Knot Over (Omega Den #3)

8. Kaylani

Chapter 8

Kaylani

H ux's sedan pulls up in front of the house, its engine purring softly before falling silent. He steps out of the car, closing the door with a gentle click. His hair is cut short, and peppered beard neatly trimmed to match. Though I’ve always preferred his beard longer. I recall how it scratches my soft skin when he kisses me, shivering at the memory.

My eyes trail down his muscular frame, taking in every detail as though he's a refreshing drink on a scorching day. The dark suit he wears is impeccably tailored, accentuating his broad shoulders and adding a layer of sophistication to his striking presence. Despite his polished appearance, there’s a rugged edge to Hux that makes my heart race. I think about the tattoos that hide beneath that sleek suit, and my gaze snaps back to his face where a smirk plays on his lips.

Damn, he’s gorgeous.

His eyes, sharp and assessing, lock onto mine as he strides toward the porch with purpose. I can’t tear my gaze away. I’m like a moth to a flame, suddenly forgetting why I was so furious with him.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, my voice breathier than I’d intended.

"You didn’t think I would come find you, kitten? You left me. Of course I’d come looking for you," he replies smoothly, the smirk never fading. "Thanks for the call, man." His gaze shifts to Shade with an almost amused detachment.

"Call? You called him, Shade?" I exclaim, spinning to face my brother. Shock and anger collide within me, and I smack him on the back of the head. "What the hell!"

"Ow! Don’t hit me, Kay Kay. Not nice," Shade grumbles, rubbing the spot where I smacked him. I snort at his exaggerated pout.

"Traitor," I mutter, though there’s no real malice in my tone.

"You love me, Kay Kay," Shade says with a grin that only broadens. "And yeah, I called him. He’s your alpha."

"He's not my alpha—" I start to protest, my frustration bubbling over.

"I’m not your alpha, kitten?" Hux's voice cuts in, sharp and challenging. The dark, possessive edge to his tone sends a shiver down my spine. His spicy scent washes over me like a tidal wave, igniting a firestorm of heat that courses through my veins, leaving me trembling with need. My body responds instinctively to his proximity, the slick running down my thighs an act of betrayal.

"I… umm." My mind feels like it’s short-circuiting, the words getting stuck in my throat as I struggle to form a coherent response. His nostrils flare as he catches the scent of my perfume.

I glare at him. The effect he has on me isn’t fair.

It’s just the drugs talking. He couldn't possibly want me.

I'm too broken and damaged.

The little monster of self-doubt whispers in my head and I shake the thought away. No, it’s not just that, he is my scent match. Memories of that night back at the Den filter through my mind and I know that he is the alpha I want. Not Adam.

"I’m supposed to be mad at you," I say, lifting my chin in defiance.

I’m about two seconds away from jumping his bones.

"I'll leave you two lovebirds alone," Shade says, slipping back into the house. But I can’t even respond as Hux’s low growl vibrates through me, the sound making my core throb with need.

FUCK.

"Are you going to come home willingly, kitten?" Hux’s voice cuts through the haze of desire. "Or do I need to toss you over my shoulder?"

His blue eyes pierce mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine, stirring something primal within me. I struggle to maintain my composure, to resist the overwhelming urge to surrender to the pleasure that threatens to consume me. But it's a losing battle, like trying to hold back a flood with nothing but my bare hands. Every fiber of my being screams for release, for the comfort and relief that only an alpha can provide.

Only Hux can provide.

“Hux,” I manage to whisper, my voice barely audible above the roaring of my blood in my ears.

As he steps closer, an agonizing pain I’ve never felt before engulfs me like wildfire. It spreads through my limbs like scalding lava, and a blinding white-hot flash bursts across my vision. Every nerve in my body feels as if it’s on fire, each breath coming in jagged gasps, like shards of glass scraping against my lungs. Tears blur my sight as I clench my fists, struggling to endure the relentless waves of heat crashing over me.

"Kitten?" Hux asks softly, his hand brushing along my arm. I cry out in pain, the touch intensifying the searing heat coursing through me.

"Don't," I beg, my voice cracking with agony. "Please, don't touch me."

Hux’s eyes widen with concern as he retracts his hand, but his gaze remains fixed on me, a mix of worry and something else burning in his blue eyes. He steps back, giving me space, but the air between us crackles with unspoken tension.

"What's happening to you?" His voice is rough, a touch of desperation seeping through as he takes in my pained expression.

Lie. My inner voice prompts.

"I—I don't know." The lie tastes bitter on my tongue. Even as my heat overwhelms me, I can't bring myself to face the look of disappointment he would give me if he knew I had been willingly taking the stimulant. And that I would have again today if he hadn't shown up. I gasp, each breath sending a sharp zing down to my core.

"Kay, is it your heat?" Hux asks as he crouches before me, his eyes filled with anguish. "What can I do, kitten? How do I help you?"

The raw concern in his voice brings tears to my eyes. Guilt swirls inside me, a vortex of self-recrimination. But amid the torment, there’s a dangerous part of me that craves Hux's touch, that's yearning for the comfort and relief only he can provide. The temptation is perilous, threatening to consume me entirely if I let it.

