The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 182: Chapter 182

Rowan POV:
“Come on, Rowan, don’t stop now.”
Emma’s voice, a husky whisper, grated on my nerves.
Her hands roamed my chest, her touch, once a source of… something…
Now just a meaningless sensation, a pale imitation of the fire that burned within me, a fire that she, with her perfume, her shallow kisses, her human ignorance, couldn’t start.
“She’s not her, Rowan. She’s not the one.” My wolf growled, restless and frustrated.
His claws dug into the mattress, his body aching with a need that Emma couldn’t satisfy.
I’d been trying to lose myself in the moment, to pretend that the emptiness inside me, the longing for Catrina, wasn’t tearing me apart.
Chad was at the gym, giving us some privacy, and Emma was… willing.
Eager.
But it felt wrong, hollow, a betrayal of the love I’d tried so hard to forget.
“She’s out there, Rowan. Alone. Vulnerable. And you’re here, wasting time with this… human.”
My wolf’s voice was a mix of accusation and a primal urge to protect, to find her, to claim her, a need that was becoming harder and harder to ignore.
Suddenly, a wave of unease washed over me.
It was a feeling I’d been getting more and more lately, a prickling sensation at the back of my neck, a coldness that spread through my limbs.
“Something’s wrong. I can feel it.” My wolf growled, his voice sharp, alert.
“Catrina. She’s in danger.”
I pushed Emma away, ignoring her surprised gasp, the hurt in her eyes.
“What’s wrong, Rowan?” she asked, her voice laced with a petulant whine.
“Don’t you… want me anymore?”
“I’m sorry, Emma. I… I can’t.” I got off the bed, my heart pounding, the need to find Catrina, to make sure she was safe, overriding everything else.
“I have to go.”
“Go? Where? It’s, like, midnight!” She sounded confused, hurt. But I didn’t have time to explain.
“It’s important, Emma. I’ll… I’ll explain later.”
I grabbed my jacket and hurried out of the dorm, ignoring her protests.
The cool night air hit me, and my wolf’s senses sharpened.
I could smell the city, the exhaust fumes, the greasy food, the sweat of a thousand humans… and beneath it all, a faint trace of lavender and vanilla.
Catrina.
“She’s close, Rowan. Follow her scent.”
I didn’t question my wolf. I didn’t even try to understand.
I just ran, my feet pounding against the pavement, my wolf leading the way, his instincts taking over.
I found her at the coffee shop where she worked, a small, cozy place near campus.
I could see her through the window, wiping down the counter, her movements slow and tired.
Brock was sitting at a table, his gaze fixed on her, a hungry look in his eyes.
“He’s still after her.” My wolf snarled, his claws itching to come out.
I wanted to storm in there, to drag Brock away from her, to tell him to back off.
But I held myself back. I didn’t have the right. Not anymore.
“She’s not yours, Rowan. You gave her up.”
I watched as Brock left, his shoulders slumped, his head down.
Rejection.
I knew that feeling all too well.
He walked away, and Catrina continued cleaning, her movements mechanical, her face shadowed.
“She’s hurting, Rowan. She misses you”
My wolf’s words twisted a knife in my gut.
The cafe was empty now, the lights dimmed.
Catrina flipped the sign to “Closed” and started locking up. I took a deep breath and walked towards the door.
“What are you doing, Rowan?” My wolf growled, his voice a mix of fear and excitement. “You’re playing with fire.”
“Just… checking on her,” I muttered, pushing the door open.
The bell jingled, and Catrina looked up, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Rowan?” she said, her voice a whisper.
“Need any help?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
But my voice came out a little rough.
My wolf was restless, his gaze fixed on her, taking in every detail – her dark hair, her amber eyes, the way her scent filled my senses, making me ache with longing.
She ignored me, her gaze dropping back to the lock she was fiddling with.
“Catrina?” I asked again, stepping closer. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” she said, her voice cold, distant. “I don’t need your help.”
She finished locking the door and turned to face me, her eyes flashing with anger.
“What are you doing here, Rowan?” she asked, her voice sharp.
“Don’t you have some… human girl to entertain?”
Her words stung. I deserved it.
“I… I was just worried about you,” I said, my voice a low rumble.
“It’s not safe for an unmated omega to be working this late, alone. You don’t know what kind of dangers…”
“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Spare me the lecture, Rowan. I can take care of myself.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I said, frustrated.
“I just… I’m trying to help. You’re vulnerable, Catrina. You don’t know what’s out there.”
“And you do?” she scoffed.
“You’re the big, bad Alpha, right? The protector? Except… you’re not, are you? You’re just a spoiled rich kid who treats college like a playground. You don’t have a clue about real danger.”
Her words hit me hard. She was right.
I’d been living a lie, pretending to be something I wasn’t.
“That’s not… fair, Catrina,” I said, my voice a low growl. “I’m not… I’m not like that.”
“Oh, really?” She raised an eyebrow, her gaze challenging.
“Then tell me, Rowan, how many human girls have you slept with since you came to college? So many you can’t even keep track? You reek of their scent.”
Her words hit me like a slap. She was jealous. She was angry.
And for the first time since I’d seen her again, a spark of hope flickered inside me.
“She still cares, Rowan. She still feels the bond” My wolf growled, his voice a low rumble of triumph.
Maybe… just maybe… I hadn’t lost her completely.
“That’s… none of your business, Catrina,” I said, my voice a little rough.
I tried to sound cold, indifferent, but I couldn’t hide the flicker of hope in my eyes, the warmth that spread through me at the thought that she might… still feel something for me.
“Look, I just wanted to make sure you were safe,” I continued, trying to regain control of the situation, to push down the dangerous desires that threatened to overwhelm me.
“I’m… I’m going now.”
I turned to leave, my wolf snarling in protest, his claws digging into my palms, his body aching for her touch, her scent, the connection that I’d denied, the bond that I’d broken.
“Don’t leave her, Rowan. Claim her. Make her yours.”
But I ignored him, forcing myself to walk away, to leave her standing there in the dim light of the coffee shop…
“You’re a fool, Rowan. A coward. You’re running from the one thing that could make you happy.” My wolf’s voice was a bitter accusation, a truth I couldn’t deny.
“I knew he was right. But I was afraid.” I was afraid of hurting her, of losing her, of destroying everything.
But you’re already losing her, Rowan. And you’re destroying yourself in the process.