The Omega's Prize Excerpt
Here’s a quick [unedited!] introduction to Steph and Blue.
Before Blue could do anything with his gut feeling of impending doom, she was beside him. “Oh. That’s the present François said he left. He didn’t need to do that.”
She slid it onto the island and tugged at the twine binding it together.
The string loosened instantly, uncurling from the package as if magic were involved. The front paper fluttered away, and suddenly a multi-layered image appeared.
A single glance was enough to make Blue see red.
The outside edges showed deep forest with many types of trees and lush green underbrush. Off-center, a small clearing cut through the wilderness, the sun shining in like a spotlight to highlight the main feature.
A cougar lay in the beam of sunshine, musculature frame accented by the shadows formed on his body. An extraordinary creature, the big cat’s head rested in the lap of a human.
His human. Blue’s—
Because it was most definitely meant to be Stephanie on the canvas. The woman’s colouring was the same, her hair arranged the way Steph liked to drape her hair over her right shoulder. The familiar position of the relaxed feminine body—legs crossed at the ankle, leaning back on her arms, face lifted to the sky.
Maybe he was jumping to conclusions. A million people liked that position, but this was Stephanie to the core.
Why is our mate in this picture? his wolf asked, clearly perplexed. Why is she with another shifter?
It was one of the most uncomfortable dual-personality moments Blue had ever experienced. He always knew what his other half was thinking, but he was only one being—the wolf a part of him, not a separate individual. But right now, he truly felt as if his wolf was separate from him and asking him the question.
No, demanding.
That’s our mate. He is trying to woo our mate. A feral growl ripped from Blue’s lips, and Stephanie eyed him with concern.
As she should. His wolf was a second away from taking control and turning them furry.
Blue opened and closed his hands a few times, fighting for control.
“Blue?” Steph leaned closer, even as she shuffled a half-step back. Some part of her subconscious registering that the wild animal beside her was dangerous. “Are you okay?”
He stared at the picture as his claws extended through his fingertips. Patience. Waiting. All the things that he’d been doing for months fell away in a blaze of inner fury.
One hand flew forward. He wasn’t in charge of the motion. He’d kept from shifting, but the wolf was not fucking around. Claws at full extension, Blue made a swipe at the canvas as he turned to fully face Steph.
It’s time. Now. Now, now, now his wolf demanded.
She met his gaze straight on. Thank God he didn’t see fear in her eyes, but there was confusion. “I take it you don’t like the gift François gave me.”
“He’s trying to woo you. But he can’t.” A growl full of frustration and fury.
“I didn’t ask him to,” she offered peacefully. “I don’t want him to.”
“That’s good. But he’s still trying, and it’s not happening.” Blue’s voice crackled between human and howl. “Because you’re my mate.”
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