Chapter 5

Five

REED

My jaw was locked so damn tight that I thought it might crack. And here I thought I’d already been fucked enough, but now? Another scent match. What the hell was the universe thinking? I pushed into Cane’s room, dragging Jean along behind me, and it took everything to not just throw her into a closet and lock her in there.

It would be so much easier than having to deal with this fucking hormonal bullshit that was making me hard as a damn diamond. Scent matches were just pheromones locking onto each other, though, and as badly as I wanted to fuck Jean, I knew that was a stupid fucking thing to do.

Cane was Alpha, and he’d matched her as well. Because, again, apparently, the universe had a sick fucking sense of humor. It had already pulled a fast one, making me match with not only the Alpha of the family that I’d been with since birth but also with the rare male omega who’d joined right when Cane took over because he was escaping a bad situation.

And now his fucking wife, too. Christ.

The closet was out, however. Cane would be upset that I’d stowed his cargo so unceremoniously, which really was too bad. I liked the idea of her crying out through the door, all riled up because I wouldn’t let her out. It would just be too much fun, determining when and if I allowed her things, hearing her beg me for freedom, watching her sleep on the damn floor like an–

“What are we supposed to do in here? Just wait for Cane to come back? And then what?” Jean held up her hand. “And a little head’s up about this would have been appreciated.”

I was grateful for the interruption of my thoughts, and that one made me smirk. The ring had been Cane’s last-minute idea, and it was supposed to be there to remind Jean who she belonged to, thanks to this little “arrangement.”

I had a feeling that now that they’d scent-matched, Cane was getting a particular kick out of it. He was a possessive bastard at the best of times, and I’d been around for several unique jewelry pieces Cane used on Kai. He even had a similar ring, which Cane had given to him in a private “ceremony” between just the three of us.

Because we’re all matches, and I was content for it to stay that way. But oh, no. Can’t have that.

My body itched to move, and I stalked across the room to the small wet bar Cane had set off in the corner. The ridiculous golden thing was a part of his father’s decor choices, and Cane had yet to update the house. It was a silly thing to be concerned with. I knew that well enough, what with all the attempts on his life and the constant threat of a deal gone wrong.

Still, seeing the gold hit the curb would be so fucking nice.

“Yes.”

It’s all I offered her, and Jean raised her brows at me as I turned from the bar with a massive pour of whiskey in a rocks glass.

“Yes? That’s it?” She eyed me, her jaw working as she ran her gaze up and down. “It’s Reed, correct?”

I just nodded.

“Well, Reed, no one will tell me what exactly happens next. I don’t like it. Being in the dark isn’t my forte.”

Crossing the room, I pushed past Jean to sit on the low couch beneath the window. I wasn’t interested in having a conversation with her–or anyone for that matter–and Cane would be back soon enough with Kai. They could have a nice long chat then, and our grumpy Alpha could determine what he wanted to do about the scent match.

“You have to say something. Seriously? Aren’t I your Queen?” She scoffed, rolling those pretty hazel eyes, and holy fuck, did I want to snatch her hair in my grip and yank her down for that bratty attitude of hers. “Fine. Whatever. I’m grabbing a drink.”

The click on her heels on the marble floor was like a damned ticking bomb, and I gripped my glass, threatening to crush it. With her back to me, I raked my stare across her, admiring the revealing cutouts in her gown and thinking fondly about tearing those fucking buttons free.

Reed, stop it. Come on.

I had to stop the low growl that rumbled up through me when she cocked her hip and took a long drink. She sighed, her head falling back as she enjoyed the whiskey, and the noise went straight to my dick. I forced myself to refocus, facing straight in front of me and going right back to clenching my jaw.

But then Jean was standing in front of me, one hand on her hip as she held her drink up with the other.

“When will they be back? Can you at least tell me that?”

Exhaling, I glared up at her, holding her eyes while I took my time enjoying my own scotch. After several moments of nothing, Jean scowled all the harder. She blinked, rolling her lips between her teeth as she took a step forward.

As graceful as a dancer, Jean’s arm wrapped around her waist, her other elbow resting on first as she still clutched her glass.

“Reed.”

