Mate.

Talia's POV

Voices drifted in through the fog of sleep, “I don’t know why the alpha brought her here,” a man said, his tone laced with anger. “She’s the fucking pack member of his sworn enemy.”

Another voice chimed in, a woman, her words dripping with disdain. “You know the date is nearing. He’s been a mess lately. Maybe she poked through that weak spot of his.”

“Yeah,” a third man muttered. “I bet she’s using him.”

Using him? How could I use someone I didn’t even know? Why had he helped me? And what date were they talking about?

My mind spun as the voices faded away, swallowed by silence. They were gone.

I needed to get out of here. I couldn’t trust these people. And my baby...

My breath hitched, and tears stung my eyes. My baby was gone. My baby. A sob choked out of me, and I buried my face in my hands, rocking back and forth, the pain so raw it felt like I was being torn apart.

Dylan was going to pay. Dylan and every single one of them. They took my baby. They took everything. I didn’t care how long it would take. I was going to make them pay. I was going to burn that whole pack to the ground.

My hands shook as I wiped my cheeks and forced myself to sit up, the room spinning around me. I dragged myself to my feet, every inch of my body screaming in protest. My legs wobbled, and I clutched the wall, limping toward the mirror.

When I looked at my reflection, a stranger stared back at me. Bruised cheeks, split lip, one eye swollen shut, a gash running across my forehead, and a nose that looked like it had been smashed with a brick. I looked like a wreck. Like I had been ran through by a tornado.

I blinked through the fog in my eyes, finally taking in the room. It was massive, the kind of room you’d see in a palace or a mansion. Cold, expensive, and meticulously designed. The walls were a muted grey, the floors a dark polished wood, and the massive bed I had been sleeping on was dressed in black sheets. What psychopath uses black sheets?

There was no warmth, no personal touches, no photos, no signs of life. Just expensive, soulless perfection.

Was this his room? The alpha’s? Why would he bring me in his room?

I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering in my ears. I couldn’t stay here.

I stumbled toward the window, my legs barely holding me up. Gripping the cold sill, I leaned forward and peered down. My stomach dropped. It was a long, deadly fall. If I jumped, I’d shatter every bone in my body.

But if I stayed... what then?

My chest heaved as I searched the area, my eyes darting across the grounds below. That’s when I saw him. The Lycan Alpha.

Vermont.

He was sitting by the pool, his back to me, a large scroll in his hand. Even from up here, I could see the way his muscles rippled beneath his shirt whenever he moved. His hand ran through his hair, dark strands falling back into place like he’d done it a thousand times.

What was I doing?

Just watching. Nothing more.

Right?

I swallowed hard, pressing my forehead against the cool glass. He looked so... calm. Like he had no idea that a girl he barely knew was staring down at him.

What if he was different? What if he actually cared? What if he liked me?

My heart gave a weak, desperate flutter, and I closed my eyes. Stop it, Talia. Just stop. He was nothing like that. He was an alpha, a Lycan, a monster with a reputation stained in blood, and all he did was save you, no romantic intentions!

I needed to snap out of it.

I opened my eyes just as Vermont stood up, stretching his massive frame. My throat went dry. Gods, he was tall. Broad shoulders, powerful legs. Everything about him screamed danger and control.

Then she appeared. A woman in a tiny bikini, a towel sitting on her waist, the kind of woman who looked like she’d stepped out of a magazine. Curvy, perfect, and smiling as she sauntered over to him. Vermont’s lips twitched into a grin as she leaned closer, her fingers grazing his shoulder. She whispered something in his ear and then pressed a kiss to his cheek.

My stomach twisted.

They laughed, her head tilting back, her body leaning into his.

Heat crept up my face, and I gritted my teeth. Of course. Why would I think he was different? Why would I think he’d actually care about someone like me? He was just like the rest of them, going for the best-looking, the perfect, the ones who weren’t broken.

