1. Choking on his scent

Aurel

As the only Omega in an all-Alpha hockey team, the best thing to do is keep my shit together around the others.

But I got lucky, I presented as a recessive. Still pathetic for a man, considering you don’t always find a male Omega, let alone a recessive one.

Well, I don’t give a rat’s ass about that, as long as I don’t have to kiss my dream of becoming a hockey star goodbye.

Not even my family knows their first son they believe is an Alpha is actually the exact opposite. I couldn't break my sick mother's heart with such bullshit.

So I buried it.

I chug down the last bit of beer in my bottle and slam it on the wooden table harder than I meant to. Yeah, I’m already in a fucked-up situation, yet I still let those assholes drag me here for some stupid drinking competition with the Polar Titans.

Ice Reapers and Polar Titans will be clashing on ice for the first time, and somehow it starts with shots of whiskey.

As the captain, I couldn't say no… not when Neylan thinks he can beat us because he's a rare-born dominant Alpha.

“After all, we’re all Alphas.”

Treyvon’s voice agreeing to it echoes in my head, and it pisses me off all over again. My best friend, a dominant Alpha, never misses a chance to go against Neylan. The bastard bullied both of us back in high school.

If only he knew I didn't turn out to be an Alpha like the both of them.

My eyes sweep across the room, damn it… I need a smoke.

“Where are you going, Captain? Drunk already?”

A hand taps my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts. I turn to see Gray, our goalie, grinning like an idiot.

“Uh, not really. I will be back in a minute,” I mutter.

Drunk? Not even close.

Unlike other Omegas who release pheromones, go into heat regularly, and are easily affected by Alpha pheromones, I am different. As a recessive Omega, my body barely reacts the way it is supposed to.

My heat comes once a year, unpredictable and weak compared to others.

Most times, I feel… nothing.

So a few bottles of beer do absolutely nothing to me.

I push myself up and walk toward the bathroom, weaving through bodies, ignoring the noise as it fades behind me.

But the moment I step inside, I freeze.

“Pl… please stop… I… I can’t breathe…”

A muffled female voice slips out from the bathroom.

My brows furrow, and then a sharp, choking mix of lemon and sandalwood hits the back of my throat.

My hand flies to my nose, my eyes widening as the scent twists my insides.

This… this is the first time I'm actually picking up an Alpha’s pheromones.

“Neylan… let go…”

The voice moans again, but it comes out weaker.

My head snaps toward the source.

“The hell? I didn’t force you. You came on your own and accepted the money. Just a little bit more…”

What?

Neylan?

That bastard left his team just to drag an Omega in here?

Anger flares through me instantly.

I slam the door against the wall, the loud bang echoing through the bathroom.

Neylan turns.

My gaze shifts briefly to the girl. A ginger-haired girl, she's barely conscious, her body slack like she is about to collapse.

Damn it!

This idiot is in a rut and can't even control himself properly. His pheromones are suffocating her.

Taking two long strides as my hand balls tightly.

My fist connects with his jaw with a sharp crack, the force sending him stumbling back, away from her. He hisses, grabbing his face as he winces.

“Fucking Alphas,” I grit out. “You dogs, can’t you see you’re choking her with your damn pheromones?”

I turn to the girl, crouching slightly.

“What were you thinking, following an Alpha in rut? He's clearly gone mad.”

She responds with a sob, scrambling to gather her clothes before rushing out of the bathroom.

How could Omegas be so reckless? She's not even in heat, yet she's offering herself as a sacrifice to a monster.

At least she got out.

I straighten, exhaling slowly, already turning to leave.

But a hand clamps down on my shoulder.

Before I can react, I am yanked backward, my body slamming into something solid.

Suddenly, breathing becomes difficult. The scent from earlier choking me.

Neylan leans in, his chin resting on my shoulder.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going after making her leave?”

My body shudders.

His grip tightens.

I look up, and my stomach drops.

His icy blue eyes are now blood red.

His pheromones flood my senses, pressing down on my chest until I'm struggling to get air into my lungs.

Shit! This shouldn't be happening.

I have never responded to an Alpha like this.

So what the hell is going on?

My legs feel weak.

I open my mouth, trying to pull in air, and regret it immediately.

“You smell even better… a recessive Omega?” he murmurs, his voice rough, almost disbelieving. “I don't know who the fuck you are… but you smell like warm honey melting over ripe peach—soft, sweet… and it’s driving me insane.”

The words send a sharp heat straight through my body.

Damn it.

This stupid Alpha-Omega instinct.

I hate it.

I hate how my body reacts, how it betrays me, how it pulls me toward someone I should hate.

My skin burns.

My thoughts scatter.

He smells addictive.

And the worst part?

I want him.

I really fucking do.

And at the same time, I know I should not.

“Hey… hey… get away from me.”

But it comes out as a soft, breathless moan.

His tongue drags slowly along my neck, and my body jerks in response.

“Are you sure about that?” he whispers, his tone mocking me. “Pathetic thing… I can see your body moving on its own.”

I clench my fists, frustration and anger bubbling under my skin.

Right now, I really want to hit him again.

Why did I get involved?

Damn it. My body is not listening to me.