basic biology probably put the omega there so no one would catch a whiff between her blocker doses.

The need to catch her scent drives me straight to her tent. It’s dark. Closed up. Silent. There are no footsteps from the patrol, and I can’t see the beams of light from their flashlights. Now’s as good a time as any.

My hand shakes as I pull back the tent flap. There’s a sense in my gut that I’m about to do something irreversible. I step inside.

I shouldn’t be here .

The thought shoots a thrill of adrenaline into my blood.

Starting with the creamy skin of her thighs, I take my time soaking in every detail. She’s curled on her side on the narrow cot. Those skimpy sleep shorts have ridden up, giving me a glimpse of the curve of her ass. Fuck, what a biteable ass. Maybe that’s where I’ll put my bond mark. Then I can admire it when I’m fucking her from behind. There’s no question in my mind that I’m gonna bond this woman eventually. Even without scenting her, I just know .

A sliver of soft belly peeks out from the hem of her tank top, but the creamy skin is overshadowed by her tempting tits. Damn, maybe my bite should sit right on top of one of them so I can paint it with my cum after she sucks me off. Decisions, decisions.

There’s no scent lingering in the tent. I pick up a shirt discarded over the back of the lone chair and bring it to my nose. Nope.

Like a dart to a bullseye, I step closer, bend down, and sniff. Scent blockers only last about twenty-four hours, less in the heat, and I’ve got a good nose, better than most.

She smells like… something. It’s too subtle. I can’t make it out. Moving closer, I hover my nose above her neck where her scent gland lies.

The world tilts on its axis, and I’m suddenly drunk. Elderflower and rose hips with a touch of something citrus. Light and fresh, slightly botanical. Delicious. I want to drink her down and never stop. I’ve been thirsty my whole life and didn’t even realize it. “Fuuuuck. ”

She stirs.

I don’t want to leave. This is my mate. My scent match. I suspected when I first saw her, and now it’s more than confirmed. She’s mine.

I could stay. She’ll know the second she scents me, and she’ll want me, too. Right?

That niggle of doubt drives me to take a step back.

It’s not time yet. I’ve got work to do before I’m ready for her. Right now, I need to get out of here. But every step away feels like torture.

I’ll come back soon. I have to.