CHAPTER 004

Nathaniel’s POV

Malik’s home was absolutely breathtaking. It was a massive, modern estate nestled right at the edge of the pack’s inner circle, surrounded by towering glass windows and sleek stone walls that overlooked the forest.

Inside, everything looked expensive—polished dark wood floors, plush leather furniture, and high ceilings that made the entire place feel like a fortress.

It was also completely suffocating.

Every time I walked down a hallway, the servants would instantly stiffen and give me forced smiles. They hated me, even though they tried their best to hide it. I’m sure they were all wondering how an Omega had somehow wormed his way into their powerful Alpha’s sacred space.

The only one who really seemed to like me was the aged head maid, Genevieve. I knew her because she used to work for the previous Enforcer—Malik’s father—right alongside my own parents before they tragically passed. She clearly saw me as a child of her own, which was exactly why she refused to let me out of her sight, even now.

“Genevieve, I’m fine. I promise,” I said, offering a weak smile as she fussed over me. “I just need to head to the healer.”

She waved a careless hand, her sharp eyes scanning my pale face. “Then I’ll get one of the drivers to take you in the Alpha’s car.”

Even though I sighed at her overprotectiveness, my feet still hurt terribly from the long walk the other day, so I didn't refuse. “Fine then, I’ll go with one of his cars.”

A few minutes later, the sleek black SUV pulled up directly in front of Agatha’s clinic. I quickly stepped out of the backseat, placing a hand against the door to steady myself as I tried to suppress a sudden wave of dizziness.

It wasn't just the pregnancy making me light-headed anymore. My heat cycle was already starting to mess with my body, and being cooped up with Malik’s constant, overpowering Alpha pheromones for the past few days was only making it ten times worse.

I pushed open the clinic door, the bell chiming above me. The moment I saw Agatha sorting jars behind the counter, I instantly released a heavy breath of relief.

“Agatha,” I murmured, walking over and leaning against the wooden desk. “I need you to give me suppressant shots. Please.”

Agatha stopped what she was doing and looked at me, her expression turning somber as she shook her head. “I'm sorry but I can’t do that, Nathaniel.”

“Why not?” I asked, my voice rising in a slight panic.

“You’ve been on suppressants for too many years without a break, and your system is already fragile,” she explained gently. “Pumping more chemical shots into you right now could be detrimental to the health of the baby.”

Hearing that, I felt like crying. My body had really been embarrassing me lately, and the thought of facing a full heat completely unprotected terrified me. Just the other night, while Malik and I were having dinner, his hand had accidentally grazed mine when reaching for the water pitcher.

The brief, electric spark of his skin against mine had sent a jolt straight down between my thighs, and I could have sworn I let out a soft, pathetic moan right there at the table. Malik had frozen, staring at me with darkened eyes, and I had excused myself so fast I practically tripped over my own feet.

I couldn’t take it. I couldn't lose control like that again.

“What about Wolfsbane extract?” I asked desperately, gripping the edge of the counter. “That would reduce the effects, right? I could take a low dosage.”

Agatha let out a long sigh and crossed her arms. “Yes, it would dull the effects for a while. But your heat could flare up fully at any time, Nathaniel. Especially because you’re pregnant—Omegas get... incredibly needy during that period.”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands.

“Honestly,” Agatha continued, her tone shifting to something suggestive. “I think you should just do it.”

I lowered my hands, looking at her cautiously. “Do... what?”

“Have sex,” Agatha said, shrugging as if she were merely recommending a cup of herbal tea. “Your body is practically begging for a mate’s touch to settle the pup. You have to sleep with someone to clear the fever.”

I shook my head repeatedly, stepping back from the counter in sheer disbelief. “No. No. No. I don’t have a mate. And do you remember what happened the last time I had sex? I got pregnant! And look where that got me.”

Agatha just shrugged again, completely unbothered by my mini-panic attack. “Whether you want to or not, your body will eventually submit to its cravings. You won't have a choice. Especially if you’re living in close quarters with an Alpha as dominant as Malik.”

At the mention of Malik's name, my mind instantly went to dirty, dirty places. I suddenly pictured him looming over me in his massive bed, his large, scarred hands pinning my wrists to the mattress while his dark locs brushed against my cheeks, his spicy leather scent completely consuming me.

My heart hammered against my ribs, and a thick wave of heat pooled right between my legs.

Realizing where my treacherous thoughts had just gone, I violently shook my head, my entire face flushing red.

“Malik would never want me like that,” I stammered, my voice cracking as I tried to swallow down the sudden dryness in my throat. “He’s my best friend.”

Agatha didn't argue. She just gave me a knowing, silent look, picked up her jar of herbs, and walked into the back room, leaving me alone with my racing heart.

>>>•>>>•>>>

[IN THE PACK HOUSE...]

Malik’s POV

I leaned back in my leather chair, rubbing my temples. Between managing the border patrols, tracking rogue movements, and dealing with the chaos of my personal life, my brain felt like it was frying.

A sharp knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

“Come in,” I grunted.

The door swung open, and Jax stepped inside. I couldn't help but roll my eyes the second I saw him. “What do you want now? I have enough work to last me a year,” I groaned, tossing my tablet onto the desk.

Jax restrained a smile. He knew exactly how stressed I was. “I’m sorry to bother you, Alpha. But your presence is requested by the council.”

I scoffed, leaning back further and crossing my arms. “I really don't have the time to entertain those people right now. Tell them it can wait.”

As I turned back to my desk to grab a document, Jax cleared his throat. “Your parents are also there, Alpha Malice.”

The mention of my parents made my blood turn to ice. I slammed my pen onto the desk, the sharp noise echoing through the room. “What the fuck do those people want?”

Jax bowed his head slightly. “I don't know, Alpha. But they insisted it was urgent.”

“Fine,” I hissed, standing up so fast my chair rolled back and hit the wall.

I pushed past Jax, my heavy boots thudding against the floorboards as I marched down the pack house corridors toward the council chamber. My wolf was already pacing under my skin, irritated by the interruption and deeply suspicious of whatever my father had cooked up now.

When I threw open the double doors to the chamber, the room instantly fell silent. The council of Elders sat in a semi-circle at the front of the room, their expressions rigid. Standing just behind them were my parents. My father, the previous Enforcer, gave me a hard, evaluating look, while my mother kept her face perfectly blank.

Sitting to the left of the elders was Brandon, looking as smug and arrogant as ever. I didn't even bother looking at any of them, completely dismissing their presence.

Instead, my eyes locked onto the middle of the room.

Standing perfectly still in the center of the chamber was a woman dressed in a pristine white gown. Her posture was flawless, but her face was completely obscured by a heavy, lace veil.

I stopped a few feet away from her, my posture rigid as I radiated pure, unadulterated coldness.

“I'd like to know why I've been summoned,” I asked, my voice cutting through the silence.

Brandon leaned forward in his seat, an ugly smirk stretching across his face. He rested his elbows on the table, clearly enjoying the fact that he was the one delivering the news.

“Our neighboring pack has decided it’s time to form a stronger union with the rest of the Empire, Malice,” Brandon said. He gestured toward the veiled woman in the center of the room. “They’ve sent their most prized possession, Lady Dahlia Sutton, and they have officially proposed a marriage to you.”