Page 42 of Dark Goodbye

Damn him. Damn Jaxxon for turning this institution into nothing more than ejaculatory fodder. Everywhere I turn, the males are either watching the monitors or jerking off in the bathrooms. They don’t even have the sense to be subtle about it. Instead of a place of healing, it’s slowly morphing into something no better than a brothel that occasionally fixes people.

Weary, I choose to ignore them and head back to my office. As I reach the door, my hair stands on end. Unfortunately, I can’t sniff out any intruders, but based on how the door is cracked open and the filthy sounds coming from within, it’s pretty obvious what’s happening.

Anger slams into me as I thrust open the door, surprising Aeron and some nameless beta worker as they address their carnal lusts against my desk. It’s not merely the fact that they have the audacity to do this in my office, but also the added injury of knowing that other people are fucking about and I’m still not able to claim my mate.

It’s too much. Far too much to take. Once more, my roar billows up to the surface, filling the room. Aeron, of course, is not affected. Instead, he turns to me, his eyes nearly dilated as he pounds into the woman beneath him.

A fucking rut. I know the look. I know the signs. Peering at his mouth, I look at the space between his lips and nose, noting the lack of respirators. The bastard not only disobeyed a direct order, but he’s also fucking fornicating on my desk. Storming over, I reach out and grip his shoulders, pulling him off of the beta.

However, with his knot already firmly lodged into her, she slides forward off the desk, yelping at the massive stretch. Aeron snarls at me as he reaches for her, scooping her into his arms. They’re still connected, but now, her legs are wrapped as best as they can be around his hips.

Why a beta? There’s a perfectly good omega cunt needing to be filled in the other room. Or does he not think he’s not allowed to touch them? Looking between his angry expression and the beta’s soft look of affection, it starts to make sense.

How did I not know they held feelings for each other? Yet one more observation to go by the wayside. Either way, they need to do this somewhere else. I can’t allow this to continue here in the hospital.

“Do you consent to this?” I snarl to the only rational one in the room. She nods, her eyes flitting up to Aeron’s face in a loving manner. Shaking my head, I hold the door open so Aeron can carry her out. “Can you last during his rut?”

“I have before,” she wheezes past a moan, grinding her hips against his until he growls out his pleasure. “Just never at work.”

That confirms it then. They must be in some sort of relationship. Just what I need. Shaking my head, I take another step toward them, earning another ferocious snarl from Aeron’s lips as he wraps his arms around the beta and holds her close.

“I don’t want your woman,” I bark back, motioning toward the door. “But you need to take her somewhere safe.”

His eyes light up for a moment as that piece of information dawns on him. “Not my office,” I continue. “Just fucking grab another surgery room.”

With an inarticulate grunt, he waddles out the door, keeping the beta’s head down so she doesn’t have to see all the curious stares. My heart twinges as I watch them, knowing that I would love nothing more than to give myself over to a rut, to tie Ladria to me forever. If only things had happened differently. If only she had never run away.

It doesn’t matter that she would have ended up in the High Sanctum. I would have done anything to have her as mine. Even if the High Echelon commanded me to kill, maim, torture… anything. Ladria was always destined to be mine.

CHAPTER 18

Ladria

Everything is wrong. I can’t put my finger on it, but the nest, though damn near perfect, still feels like it’s missing something. Burying my nose into the soft fabrics, I take in Davix’s scent, whining at the faint whiffs as they grip me, taking hold.

It’s not the same, however. It’s not Davix. His essence is merely a shell, hollow in comparison to the man that filled every space he walked into. My lips tremble as I run my fingers over the crunchy bits of fabric. Just a few days ago, I was disgusted with the display, nearly gagged even at the thought of burrowing into cum-crusted clothes.

But now, I can’t get enough of the scent that twists my insides and makes me nearly howl with longing. Pulling myself from the pile, I crawl over to the door, scratching against the wood as I beg for more linens. There’s got to be something I can add. Something I can do.

It won’t make up for Davix’s lack of presence, but it would soothe me somehow. I just know it. Soon, the door cracks open as Mogen thrusts more pillows and blankets into the room. She’s probably worried that I’ll run off in my state, but honestly, could she really stop me?

With shaky hands, I grab them from her and stumble back over to the awaiting pile to add them to the growing mound. It’s an odd dichotomy — soft and sharp, delicate and rough. Fluffing up the new additions, I roll about, letting my body tell me what needs to change.

Tears prick my eyes as I stroke a piece of his shirt, feeling the coarse texture of his dried cum. At the commune, I would have had help building my nest. My friends would have gathered around, bringing me gifts to use. Most importantly, I wouldn't be alone.

With Karis, I was lucky enough to be one of the few that helped her. Now, I have no one to assist me. No one to stretch me out. Will I even be blessed by both Ilaria and Xiarius since I’m no longer offering up my virtue to his statue? So many questions, and no one to answer them.

How I long to lie at the feet of the Clan Mother, telling her my fears and woes. But I don't even have that. I can’t see Mogen coming into this room to allow me to use her as a surrogate. Besides, what would a beta know of omega troubles? It’s not like I can ask her if my feelings are normal.

When I was first shackled into this room, I thought I knew what loneliness was. But now that I’m faced with all these conflicting emotions, it’s evident just how in trouble I truly am. Burying my face in the sheets, the only true comfort I have right now, I sob, allowing my heart to finally crack in two and spill out over the nest.

Somehow during that time, I drift off, however, it’s not restful sleep. Splintered images overlap until I’m unable to tell what’s real or what’s a fabrication from the depths of my psyche. Heat engulfs my body, drowning me until I’m unable to breathe.

I’m surrounded by Davix’s scent, it lulls me, comforts me, but even with that warm solace, there’s a strident note. Something that doesn’t belong. It picks at my brain, causing a discomfort I’ve never felt before. Rage is there, yes, and so is jealousy, hotter than it’s ever burned before.

I force my eyes open and look around, not seeing anyone, but the scent is there, burning my nostrils until I’m forced to get up and seek it out. The bathroom door stands ajar as steam filters into the room. It’s not grooming or shower day, so why is the water flowing?

As I inch my way inside, I watch as Davix stands under the spray, only concealed by the fog that creeps up the glass. He’s oblivious to me, soaping down his magnificent body as my pussy spasms just from watching him. Everything in me clenches as he glides his hands down the hard, muscular plane of his abs to grip the thick cock between his legs.