Her heart pounded in her chest while her lungs burned with every breath. Her feet and legs ached from running for so long but to stop meant disaster. There was a whoop of joy from somewhere behind her and she pushed herself to go faster. Exhaustion was just around the corner and with it…

A scent of sandalwood caught her nose as she ran through a clearing. Instinct told her to turn right and head towards it. Logic told her it was probably the safest option considering who was behind her.

Cormac McClaggen was the most insatiable alpha if there ever was one and he'd set his sights on Hermione once again while at the Ministry gala. No matter how often she rebuffed him, rejection seemed to just spur his advances even more.

Hermione was thankful that she'd decided to forgo a dress and wore dress slacks instead though her shoe voice had been impractical. She'd discarded her stiletto heels long before the chase. She was thankful that this year the gala was being hosted at Malfoy Manor which meant there were orchards that she could hide in.

After all it wasn't her fault that her heat had started early.

She cursed her damn omega designation again as she barrelled towards that alluring scent. There was a more feral growl behind her and Hermione guessed that it was due to the scent that was pulling her wherever it was.

Hermione thought for a moment about stopping but when the smell became so much stronger and cause an ache to begin between her legs, her instincts pushed her one last time…

…right into Draco Malfoy.

She skidded to a halt just inches from him, feeling a flush fall over her skin as he held her gaze. She had to actually tilt her head up to look into theirs piercing silver eyes. Eyes that were now darkening as they raked over her appearance. She suddenly felt severely self conscious in front of him.

Draco was one of the few unmated alphas left in Great Britain and the Daily Prophet made certain that everyone knew it. Hermione could admit and appreciate that he'd grown into a gorgeous young man since they'd left Hogwarts ten years ago. He was taller with broad shoulders and hands large enough she was sure he could hold her waist in just one. Her mouth went dry at the thought and she remembered when she'd seen him in the archives the other day with Harry. She'd barely concealed her appreciation at the view of watching him walk away wearing one of those damned perfectly fitted trailer suits.

It was astonishing to her that no omegas had managed to snatch the man up yet.

Yet here he was, obviously perusing his own grounds and looking positively feral as Cormac came to a halt behind her. She could feel the air change between them as his gaze cut to the alpha who'd been chasing her.

"Malfoy," Cormac grumbled. "I see you found-"

"Found a young woman whom is being chased by an animal through my grounds? Yes, I do see I found her. Granger," he looked back at her and Hermione felt that ache again, "do be honest and tell me if you would like for Mr McClaggen to be removed from this earth? It's hardly honourable to be chasing you like a prized doe."

Hermione found her words failed her as she opened her mouth to reply. She did notice how Malfoy's nostrils flared when she did. After a moment she managed to speak softly.

"No. I just want to be left alone."

The blond man nodded and turned towards the other alpha again, barely masking his look of disdain, "I suggest you leave then, McClaggen. Clearly she doesn't want you. And as these are my lands I have full authority to dispose of you if you so much as bother her again while here."

Cormac growled low and seemed to debate for a moment before finally turning tail and leaving.

Hermione couldn't help but continue to stare at the man before her. She couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to lay below him, to drag her tongue up the underside of his chiselled jaw and—

"Granger."

She blushed and curled her hands into fists and internally chastised herself. What was wrong with her? This was Draco Malfoy! She shouldn't be fantasising about wrapping her legs around him.

Bad Hermione….stop it…

"Granger," Malfoy said softly this time and she hesitated before meeting his eyes again, "I can smell your heat. Will you be alright? You need to head home."

A part of her hurt at the idea of being sent away. She didn't want to leave him. She wanted to stay, to be wrapped up in him.

"I…I don't want to…to go," she whispered with a furrowed brow.

Malfoy's own brows raised and his eyes seemed to darken further.

"Really?" He murmured and took a slow step towards her. She didn't dare move away, waiting for him to come even closer. "And why is that?"

She inhaled deeply as he was a breath away from her. Her eyes slid closed as the smell of him overwhelmed her and she nearly keened as his lips and nose grazed along her cheek.

"I…I'm not sure. But I…I want to stay. With you." She breathed deeply and nudged her nose against his, earning a satisfied growl from him.

"Is that truly what you want? Or is that your heat taking over?"

"Both," she said immediately and raised her hands up, wrists bared towards him and kept her hands just above his shoulders, not daring to touch yet. "It's both. Please. I don't think I can…I can't…"

"Say it then, Granger, I need to hear you say it," he murmured against her lips, not quite kissing her even though that's what she craved.

"I…I want you…Draco, I want you. Please."

It was all he needed to hear before he crashed his lips to her, one arm wrapping around her waist while the other tangled in her hair and held her securely to him.