Chapter 5

[Vivian's POV]

"Vivi..." he groaned against my mouth, thrusting deep into me. "Don't marry him. Stay with me."

The words were a bucket of cold water.

Reality crashed into me. I was cheating on the most powerful Alpha in the state.

If Kaelen found out, he wouldn't just kill Leo. He would cut off Sia's funding. He would throw us out.

I untangled my legs from his waist and pushed him away.

"No," I gasped, lips swollen. "No, Leo. I can't."

"We can't do this," I said, voice shaking. I jumped off the desk and smoothed down my scrubs. "I have a daughter. I have a duty. Sia is my life."

I couldn't look at the hurt in his puppy-dog eyes. I grabbed my bag and ran.

[Sia's POV]

The dining room was a cold marble tomb.

I sat at the long table, picking at my toast. My eyes burned from lack of sleep. Every time I closed them, I heard Kaelen's groans in the dark.

I felt dirty. Like a criminal.

"Alpha Kaelen," Mom's voice broke the silence. She sat opposite him, looking tired but determined to be the perfect fiancée. "About the engagement party... maybe keep it small? Just the Elders and family?"

Kaelen sat at the head of the table like a king. He wore a white dress shirt, sleeves rolled up, revealing the powerful arms I saw moving in the shadows last night.

He looked up from his coffee and gave Mom a gentle smile. "Whatever you prefer, Vivian. Theo will handle it."

His tone was polite but dismissive.

I should have felt relieved. Instead, a sick knot of jealousy tightened in my chest.

He doesn't want you, a dark voice whispered. He wants the girl on the video.

I shifted in my chair, trying to cross my legs to ease the ache between my thighs.

Suddenly, a heavy weight pressed against my calf under the table.

I froze.

I glanced up. Kaelen was reading his tablet, looking bored. But under the table, his long leg extended, trapping my ankle against the chair.

It wasn't an accident.

Slowly, his calf slid against mine. The friction of his dress pants against my bare skin sent electricity up my spine.

"The flowers..." Mom continued, oblivious. "Roses or lilies?"

"Lilies," Kaelen answered smoothly, sipping his coffee.

At the same time, his foot moved higher. His shoe nudged the inside of my knee, forcing my legs apart.

My breath hitched. My heart hammered against my ribs.

Stop, I begged silently.

But I didn't pull away. I couldn't.

The sensation triggered a flashback to last night. Me outside his door, legs pressed together, listening to him pleasure himself. Touching myself while he called my name.

Sia... you little torment...

My core clenched. I was wet. Again. Right here at the breakfast table.

Kaelen's foot pressed harder, sliding up my shin with possessive arrogance. He knew.

"Sia?" Mom asked. "Roses or lilies?"

I jumped. "I... I..."

Kaelen looked at me. His golden eyes locked onto mine, burning with dark mockery. He pressed his leg against mine, a silent command to submit.

My hand spasmed.

Crash!

My milk glass tipped over. White liquid splashed across the table and onto my lap.

"Oh no!" Mom stood up. "Sia, are you okay?"

"I'm sorry!" I scrambled back, face burning. "I'm clumsy..."

"Sit," Kaelen commanded. His voice was calm, authoritative.

He signaled a servant. "Clean this up."

Then, he stood and walked to me. He picked up a napkin. I shrank back, expecting a scolding. Instead, he leaned down.

"Careful, Sia," he murmured, voice low and raspy.

He dabbed a drop of milk from my hand. His fingers were hot. As he wiped it away, his thumb lingered, caressing my skin in a slow circle.

It was an intimate, dirty gesture disguised as help.

"You seem... distracted," he whispered, lips inches from my ear. "Did you have a restless night?"

I shivered. He was taunting me. He knew I was listening. He knew why I spilled the milk.

"I have to go," Mom interrupted, checking her watch. "I'm late. Sweetie, can you take the bus to campus?"

I opened my mouth to say yes. I needed to escape.

"No need," Kaelen said, dropping the napkin. "The University is next to my office. I'm heading there now. I'll drive her."

"Really?" Mom beamed. "Thank you, Kaelen! You're so good to her."

She grabbed her bag and kissed my cheek. "Bye sweetie, learn something."

"Bye, Mom."

I watched her leave. I was alone with him.

Kaelen turned to me, a cruel, satisfied smirk on his lips. He held out his hand.

"Shall we, daughter?" he drawled, the title dripping with irony. "We have a long ride ahead."

I looked at the open door, then at the Alpha waiting to eat me alive.

I had no choice. I stood up on shaky legs and walked into the trap.