My nails bit into the window frame as I forced myself to look away. I had to get out of here. Before he and his perfect girl turned me into the same thing I always was,a slave.

I couldn't stop pacing. Why the hell was I feeling jealous about a man I barely knew? My head was spinning. They must have punched me so hard that it was malfunctioning.

I didn’t even like him. Or know him. He was just some alpha who saved me. Nothing more.

Yet, my feet dragged me back to the window. I lifted it, letting the cool morning wind wash over my heated skin. My eyes zeroed in on them again. Vermont and that woman. They were still talking, laughing like they shared some inside joke. She leaned in, her hand resting on his shoulder, her lips brushing his cheek. Vermont’s lips quirked into a soft smile, the kind that said he was comfortable with her. Too comfortable.

My jaw clenched. Why was I standing here like a creep, spying on them? What the hell was wrong with me?

Vermont’s head tilted up, his eyes locking onto mine. My breath hitched. The woman beside him glanced up too, her brows raising as she leaned closer to him, whispering something. Vermont didn’t look away.

Maybe I should’ve just waved or acted casual.

But instead, I froze.

Shit.

My face burned. I yanked the window shut, the sound louder than I intended, and jerked the curtains closed. Then, I resumed pacing like a madwoman.

I was mid-stride when the door creaked open. My body froze. Vermont stepped in, closing the door behind him. Bare-chested, damp hair curling at his temples, droplets of water clinging to the sculpted lines of his chest. I swallowed hard. Where the hell was his shirt? Did he take it off before coming here to seduce me?

Jesus, Talia. Get a grip.

“You were watching,” he said, voice low and warm. He offered me a soft, disarming smile.

I wanted to smile back. I did. But the image of her kissing his cheek at the pool flashed in my head. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. How dare he stand here, half-naked and smiling at me, while his girlfriend or wife or whatever the hell she was, was downstairs flaunting her claim on him?

“Does your girl know you’re up here, smiling at some random girl in your room and flirting?” The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them.

Vermont’s brow furrowed, his smile fading into confusion. “What?”

“Don’t act dumb!” My voice shook, but I couldn’t stop. “I saw her kiss you down by the pool. Are you that kind of guy? You save me, bring me here, and then what? Try to play with me while your woman’s downstairs waiting for you?”

Vermont’s lips twitched, eyes gleaming with amusement as he stepped closer, his frame towering over me. “That’s my stepsister,” he said, voice calm, almost too calm.

My heart sank. Oh. My. God. My mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. “I-I’m so stupid,” I stammered, stepping back. “I just… I thought… You must think I’m—”

“You thought what?” he asked, his voice a low, dangerous murmur as he kept advancing, one step, then another.

“I thought you were… flirting with me,” I muttered, my words spilling out in a rush. “I didn’t mean to accuse you. I was just… stupid. Of course you don't like me, I shouldn’t have said anything. I just… I just…”

I was rambling. My pulse thundered as his hand reached up, cupping my cheek, his thumb grazing my skin. Heat surged through me, drowning out every rational thought.

“Do you feel it too?” he whispered, his voice rough. His gaze dropped to my lips, his breath mingling with mine, and I couldn’t breathe.

I couldn’t think.

And then, we crashed together. His mouth claimed mine in a searing kiss, teeth clashing, hands grabbing, pulling, tearing. His fingers tangled in my hair as he pressed me against the wall, our breaths coming fast, desperate.

My hands roamed over his bare chest, nails digging into his skin as a low growl rumbled in his throat.

“Mate,” he rasped, the word raw, guttural, as his lips dragged down my neck, teeth grazing my skin. My knees buckled, and I clung to his shoulders, breaths coming out in frantic gasps.

Mate.

No. No. This couldn’t be. This was impossible.

His hand gripped the back of my neck, pulling me closer, crushing me against his chest as his teeth nipped at my jaw, as though tasting, as though claiming. And God, it felt so right.

But it wasn’t right.

Because I already had a mate.