DO I HAVE A CHOICE?

CLEO

“I’m sorry, Alpha, but it’s not working. We’ve tried everything from lowering her temperature to giving her our strongest medicines, but none of it worked on this omega. There’s only one way I could think of...”

I heard people talking when I regained consciousness. My body still felt hot, and it was in no way comfortable, but for some reason, I still felt safer than I’d ever been.

“Which is?”

“She has to be attended by someone, or it could be detrimental to her health. She could lose her mind if her heat continued unattended.”

Our mate.

My eyes widened after my wolf conveniently supplied me with a short answer that pretty much explained everything. I turned to where I could hear voices, and there he was.

I’m nothing but a defective she-wolf. How can someone like me be mated to him?

“Leave us.” He suddenly ordered, voice full of authority.

The man he was talking with looked surprised, but he eventually lowered his head and responded. “Yes, your majesty.”

My mind blanked out in an instant. Of course, why would a random alpha roam in the king’s lands? 

The Alpha King is my mate. What trouble did I get myself into? 

The thought alone made me shudder, not just from fear but also from excitement I shouldn’t feel in this kind of situation. He was the most powerful werewolf in existence. This should be some sort of a mistake… but can the Goddess make a mistake?

“You’re awake,” he said even before he could turn back to me.

My shoulders jumped in surprise. I almost forgot that his senses were miles stronger than mine. I immediately lowered my gaze. My fingers curled into the blanket over me.

I realized that I was wearing different clothing. They must have bathed me in cold water in hopes to lower my temperature, like what I’ve seen other omegas do to help with their heat.

My body was still burning. I already knew it was terrible based on what I’ve heard from other omegas’ experiences, but it was way different from what I expected. It’s too intense.

It’s almost like I’m being devoured by my own body, and I couldn’t do anything about it.

“Do you remember what happened?” he asked as I felt him inching closer, “You’re in my pack’s territory. My warriors rescued you and the others from rogues terrorizing your pack.”

“I don’t recall much after that,” I admitted. My consciousness has been slipping away every now and then. My memories are all blurry.

“You went into heat.” his voice deepened, expressing sudden anger, “And I had to stop one of my guards from taking advantage of you.”

I shuddered. Simply remembering what happened made my skin crawl. The sick amusement in that man’s voice, his hands pinning me down. It disgusted me.

My grip on the blanket tightened. “Is he...”

“Dead.” he continued for me, leaving no room for remorse in his voice.

I should have been relieved, but I felt numb instead. It was too much to process. My pack was gone. My mother, or the woman I thought was my mother, is also gone.

And now, I was in the presence of the most powerful Alpha in existence, barely able to function because of a heat I had never experienced before.

He sat at the edge of the bed, dangerously close to me. My body was already betraying me, feeling the craving for his touch. I hated it. I hated how weak I felt and how easily my instincts overpowered my mind.

“Please,” I whispered, my voice still shaking. “I don’t want this.”

I dared to meet his gaze even though I was already terrified. I’m blatantly dismissing the king. I must really be out of my mind. I thought he would be angry, but to my surprise, he looked more worried than anything.

He gave a small nod, “I understand that, but none of the alternatives are working. If you don’t accept help, it will hurt you. I think you’ve heard enough of what the doctor said about your condition. I’m surprised you can still handle a decent conversation right now.”

“I-I can handle it. It’ll pass. I will be okay, Alpha.” I insisted, still terrified of what would happen. I’ve seen other omegas suppress their heats without being attended by someone.

Maybe if I endured a little more, it would just pass.

“It would have been if it was and you know it, too.” He calmly pointed out, tilting his head a bit.

He was staring intently, too intense that it’s making me shudder. My wolf is urging me to let our mate help, but I couldn’t help but think about the consequences after this. I felt trapped. If I refused him, the pain would only worsen, and I could lose my mind, but if I accept it…

“I don’t want to force you,” he said after I didn’t respond, “but I can’t just let you deteriorate like this. You look like you’re in so much pain. It’s hurting me, too.”

My heart skipped a beat. He sounded too sincere with his words but it’s probably the mate bond talking.

“I didn’t mean to be a nuisance, but the truth is this was my first time going into heat. I don’t know what’s going to happen.” I admitted. I shouldn’t trust anyone after what happened earlier, but every fiber of my being screams to be close to my mate, and that it’ll be the safest place.

There was confusion in his eyes, which isn’t really surprising. Omegas start their heat cycle as early as eighteen, and the latest should be twenty. I’m already two years past that.

“I can try easing your heat without claiming you,” he offered this time, “But if that doesn’t work, I can’t promise I won’t go all out to save you.”

My heart almost leapt out of my chest at his last remark.

Could I trust him?

More importantly… Do I even have a choice?