10. You Smell so fucking good

Rayna~

I regretted walking through the door the second I opened it.

There Sven sat—legs spread like a throne was under him—with a little pup straddling him, her lips barely inches away from his.

Anger—and something else I didn’t want to name—flared hot in my chest. Just an hour ago, he had me over that same lap, spanking me until I couldn’t breathe straight. Now this? Gods, what did men even want in life?

I spun on my heel to leave after the insolent pup dared ask me to, but Sven’s voice pinned me in place.

“What do you want?”

His voice stroked along my nerves, low and commanding, sending shivers down my spine and forcing my eyes to lock on his.

Did he forget his ordered me to meet him here or did the pup suck his brains out completely?

He gently pulled the pup off his lap, gaze never leaving mine.

Fuck. There it was again—that burning, dangerous sensation. Every part of me screaming to crawl between his legs and let him finish what he started.

“Sven, is she perhaps mute?” the brat giggled. I wanted to rip her from his side, limb from limb.

If she wanted to play bitch, I’d show her how.

“You asked me to come down after the water cooled,” I said, voice steady though my insides quaked. “I’ll leave now, since you seem…” My eyes flicked to the girl before continuing. “…busy. And I am still terribly sore.”

He smirked, focused fully on me. “Venus was just leaving.”

Venus. So that was her name.

“No I wasn’t, I just got here,” she whined.

“Venus.” His growl cut like a blade. “We will continue our discussion later. I have something important to go through with Rayna.”

She folded her arms with a dramatic huff. “I hate when you give your little toys more attention than they deserve.”

Oh, she did not.

But to my shock, Sven snapped. “Enough! I won’t have you insult your future Luna.”

Her head whipped toward me for the first time, her eyes dripping with disdain. She strutted closer, circling me like I was prey on display.

Her fingers snatched a strand of my hair, twirling it before lowering to take a sniff. “I expected more,” she snickered. “Anything but a wolfless omega. How can I respect someone so lowly?”

Her snicker vibrated in my ear, and fury burned my chest raw. But Sven said nothing. His eyes stated in me, jaw clenched so hard I thought it'd crack.

Fucking coward. How did he expect me to be his Luna when he couldn't even leash his own subject?

I brushed past her, fury blazing at the tips of my fingers. She tried to snag me back, her nails grazing my but I shook her off with a snap of my shoulder.

“Is this part of the punishment?” I croaked out. A public humiliation? That's not how to treat a Luna, Alpha Sven”

Sven’s head snapped up, his voice low and lethal. “Get out, Venus.”

She blinked, stunned. “But—”

“I said out.” His command rolled through the room, slamming into her until she staggered back. “Now.”

For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then Venus’s lips pressed into a thin line before she stormed out, the door slamming behind her.

Silence.

The air thickened, hotter, heavier. The walls felt closer somehow.

I stumbled back as Sven’s features twisted into something feral—his eyes darkening, his fangs lengthening.

Vuk.

In a blink, his hands clamped around my waist, pulling me flush against him untili could feel the frantic beat of his heart.

Glad it wasn't just me who felt this unmissable pull that was turning me to a fucking horny teenager.

Goddess, this was too much. His scent—fresh grass and wood—filled my senses

“Damn it, Rayna,” he growled, voice guttural, wild. “You smell so fucking good.”

“Sven?” I whispered, fighting the desperate urge to melt into him. “What’s happening?”

He snarled instead, burying his face in my neck, inhaling me like I was air after drowning.

“Gods,” he rasped. “I’m trying to hold back.”

My body froze, but my blood sang. I didn’t want him to hold back—yet I knew, deep down, if he let go, he’d regret it.

“Sven!” I gasped as his teeth grazed my skin.

He jerked back like I’d stabbed him, face contorted in anguish.

“Fuck, I’m sorry.” His hand dragged over his face as the black receded from his eyes, fangs vanishing, leaving just Sven.

He exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for centuries. “I just need a moment.”

I nodded, though my body still trembled with want. Dario had never made me feel this way. No one had. With Sven, the world itself stopped, leaving just us.

“I need you to answer some questions, princess.”

My stomach sank. “Okay?”

He didn’t hesitate. “How did you lose your wolf?”

The question gutted me. I swallowed hard, shutting my eyes, shutting off the memory like swallowing glass.

“Two years ago. During a Halloween party, I found my mate and rejected him. My wolf didn’t like that and… I think she died?”

It sounded like a question because it was. Truthfully, I’d never cared to examine it deeper—not with Dario there to distract and comfort me.

His jaw ticked. “That’s not enough to kill your wolf.”

Great, Ralph had said the same thing. Am I the only one not reading the damn manual on wolf-death?

“That’s the only way I know I lost her. Why?”

“I’m not done, princess.” His gaze sharpened. “What kind of wolf did you have?”

My throat closed. Fuck.

I couldn’t tell him. Nobody knew—not really—except Ralph and my father. And I wanted to keep it that way.

I turned away, pacing toward the corner chairs. “Why are you so interested in something that’s dead?”

He poured himself a drink, downing it in one shot.

He gritted out the words that bolted me to the couch. “Because you, my pretty princess, are in heat.”

The words crashed over me, it couldn't be. I had never experienced a heat cycle, horny? yes. But heat? Never.

Dario always joked that the moon goddess knew why she didn't give me a cycle. My sex drive was off the charts.

