Oberon’s eyes narrowed. “You’re saying she manipulated him through pheromone exchange?”
“Rebirth has never resulted in a dominant omega, meaning anyone who’d been altered with it would be at a disadvantage against her pheromones. If she strategically used this, forcing him to take them in whenever his energy and pheromones both fluctuated, she could train his subconscious into associating her presence with safety. If she claimed him, she could—”
“She didn’t. He doesn’t have the bite.”
“You’re positive?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then either she was overly confident in her pheromones or…She planned on using him to form an alliance.”
“As in, she planned on marrying him off to the highest bidder?” A threatening rumble released from Oberon’s chest.
“Think about it. You and I are both fascinated with curiosities. What’s more interesting than a hybrid who can control the weather and be made beholden to their alpha? Michelle could use her success with her pheromones to prove it can be done. A transfer would then be made as soon as a true bond was formed through the bite. It’s an enticing offer. If this bidder was lucky, she’d warn him beforehand.”
“Warn him?”
“About the energy? Didn’t I make that clear?”
“No.” Oberon frowned.
“Giving a Shout turned omega a mating bite would send his system back into fluctuation, or influx, as it’s called. Basically, his energy and pheromone levels would rise to dangerous levels. I can’t say for certain he’d be returned to the same frenzied state as when he was freshly altered, however—”
“Are you suggesting it could make him lose his mind?”
“I’m telling you that not only will that happen, but he’ll also turn into a ticking time bomb that automatically resets itself to explode. They’d need careful care and serious regulating otherwise—”
“Hold on. Species with heightened energy tend to burn through chemical compounds at a faster rate, don’t they?” Oberon’s look turned suspicious, and he silently tried to question Fenrir.
Fen felt the change almost immediately.
Fiora didn’t get the chance to answer.
Energy swelled and burst, the chains instantly freezing and shattering. His body unlocked and with one hard shove, Fenrir leapt for the alpha.
Chapter 14:
The sounds of muffled omega whimpers filled the room, only cutting through Oberon’s concentration occasionally.
He sat at the kitchen table, near enough to Fenrir to react if needed, but far enough to avoid the worst of the omega’s pheromones.
Pheromones that threatened to drag Oberon into the same insanity Fenrir was currently experiencing.
To counteract that, he had the window to his left wide open, braving the chill of winter as the sun faded below the horizon. They’d been locked in a battle of wills for a few hours already, but it was only just starting to seem like his “treatment plan” was working.
The red, inflamed patches of skin on Oberon’s right hand and his forearms weren’t as distracting as he worked.The frostnip delivered from Fenrir’s attack had burned in the beginning. There’d also been no way for O to dodge it.
His gaze momentarily took in the state of his living room and he scowled. When his omega had launched himself at him, he’d also used his power to turn the house into a winter wonderland of sorts. The fine layer of snow had melted, but puddles of water and soggy throw pillows were stark reminders of what Oberon had unwittingly found himself dealing with.
Refusing to punch his mate, O had momentarily feared he’d be overpowered, but as quickly as the burst of energy had come, it had fled, leaving Fenrir crumpling in his arms like a marionette with its strings cut.
Since chains on their own hadn’t done the trick, Oberon had hatched a new scheme based on all that he’d learned from Fiora.
Energy and pheromones may be different, but all species that possessed them regulated much the same way. By expelling pent-up stores.
The most effective way to do that?
Sex.