Chapter 5

Osborne

"The shares in the company within the Waterford Pack are increasing by the day. I want you to go check it out, son. As you know, we’ve maintained a good relationship with them for a long time."

My father’s voice echoed in my head, calm but heavy with the same expectations that had followed me for years. I gave a stiff nod, trying to mask my irritation.

"I know, Father. But when does it end?" I looked him in the eye. "I should be elsewhere by now. Doing what I was born for, not babysitting alliances."

He studied me quietly for a second, then nodded as if he’d anticipated this resistance. "I see. But there’s a party tonight. I want you to attend... with Bella."

Ah. So that’s what this is really about.

I scoffed inwardly and stood. "You could’ve just said that from the start."

We both knew what this was. He wanted me to claim Bella—to mate with her for power, not love. That’s why he never forced me to attend the gatherings in the pack square like the other unmated wolves. He’d always had Bella in mind. Always waiting, always scheming.

But tonight, I’d shatter that plan.

"I won’t be going with Bella," I said coolly. "I’m going to see the woman I’ve already claimed."

He froze mid-motion, eyes lifting slowly to meet mine. "What did you just say?"

"I said," I repeated calmly, "I’m going to the woman I have claimed."

His face twisted with disbelief before rage began to crack through his polished exterior. "You haven’t even been officially mated! Don’t stand there and speak nonsense to me."

"I’m not," I said, standing my ground. "I claimed her under the moon goddess. I marked her in truth."

He surged toward me, grabbing the collar of my shirt in a tight fist. His fury poured off him in waves. "What. Have. You. Done?"

"I’ve followed my heart," I answered steadily. "I love her, Father."

His hand dropped from my shirt, but the anger didn’t leave his face. This wasn’t just disappointment—it was betrayal in his eyes. To him, I wasn’t a son. I was a tool. And tonight, I’d dared to bend the blade away from the grip.

"I want no part in your politics with Alpha Hamilton," I added. "I’ll go to the party, but not with Bella."

His shoulders tensed, his jaw clenched. He didn’t speak. Silence meant fury, and I welcomed it.

"Excuse me," I said, turning my back on him.

My heart pounded as I stepped out of the room. The weight of defying him was heavy, but it didn’t slow my stride.

Shit. I’m late.

She’d be waiting. Probably confused. Maybe hurt.

I’ll bring her a flower. Something soft to make up for the sharpness of my delay.

As I stepped out, I spotted my mother heading toward my father's office.

"Are you two arguing again?" she asked.

I shook my head quickly. "No, Mom. But I really need to be somewhere," I replied, already halfway past her.

She took a step closer. "Your father must have mentioned Bella—"

I cut her off, not wanting to get into it. "Later, Mom. Please, not now." I hurried off, leaving her watching me with concern.

I reached my car, only to be stopped yet again—this time by Alex.

What the hell?

"Hey, buddy," he greeted.

I exhaled sharply. "Not now!" I snapped, slamming the door shut and driving off without another word.

I drove straight to a nearby flower shop, my thoughts completely consumed by Aina. The moment I stepped in, I could feel the attention shift toward me.

"Who do you think he’s buying flowers for? Is he already mated?" one girl whispered with clear jealousy.

"Oh God, please let it be me," another giggled.

Ugh. Seriously?

I paid quickly, ignored the unnecessary attention, and headed back to my car. I just needed to see her. As I drove, my mind drifted to her—how she looked last night, how she felt. I gripped the wheel tighter. I was almost there when it hit me.

A wave of heat slammed into my chest and shot down my body. My cock hardened painfully, demanding her. It was the same uncontrollable ache as last night—but this time it was more intense. Like a primal force was dragging me toward her.

Then I caught it.

Her scent.

Oh, goddess.

Sweet. Potent. Irresistible. And it wasn’t just inside the house—it reached outside. Fuck. That shouldn’t happen. No one should know how my mate smells. No one should know she’s going into heat.

I pulled up in front of her house and jumped out, heart racing. That’s when I saw them.

Three guys loitering just a little too close to her block. They were sniffing the air subtly, eyes narrowing in the direction of her home.

They smelled it too.

No. Hell. No.

My protective instincts kicked in so hard I saw red. I clenched my fists and stalked toward them. One of them, a lanky omega with twitchy eyes, dared to speak.

"Smells like—"

"Don’t." I snapped.

The moment they saw my face, they froze. Recognition flickered in their eyes. One stepped back. The other two immediately lowered their heads and bowed.

"Alpha," one muttered quickly, trying to act like they hadn’t just been sniffing around my mate’s scent like hungry dogs.

I didn’t care who they were. I didn’t care if they belonged to this pack or the next. My glare could’ve burned holes through them.

"Next time I see you this close to her house," I growled, my voice low and lethal, "you’ll be crawling home without your noses."

They didn’t wait. They backed off quickly, practically tripping over themselves.

Without wasting another second, I turned and stormed toward her house. No knocking. No hesitation. I shoved the door open and followed her scent like a predator locked on prey.

It led me straight to the living room.

Her family was gathered there—faces tight with worry.

And then I saw her.

Aina.

She swayed on her feet, eyes fluttering closed. Her body gave out beneath her, and without thinking, I shouted her name.

"Aina!"