Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The third knot lasted longer than the others.

Kai lay trapped against Riven’s chest, every slow breath making the thick lock inside him tug. The den was quiet except for the sound of their breathing and the occasional drip of water from the cloth Riven had discarded earlier. Outside, morning had fully arrived. Light leaked under the heavy door.

Kai’s mind felt clearer than it had in hours. The worst of the heat had finally loosened its grip, leaving behind a deep, aching soreness and the heavy awareness of exactly how thoroughly he had been used.

He shifted.

Riven’s arm tightened instantly around his waist.

“Don’t,” the Alpha said against the back of his neck. His voice was still rough. “Knot’s still locked.”

“I know.” Kai stared at the far wall. “I can feel it.”

Silence stretched. Through the bond he could sense Riven’s contentment—low, steady, almost smug. It made something sharp twist in Kai’s chest.

“This doesn’t change anything,” Kai said quietly. “When the heat ends, I’m leaving the den.”

Riven’s body went still behind him.

“No.”

“You can’t keep me here forever.”

“I can.” Riven’s hand slid up and covered the claim mark on Kai’s throat, pressing lightly over the bruised skin. “This says I can. The pack already knows it. Your body knows it. The only one still arguing is you.”

Kai’s fingers curled into the furs. “I never asked for this. You dragged me in front of everyone, bit me, and decided I belonged to you because my scent got under your skin. That isn’t a reason. That’s instinct.”

Riven’s hips rolled in a small, deliberate circle. The movement dragged the knot against sensitive walls and forced a broken sound out of Kai’s throat before he could stop it.

“Instinct is the only reason that matters to an Alpha,” Riven murmured. “You can hate it. You can fight it. But every time I push inside you, your hole opens for me like it was waiting. Every time I knot you, you come so hard you shake. That isn’t nothing, Kai.”

“It’s biology,” Kai shot back, voice tight. “It doesn’t mean I want you.”

Riven was quiet for a long moment. Then he spoke, low and final.

“Then learn to want what you already have. Because I’m not releasing the claim. I’m not sending you back to that empty little room you used to hide in. And the next time you tell me you’re leaving, I’ll bend you over and remind you exactly who you belong to until the words stop coming out of your mouth.”

The knot finally began to soften.

Riven eased out of him with a wet sound. A thick rush of come followed, spilling down Kai’s thighs. The sudden emptiness made his stomach clench. He tried to roll away, but Riven caught his hip and flipped him onto his back in one smooth motion.

The Alpha braced himself over Kai, eyes dark and unreadable.

“Heat’s breaking,” Riven said. “But you’re still producing slick. One more wave at least.” His gaze dropped to the mess between Kai’s legs—swollen rim, shiny thighs, the soft curve of his stomach still marked by Riven’s handprints. “I’m going to take it. And when it’s over, you’re going to walk out of this den at my side so the entire pack can see what a claimed Omega looks like.”

Kai’s throat worked. “And if I refuse?”

Riven’s mouth curved, slow and dangerous.

“Then I’ll carry you.”

He leaned down and kissed the claim mark, teeth grazing the sensitive skin. Kai’s body betrayed him again—another slow pulse of slick, another unwanted shiver.

Riven noticed. Of course he did.

“There it is,” he said against Kai’s throat. “Still fighting. Still wet for me anyway.”

He reached down, guided himself back to Kai’s entrance, and pushed in with one long, unhurried thrust. Kai’s back arched, a helpless sound tearing from his chest. The stretch was familiar now, almost worse because of it—his body already softening, already accepting.

Riven set a deep, steady rhythm, eyes locked on Kai’s face the entire time.

“Hate me if you need to,” he said, voice rough. “Curse me. Fight me. But this—” he drove in harder, making Kai gasp, “—this is yours now. And I’m not giving it back.”

Outside the den, the pack waited.

Inside, Kai closed his eyes and tried—again—not to give the Alpha the satisfaction of another broken moan.