Boris heard footsteps. Footsteps that were getting really close, approaching the door. Then he heard a voice, "I'm sure that big wolf came this way."
Boris's breath caught. The stranger's body tensed too.
In a heartbeat of desperation, the man dipped down and kissed him.
Boris's eyes flew wide. He reacted on instinct, shoving the man back—not hard, but enough. The stranger let him. He didn't fight. Didn't claw. Just stood there in the dark, staring into him like he could see Boris even without light.
And for a second.... Boris froze. His first kiss.
Click.
The doorknob turned.
Something surged through Boris—panic, heat, instinct. He moved before he could think. He tilted his head and pressed his lips back to the stranger's own, wrapping his arms around the man's neck like it meant something.
Yes, yes, he was gay and maybe pathetic for wanting this, especially now, but it wasn't just want. Something deeper pushed him forward.
"I can save you," Boris whispered, voice trembling beneath a forced calm.
The man's crimson eyes flickered and then darkened. It became as thick and deep as oxblood red. His breath rolled hot against Boris's ear, his voice a rumble of smoke and desire. "I will make you my mate then."
No, he misunderstood. That wasn't what Boris meant. He just wanted to help. He wanted to heal.
But then… a flush bloomed beneath Boris's skin. It was out of nowhere and searing. "No, not now," he cried in his heart.
His body gave in. Heat rolled over him like a tide. He whimpered—low, breathy, and terribly soft. He moaned like a lady in heat, only, he was actually in heat just not a lady.
"Today? Why today?"
The door creaked open. A sliver of hallway light spilled into the room, brushing across Boris's face.
The strange man shifted forward, his larger body shielding Boris from view. In the dim light, only their silhouettes could be seen. Their silhouettes were tangled, heated, unmistakable.
"What in the moon goddess…?! It's just a couple making out in here!" one voice blurted, clearly assaulted by what he just saw. "But in the healing house????!!!!"
"That's not the Red Hound Wolf," another scoffed. "This one's too small. You think the hound would escape us just to screw some obvious omega in here?"
"Was that a man moaning just now?" a third asked, half-disgusted, and half-enthralled.
"Let it be," the first voice said, footsteps already retreating. "If they're both omegas, they'll be dead soon enough. No way are they not going to be found out by someone else. We need to find the Red Hound."
The door clicked shut. Silence returned... well, except for the sound of breathing.
The stranger exhaled slowly. The danger had passed, but he didn't move. He suddenly couldn't.
He stayed pressed to Boris like something unseen tethered him there. He licked his lips, his gaze hungry, heat pulsing off him. Aha, there was a certain scent in the air and it was warm and intoxicating like perfume made aphrodisiac.
Boris's rational mind returned, at least partly. He needed his heat suppressant. He needed space. He needed control.
He pushed gently at the man's chest with both hands. Soft palms on hot skin. His thoughts snagged. "I need to be reserved for my mate."
"Your mate?" His wolf questioned. "The one you were supposed to be breaking bonds with today? Do you think such a man as Alpha Malakai wants a man as a mate, or a weak Omega with a female wolf, or a potential disgrace who goes into heat every month!?"