Page 51 of Alpha Ruined

I’m not okay.

She’s a stupid, foolish Omega that listened to her hormones and allowed herself to be caught up in some twisted fantasy.

She could never be the type of person to have a fling. And even if she did, it should never be with someone like Cole.

Someone that used his Influence on her, exploited her pheromones, and made sure she left her purse and phone behind.

Picking up her keys, she unlocks the door to the cabin and makes it inside before she bursts into tears. She slams the door shut, latches it for good measure, and lets out deep, shaky sobs as she snatches her phone off the counter and makes her way up the stairs.

She can’t remember the last time she wept like this.

Stupid, stupid girl.

There’s no reason for the profound sense of loss that tugs at her chest—she’s only known Cole for two days.

Maybe because for a moment she felt like a normal Omega that could enjoy another Alpha’s company.

The tears don’t stop, even as she rummages through the closet and pulls every blanket off the shelves. She fluffs them up on the bed the best she can, creating a comforting pile of fabrics.

“This isn’t a nest,” she mumbles to herself as she flops onto it and buries herself underneath the pile.

It can’t be a nest, because her Heat isn’t close.

She burrows under the blankets and pillows, clutching her phone as she scrolls through her messages.

Cole’s number is still blocked, but she rereads the final text he sent.

I see.

She doubts that her behavior will ever have him seeing her again.

She’s sure this time she pushed him away for good, and he won’t show up in random places and take her out to fancy restaurants she has no business being at.

It was all a mistake. A stupid, two-day mistake that has her buried under covers because she can’t even show her arms to someone without breaking down.

So, she remains under the blankets, closes her eyes, and surrenders to sleep.

She has nothing else to do for the next couple of days, anyway.

She’ll just stay in bed where nothing and no one can hurt her.

CHAPTER 17

COLE

He doesn’t stay awayfor long.

He couldn’t, even if he wanted to.

The salt of her tears was so strong and terrible it almost brought him to his knees.

It wasn’t her fear that he scented. It was pure anguish, sour and dissonant against her delicious, addictive scent.

Something was wrong,somethingtriggered her so badly that it had her pulling out of his arms and tugging at her sleeves nervously.

It’s the second time he’s caught her doing that.

She told him to leave.