CHAPTER FIVE 

JORDAN

Alaric stiffens.

I feel it—the shock, the tension radiating from him as my lips press against his. He’s caught off guard, just like I wanted. But I won't stop. Not yet.

I deepen the kiss.

If there’s even a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, I want to smother it. I push forward, desperate and burning, my hands curling into the front of his shirt like I’ll collapse without the anchor. He doesn’t respond at first… not really… but then I see it.

Something flickers.

Then slowly, his hand reaches up, sliding into my hair.

He groans, deep and low.

The sound sends shivers down my spine, heat pooling in my stomach. His grip tightens in my hair, and his other hand grabs my jaw, tilting my head as he kisses me back—harder, rougher, like he’s trying to swallow every bit of my rebellion and turn it into something else.

My heart hammers.

Then I blink.

Reality slams into me like a brick wall.

What the hell am I doing?

I shove him away with all the strength I can muster, stumbling backward. Disgust tears through me like wildfire. His taste still lingers on my tongue, making me want to scrub my mouth raw.

“No,” I hiss, shaking. “Don’t… don’t touch me.”

Alaric watches me, chest heaving, lips parted. He doesn’t say anything.

I wish he would.

I bite my lower lip until I taste blood, trying to pull myself together, but the heat is relentless. My hands tremble. That awful, uncontrollable desire crawls under my skin, begging for touch.

I grip the sink tightly.

His scent is still thick in the air.

It clings to me—my clothes, my hair, my lungs. Every breath I take makes things worse. My body wants him. But I won’t let it win.

“You say a word about this to anyone,” I mutter, low and dangerous, my voice tight with strain, “and I’ll ruin you. I don’t care how powerful you are. I’ll destroy everything you have.”

Alaric lifts a brow slightly. Amused. A little impressed. But he doesn’t laugh.

Not yet.

He just watches me with that unreadable face, and it makes me want to crack open his skull and see what’s going on inside. It’s impossible to tell what he’s thinking.

Then—footsteps. Just outside the door.

I freeze.

“Oh yeah,” a man’s voice calls. “The scent’s definitely fresh. Smells like a good one, too… Hope it’s a pretty little thing. Bet he’s already bending over the sink by now.”

A low chuckle follows.

My blood turns to ice. I flinch, eyes darting to the door.

No.

They can’t see me like this.

They’ll know.

They’ll talk.

And my father—My chest tightens. No, no, no. He can’t find out. If he knows I’m… like this…

I look up at Alaric, breathing hard. He’s still watching me, studying every move I make. There’s a flicker in his gaze. Something dark. Something sharp.

Then he grins.

He tilts his head toward me, his voice low and lazy. “Well… since you’re threatening me, maybe I should let them in. Let’s see what you can do, Jordan.”

My blood drains from my face.

He wouldn’t.

Would he?

My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. My knees buckle. Panic crashes over me, wild and suffocating. I move without thinking.

I throw myself at him.

My arms wrap around his waist, my face pressing into his chest like shame doesn't exist anymore.

“Don’t,” I whisper, nearly choking. “Please.”

My pride breaks into pieces.

Everything I’ve built…every lie, every carefully curated illusion of strength—shatters.

If anyone finds out, I’m dead. Not metaphorically. Literally.

I tremble as I cling to him.

He’s warm. Solid. Dangerous. But right now, I need that danger on my side.

His scent hits me again, stronger now—deeper, richer, almost taunting. My knees threaten to give out. I grip his shirt tighter as another wave of heat crashes through me, leaving me breathless.

No. No, no, no.

I squeeze my eyes shut, forcing myself not to whimper. My body reacts without permission. My mind screams for me to let go, to run, to do anything but cling to the one person who should never see me like this. But if I let go, those men out there…

They’ll know.

Alaric doesn’t touch me. Doesn’t move. He just stands there, still, unreadable. His grin fades, and somehow, that makes it worse. The silence. The tension in his shoulders.

I pull back slightly, just enough to meet his gaze.

“If you say a word to anyone,” I whisper through clenched teeth, “I swear I’ll make you regret it.”

He raises an eyebrow. Amused.

“I’m not kidding,” I snap, even though my voice shakes.

His lips twitch, but he still doesn’t say anything. Just watches. Studying me. Trying to decide what I am now.

Then another voice outside. Muffled, but sharp.

“…Smells sweet in there. Must be a pretty omega hiding inside.”

Another laugh. Another voice. “Bet they’ll beg for it once they see us.”

My heart lurches.

Alaric’s grin returns—slow, wicked. He leans in, close enough that I feel his breath against my skin.

“Still threatening me?” he murmurs. “Because if I shout now… I wonder how you’ll explain this.”

Terror claws through me.

I don’t think. I just react.

I throw myself against him again, pressing close, clutching his jacket like it’s the only thing holding me up. My scent spikes, and Alaric inhales sharply, his entire body tensing.

“I’ll do anything,” I whisper. “Just don’t let them see me like this.”

My voice cracks.

And then, his scent hits me again. Raw. Unfiltered.

I flinch. Tremble harder. My thighs press together as I try to hold back the flood of sensation, but it’s no use.

His alpha pheromones wrap around me like a chain, coiling, tightening. I bury my face in his chest, hating this. Hating him. Hating myself.

And just then…

The door clicks.

My entire body jerks.