CHAPTER 137: NIGHTTIME

"I’m here."

"You’re not needed," Lance muttered in reply to the voice in his head impatiently. Usually he didn’t mind Kael in his head. But when he needed to concentrate, Kael was the last person he wanted in his head.

Kael scoffed at that, "Yeah, right. As if I’d let you walk into that fight alone. You have no idea how many you’re about to face. The place is crawling with rogues. We lost a golden chance last time, and now the entire forest’s teeming with them, all waiting for that so-called ’master’ to show up."

Lance’s jaw tightened. "Yes. But they haven’t crossed into human territory yet, which means they might still be holding back. Just make sure Mike and Sky clear a path for our retreat. Once I’m inside the forest, things should be-" He stopped mid-sentence, his body stiffening. "Fu*k!"

He felt Kael inhale and question him, but right now, his mind was focused on one thing only as his face darkened with each passing minute, before he ground out, "Her heat. It’s supposed to be a week away. So why in hell do I smell the pheromones of a near heat?"

For a few heartbeats, Kael said nothing. Then a string of curses echoed in Lance’s mind. "Damn it. That must be what the witch has been tricking her to drink-to bring on her heat early. If she succeeds, the ’master’ won’t have to wait long. It will be easier to claim her the moment it begins."

Lance didn’t need to hear more. His mind had already pieced the information and implications together. A mated Omega’s heat did not affect those around her, but an unmated one could drive any werewolf in the vicinity crazy with lust and need. It was why they has special houses for Omegas in most packs, so that they would be safe.

Emira’s heat should be comparably subdued due to her bond with them, but they could not be sure...

However, if the witch had indeed triggered Emira’s heat, then there was a possibility that she was sure it might work....Which meant everything just became a hundred times more dangerous.

Moving Emira through the forest in that condition would be suicidal. Her scent would spread like wildfire, drawing every rogue within miles. And there are already rogues waiting... He cursed. The rogues were their safeguard that Emira would not escape their hands.

So, their second option would be to find shelter among the humans themselves...

***

In the room, the air was heavy due to the pheromones, making both Jace and Owen’s instincts stir in ways they didn’t want them to. Because if they were to act on it, they would be killed.

Emira lay on the floor her breathing shallow, her skin flushed as though she were burning from the inside out. Even unconscious, she looked fragile and alluring.

Jace shifted uncomfortably, his jaw tight. He could feel the pull of her scent and she wasn’t even in heat yet... Her scent wasn’t just tempting like other Omegas...it was consuming.

Every second spent in that room was a battle to stay sane, to remember who he was and why he was here.

Owen wasn’t doing much better. He had his back to the wall, his head tilted up, breathing through his mouth as if that would help dull the effect. It didn’t. His fingers flexed restlessly against his knees, the muscles in his jaw twitching.

"She smells so sweet," Owen muttered hoarsely, as if talking would help him fight the urge. "It’s like... she’s calling to us."

Jace swallowed hard and shook his head, "Don’t even think about it. We’re here to guard her, remember?"

Owen didn’t reply and Jace continued to curse silently in his head. In the Moonville Pack, they had never had to practice restraint. The moment they had come of age, they had been allowed to take any Omega they wanted. So, having to sit through those strong pheromones was not easy.. He wondered if it had something to do with what the witch had fed her. After all, the time of her escape and capture by them had not been enough to bring her heat again.

Jace pressed a hand to his forehead, trying to stay focused. They needed to stay alert.

He clenched his fists and forced himself to look away from her. "Just hold it together," he muttered under his breath. "We just have to last until dawn until master gets here."

It was easier said than done. His whole body was on edge. The room felt too small, the air too thick. Even his wolf was pacing anxiously in the confines of his head, wanting to let loose.

Added to that, he hadn’t slept in two days due to the nightmares.

That wolf which had chased them almost to he edge of the human territory.. It had run after them for almost twelve hours straight. That in itself was horrifying, but something about the cold eyes had left him scared!

It wasn’t just any wolf. It was massive, larger than any Alpha he had ever seen.

Every time Jace thought of that wolf’s eyes, a chill ran down his spine.

Jace rubbed his eyes, trying to push the thoughts away. He couldn’t afford to fall apart right now...

Owen shifted beside him and Jace turned his head slightly, frowning when he noticed the look on his friend’s face. Owen’s pupils were blown wide, his hands trembling slightly as he knelt on the ground now, his eyes fixed on Emira.

"Owen," Jace said carefully, "don’t go near her. It’s too risky."

But Owen didn’t seem to hear him. He took a step forward, then another.

"Owen!" Jace hissed, standing abruptly.

Owen’s hand trembled as he reached out slightly, as though trying to touch the strands of hair that clung to Emira’s cheek.

Jace’s heart skipped a beat. If he touched her, they would be dead meat. "Owen," he said again, this time louder, sharper. "What are you doing?"