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She paused, turned, and stared up at him with puppy dog eyes. “I can’t stay in this empty gym for one night? You’re gonna throw a pre-heat omega out into the street? There’s no telling what would happen.”

Nic knew he was being manipulated. Knew she was playing him like a game, and she just laid the ‘omega’ card down.

Little did she know, he had a soft spot for omegas.

Nic ran both hands through his hair, trying to straighten out his thoughts.

She couldn’t stay at the gym, that was for sure. And he didn’t have the heart to throw her out on the street. With a backpack and a frickin’ cat.

Was she running from someone? Or was she simply homeless?

No… that wasn’t it. The omega was too clean, she smelled too nice, and the cat was far too groomed to have been keeping her company outside for any amount of time.

Actually…

Nic stared at her manicured hands, the cat’s bow on its vest, and the barely used backpack strap that was settled over one shoulder.

She hadn’t been out on the streets for long, if at all.

“No omega center?” he clarified.

She shook her head.

“And you don’t have anywhere to go?”

She offered the slightest pause before she repeated the previous action. The backpack strap slipped, tugging down the collar of her shirt.

His gaze narrowed.

“Okay, well, I can’t have you scenting up my gym. It’ll drive my customers crazy.”

“They’ll just have an extra vigorous workout. You can thank me later,” she said, reaching up to pat him on the shoulder before she turned her back on him. Her head turned side to side, as if she were looking for the comfiest spot to sleep.

Nic couldn’t let that happen. Not here.

Not with that bond mark on her neck. She was hiding.

His lips moved before he’d fully made up his mind. But truly, was there any other option?

“You could come home with me?” he offered.

Chapter 2

WENDY

Wendy paused as the beta’s strange words echoed around the empty gym.

At almost two in the morning, she hadn’t really expected this gym to be open. Her first perusal around the property had obviously not been enough reconnaissance before she’d decided to break in.

But she was desperate.

Her heat was nearing, and she needed to get away.

But going home with a stranger? When she was going to be at her most vulnerable?

“I’m a beta, so your heat scent won’t bother me as much as an alpha. I have a spare room that locks from the inside, and you can even barricade it if you want. Do you have meds to help you through?”

Grinding her teeth together at just the mention of meds, she shook her head. How could she have gotten her hands on suppressants without…