His fiancée.I blink at Rafe like I misheard him. Maybe I did. Maybe the blood in my ears is too loud, roaring too damn much for me to catch the punchline. Except he’s not laughing.It sits wrong in my ears. No matter how many times I replay it, it doesn’t sound real. Not because I didn’t expect it—he’s a fucking Alpha King, of course there’s a woman, probably dozens, maybe even an entire lineage waiting to chain themselves to his bloodline.Still, it makes my stomach hollow out.I say nothing. I can’t.He’s just standing there, arms crossed over his chest, and his silence, the reality, the word—presses down on me like a fucking knife.“Fiancée?” My voice comes out too soft, too uncertain. “He has a fiancée?”Rafe rubs his face, his palm dragging slow and rough though it might scrub this entire interaction off his skin.“Of course, he does, Eris. He’s the fucking Alpha King.” His voice is hoarse now. There’s less rage on it, more resignation. “Half the damn continent throws themselv
I try to push him off again. He doesn’t budge. “Bathroom,” I hiss, voice shaky. “At least take me to the fucking bathroom.” He chuckles, low and unhinged. “Nah.” He drops to his knees. Oh no. He’s not gonna do it here, right? “What—Dante, no—” I barely get the word out before he yanks my skirt down and shoves my panties aside. I slap my hand over my mouth. We are in the goddamn kitchen. The counter hides most of me, thank fuck, but he is underneath it. The Imperial Beta is ten fucking feet away. “Dante—fuck—what the hell are you—” He buries his face in me. Tongue first. Like a fucking animal. No teasing. No warning. Just rough, wide licks as if he’s starving. It's as though he hasn’t tasted food in weeks and my cunt is the feast. My thighs jerk, and I slap both palms onto the granite behind me, trying to brace myself. I can hear the Beta moving in the living room. Footsteps on the hardwood. His voice— “You alright in there, Eris?” I choke on a gasp. “Y-Yeah. Just look
Knock.Knock.Knock.“Ugh, who the hell comes at this hour?” I grumble as I look at the alarm clock on my nightstand. It’s still six in the morning for Goddess’ sake!It’s not the casual kind of knock either. So I would assume it’s not some neighbor borrowing sugar or a drunk kid mistaking the wrong door. It’s stead and assertive. Like whoever’s behind it already owns the fucking house.Oh shit. I know someone who owns this fucking house.My stomach drops.I peel myself out of bed so fast, still in the dress from last night. It reeks of alcohol from the masquerade ball and fear after all the burying. My eyes flick to Dante.\Goddess, he’s glorious. I would drool over him if I’m not already drooling in the morning.He’s sprawled on the mattress, shirtless, his hand still stained red from Leo. There's dried blood on the sheets. On me. On him. My head is spinning, but my limbs are moving before I can think. I take his golden greek body one last time before I really leave the bed. I cross
“I’m not gonna hurt you, Eris. You know that, right?”I nod, but it’s more of a twitch than anything else. Not because I believe him. Not really. But because I just want this night to be over.The nausea’s still there, sitting low and ugly in my gut. The alcohol’s not helping too. I feel hot, dizzy, and uncomfortable in my own skin.Leo’s standing too fucking close.He steps back just an inch—just enough for me to breathe again, barely—and drags a hand through his hair, messy and damp from sweat. His tie’s hanging loose around his neck though it’s trying to choke him. It probably should.“How long’s it been?” he mutters, almost to himself. “Since I last saw you… that was, what, a year ago? You were working in that dingy little clinic. Still talking about finding your mom. Still alone.”“Still am,” I say quickly. Reflex. It’s a lie. A defense. Something to fill the space between us that’s starting to shrink again.He snorts, tilting his head. “Not from where I’m standing. Looked pretty
“Eris?” The voice is deeper now. Rougher. But I’d know it anywhere. My stomach twists as I stand up automatically.“Oh my god—Leo?”His face splits into a grin, nervous but real. He’s taller now. Broader shoulders, buzzcut, face slightly stubbled and flushed. But those same warm brown eyes blink at me like I’m a goddamn ghost.“You remember me?” he asks.I step forward and pull him into a hug before I can think twice. He’s solid and absolutely warm, and smells like woodsmoke and rain. Nostalgia hits me like a brick to the chest. I used to sneak him bread when the warriors wouldn’t feed him. He was just a scrawny Omega’s son back then, barely older than twelve. And now?“You’re so tall,” I say, laughing a little. “What the hell happened?”He rubs the back of his neck, sheepish. “Puberty, apparently. I’m—uh, I’m a pack warrior now. I got recruited right after training. I just got back from border duty in the Northern Province.”“Holy shit.” I grin. “I’m . . . wow. I’m happy for you.”He
Their jaws are still catching up to gravity.Oh wow, what a sight. This would have been really good on the gram.All four of them—including Mia—they all just . . . stare. Blank-eyed. Like their brains blue-screened from sheer disbelief. I can almost hear the dial-up tone going off in Sierra’s skull as she looks from Dante’s perfect, sculpted jawline to my face as if someone’s dropped a bloody murder weapon in her lap and said, "Hey, it’s yours now."I’d laugh if I weren’t so goddamn tired.Mia's eyes flick between us. “Your . . . husband?”I smile, slow and smug, fingers still pressed to Dante’s chest though [I’ve claimed him with a fucking brand. “Mm-hmm.”Her lip curls just slightly—so fast the average bitch might miss it, but not me. Not when I’ve survived being raised in a den full of smiling wolves.Sierra recovers first, because of course she does. “Oh. Wow. You just . . . moved on up, didn’t you?”I don’t take the bait.But Mia, bless her little Prada-wrapped heart, lets her di