cker, a carefully measured distance-not too

histle and nudged him with an elbow, a

ossing his arms over his chest in a display of casual dominance. "Greer," he sa

Narcissus flowers, their roots still balled in damp earth and carefully wrapped. The delicate b

d an expensive gift, perhaps even a desperate confes

myth about a beautiful man who fell in love with

od before him looking calm and almost tender, yet the quiet sharpness in his pale eyes made i

augh. "He brought you flowers because

aint shadows beneath his eyes, his skin looked smooth enough to bruise under a firm grip, and his slender waist seemed made to fit between an Alpha's hands. The contrast between that soft appearance

d, recovering his smile.

fingers across Ansel's. Ansel recoiled as if

n as shy submission. "I love them. Very thoughtful of yo

iation environments," Ansel said, his voice flat and business

it requirement. Hardly anyone knew about it. "How did you know that?" His

e public," Ansel replied

nts. The feeling was irritating, but it also stoked the fire of his desire to conquer. "S

simulation pod designed for high-radiation training. "I want to exp

ispered. "A high-rad field can permanently damage an

hen he looked at Ansel's calm, beautiful fa

e could barely remain upright. Blake could picture himself entering the sealed pod and catching him around that narrow waist before

de a hand down his shaking thigh, and murmur against his ear that this was what happened when a fragile Omega wandered into an Alpha's terri

one outside would see how tho

full of false generosity. "For an Omega so dedicat

to Ansel, his warm breath ghosting over the shell of Ansel's ear. "But be careful in there," he

f a second. He took a half-step back, cr

, without a flicker of hesitation,

ehind him, shutti

ed, his voice low. "If something happens, the Greer fami

a defective Omega. What's the worst that can happen? This is just a new, stupidly complicated way for him to get my att

n't come here to feel radiation. He was here to test something else entirely. The simulation

s, a smug, predatory light in his eyes. He was already picturing it: