The sun rose, but I was still awake. Correction: my eyeballs had gone dry from refusing to close for even one second. All night, I'd been stiff in Alpha Zach's death grip, every muscle in my body screaming for mercy. Meanwhile, he had slept like the devil himself didn't exist snoring softly, breathing evenly, looking like he didn't have a care in the world.
I, on the other hand, had been rehearsing my last words.
If this is the end, let it be quick. If this is the end, bury me in the omegas' courtyard. If this is the end And then, as if summoned by the gods of humiliation, his arms shifted.
For a fleeting, glorious moment, I thought he was about to release me. My heart leapt. My hopes soared. My soul prepared to run laps around the omega quarters in celebration. Instead.
"Mm," he hummed against the back of my neck. His lips brushed my skin. My skin.
I screamed internally. On the outside, I stayed frozen.
His voice came next, a low rumble vibrating against my bones.
