Page 21 of The Feral Alpha

“No hurt,” Rex said brokenly, running his hands over Olson’s body, checking that he wasn’t injured. The thought of Olson hurt scared him to pieces. “Mine.”

Olson blew out a breath. Then he turned even more, nuzzling Rex. Rex’s heart skipped a beat. “I haven’t had sex this good since—since my alpha,” Olson said quietly. “I don’t know why it’s like this with you. But it’s so fucking good.”

“Alpha?” Rex rubbed the bonding marks on Olson’s wrist.

Olson nodded.

That made Rex feel good, too, for reasons he couldn’t explain.

He dragged the scent glands on his wrists all over Olson, leaving maplewood wherever he touched. It made Olson smell like his. All his instincts shivered with delight.

“Mine,” Rex said.

Olson sighed, leaning into him. “I brought you some things, you know.” He waved at the bundle that had rolled off to the side. “But... I was also thinking of offering you somewhere to live. They’ve told your dad that you’re still alive. I’m sure he wants to see you. He’ll probably want to bring you home with him.”

“Dad...?” Rex tried to dig through his fuzzy memories, but... he couldn’t remember what his dad looked like. Or anyone from before there. Just Olson.

“He lives across the country,” Olson said. “Over in Rhode Island.”

Rex frowned. “Olson... Olson come?”

Olson shook his head. “My life is here. In Meadowfall.”

A terrible sound fell out of Rex’s throat. He shook his head and wrapped his arms tightly around Olson. “Stay... Stay Olson.”

It was Olson’s turn to frown. “Your dad misses you. He’s been looking for you. I don’t know if they’ll let you stay with me. Or if you’d be comfortable living with me.”

But Rex didn’t know his dad anymore. All he knew was Olson.

He buried his face against Olson’s neck, wrapping his arms and legs around his omega. “Olson. No go.”

Olson sighed. “I think he might be here next week to see you, at least. We’ll decide then.”

“No go,” Rex said again, worried now. He’d been imprisoned for so long without his omega. He’d fight anyone who tried to separate them. He growled, holding on tighter.

“Hey. It’s okay.” Olson rubbed his thigh.

Rex didn’t know if it’d all turn out fine. But he knew there was something he had to do. He breathed in lungfuls of Olson’s scent. “Safe,” he managed to say. “Keep safe.”

“Keep you safe?” Olson’s mouth quirked into a beautiful smile.

Rex shook his head. “Keep... Keep Olson safe.”

Olson huffed. “I’m around a lot of people every day, you know. I think it might be too much for you to deal with. You’ve been living alone in the forest for so long.”

Rex growled. He knew where Olson worked. It was loud. There were many people. But if Olson wanted to be there, then Rex would learn to tolerate it. “Keep safe.”

Olson’s smile softened. “I don’t know where you came from, or why you’re so obsessed with me. I don’t want to hurt you, Rex.”

“No hurt.” Nothing Olson did would hurt as much as losing him. He rubbed his face against Olson’s nape. “Mine.”

Olson sighed and brushed his fingers through Rex’s hair. “All right. As soon as we’re not knotted anymore, I’ll take you home.”

Rex’s heart swelled.

7

THE THING ABOUT ICE CREAM