4. MEETING THE ALPHA

Ezra's mind was fogged up from the moment he opened his eyes. The sunlight above him was punishing. He stared at the clouds in confusion for a few seconds. He rolled over, and his body was stopped by a warm log.

Ezra paused as his ears picked up the sound of a beating heart. Logs didn't have hearts. His body froze as a memory slipped into his mind. Distant yet very much present.

It was him in the throes of passion, screaming for an Alpha to touch him. He'd gone into heat and succumbed to his base desires as an Omega.

And now...that Alpha was beside him.

Ezra jumped to his feet. The movement was so sudden that he feared the Alpha had awakened, but when he looked back, the Alpha was still deeply asleep on his stomach, half of his face buried in his arms so Ezra couldn't tell who it was.

The Alpha was well built, with a large scar running down his back. Ezra stared at him, puzzled.

Who was he? And why did his body react in that way?

A lock of dark hair fell across Alpha's forehead.

For a brief second, Ezra caught a glimpse of his profile.

A strong jaw. High cheekbones. Dark lashes resting against tanned skin. Far too handsome and young.

The sight made something strange tighten inside his chest.

He looked away immediately.

It didn't matter what the Alpha looked like. Last night had been a mistake.

Ezra's eyes travelled around the bank, and he spotted his clothes he'd nearly folded before he stepped in for his night swim. He grabbed them off the spot and quickly pulled them on, still shaking in embarrassment.

As Ezra did the last button of his shirt, the Alpha stirred. His heart seized again as he stared at the moving frame of the Alpha. His lungs forgot to take in air as he waited.

One second.

Then another.

And the Alpha went still again.

Ezra didn't wait a moment after that. He turned and fled. Running down the path he'd taken almost every night since he'd discovered the river.

His heart pounded in his chest, his blood running through his veins faster than normal. But he didn't stop. Not until the edge of the field came into view.

And another fear struck him.

He was late.

A curse slipped between his lips as he crossed the field and training Alphas. The pack house was buzzing with activity as he ran through the hallways, legs shaking as he rushed to the kitchen.

"I need the breakfast tray for Alpha Cage's new Omega," he said to the first attendant he spotted.

"You're late," the attendant replied, staring down at him with a disapproving look.

"I'm sorry I..."

"Over there," the attendant pointed, cutting him off since she had no interest in listening to an explanation.

Ezra moved past, grabbing the tray off the counter and rushing out into the hallway. He was forced to a stop when he almost crashed into an Alpha.

"What are you doing with that?" The Alpha pointed to the food he carried.

"I...B-Breakfast for Alpha Cage's new Omega," he mumbled.

Ezra expected the Alpha to step to the side, but he remained, blocking his path. He looked up from under his thick lashes and met that Alpha's gaze.

"C-Can I go?" He asked in a small voice, and the Alpha stepped to the side.

Ezra hurried past, his nerves a mess as he felt the Alpha's eyes still watching him. By the time he made it to the Kit's bedroom, he'd managed to compose himself.

His breathing was steady, and his hands no longer shook. Even his mind felt clearer than it had when he'd awakened.

The memory of the Alpha and the night at the river tried to sneak into his head, but he blocked it out.

Ezra pushed the door open and stepped into the room that smelled of a memory he couldn't quite grasp.

His eyes shut briefly as his brain tried to remember, but the moment was destroyed when something banged into the table, jerking him out of his daze.

"You're late," Kit said in an irritated voice.

Ezra's fingers clenched around the edges of the tray as he stared at Kit.

"There was a delay. I..."

"No excuses," he cut him off rudely, and Ezra's jaw clenched.

"Nothing to say?" Kit taunted.

Ezra held back even though he had a lot to say.

"Good. It's wonderful that you can finally remember your place. Your pride is meaningless here. Betas serve Omegas, and if you don't do as you're told, Alpha Cage will punish you.”

A smug smile spread across Kit's face.

"You're lucky he wasn't here this morning. If Alpha Cage had seen you stumbling in late, I would've told him everything. And trust me, you wouldn't have enjoyed the consequences."

Ezra's heart jumped at the mention of Alpha Cage. That was an Alpha he didn't want to cross. Quietly, he set down the tray and took a step back.

"Do you need anything else?" Kit immediately inspected the breakfast.

"This fruit isn't fresh enough." He pushed the plate aside.

"And why is the tea cold?"

After criticizing half the meal, he finally waved a dismissive hand.

"Take it away. I'll skip breakfast. I need to maintain my figure."

He glanced down at his slim waist and sighed dramatically. Then he turned back toward the mirror, admiring his reflection.

"Draw me a bath. My skin needs to be taken care of. There's a banquet tonight, and I must be the center of attention."

Ezra didn't watch Kit get lost in his world of fantasies. He slipped into the bathroom, obeying the command he'd been given while he tried to block out the memory of the Alpha that had consumed him.

Attending Kit was harder than Ezra had expected. The temptation to bash his head in was strong, but the fear of Alpha Cage was even stronger. So he obeyed without complaining.

And even after the banquet began, he dutifully followed Kit everywhere, waiting hands and feet.

Kit prowled through the banquet, his eyes trailing every Alpha present.

Ezra shook his head at his loose attitude. Kit already belonged to Alpha Cage but couldn't resist the urge to lust after other Alphas.

Most Alphas wouldn't touch another Alpha's Omega, but there were exceptions. Some Alphas treated Omegas like prized possessions meant to be displayed, exchanged, or gifted. Sharing an Omega between allies wasn't rare among the upper ranks. Neither was trading them. To many powerful Alphas, Omegas were little more than beautiful pets.

Kit clearly expected to be admired.

His gaze landed on a blond Alpha standing near the center of the hall. The man was tall and strikingly handsome, dressed in a white suit that made him look almost angelic beneath the crystal lights. The Alphas surrounding him seemed to fade into the background, mere shadows beside his presence.

Kit's eyes lit up immediately.

"Good evening," he purred, dipping into a graceful bow.

"I'm a new Omega attending his first banquet. You may call me Kit." The blond Alpha smiled politely as he looked him over.

Then his gaze shifted straight to Ezra.

Ezra stiffened. The Alpha's eyes lingered on him for several seconds. Flustered, Ezra quickly lowered his head.

"Good evening, Alpha."

"You're beautiful," a deep voice from the Alpha. The compliment made Kit beam with satisfaction.

"I try my best," Kit answered in a sultry tone, brushing his fingers through his hair in practiced seduction.

But the Alpha wasn't looking at Kit.

"Who do you belong to?" Kit's smile froze.

The Alpha wasn't looking at him. He was staring straight at Ezra.

Kit's head turned sharply and stared at the servant standing behind him. His fists were tightening in annoyance, but he didn't get the chance to complain.

The air in the room changed. A new scent entered. Raw and masculine, drawing everyone's attention. Ezra's eyes turned sharply, and his eyes landed on the Alpha that had entered. The scent grew stronger, and his pulse began to race.

Memories of the night by the river came flooding in, and heat simmered underneath his skin. The noise in the room disappeared and the Alpha's eyes travelled around the room, searching.

Ezra forgot how to breathe as those calculating dark eyes landed on him.

A moment passed, neither of them moved.

Ezra knew the exact moment the Alpha recognized him. Ezra looked away quickly, but it was too late.

The Alpha was walking towards him.