urn, cooling the sweat that had plastered my hair to my neck and made my body glisten like I'd been doused in oil. I leaned back

over my chest, trying to rinse away the sticky residue of slick that clung to my thighs, but my movements were weak, uncoordinated. Ev

here the need pulsed hottest; my mind recoiled

eep in my core, shooting outward like lightning through my veins. It started as a low throb in my abdom

ied. Elias's scent lingered on my skin from when he'd carried me here, a faint trace of th

of needles. It amplified the pain, making my body scream for completion. Omegas weren't meant to endure this half-state; our

d, a vise squeezing my womb, radiating to my breasts, my thighs, even my fingertips. I felt like I

p detachment. He didn't speak at first, just strode in, his boots clicking on the floor, and scooped me up

hrough the fabric, his pheromones enveloping me fully now, easing

buried in the crook of his neck, inha

laid me down gently-too gently, almost mocking in its false care and stepped back, his gaze raking over my exposed form. I curled onto my side, tears blurring

on ruthlessness. My body betrayed me again, slick pooling anew just

ed out a sheaf of papers, throwing them onto the bed beside m

em," he

ending a fresh stab through my core. My hands fumble

what ar

ost with that smirk creeping back onto his lips-

hat means cutting all ties with that alpha of yours. No meeting him, no fucking him

bond; it was a contract in our world, enforceable by pack law, binding me to him forever. He leaned forward then, his face inches from

me to torment and fuck whenever I want. My personal p

ruth about his father, about why I'd really run three years ago. I'd discovered the old alpha's betrayal, his plots against Elias himself, and fled to

I could endure a bit more, couldn't I? Clench my teeth through the pain

my head, pushing the papers

He grabbed my chin, forcing my gaze to his, his fin

ave known, a cheater on top of a traitor. You slept with me that night, remember? Moaning under me li

pheromones spiking aggressively and making my body arch

sent me back onto the pillows. "Make up your mind while I'm

stormed out, the door slam

ain. Why was this happening to me? All I'd wanted was to protect him, to

futilely, slick soaking the fresh linens already. Hours blurred-maybe minutes, but it felt ete

eveal the truth about my father later, when the heat passed and he might listen. Enduring alone might kill me; omegas had died from prolonged heats without relief. An

e door opened again. Elias stood there,

tears streaming.

ickered in his gaze, cold and triumphant. He gathered the papers, tucking them away, then hovered

e a mocking purr. "Now, let's help