Violet
I took in his face.
Subtle cheekbones, and a strong jaw covered in white stubble. His face was a mesmerizing combined allure of feminine and masculine beauty. I had never seen anything like it.
And his eyes…
My pulse quickened.
I wanted to tear my eyes away from his, but my body would not listen to me. And it didn't help that he held my jaw in place. He stared at me for a while with an unreadable expression.
Something eventually flickered in his eyes. I wasn't sure if it was surprise or suspicion.
"Out," he said, his deep voice low and commanding as he addressed the woman while keeping his full focus on me.
My eyes shifted to the three women who swiftly left the tent without a word. My insides screamed in panic.
The heavy silence stretched between the both of us, and it felt so suffocating.
My heart hammered so hard I was sure it would soon hit my ribs.
The tent suddenly felt so small. It was just him and I, along with the flames of the firepit casting shadows across his handsome face. I could faintly smell something pleasant coming from him.
His eyes narrowed as he studied me.
Finally, he released my jaw. But instead of standing and putting distance between us, he crouched down and brought himself down until we were nearly at the same eye level. Even so, he clearly still stared down at me no matter how low he brought down his tall frame. He was even more intimidating up close.
"I… I…" My throat felt dry. I swallowed hard. "I don't belong to a pack anymore…" I eventually managed out, keeping my voice steady.
"I can tell when you are lying." He lightly tilted his head to the side.
There was something unnerving about the way he looked at me. It was beyond studying me. It was as if his eyes were trying to consume me.
I clutched the blanket. "I swear. I'm not—"
"Still, you don't seem to be lying." He raised the back of his hand to his mouth, as if lost in thought. His gaze then sharpened. "What pack did you leave?"
My pulse thundered in my ears. I didn't want any trouble. I didn't want him sending word back to Shadowpine. And most importantly, I didn't want to be dragged back to face Damon and the others. But refusing to answer an Alpha was dangerous.
There was also something in his eyes that made me feel lying would be impossible.
"Shadowpine," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
If the worst came down to it, I could show him the power and persuade him to let me remain in his pack… he was clearly stronger than any Alpha I had seen.
"You smell like you have been out in the woods for… between three to four days." He raised his head, his hand coming to rub his jaw as he kept his eyes on me.
'How… did he get that right?'
"Yes…" I confirmed it. "I really appreciate this. When I recover, I—"
He flinched, annoyance swiftly changing his features. "You're not going anywhere."
My stomach turned.
How did he know what I was about to say?
He leaned closer. "What makes you think I would pick a lone wolf, an omega out of nowhere and bring her to my camp?"
His hand then moved to my neck before I could react. I froze, every muscle locking as his palm pressed against my skin. His touch was warm, sending a jolt through my entire body.
"There…" he said quietly, his thumb resting against my pulse point. "That is it. You were radiating power strong enough to draw in every predator within miles."
My heart sunk and my eyes widened in horror.
I wasn't as safe as I had thought. Did that mean everyone nearby could sense it within me? How long had that been happening?! Or had it been this way since I stopped it from concentrating in my chest?
If I hadn't done that, it would have killed me either way.
"I… I didn't know," I breathed out, visibly shaken. "I don't even know how to stop it right now."
"That much is obvious," he responded, his brows raised. Then they lowered as he searched my face for something I didn't understand. "But that isn't what concerns me the most."
His thumb brushed against my throat, a faint movement that should have felt threatening.
The force in me thrashed about. The chaotic sensation slammed through my whole body in a cold, overwhelming and uncontrollable manner. My head swam and I leaned back, trying to tear myself away from him. He didn't let me go. Every nerve in my body lit up at once and screamed with a terrifying intensity.
It was too much.
He was too close.
This was too powerful.
I did not like any of it… but deep down, much to my alarm, I felt otherwise.
"When I am near you," he said slowly as his voice dropped, "Do you feel anything?"