“Trust is unnecessary when there are consequences for undesirable behavior,” he said, his mouth tight and his eyes dark, “or for not abiding by the rules.”
Elora could barely focus on what he was saying. Agonizing pain rocked her to her core, making her breathless. Her mind swam, trying to make sense of what was happening. She’d always been able to handle everything with a smile on her face, taking life as it came, looking for reasons to be bright and hopeful in the harsh realities of the Twin Realms. But in just the few hours she’d spent in this beast’s lair, she knew she would struggle to do that here. He sought pain and punishment. It was only severe loathing for him that would keep her sane. This man truly was a beast.
She squeezed her eyes shut, breathing heavily and biting her lip, trying to come to terms with the pain, and she settled her dazed mind so she could ask for a healer, but when she opened them again, the beast was watching her closely, his eyes once again on her neck. Suddenly, he leaned forward toward her… too close.
Elora couldn’t get away. She tensed again unsure of his intentions, but as he lowered his face, aiming for her neck, disbelief embraced her at what he was doing.
“Don’t,” she tried to snap at him.
He ignored her and nestled his nose close to the base of her neck.
Elora wished she had the strength to kick him, push him away from her, but strangely, a large part of her craved what he was about to do.
Slowly, the beast scented her, running his nose up the length of her neck and releasing a rumble of pleasure as he did. A deep involuntary shudder gripped Elora’s body, followed by a beam of desire that stung her nipples and sent a rush to her stomach. For a moment, the dizzying agony of her arm dulled, faded into the distance in favor of the alpha’s proximity and expression of sexual interest. A moan escaped her lips as her slick began to gather between her legs, and she breathed in his complex, heady scent, greedy for more.
So that’s what it felt like. Mama told her an alpha scenting an omega was an intimate and private gesture between a couple who were potentially compatible. It was an alpha’s way of determining the true scent of an omega, but was only something he would do if she was attractive to him. During the war, most alphas didn’t bother. They weren’t looking for compatible omegas—once they managed to get one, the most important thing was getting between her legs, not scenting her neck. It was somewhat old-fashioned—a sign of a respectful courtship, and despite how much she hated this beast, this behavior pleased her.
“Your scent is spectacular,” the beast murmured, his voice beautifully husky.
The tang of her blood in the air pierced the blanketing comfort of his scent, disoriented her. All she could do was gurgle in response.
The dragorai was already undoing her furs.
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