“That’s not—no. That’s not possible.”

“Well, apparently you’re different.” His eyes flicked to me like he was studying a puzzle. “If you’d had children for Dario, I’d say your wolf was alive in them.”

My stomach dropped. Was that why I miscarried? No—don’t go there. Don’t think about it.

I shot up. “Uhm, if you’ll excuse me. I need time to process this new information about myself.”

I didn’t wait for an answer before slipping out of the office, his voice calling after me. “Stay away from the other wolves.”

But this was too much. Was my wolf still alive? And if so why did she abandon me?

I remember that evening vividly, I had miraculously broken into a terrible fever and I assumed it was the lack of mate bond but three months had passed since the rejection and didn't seem sick. All she did was ignore me.

I tried shifting, but the pain was unbearable so I refrained. I held back.

The next morning I woke up empty. Dana was gone, I couldn't hear her huffs in my head, or feel her.

It was as though she never existed in the first place.

“Fancy seeing you here.”

The voice startled me, jerking me out of my spiral.

I looked up to find Reeves leaning against a marble pillar, arms crossed, a boyish grin tugging at his lips.

“Hi,” I said flatly.

For a heartbeat, I considered running. If Sven was right and my body was betraying me, I couldn’t risk it. But… nothing. Around Reeves, I felt nothing but mild annoyance at being interrupted. No burning, no ache, no desperate pull. Just… normal.

Strange. Why only Sven?

“I wanted to thank you,” Reeves said.

I squinted. “Why?”

“For not telling Sven about us.” His grin faltered, his voice lowering. “And… I’m sorry I ditched you that night. If I had come back earlier, you wouldn’t have been in that alley.”

And maybe I wouldn’t be here now.

Still, guilt had no business resting on his shoulders. I reached for his arm, fingers brushing lightly against his sleeve. “This isn’t your fault, okay?”

“But—”

“Shh.” I pressed a finger to my lips.

Reeves sighed, then his grin returned—boyish, sheepish. “Fine. If you want me to make it up to you… let me show you around.”

I nodded, but from the corner of my eye, I caught the glint of someone watching through a window.

“Okay then, my lady,” Reeves teased with a mock bow.

I rolled my eyes but followed.

---

The Darkblood estate unfolded like a kingdom disguised as a prison.

Reeves guided me through properly tendered gardens that looked like they belonged only in pup’s tales, each one more healthier than the last.

Sixteen infirmaries. Twelve kitchens. A soccer court, a basketball court, and—because apparently these wolves had way too much free time—a full fencing room.

“What the actual freak?” I muttered under my breath as Reeves opened the door to gleaming silver blades and pristine white mats.

Reeves chuckled. “We like being able to provide.”

“No, this is basically showing off,” I shot back, but my lips twitched against a smirk.

As we walked, he tried again. “We never finished introductions. Rayna, right? Can I call you that?” His tone was playful, but there was caution in his eyes.

I took in Reeves, he looked different from the bar. More relaxed, his brown hair in a half bun. Where Sven had strong features, he had softer.

A warm smile, inviting aura and a really good sense of humor.

“Yes. Rayna Blacaris.” I forced the name out, tasting bitter ash. “And as you already know, my father isn’t particularly fond of me.”

Reeves whistled low, engaging me like he wasn't already aware of my family name. “Blacaris? That explains the attitude.”

“I don’t have an attitude.”

His grin widened. “No, don’t take it the wrong way. It’s… refreshing. Most omegas, even alphas, wouldn’t dare look Sven in the eye, let alone talk back.”

If only he knew, I wanted to do more than back talk.

---

By time I got back, it was almost dinnertime but I wasn't hungry. Reeves had stolen enough snacks to keep me stuffed for days.

The room was dark, but I could feel Sven before I even touched the switch. My nipples tightened underneath my shirt.

Traitor.

“You are very creepy,” I muttered, flicking the switch.

Sven lounged in the corner, shadows sharpening the hard lines of his face.

“I gave you one order,” he growled. “Stay away from other wolves. And you went on tour with Reeves.”

I tossed my hair over my shoulder, masking the jolt in my stomach. “Is that jealousy I sense?”

“Gods, why don’t you ever listen?” He rose, every movement predatory. “If you wanted a tour, I would’ve given you one myself.”

“It was fine,” I shrugged. “I didn't feel shit when I was with him.

Sven dragged a palm over his face, muttering something under his breath before speaking louder. “Fine. I wanted to discuss something with you anyway.”

“Oh?” I sat on the bed, pretending calm. “Another theory about my wolf?”

His gaze hardened. “No. About you.”

That got my attention.

“I understand you feel… a little displaced here.”

I arched a brow. “Wow, look who suddenly grew a heart.”

His glare warned me, but he pressed on. “So I’ve reached a compromise. A chance at freedom.”

My pulse stuttered. “I’m listening.”

“You’ll fight for it.”

I blinked. “Fight?”

“A last-man-standing brawl. Nothing that’ll scar your pretty face.” His tone dipped into something mocking, taunting.

He's got to be kidding me. I keep forgetting that this man was a fucking psycho.

I stared. “What is this, the 1900s?”

His lips twitched. Not quite a smile, not quite anger. “No catch. My Delta suggested it. She’s… excited.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

She?

I narrowed my eyes. “And who might your Delta be?”

He leaned closer, shadows carving his features into something dangerous.

“Venus.”