Page 76 of Gold Rush

I climb back down into the nest, switching the towel around her for a blanket. Her forehead isburningwhen my hand brushes it, and I scramble away, trying to find my phone in the mess of clothes we left in our wake.

From behind me, June’s hands run over my sides, her voice soft and heart-breaking. “Do you not want me?” Her fingers are warm, her body plush as she rubs against my back. “Don’t you want to keep fucking me, alpha? I want you too. I really do.”

Closing my eyes, I breathe in, fighting every part of me thatdoeswant her — but she’s not herself. It was one thing to have her consent before, to jump into the nest when she was teasing me, this,us— it’s another to know she’s not entirely herself.

I’m so fucking scared I’ll go into a rut and be as mindless as she is.

And I’d never forgive myself if I hurt her. Sheaskedme not to.

“I need to go.”

I mutter the words as my hand wraps around my phone, jerking away from her touch. I climb up and abandon my clothes, searching for Arin’s number as I make a beeline for the door.

I’m not fast enough. Her broken sob haunts me as I slam the nest door shut and walk away from the crying omega inside.