Chapter 1

Vivienne Fox

My legs locked tighter around Darius’ waist, breath hitching as he drove into me again, deeper, slower this time. Sweat slicked across his back under my nails. His necklace swung low and brushed my lips, cold and teasing, right before he crushed his mouth to mine.

"You drive me insane," he groaned into my lips, voice all gravel and need. "So good, Vienne. Fuck, you’re everything."

I gasped against his mouth, fingers tangling in his damp hair. “Then don’t stop. Prove it.”

That was all he needed. He snapped his hips forward—harder. The headboard slammed rhythmically against the wall, our gasps syncing, a chorus of fever and filth. One hand tugged my hair, the other gripping my thigh with a bruising hold.

“You’re gonna be the death of me,” he muttered, burying his face in my neck.

“Try me,” I whispered, smirking as my body arched into his.

His rhythm faltered. His breath hitched. “Shit, I’m close.”

“Then come,” I challenged, voice wrecked but confident.

He did—eyes shut, jaw tight, whispering “baby” like it meant something. And I shattered with him, back arching, toes curling, breath caught in my throat as the room spun.

Silence fell, heavy and intimate.

He collapsed beside me, chest rising in ragged breaths. I glanced over. Even with sex-mussed hair and sweat-slicked skin, he looked like he belonged in a damn cologne ad.

His voice broke the silence. “Gotta rinse off.”

I nodded, watching his naked ass disappear into the bathroom like it hadn’t just wrecked me.

I pulled the sheet over my body, not for modesty—just to feel grounded. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, restless. He could be it, she whispered.

I hated that she might be right.

Darius reappeared, towel low on his hips, hair damp and wild. He didn’t even glance at me as he grabbed his pants.

“No cuddle?” I teased, lips quirking. “After blowing my back out?”

He chuckled, slipping on his shirt. “You’d catch feelings.”

Too late.

Instead, I forced a grin. “Please. You’re not that unforgettable.”

He came beside me, eyes still lazy from the night before. “What, you want another round?” he said with a low laugh, voice thick with mischief and aftermath.

I smirked, biting back a sigh. “No... you might be the one who wants another.”

He bit his lower lip, his gaze sliding down to my bare thighs. “I miss it,” he murmured, voice husky, like gravel dipped in silk. Before I could react, his hand slid over my leg, fingers tracing slow, lazy circles into my skin like he owned every inch.

“You’re teasing me again,” I mumbled, gulping as heat rose to my face. “I’m just... not feeling well these days.”

He stilled, then slowly pulled his hand back. The loss of his warmth stung more than I wanted to admit.

“Did I push you too far—?”

“No,” I cut him off, forcing a smile. “You think too much.”

His eyes lingered on mine like he was trying to read through the cracks. “You can always tell me.”

“You’ve been fucking me raw.”

His eyes softened, but there was something unreadable swimming under the surface. A flicker of tension. He held my gaze like he was bracing for something.

“I made sure it’s safe, so don’t worry,” he said, gently. Calm. Too calm.

“You’re careful,” I echoed, looking down at the sheets.

He arched a brow. “It’s almost time. I’ve got a meeting with an Alpha from another pack.”

“You’re dismissing it,” I said, voice flat. I lifted my chin. “What would you do to me if I were…?”

My words died on my lips when he sat down beside me again, a bitter laugh escaping as his fingers brushed against my hand.

“Vivienne, that won’t happen,” he said, shaking his head with a low scoff. “It won’t. I’ve made sure I won’t make you pregnant, okay? This is just sex. Nothing else. If I were to actually get you pregnant… I’d risk everything.”

“Because I’m an Omega,” I whispered, staring at him.

“That’s not what I’m saying.” He bite his lips, “We have an agreement, Vivienne. Don’t make me like I’m the bad guy here.”

“Alpha,” I murmured, voice shaking, “you don’t have to say anything.”

“Vivienne, enough.” His voice cut sharper this time, low but edged with finality. “I’m not here to fight over something that doesn’t exist.”

He stood up, like that settled it. Like that ended the conversation.

“Besides,” he added coldly, “I know I was careful.”

And just like that, the air between us shattered.

I swallowed the ache, pressing a smile to my lips that didn’t reach my eyes. “Right. I’m sorry.”

He didn’t respond. Just leaned down, pressed a kiss to my cheek like it meant nothing.

“Later again.”

And then he walked away, not even realizing I’d stopped breathing.

***

The pack cafeteria buzzed with noise—cutlery clinking, laughter echoing, conversations overlapping—but it all blurred into static. I sat there, numb, barely tasting the food on my tray. My mind was still tangled in Darius’ scent, in the heat of his skin, in that stupid, dismissive argument we had.

And god, it sucked.

It sucked how one minute he could touch me like I was his, and the next talk like I was disposable. Like I was just a body he made sure wouldn’t ruin his plans.

It sucked how I still ached for him, even when everything in me was screaming not to.

“Girl, earth to Vienne,” my best friend, Zara, dropped into the seat beside me, snapping her fingers.

I blinked. “What?”

“You look like you just got wrecked or resurrected.”

I choked on my drink. “Classy, Z.”

She sniffed the air dramatically. “Wait... is that Alpha Darius’ scent? On you?”

My face froze.

Her eyes widened. “Bitch—don’t even try to lie. You smell like a wet dream dipped in authority.”

I laughed nervously, tucking my hair behind my ear. “You’re imagining things.”

“Oh, please. I’m not blind. You’ve got post-Darius glow and limp energy.”

“Can we not?”

Zara leaned in. “Girl, if you’re his little secret... you’re playing with fire.”

“I know.” And I did. Too well.

She rolled her eyes. “Well, while you’re over there starring in your private romcom, the Crimson Pack Princess is arriving tonight.”

My stomach sank. “Celestria?”

“Yup. Rumor has it she’s Darius’ fated mate.” Zara popped a fry in her mouth. “Arranged marriage, Moon Goddess approved, all that crap.”

I stared at her, heart ice cold.

Zara nudged me. “Don’t panic yet. He might not even like her. Darius doesn’t do ‘love,’ remember?”

Yeah, but I did. Stupidly. Quietly. And it was already too late.