Chapter 3 How many times had he done it?

Piper

I tried to move, but something heavy pressed against my waist, keeping me pinned. I shifted again, frowning when it wouldn’t budge. What the hell?

My eyes fluttered open, only to find myself face-to-face with a man.

I jerked instinctively, but a sharp pain shot through my body, forcing a strangled gasp out of me. “Shit…” I froze, every muscle screaming in protest. It felt like I’d been hit by a damn truck.

My heart pounded as I turned my gaze toward him. His eyes were closed, his breathing steady, he was still asleep. The faint rise and fall of his back was calm. Strands of dark, tousled hair fell over his forehead, framing a face far too perfect for my sanity. The sheet hung low on his hips, revealing a glimpse of his broad, sculpted back. His hand was sprawled over my waist, like it had every right to be there.

My blood ran cold. Panic rose in my throat, but I went still as fragments of last night came crashing back.

Oh, God.

I was dead.

I was fucking dead.

I ran a shaky hand over my face, fingers tangling in my hair. What the hell had I done? I threw away my virginity to a complete stranger, because I was in heat.

A bitter laugh escaped me. I knew I didn’t have a choice. It could’ve been so much worse. If it hadn’t been for him, who knows how many Alphas would’ve— No. Don’t think about that.

Still, that didn’t make it any easier. How many times had he done it? I could barely feel my legs. He knew I was a virgin, and yet he kept going, over and over, until I finally passed out.

I shook my head, muttering under my breath, “No use overthinking it. What’s done is done. I need to get out of here before he wakes up.”

My eyes flicked to the hand still draped over my waist. I swallowed hard and carefully tried to lift it off me.

He stirred, and I froze. But when he didn’t move again, I exhaled quietly and gently placed his hand back on the bed. Then I slowly slid out from under the sheet, wincing as pain pulsed between my thighs. It was worse than I thought, but I could deal with it. I had to.

I scrambled to my feet as quietly as I could, biting back a groan, and stumbled toward the bathroom. My dress and underwear were scattered on the floor. I snatched them up, slipping them back on as quickly as my shaking hands would allow.

I gave him one last glance, the man was still sleeping soundly. Then I turned, heart pounding, and bolted for the door. I just had to forget this ever happened. This would be the last time I’d ever see him again.

*****

Dominic

The door shut behind her. A moment later, it opened again.

“Alpha Dominic,” a voice said, dry and clipped. “How long are you going to pretend to be asleep?”

I didn’t respond for a moment. Finally, I rolled onto my side and sat up, the blanket slipping down to my waist. I ran a hand through my messy hair, my muscles stiff, a faint ache along my back reminding me just how feisty the omega had been, scratching, writhing, and testing me. Not that I minded.

Theodore leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed. He gave me that familiar look, the one that said he was about to say something smart, but he knew better than to disrespect me.

I reached for the bottle of water on the counter, twisted the cap, and took a long drink. The cold slid down my throat, easing the dry ache there. “Are you here to lecture me again, Theodore?” I asked flatly.

“Nag you, Alpha? How dare someone like me nag you.”

“You’re doing it right now.”

He sighed. “You’re at least going to explain, right?”

I arched an eyebrow, amused despite myself. I already knew what he was referring to, but it was always entertaining to watch Theodore try to dance around his frustration.

“What exactly am I supposed to explain again?”

“When you first followed that scent last night…” he began carefully.

“It’s normal,” I cut in before he could finish. “Any Alpha would’ve followed her scent. Especially one like hers.”

“There’s something more to it,” he said. “Something you’re not telling me. You ignore every omega in heat who throws herself at you. But last night? You walked out of an important meeting with an Alpha because of one. That’s not like you.”

I stayed silent. Theodore had always been too perceptive for his own good.

When I didn’t answer, he sighed, the sound heavy with resignation, and reached into his jacket. “Since you’re not talking, I did a little digging. Last night, I heard some rumors about the omega in heat, so I looked into it, and it turns out, they were true.”

He handed me a folded sheet of paper. I took it, unfolded it, and froze.

A photo stared back at me. Soft eyes. Blonde hair. Familiar features. A name printed neatly beneath it.

Piper Knight.

Knight?

A slow smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “Interesting.”

Theodore blinked, clearly taken aback. “Interesting? That’s all you have to say?” he asked. “Alpha Dominic, the woman you slept with was your adoptive sister.”