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With a quick pop, he locks. Dash throws his head back in pleasure as he begins to rut. All my nerves fire, misfire, and shoot back and forth between each other. I feel him pulsing inside me, his body shuddering with the force of his release.
Pleasure crashes over me in relentless waves, each one more intense than the last. My body convulses, caught in an endless loop of ecstasy as Dash’s knot locks us together. With each powerful pulse of his release, I feel myself spiraling higher, lost in a sea of sensation.
My inner walls clench rhythmically around him, milking his release as aftershocks rack my quivering form. I cling to him desperately, my nails scoring his back, anchoring me lest I fly apart at the seams.
Dash’s hips jerk and stutter erratically as he empties himself inside me with a drawn out groan. His weight settles over me as his strength gives out, blanketing me in his warmth and scent. I relish the feeling of being surrounded by him, claimed so thoroughly.
Slowly, we float down from the high, our breathing evening out and heart rates slowing to a less frantic tempo. Dash props himself up on his elbows to take some of his weight off me, gazing down with an expression of sated wonder. Tenderly, he brushes damp strands of hair off my face before leaning in to place a soft kiss on my lips.
My eyes grow heavy, and I succumb to the haze of pleasure before falling asleep in his arms.
38
ARIA
I bolt upright, my heart hammering like a trapped bird as darkness claws at the edges of my vision. The room is dimly lit, with shadows stretching across the walls as the evening sun filters through the curtains. I blink, trying to gather my thoughts, but the sense of dread that washed over me in my sleep lingers, heavy and suffocating.
What have I done?
The memory of my encounter with Dash crashes over me like ice water, and panic tightens its grip on my chest. How could I let this happen? Every touch, every whispered word—it all felt so right, yet now it threatens to unravel everything. I sit up abruptly, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. My clothes are scattered across the floor, lying in lumps, an intimacy that now feels like a terrible mistake.
I scramble out of bed, my movements frantic as I gather my clothes. My fingers tremble as I pull on my jeans, my mind racing with the implications of what just happened. The fear of being discovered as an omega looms large, threatening to consume me.
Dash stirs beside me, a huge smile on his face, while all I feel is panic. “Aria?” he mumbles, his voice thick with sleep. “What’s going on?”
I can’t look at him. The weight of my mistake is too much to bear. “I need to go,” I say firmly, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. “This never should have happened.”
Dash sits up, confusion and concern etched on his face. “Whoa there, beautiful. No need to hit the panic button,” Dash says, his trademark grin spreading across his face. “Whatever’s got you spooked, we can handle it together. That’s what we do, remember?”
“No, Dash, you don’t get it,” I snap back, frustration edging my tone. “This was a mistake. I can’t?—”
“Just breathe, Aria. It’s all cool. I’m here, and you’re safe.”
“I can’t stay here. They’ll figure it out,” I mutter to myself, struggling to keep my thoughts clear.
“Hold on! Don’t go off on your own. We’re a pack, remember? We stick together, right? Plus, you haven’t had my legendary latte yet.”
“I’m sorry, Dash. This shouldn’t have happened. It’s not safe for any of us. I can’t risk it.” Tears burn my vision as he repeatedly includes me in his pack.
Pack-pack-pack. It’s something that was drilled into my head all my life, and now that I’ve had a taste of what things are like with a good, decent alpha pack? Well, it’s all I want.
Unbidden, images flash through my mind—familiar faces twisted in pain, eyes wide with betrayal. The phantom scent of blood and fear floods my senses. I shake my head violently, trying to dispel the visions. Not now. Not ever, if I can help it.
Dash’s confusion turns to determination. “Aria, you’re not thinking straight. Let’s grab some breakfast and figure this out.”
I shake my head, the fear and guilt too overwhelming. “I need to go,” I say, my voice breaking. “I need to leave before it’s too late.”
I push past him, grabbing my things and heading for the door. Dash follows, desperation in his voice. “Aria, wait! Don’t do this alone. We’re a pack. We protect each other.”
I want to be a part of their pack, but Noah will destroy them, and I can’t let him do that. If I go, then Noah never has to know.
I pause at the door, torn between my fear and the bond I’ve started to form with Dash and the pack, but the weight of my secret and the potential danger it poses compels me to leave. I turn back to Dash, my eyes filled with sorrow and regret. “I’m sorry, Dash. This is something I have to do.”
With that, I rush out, my heart breaking as I leave him standing there. As I flee into the early morning, the world seems muted and grey. The cool air bites at my skin, mirroring the harsh reality sinking into my bones. The familiar streets now feel alien and unwelcoming, a reflection of my inner turmoil.
With each step, my memories try to bubble to the top and remind me of why I’m walking away.
I don’t need the reminder. I know why.
