Let Them Kneel

“Damn,” Tessa muttered as she appeared at Kaelani’s side, wiping her hands on a flour-dusted rag. She craned her neck toward the door, where the bell had only just stopped swaying. “Did you see him? He was hot. Like—unfairly hot. The suit, the shoulders, the whole smoldering ‘I eat interns for breakfast’ vibe…”Kaelani shot her a look and turned back to her tray of pastries. “He ordered a cake and coffee. That’s all.”Tessa groaned. “That’s all? Girl, you’re impossible. A man like that walks in here, drops cash without blinking, and you don’t even think about—” She made a vague gesture with her hands that Kaelani refused to interpret.“He’s not my type.” Kaelani’s voice was flat, but her chest still felt too tight, her pulse uneven. She hated that she could still feel the weight of his presence even though he was gone.Tessa smirked, undeterred. “Please. A man like that is everyone’s type.”Kaelani rolled her eyes, lining the pastries into neat rows. “Get your hormones under control a

Kaelani’s breath came in broken gasps, her body rigid as the Alpha’s mouth replaced the muzzle, his tongue parting her with feral hunger. Her hands shoved weakly at his shoulders, but he didn’t move — he couldn’t. The sound rumbling from his chest was half-growl, half-moan, vibrating against her most sensitive flesh.“Stop—” she tried, the word a ragged plea. But her hips betrayed her, jerking forward as the fire inside twisted sharper. His tongue slid deeper, circling, devouring, until the denial in her throat dissolved into a desperate cry.Julian’s grip on her thighs tightened, holding her open for him to taste every drop of her. Heat pulsed low in her belly, every nerve burning, every inch of her body begging for more even as her mind screamed against it.She squeezed her eyes shut, nails clawing at the grass beneath her, trying to anchor herself. But the wave crested too fast, too hard. Pleasure tore through her like lightning, white-hot, wracking her body until her cry shattered

Kaelani woke slowly, her body sore, every inch of her aching with bruises and bites that marked where he had claimed her again and again. For one fragile heartbeat, she thought it was a dream. That maybe she would turn and find herself alone.But he was there.Julian stood at the window, tall and untouchable, the early light sharpening the angles of his face. Jace hovered near him, wordless, handing over folded clothes like a dutiful shadow.Her throat tightened. Kaelani yanked the sheet higher, covering herself to the chin, her eyes peeking over the edge. She prayed they wouldn’t notice her, though the air was heavy with the scent of what had happened.Julian’s voice broke the silence, flat and venom-laced.“Three days… three fucking days trapped in rut intoxication.” He shoved his arm through a sleeve, every movement clipped, furious. His eyes never touched her. “How does this happen, Jace?”Jace hesitated. Just a flicker. His gaze shifted toward her, meeting her eyes for the briefe

The ride was quiet, the kind of silence that pressed against the ears. Jace drove with steady precision, eyes on the road, but the tension radiating from the back seat was impossible to ignore. Julian hadn’t spoken a word since the hotel doors closed behind them.Finally, Jace cleared his throat. “She’s agreed to a blood test in three weeks. I’ll send the pack doctor, ensure the result comes back negative for pregnancy—which there’s a good chance it will.”Julian didn’t answer. He sat motionless, gaze fixed on the glass, the town blurring past in streaks of gray and gold.“I also made the suggestion of her going on suppressants,” Jace went on carefully. “If she plans on staying in that town, she could trigger another wolf’s rut if she goes into heat again.”The sound that broke the air was sudden, primal—a growl ripped from Julian’s chest, deep and violent enough to make the leather seats tremble.Jace’s hands tightened on the wheel, startled. For a split second, he risked a glance in

The sharp scent of burning sugar hit Kaelani’s nose a second too late. She whipped the oven door open, coughing as smoke curled out in a bitter wave. The tray of croissants, once golden and perfect, was now blackened beyond saving.“Damn it,” she muttered, sliding them out and clattering the tray onto the stovetop.Tessa looked up from the table where she was filling the napkin dispenser. Her brows arched high. “That’s the second one this week.” She tipped her head, studying Kaelani. “You good?”“I’m fine,” Kaelani said quickly—maybe too quickly—grabbing a towel to wave the smoke away.Tessa’s look was skeptical, but before she could press further, the front bell jingled. A delivery guy stepped in, tall and broad-shouldered, a crate balanced easily in his arms. Tessa’s expression flipped in an instant—eyes bright, smile coy.“Hey, Ryan,” she chirped, leaning a little too far over the counter as he set the crate down.“Afternoon, Tess,” he returned with an easy grin.Her lips pursed, t