The First Claim

Lucas Sebastian’s fangs rested against Ethan’s throbbing gland, the sharp sting from the partial bite still sending waves of pleasure-pain through Ethan’s overheating body. The Alpha’s massive frame pressed Ethan deeper into the black silk sheets, their combined scents thickening the air between them.

“Lucas…” Ethan gasped, fingers digging into the Alpha’s bare shoulders. His body was on fire. The heat had escalated beyond anything suppressants could handle. Slick soaked the sheets beneath him, and every nerve screamed for more.

Lucas pulled back slightly, lips smeared with a trace of blood from the claiming bite. “You’re pushing me to my limit, little substitute. Once I mark you fully, everyone will smell it. There’s no hiding anymore.”

Ethan’s hazy mind knew he should hesitate. This was supposed to be temporary, one year, a contract, a means to an end. But his body betrayed him completely. The fresh bite on his neck pulsed hotly, sending submissive instincts flooding through him.

“Do it,” Ethan whispered, voice breaking. “I need you.”

That was all it took.

Lucas snarled possessively and sank his fangs fully into Ethan’s gland. The claiming mark took hold. Intense pleasure exploded through Ethan’s body like lightning. He cried out, back arching sharply. Lucas licked the fresh mark tenderly, soothing the sting while his hands roamed over Ethan’s trembling form.

The next hours blurred into a fever dream of sensation.

Lucas was relentless but careful. He used his mouth, fingers, and powerful body to bring Ethan over the edge again and again, never fully knotting him despite the Omega’s desperate pleas. Every touch reinforced the new claim,Ethan was his. The Alpha’s rut pressure grew thicker, making the air heavy and intoxicating.

By the time the heat wave finally receded into a manageable simmer, dawn light was filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Ethan lay exhausted against Lucas’s chest, covered in marks and sweat, the fresh mating bite on his neck glowing with their mingled scents.

Lucas held him like he had no intention of letting go, one arm locked around Ethan’s waist, the other gently stroking his back. For the first time, the ruthless CEO’s expression showed something softer , satisfaction mixed with growing obsession.

“You’re really mine now,” Lucas murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of Ethan’s head. “The mark will last at least three months. No other Alpha will dare approach you.”

He traced a finger over Lucas’s defined chest, feeling the strong heartbeat. “What about the contract? The one-year limit…”

Lucas’s hand stilled. “Contracts can be renegotiated.” His voice dropped dangerously. “Especially when my Omega smells like heaven and fits perfectly in my arms.”

A comfortable silence fell for a few minutes. Ethan’s mind began to clear. The reality of what they had just done started sinking in. He had let Lucas claim him. Publicly. Permanently in the eyes of Alpha-Omega society.

The illusion shattered when Lucas’s phone began ringing nonstop.

He ignored it at first, but when it wouldn’t stop, he reached over and answered on speaker, voice still husky from the night’s activities.

“Speak.”

“Mr. Sebastian , it’s chaos,” his assistant said rapidly. “The video of you carrying Ethan out of the gala has gone viral. Combined with Kevin’s livestream and the new photos of the claiming bite trending… stock in Sebastian Group is fluctuating wildly. Victor Kane is holding a press conference in two hours claiming the mark was forced. The Cannon family is demanding to see Ethan, saying he’s being held against his will.”

“Leak the medical report showing Ethan’s heat was natural and consensual. Announce that the claiming mark was mutual. And schedule a press conference of our own this afternoon,” Lucas ordered coldly. “I want the world to see my marked Omega standing proudly beside me.”

He ended the call and looked down at Ethan, eyes softening slightly. “Can you stand for the press conference? Or do you need more rest?”

Ethan sat up slowly, wincing at the soreness in his body. The mark on his neck throbbed with every movement. “I can do it. But my family… they won’t stop easily.”

Lucas’s expression turned icy. “Your family no longer exists in our world. I’ve frozen their accounts. After today, they’ll be lucky if they can afford a bus ticket.”

Ethan felt a complicated mix of relief and guilt. He had his own reasons for resenting his family, but hearing Lucas destroy them so easily still shook him,but was still unsettling him.After all,they had been the ones who pushed him into this marriage.

Lucas helped him shower, his touches turning gentle again as he washed Ethan’s body with surprising care. When they emerged,new clothes were delivered,a soft white sweater and tailored pants for Ethan that subtly showed off the claiming mark on his neck, and a matching dark suit for Lucas.

Before they left for the press conference, Lucas pulled Ethan close in front of the mirror.

“Look,” he said, tilting Ethan’s chin to display the fresh bite. “This is our truth now. Not the contract. Not your family’s lies. Mine.”

Ethan stared at their reflection. The marked Omega and the powerful Alpha. They looked real together.

The press conference hall was packed. Cameras flashed wildly the moment Lucas entered with his arm wrapped firmly around Ethan’s waist. Ethan kept his head high, the claiming mark clearly visible above his sweater collar.

Lucas spoke with commanding authority. “Ethan Cannon is my chosen and marked spouse. Any rumors suggesting otherwise are false and will be met with legal action. We are very much together.”

A reporter shouted, “Ethan, is the mark consensual? Your brother claimed you were forced!”

Ethan leaned into Lucas’s side. “The mark is consensual,” he said clearly, voice soft but firm. “I belong with Lucas.”

Victor Kane’s mocking laugh suddenly cut through the room. The rival Alpha had somehow entered the back of the hall.

“Pretty words,” Victor called out. “But I have evidence that the Cannon family sold Ethan against his will. I’m willing to challenge Lucas Sebastian for the right to protect this Omega.”

Gasps erupted. Security moved in, but the damage was done. The challenge had been issued publicly.

Lucas’s pheromones turned murderous. He stepped forward, shielding Ethan completely.

“You want a challenge, Kane?” Lucas’s voice was lethally quiet. “Name the time and place. Winner takes everything.”

Ethan’s heart dropped. An Alpha duel wasn’t just a fight , it could lead to death.

As chaos erupted in the hall, Lucas suddenly turned and pulled Ethan into a deep, claiming kiss right in front of every camera. The fresh mating mark on Ethan’s neck pulsed hotly in response.

When they broke apart, Lucas stared directly into the cameras with cold triumph.

“Ethan is already mine. Body and soul. Any Alpha who tries to take him will die regretting it.”

But as they left the stage, Ethan’s phone vibrated with a secret message from an unknown number.

It was from his brother Kevin

“Ethan, you have to escape. Lucas will kill you once he finds out the truth about your real identity. Meet me tonight. I know what you’ve been hiding.”

Ethan’s blood ran cold. He quickly deleted the message, but Lucas had already noticed his sudden tension.

“Something wrong?” he asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously as they entered the private car.

Ethan forced a smile, leaning his head on Lucas’s shoulder to hide his expression.

“Nothing,” he whispered. “Just tired.”

But inside, panic was rising. The real reason he had agreed to become the substitute , the dangerous secret he had carried for years was at risk of being exposed.

If Lucas ever discovered the full truth, the claiming mark on his neck might turn from a symbol of possession… into a death sentence.