And then she felt the sting of his bite.
But it didn't hurt. Not exactly. Instead, just like everything else that had happened between her and Ty, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
* * *
She was his.
Truly and completely.
Ty had never felt so sated in his life. He'd never known such complete and total victory.
Mia had given him her claiming bite, not because she'd been coerced into doing it, but because it was what she wanted.
She'd chosen him. Given herself to him in the way only an omega could, now and forever.
Ty's only regret was that they didn't have time to bask in the afterglow.
There were too many people after her, coming after both of them. They didn't have the luxury of lounging in bed all day.
Ty needed to end this situation and get the bastards out of the Boundarylands for good.
He reluctantly uncurled his arms from around Mia's slight body the moment his knot eased. As gently as he could manage, he pressed a kiss against her brow.
"You need to bathe," he said. "We have to go to the bar."
Mia's eyes widened. "Why?"
"Because we need to speak to the man who can end this."
Mia's expression was troubled, but she didn't argue. He felt the weight of responsibility for his precious omega hardening his resolve despite her skepticism.
He was worried, too.
But Agent Christie was their only reliable contact in the beta world. He was neither a liar nor a trespasser. So far, he'd been the only beta Ty had ever met who was good to his word.
Ty only prayed the FBI agent continued to be honest…or there were going to be a whole lot more bodies stacked on the side of the Central Road.
He rose from the bed and carried Mia to the bathroom, where he washed their bodies with warm water from the hot springs. It was almost impossible not to let his hands linger over her soft curves as he gently rinsed the slick and come from her thighs.
Almost as hard as resisting the urge to bring her back to bed and make her just as dirty again.
But somehow Ty managed to get them both out the door and into his truck without letting his desire take over.
They were halfway down the road when he realized that she hadn't spoken. Her face was turned away from him, her unfocused gaze on the passing scenery.
Her scent was rich and complex, equal parts contentment and worry. There was no tension in her shoulders, but her thoughts were far away.
Ty cupped his hand over her knee. "You with me?" he asked.
Mia shook her head and flashed a smile, as though she was bringing herself out a deep well of thought. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"You're not having second thoughts, are you?"
"About?"
Ty raised an eyebrow. What did she think?
"Claiming you?" She said the words as though they were utterly absurd. "No. I was just wondering if going to the bar is a good idea. Maybe you were right before, and we'd be safer inside the cabin."
Ty scowled. He tightened his grip on her knee, hoping to calm her. "You're mine now," he assured her. "And once the world knows that, they'll leave us in peace."
But he could feel her tense. "I don't know how long it's been since you've been out in the beta world, but that's not how things work. People never leave you alone. Not when they want something from you."
Ty brought his hand back to the steering wheel and gripped it tight. The beta world. He knew what she really meant by that.
Her friends.
Her father.
The people who had used her up then threw her out.
Now they wanted her back so they could continue to make her life hell.
"No one is going to hurt you, Mia," he said. "Never again. While I'm alive, you're safe."
Mia surprised him by edging across the seat toward him, resting her head against the bulge of his bicep.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Ty didn't know how to respond. There didn't seem to be anything he could say that would let her know what her trust meant to him.
Because it meant everything.
So, instead of saying a single word, he simply drank in the simple joy of having the woman that meant the world to him sitting at his side.
The spell was broken when they pulled up to Evander's Bar and the caravan of shiny black vehicles still circled in his parking lot.
Mia tensed as Ty hit the brakes and cut the engine, turning worried blue eyes up at him.
"Stay by my side," he told her firmly. "Don't step away even for a second. Understand?"
Mia nodded.
The moment they were out of the truck, she grabbed his arm and held on for dear life. Her eyes scanned the crowd of black-suited agents that pressed close around them, gawking.
"I still don't think this is a good idea," she muttered again.
Ty stood firm, pulling himself up to his full height. "It will all be over in a couple of minutes," he assured her. "And then we can go on with the rest of our lives."
"Ty Wick," Agent Christie called as he stepped out from the barricade of the cars. "I'm glad to see you again."
The beta didn't look like he was lying. Ty sniffed the air. He didn't smell like it either.
"I'm happy to hear that," Ty said when he was satisfied. "I wasn't sure what kind of welcome to expect after what happened yesterday."
Christie's expression tightened. "I can't tell you how upset and sorry I am about that," he said. "I assure you neither I nor anyone on my team had any knowledge or involvement."
Ty believed him.
Mia was still hesitant, though. Her grip on his arm tightened even more. After all that had happened yesterday, Ty didn't blame her.
"Mia, this is Agent Christie of the FBI," he said, not taking his eyes off the phalanx of armed men.
Christie nodded in greeting but didn't reach out to shake her hand.
Given everything he
