Chapter four

“Hahahahahaha…”

Laughter tore from his throat.

She was still trembling, squeezing the cackling throat shaking from laughter.

“Is that all the strength you have inside your small, pleasurable, bitchy body?” he said, looking at her with slight amusement. “You’re going to squeeze with this weak grip?” He continued, mockingly. “I’ve never seen anyone get strangled before with this weak grip of yours. Let me teach you.”

He threw her over quickly, hovering above her, his hands suddenly going around her throat. One squeeze—and her eyes reddened.

Choking, she tried not to gasp for breath, but her legs shook violently. She tried to pull his hands away, but he pinned them above her head.

“This is how you squeeze someone if you mean to kill them,” he said, not letting go.

Her eyes rolled to the back of her head when his grip loosened. Air and shock tore through her body. She coughed violently, too weak to get up.

This time, she broke down into soft sobs.

All her carefully curated life for the past ten years—after she lost her father—came crashing down because of this one man invading her entire space tonight.

This body…

This body of hers…

Finally, it brought her ruin—just like her father spat out with pity the day he died.

I wish you were born even as a beta, my princess, her father had said, regret clouding his eyes. Life will be too cruel to you because of your body… your face…

“Wear your clothes. Are you going to lie there all night?” his voice snapped into her ears.

She gathered herself onto her feet, pulling on her skirt while dragging herself toward the door.

“Remember tomorrow. I don’t want to find you.”

See him tomorrow, my foot, she cursed. She would never see him again—until the day she cut his head from his neck.

But she nodded obediently and stepped out.

She had no chance to crash out after the door closed behind her. The driver was already waiting. He led her through the entrance, and she trudged behind him, her legs throbbing, her heart pounding.

The cold night hit her skin as she stepped outside. She entered the car, and it drove her home.

She burst into her house.

“Dan!!” she called, searching every corner, panic climbing with each empty space. She ran out, knocking on neighbors’ doors.

“I—I can’t find… I can’t find my brother,” she trembled to Devon when he stepped out of his room. He was a beta—the one who lived closest to her.

“What do you mean you can’t find Dan?”

No.

No!!!

Nothing must happen to Dan.

Her phone beeped.

In case you’re looking for your brother, he’s with me. I wanted to make sure you see me tomorrow.

Him.

Alpha Penking.

The phone rang. She stared at it, clenching her jaw.

“Take your call,” Devon said gently.

Take your call, another message came. Your brother’s life seems to depend on it.

“Why are you doing this to me?!” she screamed into the phone when she finally answered. “Why?!”

“I don’t like when you yell at me.”

Her lips quivered. Her hands shook around the phone.

“Freshen up and sleep. Show up tomorrow. I won’t ask you again.”

The call ended.

“Fuck!!! Fuck!!! Fuck that bastard!!!” She nearly flung her phone, but Devon caught her arm.

“What’s wrong?” he asked softly. “Can you try calming down?”

“Calming down?” She shoved him. “What do you know? You look at me disgustingly every time. Oh yeah—I’m an omega who takes dumps from alphas, isn’t it? Fuck off!!”

Her rage spilled everywhere.

“Amelia, what’s going on?” Devon followed her.

She turned sharply. “Asking me what’s going on like you don’t smell rotten sex on me.” Her voice shook. “I know betas can’t smell pheromones, but the reek of sex—isn’t it on me?”

“Amelia—”

“Get out!!!” She shoved him until he stepped outside. She slammed the door, sliding down against it as her strength gave out.

Perfect life.

Perfect control—for ten years.

Ruined by a single night.

With the beast.

She entered the Penking Organization the next morning, sliding hurriedly through hallways until she was stopped.

“I’m here to see your boss.”

“And who are you, apart from the scent coming off you?” the alpha demanded, eyes roaming her body with open lust.

“I need to see your boss,” she repeated.

He lifted her jaw. “You’re a beautiful one—”

A gunshot echoed.

The alpha dropped lifelessly to the floor.

Her legs locked. Her eyes widened as she followed the sound.

He stood there.

Dressed in black from head to toe—tailored coat resting perfectly on broad shoulders, dark trousers pressed sharp, leather gloves still smoking faintly from the gunshot. His hair was neatly slicked back, his face calm, cold, untouched by emotion. Power clung to him like a second skin.

“You came…”

“Where is my brother?”

“First thing to ask your owner,” he said, crossing the room with a line of betas and a few alphas behind him. “When you meet him.”

“I didn’t—”

“Did you miss me?” he interrupted, stopping inches from her, releasing his pheromones into the air. “Did you?”

Her senses reeled as her nose recognized his pheromones. Hate bloomed in her chest.

“Well, I missed you, Amelia,” he said quietly. “I missed how I pounded you all night till you went insane.”

She gasped.