Free Omegas In Love by Annie Nicholas Page B

who’d helped her wouldn’t be bothered anymore. She would return to China. A thousand terrible possibilities loomed in her future.
    How pathetic that she couldn’t break out. Without her beast, she wasn’t any better than a human. Every time she reached for her animal self, she found nothing. She’d never been so alone. How did humans cope?
    The doorknob twisted and rattled slightly. Someone snuffled on the other side.
    Moving slowly, she sat on the edge of the bed, not wanting to appear weak when Chen entered. She swallowed the pain and tried to take strength from it. No more groveling. She was Vasi now. The old Katrina had died when she ran from Chen.
    “Katrina?” A familiar voice whispered.
    Her spine snapped straight. All her pain vanished while her heart did a pirouette into the sky. “Tyler?”
     

 
    Chapter 9
     
    Tyler leaned against the door at the sound of Katrina’s voice, as if he could pass through the metal. He had found her. Lightheaded, he took a deep breath. The lock didn’t appear heavy duty, just a simple thing to keep humans out. The muscles in his back and arm contracted while he applied pressure to the knob. If he broke it, the lock would go too.
    It took all his willpower not to bust down the door, but noise would attract attention. Concentrating supernatural strength in his hand finally snapped the knob. Its shattered pieces tumbled into his palms.
    He shoved the door open.
    Katrina stood on shaky legs. The most radiant smile spread across her face like moonbeams and night skies.
    In three strides, he gathered her in his arms and squeezed tight. Nothing short of a crowbar would pry his arms from her.
    Or her flinching at his touch.
    He let go right away. She hadn’t reacted to him this way since they’d first met. Stepping away, he scanned her from head to toe. Torn dress, bruised face and limbs, her bottom lip swollen with a split. That bastard! She splinted her side as she moved toward him as if it hurt to walk.
    “No.” The denial grated in his throat with contained rage. His pulse pounded behind his eyes. Had she already gone into heat? Was he too late?
    Chen. Would. Die.
    He’d tear that alpha’s heart out and eat it. Never had he wished harm on anyone until tonight.
    Tears sparkled on Katrina’s eyelashes. “It’s not what you think. He only beat me.” She reached for him.
    “Only?” He could barely speak. This time he gathered her in his arms gently. “I’m going to kill him.”
    “No, you’re not.” She gazed into his eyes as she rested her head on his chest. “You will take me home. Let the warriors fight. I can’t lose you.” She sobbed once. “I’m so sorry.”
    He gave her a chaste kiss. “We need to go.”
    “Wait.” She whispered. “There’s something you need to know. I will be in my season soon. Very soon.”
    “I know.”
    Her shocked, confused expression was priceless.
    “I had someone translate your diary.” He met her stare without shame. He’d have done it again if it meant saving her.
    “The whole thing?” A deep blush crept up her cheeks then she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Chen’s gathered other females. He’s going to do terrible things to them. We have to help.”
    “First, I get you off the ship. Then I’ll come back with help.”
    “I have to stay.”
    “Katrina–”
    She placed a finger over his lips. “It is non-negotiable. I won’t be separated from you.”
    They could argue about this all night, but it wouldn’t get her home faster. “Fine. At any sign of trouble, you shift and run.” He turned toward the door.
    “I can’t shift.”
    “Shit, Spice told me. I forgot.” He’d have to stay in human form so she could keep up. “How long before it wears off?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Fuck.” With a gentle hand, he guided her to the door. His acute sense of smell had led him to Katrina. She was his mate. He could recognize a trace of her scent, but strangers were a different thing. The ship was