Chapter 1

Two Months Later

One of the major upsides of my job is that everyone is young. The other servers and cooks are always up for going out after a long shift.

Darkside is only a block away from the restaurant, and it's one of the hottest clubs in Chicago.

Since finally getting the nerve to break up with Will, I've been out a few times, and I always tell myself that I'm going to be brave and approach someone, even if no one comes to introduce themselves to me.

I'm zero for three on actually doing that, but I have high hopes for tonight.

I stick close to Courtney and Steff, since I know them the best.

There are so many bodies and scents all crammed together that it doesn't take long for my senses to get overwhelmed, which leads me to the bar for a fruity drink I immediately forget the name of.

With so many people around, I get hot fast. My nose guides me to follow whiffs of a scent to a smoking-hot alpha, who asks me to dance with only a bit of flirty lash batting.

"Do you want another drink?" he asks after the third song.

"I've been looking everywhere for you," Steff says, grabbing my arm. "Come on. Court got us into VIP."

I would never spend extra money just to go upstairs, but this place is packed.

"Can I bring…" I frown, looking up at the alpha.

"Mike," he says, nodding with a wide smile on his face.

"Well, I'm certainly not going to leave you down here without supervision." Steff laughs. "Let's go."

Mike places his hand in mine and drags me along as we follow Steff to meet Courtney near the stairs. It would be nice if he could move the people out of my way, rather than dragging me into them.

I ignore it because there are a ton of people. We get to the stairs and make our way up to the next level with a couple of guys who were waiting with Courtney.

The VIP area is smaller and more subdued than downstairs, which initially seems nice. Until I spot Will at one of the curved booths. Locke stands at the end of the table, leaning against the wall and looking like he's assessing for threats.

I'm not a threat.

Clearly.

However, my heart drops into my stomach when I see Kennedy, one of the girls I came with from work. She's all over Will, and he seems totally into it.

It's totally fine.

Or it should be.

It shouldn't bother me a bit.

Except, it kind of does.

It's even worse because I've heard rumors he was cheating on me before we broke up. It would have been nice if everyone at work could have warned me while we were together. It took until the other servers heard we broke up for the stories of his infidelity to make their way to me.

My thumbs run over my palm as I try to keep from fidgeting at the sight. My shoulders bounce one by one as I try to literally shrug off the discomfort. I've done a lot of research as an adult, and I know it's a form of stimming, especially when it feels like a compulsive act like it does right now.

My primary care doctor agreed that I likely have some form of ADHD to go along with my OCD, but she referred me to a specialist who would have to make the formal diagnosis. Unfortunately, it was like a two-year wait to be seen when I set up the appointment.

My toes curl and unfurl as I try to force myself to look away from Kennedy and Will.

His response to my breakup text was okay. He didn't even apologize for the incident that morning when I was leaving his penthouse.

If I had his stupid spare key with me, I'd return it right now, just to be done. Except, I wouldn't hand it to him, because he's busy sucking face with Kennedy.

I'd give it to Locke, but only from a safe distance to ensure I didn't get smacked with his delicious smell.

My cheeks feel warm as I recall the multitude of sex dreams I've had involving him over the last few months. They always end with me waking up, swearing I can smell his scent.

They're so intense and realistic that I'm not sure I can look him in the eyes ever again. Not that I would need to. We don't interact anymore without Will to bring us together.

Mike smells nice, and yet, it's nothing compared to the way my mouth waters when my brain helpfully replays how Locke's scent physically affected my body as he held me to his chest that morning.

I'm pretty sure my suppressants are starting to fail. I've never been alpha obsessed before, but I'm starting to act noticeably out of character.

"Want to grab that drink we missed out on downstairs?" Mike asks, pulling me to him with a hand on my hip.

Music pounds through the speakers as his deep chestnut scent hits my nose.

I smile, focusing fully on him. "Yeah, let's do it."

If I'm stuck in the past, then I'll never be able to see what the future holds.

There's a slight possibility I'm tipsy as I let Mike lead me down the back hallway toward the restrooms. My only defense is my impulses are obsessed with his scent, and he's got nice muscles under that long-sleeve T-shirt.

"Men's or women's?" he asks, palming my ass.

This might qualify as out of character for me, but I feel like I deserve to have some fun.

I've waited out my rebound period.

I'm single.

I should be able to randomly hook up if I want to.

I shrug. "Women's? I don't know. Don't men's bathrooms smell like pee?"

"Good point." He laughs good-naturedly, and my hormones are fully in control, based on how I shiver in response. His forearm pushes against the door, and he holds it open, giving me a small shove inside.

I stumble, but he grabs my hips and somehow manages to turn me around in one smooth move.

Huh.

I guess he's got more coordination than I possess.

My back hits the wall next to the door, and I briefly wonder if he's going to move us to a stall.

I don't get the chance to ask as he bends low, shoving his mouth to mine. His scent calms my instincts, but something about the way he attacks my mouth really isn't doing it for me. Taking a deep breath, I try to settle in and give him a chance to do the same.

Not every kiss has to be a perfect kiss, right? Okay, maybe not perfect, but it should be sensual and arousing, at the very least.

I give Mike a small shove, using my hand on his chest, but he doesn't give me any space.

I try again, and he fails to take the hint.

Bringing my other hand to his stomach, I push one last time. When he doesn't move, I bite his lower lip.

He growls, like he's not getting what I'm putting out, so I bite harder while trying to shove him away.

He's a freaking tank, and he's either purposely oblivious, or he just doesn't care that I'm no longer interested. I raise my heel and bring it down on the top of his shoe, wiggling with my entire body weight.

