Chapter 3

After about a week, it was still impossible to put Elliot behind me, his words, his scorn... they replayed in my head every night. And yet, shamefully, I still felt connected to him. Maybe I truly was insane, it was very ridiculous for an omega to be bonded to an Alpha. But Havana still clawed restlessly inside me, I had to force her down, I had to forget him.

So I did what my mother always taught me; lick your wounds in silence and move forward. I went back to the club, I danced, smiled, entertained like always, but with less soul. I was more conscious than ever of what I was: an omega, a servant, nothing more.

That night, Viktor came over with his usual grin. “Private client wants you.”

I nodded and went to the VIP room to meet the client.

But the moment I stepped inside, my chest tightened. His scent hit me first, it was sharp and undeniable.

Elliot.

He was sitting there, waiting. When our eyes met, he pulled off his mask, never looking away.

Panic shot through me. Why was he here? To humiliate me again?

I turned to rush out.

“Get back here. Now, Liora,” he barked.

I froze. My body betrayed me, obeying before my mind could resist. Slowly, I turned back.

“You said I shouldn’t show my face to you again,” I blurted, words spilling out too fast.

“Shut up and sit down,” he snapped.

I dropped into the chair without another word. He just stared at me, then dragged a hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face. He stood and began pacing.

“You think not showing your face is enough?” he growled. “You’ve infected me. You’ve gotten under my skin, and now I can’t get rid of you. What the hell did you do me?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I whispered.

“I’m sorry for coming to the palace. It was a mistake. It won’t happen again. So… please just let me go."

I rose to leave, but he grabbed my hair, shoving me back into the chair. Pain seared across my scalp. Why did he always have to hurt me?

“Sorry doesn’t cut it,” he snarled. “You have to fix this. I can’t keep thinking about you, it's...it’s appalling.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” I said, my voice breaking. “But... But I can't help you.”

He gripped my face in anger, leaning so close his glare burned into me. My heart pounded at the closeness, panic and heat mixing in my chest. But then... something shifted, his breathing grew heavier, uneven, and the fury in his eyes melted into something else, raw, unrestrained desire. His gaze kept flicking from my eyes to my lips, again and again.

And then, before I could move, his lips crashed onto mine.

I pushed against his chest, shaking my head, not like this. He stopped at once, his breath ragged, his body trembling with the effort to hold back. His eyes locked on mine so hungry and desperate, like if I said no, it would kill him.

His hand lifted slowly, brushing the hair from my face with such care it made my chest tighten. That gentleness, that raw need in his eyes, broke through every wall I’d built. Damn it, who was I kidding? I wanted him just as much as he wanted me.

My hands curled into his shirt and pulled him closer. This time when his mouth claimed mine, I didn’t resist, I surrendered, I kissed him back, against every shred of reason, I melted into him. Havana howled with wild joy, drowning out my doubts. We struggled, fought for dominance, until I surrendered, letting him take what he wanted.

He pushed me down, his weight pressing over me, every touch was rough, and unyielding, yet it set me on fire.

When he entered me, it was with a growl of defeat, not tenderness. He moved like a man possessed, trapped by something he hated but couldn’t resist. My body gave in before my mind could think.

He didn’t whisper love, didn’t promise forever. He took me as if breaking me would set him free. But when his release came, shuddering and raw, nothing was broken, at least for me, if anything, the bond only sank deeper.

I was left trembling, breathless, my body aching in ways I couldn’t explain. It was overwhelming. It was… more than I had ever felt.

Elliot dressed quickly, his face hard, unreadable.

“Was that what you wanted from me?” he asked, his voice sharp, cutting.

Shame burned in my chest. I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t look at him. I had given in, after everything. Why couldn’t I resist him? Havana purred with satisfaction inside me, but I felt sick.

He fastened the last button on his shirt, his words falling like blades. “Now that I’ve got you out of my system, don’t ever come near me again in your pathetic life.”

And then he left.

The door closed.

Silence.

I sank onto the floor, tears spilling down my cheeks.

I felt used, like a toy someone had played with and thrown aside. My body still burned from his touch, but my heart… my heart felt hollow.

How much more could I take?

I hated him, but I hated myself more.