Chapter 25

Lincoln

She didn’t have a clue. That much was obvious from the shock on her face.

She kept rereading the text over and over again. Concentrating so hard that a line appeared between her eyebrows.

“No way.” She shook her head , pushing the book away and leaving back on her chair. It was like she wanted to get as far away from it as she could. Like that would make a difference.

Hope couldn’t change what she was anymore than I could.

“You are an omega.” I nodded my head.

“But this says-“ yanking the book back to her, she scanned the words again. Her fingers trailed over the lines and I was mesmerised. I could so easily imagine how those fingers would feel running across the hard ridges of my body.

“Omegas are soft. Care givers, small and weak. That their only purpose in life is to -“ she frowned harder and her head snapped upwards to stare at me. “What the hell is a knot? I’ve heard other people mention it before and-“

“Next page.” I said quietly.

She flipped the page and gave a strangled cry. “No way.” She crossed her legs under the table and winced back. “That is what you have?” Her eyes raked over me and I was sure she would have glanced straight at my crotch if she could have. “The bulbous thing-“ the tip of Hopes tongue appeared as she wet her lips. And all my attention went from her slim fingers to her now full wet lips.

“A knot.” I nodded. My eyes glued to her. “Yes.”

“But how-“ she shook her head.

“It only swells when I am about to find release.” I said quietly, gauging her reaction.

“And you expect an omega to take that thing? Or is the size an exaggeration?”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed. “In my case it’s not quite right. I am bigger than -“

She scooted her chair back. “And I- I mean the omegas are expected to be ok with this? No one that doctor tried to force that thing inside me.” She met my eyes. “There’s no way a normal woman could take that.”

I reached out before I could stop myself. Lifting her silky red brain between my fingers. “You’re right, Hope. No normal woman can. No beta. But you are not a beta. You are an omega and your body is literally made for it. It can be quite pleasurable. But it can also be dangerous. Especially if you come into heat around alphas. You’re body will literally call to them and drive them into a mating frenzy called a rut. Omegas have died because of it.”

“Died?” She whispered. “They were - raped to death?” A hint of fear entered her beautiful eyes. “You said my heat was starting-“ she trailed off.

“Yes.” I nodded silently.

“That’s why you touched me? Because you literally couldn’t help yourself?”

“That was one of the reasons Hope but not the only one. You are safe here with me I promise. I have control and now you have taken the suppressant-“

“But-“ she kept looking at me and frowning. Two red dots appeared on her cheeks and spread downwards. Until her cheeks were a delicious strawberry colour. “Don’t worry about it?”

“You felt lust for me as well?” I asked softly.

She didn’t answer, which was answer enough.

“Your heat will make you want to be rutted, Hope. In the height of it you would beg to be filled. It’s only my seed-“

I froze. “I mean an alphas seed coating your womb that will ease it. You won’t want a drop to escape.” My hand had a mind of its own and went from her hair to her cheek. I smoothed my fingers across her skin and closed my eyes.

She had taken the suppressant but I still wanted her.

“A knot would make sure that happened.” I finished lamely. God I wanted to fuck this girl. Not because she was in heat and I was a slave to the pheromones but because she intrigued me like no one else before.

“And you are saying,” her throat worked as she swallowed hard. “That it would give me pleasure?”

“It could do, yes.”

Her lips thinned. “Could?”

“Some alphas are not very-“ I struggled to find the right word. “Careful with their companions.”

She lifted her eyes to me and for just a second she leant her cheek into my hand. “Are you careful?”

“I try to be. Your slick last night was probably the hardest test I’ve ever had to face. I wanted to sink into you so badly, Hope.”

I didn’t know why I was saying it but the words kept pouring out of my mouth. “You’re body literally wanted me to take you. That’s why you were leaking for me so badly. You wanted me.”

She looked away.

“I wanted you as well. You’ve had partners before?” My voice came out clipped.

“One.” She held up a finger. “Not ones with a thing like that.”

“And you came away completely unfulfilled didn’t you?”

She spluttered. “How did-“

“Because only an alpha could ever truly please you, Hope. Your body-“

Damn her skin was so soft. Almost as soft as the skin on her inner thighs. Memories flooded me. The same memories that had forced my cock into my hand several times last night.

“What would happen when I come into heat and I don’t have the blue drink?” She asked in a quiet voice.

“Your Alpha will rut you. But you don’t need to worry about that just now. Under my roof you are safe and I will supply the -“

Hope threw up a hand. “Wait.” Her eyes grew wild. “What is a companion?”

I met her eyes. “You will be a companion for an alpha. You will spend a season or two with him and then if he doesn’t want to keep you then you will be moved. Your alpha will be your protector. And if things work out right you will be - pregnant with -“

She stood up so suddenly that her chair toppled back. “You’re talking about sexual slavery Lincoln.” The colour in her cheeks was from anger now. Which only made her even more appealing.

Damn I had it bad.

“You are going to sell me to the highest bidder aren’t you?” She was raging now. And it was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. “Who gets the money?” Her eyes narrowed. “Franc?”

Silently I shook my head.

“You?” The low quiet voice was even angrier than her shout .

“I don’t know. Maybe I will hold it in a trust for you?” I said finally.

“What for after I’ve been passed around some weird cocked men and they have used me up. What happens when they have used me up? What happens when I am too old to bare their children and satisfy their needs?”

I didn’t answer because I didn’t want to. Most omegas didn’t last that long. There was a few, very few that mated with their alpha and lived fairly happy lives but not many.

Not that I could tell her that.

“I will look after you.” I said flatly. “I will make sure you go to an alpha who will be gentle with you. I will do my best to make sure you are happy and looked after.”

“But you won’t take me as a companion yourself?” Hope's voice shook.

“‘No. I can’t. I won’t be taking-“ I closed my eyes. “My situation is complicated.”

Even standing she barely came up to my chin. Tiny little Omega with her soft eyes and fiery temper. If I could have kept her as mine I would have.

But my path was different , if I wanted to make changes. It had to be.

I could see it in her eyes that she got it. She didn’t like it but she understood. Heavily she sat down. “Then you best teach me what I need to know , Alpha Lincoln.” Her voice was rough. “Teach me why I need to know to be a good little sex slave.”