Page 96 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

I dropped to my knees behind a thicket of dying ferns, the brown fronds dry and brittle. An aroma of wet dirt and decaying maple leaves filled my nose as I tried to hide my pheromones, which were practically screaming, “Here’s your omega, Alpha.”

The steady thud of boots grew louder. My hands trembled.

“I can smell your sweet cunt, Omega. You’re dripping for your alpha, calling to me. If you crawl to me, I’ll let you come on my knot while I rut into your needy pussy.”

Unintelligible noises escaped me. Who would have imagined the round-faced boy from my childhood turning into an Apex with a depraved, filthy mouth.

It took an immense amount of willpower not to crawl on all fours toward his voice and beg for his knot.

Through the gaps in the ferns, I saw leather boots stop barely five feet from where I lay. My pussy fluttered, reminding me how achingly empty it was.

He just stood there, his silhouette imposing against the backdrop of blazing red maples as he tapped his foot.

My omega screamed at me, begging me to throw myself at our alpha’s feet. I imagined his hands on me, kneading my skin while I bounced on his cock. A cramp coiled in my belly and I swallowed the sound, desperately trying not to reveal my hiding place.

Jason released an ominous humming sound—a vibration that seemed to travel through the earth and into my bones.

“Times up, Omega. Crawl to me or run.”

Footsteps faded as his boots disappeared. I yanked my hoodie over my head, discarding it. I was too hot and it was too heavy. I paused for a beat, then another, not believing that Jason had really left me.

He was messing with me. Surely.

Unless he wanted to draw it out.

Once the aroma of pine and sap returned, I wobbled onto unsteady feet. My leggings were a lost cause, soaked through with my slick and sweat.

Fear and anticipation thrummed in my veins.

I was terrified.

And I had never felt more alive.

I scrambled higher up the ridge, hoping that if I got onto higher ground, I’d have a better vantage point.

The gentle hum of the woods faded, and the air stilled.

I heard nothing, but scented my alpha’s dominance—cloying and commanding.

I dove behind a massive, fallen sugar maple, scrambling into the hollowed-out underside where the bark had rotted. My knees pressed into my chest as I made myself as small as possible.

Slow footsteps followed a dark, dangerous chuckle.

Flames licked at me, striking with sharp jolts of pain like flint against stone. I held my breath until my vision blurred. Those dark-washed jeans paused in front of the knothole in the wood.

My pulse throbbed in my ears.

I was trapped.

“Stop trying to hide, Omega.”

Jason’s voice came out in a velvety rasp. A purr started in my chest.

“Shhh. Traitorous bitch,” I mumbled, scolding my horny omega.

“You’re close. Does my greedy girl need to come?”

Leaves crunched as he moved to check a series of old, rusted-out barrels nearby. I took my chance, scrambling out of the log. My limbs shook as I tried to avoid tripping over a sap line.