Page 26 of X-Clan The Origin

Riley had to be exhausted, especially if she was going into heat.

I needed to find her before she truly injured herself. Omegas weren’t necessarily fragile; they were just small. But Riley hadn’t been taking proper care of her wolf. That much had been evident by her shift alone.

I just hadn’t realized the extent of the damage until her scent had changed.

Fucking suppressants.

At least it answered a lot of questions.

Although, it inspired several more.

Come out, come out, wherever you are,I thought, scanning the area by the water’s edge.

My wolf could sense her nearby. She hadn’t continued moving. She’d stayed by the water, perhaps even in it, to mask her scent.

Which meant she was hiding somewhere.

Such a smart little wolf,I mused. My beast seemed pleased as well, his instincts inspired by the hunt.

He saw this as a test. A way to prove his worth as a potential mate.

Our animals never allowed emotions or external factors to play into a decision. When my wolf wanted something, he took it.

And right now, he wanted Riley.

I wouldn’t let him outright claim her, but I’d give him some freedom to seduce her wolf.

Then I’d purr for her when she accepted my beast.

Assuming Riley’s penchant for disobedience didn’t interfere with the courting ritual.

It’s Riley. Of course she’ll rebel.

I almost snorted.

But then another thought occurred to me.

One that soured my stomach.

Is this why she’s always been rude to me? Because I’m an X-Clan Alpha? Has it all been her way of telling me she doesn’t consider me worthy of her?

My wolf snorted in disagreement, clearly aware of the doubt trickling through my mind. He didn’t doubt a damn thing. He could smell the interest coming from her animal.

She wants us, he was saying.Now let’s find her and knot her.

I gave him the reins, allowing him to drive the hunt.

If Riley found me unworthy, it was because she hadn’t given me a chance to prove myself. So I’d let my wolf do the speaking for me through actions rather than words.

I’d never actively pursued a mate before. I’d been too busy acting as an enforcer for hire. Which had eventually led me to my position as Riley’s guard.

Was it fate? Maybe.

Or just a happenstance of our paths crossing.

Regardless, we would be discussing a future. Even if that future simply included me helping her through this estrus. Because she would need a knot soon and mine was the only one readily available.

No Kieran here to play with, little one,I thought, satisfied. Because I’d seen their little flirtatious smiles and the way he’d made her laugh.