Just my name, but there was this little threat to the sound of her voice–like Jean was used to using her position to get answers. I smirked, dark hunger growing in the pit of my belly. She was a brave woman for several reasons, not the least of which was living with her father for that long, and I admired the fact that she was willing to join the Cartalgas to protect her family.

But Jean was fucking suicidal if she really thought antagonizing me was a good idea.

I stood up from the couch, leaving my glass on the small table to the side. As I stalked up to her, that delicious scent of saffron and roses, incense, and something sweet and juicy drilled through my senses, needling my brain with the intensity of an electric shock. I didn't stop until I was inches from Jean, slipping around behind her.

The tinkling of ice hitting glass sounded as Jean’s hand trembled slightly, and I watched–so very pleased–as goosebumps rippled over her skin. Her breathing was shallow, and a warmth bloomed from her skin that made me desperate to plunge my cock into every opening she had.

“Don’t toy with me, Princess.” I leaned in, lowering my nose to the soft brown waves pinned to the top of her head and breathing deeply. “You won’t like the outcome.”

Jean shivered, and all I could do was grin, still burying my nose in her hair as I invaded her space. That scent was just too damn much, though. I would never get enough.

Fucking omega. Making me so damn crazy.

It was similar to what Kai’s scent did to me, which made sense, considering he was a male omega. The little shit was irresistible when he wanted to be, and he knew it, working all his charm to tease Cane and me constantly.

And Cane was no slouch in the desirable department. Scenting an Alpha…well, it did something to any beta, and while I’d always been able to resist him more than others, it never lasted long. We were mates, after all, all three of us.

All four now.

I tried to shake the thought away, but it was a futile battle. Scent matches were permanent, rare as hell, but unbreakable once established. I only hoped that I’d be able to keep my distance a little more from her. Female omegas were different, and I had trouble believing that Cane would want to share this time.

“How are you doing that?” Jean’s voice came out breathy and pained, and I couldn’t stop myself from grazing my fingertips up her arm.

“Doing what?”

The words came out darker than I wanted, and I internally barked at myself for being fucking stupid right now. What are you doing, Reed? Have you lost your damn mind?

Jean quivered against me, sharply pulling me from my thoughts and right back into the reality where her curvaceous body was deliciously pliable against my own.

“You don’t smell like vanilla. Your scent…”

I couldn’t stop the chuckle that bubbled out of me, rumbling through my chest on what I would not admit was a low purr.

“Oh, and what do I smell like? Hmm, princess?” I gripped her upper arms roughly, but Jean didn’t pull away like I’d half expected, half wanted. “Because, according to everyone else, it’s just the scent of death on their doorstep.”

She hissed in a breath as my punishing hold on her turned bruising. The slight buckle to her knees was perfection, and my cock throbbed behind the zipper of these fucking dress slacks. I loved the delectable way she crumbled just a bit in my hands, the aroma of her fear tinging her luscious scent.

I ate up her fear like dessert, my senses blowing apart and refocusing on her each moment that she took my pain so beautifully.

“L-leather,” Jean squeaked out, pulling against me just enough that her ass shoved back against my erection. “And, and…wood and something…s-sweet but spicy, dangerously spicy.”

Goddamn, she was a stuttering mess, and I was enjoying every evil second of it. I wanted her terrified and dripping with slick. I wanted to look into those hazel eyes as they overflowed with tears, my cock rammed down the back of her throat.

And the thing was, I knew she wanted it too.

I could smell how aroused she was, the deep, musky scent of lust blooming as her scent flooded the air around us. I imagined stuffing my mouth between her thighs and licking up all that delicious honey, imagined tasting her heat on my tongue, imagined bathing my cock in her cum…

“Dangerous? No doubt, princess.” I growled in her ear, rubbing myself against her as I dragged one hand up to her throat and gripped hard. “But you love that, don’t you?”

Her scent flared, and Jean whimpered, struggling to nod against my hand.

Click .

The door to the room opened, and shit, I’d completely lost my damn head. I should have heard Cane coming back with Kai, but I was too damn wrapped up in everything that was Jean.

“Well, well,” Cane drawled, and I fought to turn my head toward him, still unable to release Jean’s throat.

“And you were worried she wouldn’t go into heat for you,” Kai smirked, already pulling off his suit jacket and heading across the room toward us. “I think our new Queen will be just fine.”