He releases a growl that doesn't sound friendly as I try to duck under his arm.

My panic rises as I make it just past him, only to have him grip my wrist and yank me to face him once more.

I don't know what happens after that, because it's behind me. However, it sounds like someone slams the restroom door open.

My insides light up.

Will must have seen me.

I twist just in time to see Locke's fist fly at Mike's face as his other arm wraps around my lower back.

"You do understand that consent can be revoked at any time, right, dickface?" Locke growls. He lifts me in the air and pulls me several feet away before dropping me back to the ground.

Before I can blink, his forearm is against Mike's throat as he pins him to the wall.

"His name is Mike," I say, frowning.

I have no idea why I just said that.

Locke gets very close to Mike's ear and growls something I can't make out.

My heart races, catching sight of his jacket hanging open as he spins to face me. He's wearing a harness with two guns—one under each arm.

The look on his face is a little intimidating.

I stumble backward without meaning to.

Mike chooses that moment to take a swing at Locke.

Locke raises a forearm, blocking the shot and spinning. His right fist slams into Mike's jaw in a vicious hit that seems to knock him out.

Mike slumps to the floor as I continue backing away.

I'm unsure why it feels like I did something wrong.

Locke curses under his breath. He swipes his shoulder-length dark hair back from his face with his thumbs as he approaches. And all I can focus on is the black tattoos lining the tops of his hands and even his fingers. "You're a menace. Omegas aren't supposed to be out and about so close to their heat."

My forehead wrinkles. "I'm on suppressants, and I'm not supposed to start a new pack for close to a month."

"Your suppressants royally fucking suck," he growls. His fingers wrap in mine, and I'm a little transfixed by how his veins stick out on the top of his hand.

Now I can't stop wondering if he has veiny forearms too. A dozen sexy flashes of dirty snippets from my dreams play on repeat in my mind.

My vision gets hazy, and I suck in a sharp breath. My gaze flies up to meet his as my pheromones flood the air.

"Uh-oh."

"Yeah," he agrees, tugging me toward the door. "Fucking uh-oh. You're a goddamn mess." His words might hurt my feelings if the look on his face wasn't pure sexual heat.

"I swear to fuck, if you don't stop wiggling all over my lap, I'm going to spank your ass," Locke growls, tightening his arm around my middle as the cab drives us toward my apartment.

"Just because Mike was a terrible kisser, and a generally awful human being, doesn't mean there weren't other options somewhere in Darkside," I huff, trying to pry his fingers free of my hip.

"You're a fucking disaster." He tightens his hold, getting very close to my ear. "Careful, kitten. I don't say things I don't mean. Keep trying my patience."

There's no reason why his words should feel like a challenge, but my body sure takes them that way. Goose bumps break down my arms as his fingers flex on my middle.

The scent of my arousal gets even stronger, and my cheeks heat. "I could have gotten home just fine on my own."

"With a line of half-feral alphas following behind you? Yeah, sure," he growls. The warm heat of his breath fans over my neck, and it makes my nipples tighten. "You could have gotten home maybe. That's being generous, but you wouldn't have been safe."

What the hell is wrong with me?

Why am I not recognizing the obvious threat?

"Well, it's a good thing for both of us that you aren't affected by scent."

"Not a bit," he lies, flattening his hand on my thigh. The movement pushes my panties down over his jeans and, eventually, his hard shaft. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from moaning.

And he thinks I'm a menace?

Dear God.

That massive bulge is bad for my self-control.

"Oh, hell no!" I shriek as Locke tries to walk us into the tiny elevator in my building. The thing is a death trap. "No. Thank you, but no way. You got me home safely. I can make it up those six floors on my own."

Locke sighs like an old man, tightening his grip as he carries me like a bride. "You're beautiful, but a total and complete pain in the ass."

"Thank you." My face wallows around his muscular chest, trying to find where his citrusy scent is the strongest.

He barks a laugh, and I tilt my face up to see his.

I'm not sure why it feels like such a massive accomplishment to make him laugh, but it really does.

Maybe it feels so monumental because I've never seen him smile before.

Dark stubble lines his strong jaw, and I ache to run my fingers over it. I bet it's scratchy. Beards tickle, but stubble scratches, and I can only imagine how it would feel trailing down my stomach.

Holy crap.

My pheromones pulse in the air, and I'm pretty sure that gives away what I was thinking. It's unsettling because my hormones have never been this out of control while taking suppressants, but they have become less and less effective as time goes on.

My eyes clench closed as I snuggle into his chest. His scent is enough to both settle my anxiety and entice my system. It's an unnatural combination.

"Which unit?" Locke asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Third door down on the right."

He strides us forward while I yank off my small crossbody purse. I barely get my key out before he snags it from my grip and takes care of the locks. He twists the handle and pops the door open with his foot before placing me on my feet.

I can't see my own face to tell, but I'm pretty sure there's a pout covering it. I don't generally pout, but it feels strangely like a rejection. If he wanted to make good on his promises, he'd carry me inside and have his way with me.

"I have work to do. Try not to cause any more chaos tonight." His tattooed fingers brush over my cheek. "Can you do that for me, kitten?"

I shrug, trying with every ounce of my being to look unaffected. "I'm tired, anyway."

I step over his foot to get inside my apartment as Locke chuckles.

He grabs my wrist, but his touch is gentle as he spins me to face him. "Get out your phone."

My forehead wrinkles as I study his dark eyes.

"I want to make sure you have my number if you need it."

My entire body lights up at his words, and I bite my lower lip as I dig my phone out of my bag.