1

POV SOPHIA

"You have twenty-four hours, Miss Megg. Tomorrow first thing, we will disconnect your father’s lunar chamber."

The administration chief’s words fell like a sharp blow.

On the other side of the clinic counter, the lights from the Consortium’s ice rink flickered under the cold night air.

"That is a death sentence," I said, my nails digging into the edge of the desk. "The pack insurance covers life support for fallen warriors. My father served the council for twenty years."

The woman didn't look up from her screen.

"The family insurance was canceled this morning. The policy was transferred to a new holder," the woman implied, completely devoid of emotion.

"What? That’s impossible. Only the primary beneficiary can authorize a transfer."

"And the new holder authorized the change," said a voice behind me, steeped in false sympathy.

I spun on my heels. Brian was walking down the hallway wearing the official ice hockey team jacket.

His hand was wrapped around Anastasia’s waist, whose victorious smile shone under the white light. Anastasia wore around her neck the seal reserved for high-society females of the Consortium.

"You," I whispered.

"Hello, Sophia," Brian said, stopping two steps away.

"What have you done?" I asked, my brow furrowed.

"Don't look at me like that. The team rules are clear. Insurance benefits are granted to active players and their official partners."

"It was my father's treatment, Brian. He’s in a coma from saving your squad!"

"And I need to secure my future," he interrupted, pressing Anastasia tighter against his side. "Anastasia is the chief counselor's daughter. Joining her guarantees my starting spot this season. Your father is beyond help, Sophia. I’m not going to waste my opportunity on a corpse."

"You are a shameless bastard," I said, taking a step forward.

I raised my right hand high enough to strike his face. But Brian grabbed my hand and shoved me backward.

My back slammed against the wall while I heard Anastasia’s mocking giggle.

"Learn your place, useless Omega. You don't even have a wolf. Be grateful Brian didn't throw you out on the street years ago. You’re a burden."

Anastasia’s words had no effect on me. I turned my gaze back to Brian.

"You signed the transfer using my forged signature," I said, looking Brian straight in the eyes. "This is a crime."

"Nobody cares about the signature of a statusless female," Brian stated coldly. "If you try to make a scene before the Council, I’ll have your university scholarship revoked before the day ends. Accept it. You are alone."

A dull thud shook the hallway walls. The metal lockers at the end of the corridor groaned loudly.

The air in the hallway shifted drastically.

A heavy scent of burnt pine and fresh blood invaded the space, overpowering the clinic’s antiseptic smell. Goosebumps broke out all over my skin.

"Call the pack doctor!" a guard yelled from the corner, backing away in a rush. "The young Alpha is having another rage episode! Clear the way!"

The ceiling lights flickered.

From the access tunnel to the emergency area, a massive figure was advancing.

Zakhar Volkov, the Alpha heir and hockey team captain, strode forward with heavy strides.

He wore his training uniform half-open, exposing his sweaty chest marked by claw scratches. His knuckles were bloody, and his face was twisted in wild rage.

Nobody moved. Brian immediately took two steps back, shoving Anastasia behind his body.

"Mr. Volkov..." the administrator tried to say, standing up with trembling hands. "The press conference starts in ten minutes. The Supreme Alpha demands that you take the suppressor..."

"Shut up!" Zakhar roared.

The shockwave of his Alpha voice made the glass at the counter vibrate.

The administrator fell back onto her chair, pale.

Zakhar’s eyes glowed a fiery, incandescent gold, consumed by the beast out of control.

Zakhar advanced blindly toward the exit leading to the private rooms, shoving the guards aside with a sweep of his hand.

"Get down, Sophia," Brian whispered, grabbing my shoulder to pull me down. "Don't look at him. He’s in a frenzy. If he spots you, he’ll snap your neck."

"Let go of me," I said, shaking off his grip.

As I moved, my shoulder bumped into the corner of the hallway. A choked gasp escaped my breath.

The sound froze Zakhar right in the middle of the hallway.

The huge Alpha stopped dead in his tracks.

Zakhar turned his head slowly, the muscles in his neck tense, until his golden eyes clashed directly with mine.

The pressure in my chest vanished in a second. The suffocating aura that was keeping everyone terrified dissipated.

Zakhar blinked slowly, and the wild glow in his eyes began to fade, returning to their dark gray tone.

His rapid breathing grew heavy, fixed entirely on me.

He took a step toward my position. Then another.

"Zakhar..." Brian muttered, swallowing hard. "This female was just clearing the hallway. She’s a statusless Omega, she’s not worth wasting your..."

Zakhar didn't even look at him.

He extended an arm and struck Brian’s chest with the back of his hand.

The impact sent Brian rolling across the floor until he hit the waiting benches.

Anastasia let out a scream and ran toward him.

"Get out," Zakhar commanded. His voice was deep and harsh.

"Yes, young Alpha... I’m sorry," Brian stammered from the floor, scrambling up in a rush while dragging Anastasia out of the corridor.

In the hallway, only the paralyzed administrator at her desk and the two of us remained.

Zakhar walked toward me until he had me cornered against the row of metal benches.

His body blocked out the ceiling light, wrapping me completely in his shadow.

He smelled of adrenaline, the chill of the ice, and that burnt wood scent that made my blood dance beneath my skin.

"You," he said, resting a hand on the metal right beside my head. "You don't smell like a wolf."

"I am an undeveloped Omega," I replied, holding his gaze. "And you’re blocking my way."

Zakhar raised his other hand and brushed his bloody knuckles along my jawline. My skin burned where he touched me, but I didn't pull away.

"I almost tore the entire locker room apart five minutes ago," he whispered, leaning in until his warm breath brushed my ear. "My wolf wanted to rip everyone on that rink to pieces. And it only took a single look from you to make him sit still."

"I don't know what you’re talking about," I said, avoiding his eyes.

"Neither do I," he said, pressing his chest against mine until I could feel the frantic beating of his heart. His gaze turned deep and hungry. "But I’m going to find out."

Zakhar leaned back slightly, fixing his gray eyes on my face as he wiped the blood from his knuckles with the sleeve of his uniform.

"What's your name?" he demanded in a commanding voice.

"Sophia," I said firmly.

"Listen to me carefully, Sophia. You are going to the red office on the third floor in ten minutes," he ordered, holding my chin with two fingers without squeezing, yet asserting his dominance. "If you try to take a single step out of this building before I speak with you, I will have the guard drag you back."