"Just… just stay with me," I manage to whisper. "Don’t leave me alone."

Hux's expression softens, and he moves closer again, though he respects the distance I’ve asked for. "I’m not going anywhere," he purrs softly. "Tell me what you need."

I close my eyes, focusing on the rumble in his chest, the soothing sound of his purr diminishing some of the pain. With a trembling hand, I reach out to him. Hux frowns, but slowly brushes his fingertips along mine.

I whimper again, my eyes clouding with tears.

"Fuck," He growls. The frustration in his voice makes me want to soothe him, my omega instinct vying for control.

As the tears stream down my face, clearing my blurred vision, Hux’s bright blue eyes come into focus. I see the moment realization dawns on him. His beautiful face morphs into something dark—sharp and hard.

Rage.

I whimper, the intensity of his spicy scent wrapping around me. His jaw clenches, a fierce possessiveness flashing across his features as the truth sinks in. "Did you take it?" he demands, his voice cutting through the air with an accusatory edge. We both know exactly what he means by it.

I can’t bear to meet his gaze, the force of his disappointment feeling like an unbearable weight pressing down on me.

"Answer me," he barks, his tone a commanding hiss. He didn't yell it at me in the slightest and that somehow makes the situation feel even worse.

"I'm sorry," I sob, the words barely escaping through my tears. "I didn't mean to… at first," I whisper, my voice trembling. "Don't hate me, Hux. I couldn’t bear it if you hated me."

His expression falters, caught between anger and something deeper. For a moment, he just stares at me, his fury blending with a profound sadness that cuts through the rage. The intensity of his silence amplifies my sense of desperation, magnifying my feeling of loss. Tears continue to fall in silent streams down my cheeks.

He hates me, and I don't blame him.

Hux’s hand reaches out tentatively, his fingers a hair's breadth from touching my cheek before he withdraws, letting his hand fall to his side.

"I don't hate you. I could never hate you," he says, his voice filled with an aching gentleness. "But why didn’t you tell me, kitten?"

I clench my thighs together, trying to stem the ache coursing through me.

"Like you told me about the Hounds," I counter, my voice strained and defensive. The accusation lingers in the air between us, a painful reminder of the secrets that we both have been keeping and the trust that is broken.

Hux’s shoulders sag slightly as he crouches in front of me.

“I didn’t know the full extent of Titus’s plan, kitten, I swear it . All I knew was that Michelle wanted your bond with Adam broken and Candice to take your place,” he admits quietly, his voice heavy with regret. “I should have told you. I’m sorry. I wanted to protect you. I see now. But don't let my mistake make you suffer more than you already have. You shouldn’t have had to face this alone.”

"I didn't want to bother you," I mumble, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

He moves to one knee in front of me, bringing our faces inches apart. His eyes darken with an intensity that makes my heart race. "Bother me?" he murmurs. "You think your heat is a bother to me?"

I open my mouth to respond, but his proximity, the heat surging through me, and the intensity in his gaze make coherent thought nearly impossible. His breath skims my skin, hot and tantalizing, causing me to whimper helplessly.

"You're mine, Kaylani," he growls, his voice a low, rumbling declaration that seems to resonate deep within my core. "There is nothing you could ever do that would make me not want you."

I try to speak, but the intensity of his gaze and the strength of my heat render me mute. All I can do is give him a watery smile. My mind, body, and soul are overwhelmed with his promises and scent.

I don't deserve someone like him.

"I'll call Creed. He’ll know how to handle this. I didn’t realize you were going through this alone." Hux’s voice is a soothing balm amid the chaos, but I look away, unable to meet his gaze. After a moment he sighs and steps away. The shame of my actions threatens to pull me deeper into an abyss of self-recrimination. I shouldn't be burdening him with my choices.

I hear his footsteps on the porch as his sandalwood scent engulfs me once more. "Kitten, I need to pick you up, get you home. Creed and Vaughn are waiting for us." His hands make contact with my shoulders and a searing pain rips a scream from my throat. The intensity of his alpha presence overwhelms my senses, sending waves of agony crashing over me like a relentless tide.

Every nerve in my body feels like it's on fire, my skin burning with an unbearable intensity. The pain is excruciating, a relentless assault that threatens to consume me whole. I gasp for breath, my chest heaving as I cling to his shoulders, desperate for any reprieve from the torment coursing through my veins.

"Hux," I choke out, my voice cracking with the desperate plea. "Please... it hurts..."

"Almost there, kitten. Hang on, baby. Breathe in and out through your mouth," he instructs.

I writhe in his grasp, struggling to follow his instructions as the waves of pain threaten to overwhelm me.

"You can do this," Hux murmurs, his voice a gentle purr that contrasts with the fierce intensity of his earlier tone. "Just hang on. You’re such a good girl."

His purr rattles softly. "Let’s get you home so your pack can take care of you," he says firmly. Carefully, he sets me in the backseat of his sedan.

"Hurts," I manage to whisper, my voice barely more than a breath.

"I know, baby. Rest," he commands softly, his alpha bark weaving into the command, offering a semblance of calm amidst the storm.

I settle into the leather seat, my eyes closing at his alpha bark. Despite everything, I trust Hux to guide me through the darkness that slowly engulfs me.