Chapter 2

Lana

My thoughts—and my tongue—tangled at the sight of the man’s muscle lines. For a long moment, my gaze stayed glued to the broad slope of his shoulders and the perfect cut of his abs.

The man actually chuckled, stepping closer. He spread his arms slightly, a bold, inviting gesture. “It seems you like what you see.” he murmured, and before I could react, his arm slid around my waist, pulling me against him. “Didn’t expect you so early.”

His closeness—the heat of him, the scent—sent a shivering thrill through me that left my mind blank.

The question of why Kade was in my room—and why he looked as if he’d been waiting—spun in my head.

But with him looming so large and his handsome face now dizzyingly close, my thoughts scrambled before I could string two of them together.

Kade's scent had overtaken me. It was much more intense than what Caleb could have ever done and it seeped into my every pore. My wolf, Alruna, awakened and howled in expectation as he came closer.

But something felt wrong. How could anything feel stronger than the mate bond between fated mates?

Surprised by Alruna’s excitement inside me, I turned to avoid his kiss but still felt the press of his lips on my cheek.

That small press of moisture upon my face caused Alruna to flare like a fire inside of me. She wanted Kade in a way she never had with Caleb. My body began to tingle as I backed up a step unsure what to do with these new, unexpected sensations inside me.

But letting this mistake with Kade play out right now might satisfy Alruna’s sudden, fierce craving—and god, wouldn’t it be the perfect revenge on those two cheating rats?

But just as I was about to let myself sink into the closeness, Kade spoke softly by my ear. "This is more interesting than I expected. What was your name again, Jasmine? Or was it Janice?"

In that instant, I froze, feeling like I'd been struck by lightning.

I realized I was almost certainly in the wrong room, and Kade was waiting for a girl whose face—and name—he couldn't even remember.

Was this really the scene I'd pictured when I thought about giving away my virginity—just to get back at the people who'd hurt me? It went against everything I'd ever promised myself. Besides, Kade was definitely not the kind of person I should be getting involved with.

Pulling my lower lip between my teeth, the sharp pinch slowly clearing my head.

As the heir to the leader of the Western Packs, Kade had the freedom to have any "lifestyle"—and I wanted absolutely no part of it.

Kade was still exploring my skin as if mesmerized, his mouth trailing lower, aimed for the sensitive curve of my neck. Every instinct in my blood screamed for me to give in, to sink into the dizzying, desperate hunger he ignited.

But I clawed back my will, gathering every shred of resolve, and shoved my palms hard against the solid wall of his chest. Through flesh and bone, I could almost feel the frantic, pounding rhythm of his heart beneath my fingertips.

"Let me go," I managed, the words raw and strained.

“I’m sorry, I must have the wrong room,” I said to him and backed up.

Kade looked puzzled. “Oh you have the right room, I told you it would be open and to come in.” his lips crooked into a half smile.

“Well, I’m not your date, or whatever.”

To my surprise, Kade didn't let go. Instead, he pulled me even closer, his voice a low murmur near my ear. "Didn't expect that, but looks like my plans for the night just opened up for a little change of scenery."

“You know, I wouldn’t mind if you were my appetizer before the main course gets here. You can even stay all night if you like.”

Disgusted at the suggestion of three-way, I put a steady, firm distance between us, even as Alruna grumbled her displeasure inside me.

My gaze locked onto Kade, who seemed genuinely confused by my refusal. "You have your game," I said, my voice low but clear. "But I'm not part of it.”

Kade’s captivating coffee-colored eyes flickered with surprise. "You’re the first girl to ever say that to me." But he didn't press further, stepping back to give me space.

My gaze dropped to his still-bare, muscular chest, and I flinched as if burned. I whirled around and headed for the door without another word.

His alluring laugh followed me as I exited the door and he said, “If you end up changing your mind, you know where to find me. My little bird.”

-

After confirming the correct room number with a housekeeper in the hallway, I finally found my room on the fourth floor.

Once there I did a sweep of the place to be sure there were no more mostly naked Alphas waiting for me. Just thinking of Kade with nothing on but a hope and prayer his towel stayed in place, had me flushed all over again.

Little bird...? What kind of stupid pet name is that? My pulse fluttered, traitorous and warm, even as I tried to brush it off.

Trying to push the thoughts of that annoying Alpha from my mind I decided a hot bath and bed would probably be best.

Using the provided soap, I filled the tub with plenty of bubbles and slid into the hot sudsy water. It enveloped me in a satisfying way, and I sighed wishing my muscles and my mind would ease soon. My muscles did relax, the smell of lavender helped calm me as well, but my mind seemed to have other plan.

The hot steam surrounding his body, with the water still clinging to him, his towel all for show, and that devilish smile spread cross his lushes, full lips.

Smacking my forehead I tried, yet again, to push the image of him from my mind. Goddess, it was worse than Caleb! Sure I had fantasized about our first time, but after seeing Kade like that all those fantasies of Caleb felt more like a laundry list of a plan, not really a fantasy.

Once out of the tub and dried off, I crawled into bed. Sighing, I rolled over and tired hard to think of anything else and of course my mind strayed back to Kade. By the feeling of Alruna inside me she was more than happy to let the memory of him linger in my mind.

Letting out a deep sigh, I got under the comforter and forced myself to sleep, visions of Kade still plaguing my thoughts.

The next day I awoke worn. Dreams of Kade haunted me all night.

But I didn’t have time to dwell on it.

As the only Omega in the entire university, I'd chosen the notoriously difficult healer track. My days were packed from morning to night with classes and part-time work, every minute accounted for.

Caleb had complained about it before, even offering to pay my tuition. I'd refused, firm. I never wanted anyone to think I was with him for his status or his money.

Thinking of Caleb now sent a sharp pang through my chest. But I was done. My mind was made up—I was cutting him and Olivia out of my life for good.

After a full morning of classes, I headed back to the dorm I shared with Olivia, planning to talk to her before going to the housing office about switching rooms.

But the moment I opened the door, I found Olivia standing with her hands on her hips, directing strangers as they rearranged my room into a gym. My belongings were bunched up and tossed by the doorway like trash.

Before I could even process the shock, Olivia turned to me with a smug smile. "Looks like poor little omega Lan-Lan needs to find a new place to stay."

"I'm moving in with Caleb."