Consequences of the Bond.

The doctor arrived not long after.

Thorne let him into the suite while I remained curled up in the center of the bed, trying desperately to compose myself, though it was useless. My body still trembled from exhaustion, my skin damp with sweat, my scent unmistakable. The air reeked of what we had done.

The doctor, who was a beta, thankfully, moved quickly and professionally. He avoided my eyes as he administered a suppressant injection into my arm, his expression carefully neutral.

“The heat should subside fully within the hour,” he said quietly, addressing Thorne rather than me. “Your omega will stabilize soon.”

Your omega.

I flinched at those words, but neither of us corrected him.

The doctor packed his bag, leaving a few extra suppressants on the nightstand before quietly excusing himself. The soft click of the door closing behind him left Thorne and me alone again.

The silence between us was almost deafening.

I sat up slowly, my limbs weak but much steadier now. The heat had receded, at least physically, but the ache inside me remained, something deeper than just my body. It was humiliation, confusion, and a bitter taste of shame.

Thorne stood nearby, his posture tense, as though unsure whether he should come closer or give me space.

Neither option made this any easier.

I broke the silence first, my voice filled with shame. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?” His voice was quiet.

“Like I’m fragile. Like I’m... like I’m your responsibility.”

His jaw flexed. “You passed out from the heat in front of me. I am responsible.”

“No, you’re not.” My throat tightened, but I forced myself to meet his gaze. “I brought this on myself. You weren’t supposed to be involved.”

His expression changed. “Because you were planning to drug me.”

The sharpness in his voice made my stomach twist. The reality of what I had done was hunting me now.

“I didn’t know what the pill would do,” I whispered, guilt crushing my chest. “I thought... I thought it would make you lose face. Ruin your perfect image. I never imagined it would…” My voice cracked. “Turn me into this.”

His eyes softened slightly, but the tension in his shoulders remained.

“And now that it has?” he asked. “What happens next?”

I didn’t have an answer.

I hadn’t just lost to him tonight—I had surrendered in every possible way. My body had betrayed me. My pride had shattered. And worst of all, Thorne had seen every broken piece of me.

“I don’t know,” I whispered.

He stepped closer then, slow but cautious, as if afraid I’d pull away. But I was too tired to move.

His fingers brushed my chin gently, lifting my face up so our eyes locked.

“You’re not weak,” he said softly. “You’re not pathetic. Stop looking at yourself like you are.”

Tears burned behind my eyes again. “Don’t lie to make me feel better.”

“I’m not lying.” His voice dropped to a low whisper. “Do you think I don’t know how strong you are? Not even an omega would attempt to try what you did tonight?”

I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond.

His thumb traced lightly along my cheek, wiping away tears that were already rolling on my cheek. His touch was unexpectedly tender, confusingly so.

“You didn’t want me,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Not like this.”

Thorne ’s gaze darkened, but not with anger this time. With something heavier. Something deeper.

“You think I haven’t noticed you all these years?” he murmured. “You think I didn’t see you trying to compete with me, to challenge me, to push back at every turn? Do you believe I never felt anything toward you?”

I stared at him, breath caught in my throat.

This was not the conversation I expected after everything that had happened.

“I hated you,” I admitted, voice breaking again. “I still do.”

“I know.” He smiled faintly. “But sometimes, hate and desire look very much alike.”

The words hit me harder than I expected. Because deep down, I couldn’t deny it anymore.

I hadn’t just hated Thorne all these years. I’d been drawn to him, too, by his power, his confidence, his ability to remain untouchable when I felt like I was always drowning beneath expectations.

My hatred had been fueled by something far more complicated than simple rivalry.

And now?

Now I didn’t even know where we stood.

Thorne exhaled slowly, his hand falling away from my face. “The suppressants will keep your heat under control for now. But this change... It’s permanent.”

The weight of those words settled in my chest.

Permanent.

I was an omega now. My biology rewritten. My future altered in ways I hadn’t even begun to understand.

“Does anyone else know?” I asked, my voice barely audible.

“Not yet.” His gaze was steady. “But they will, eventually.”

I closed my eyes, my mind spiraling with the consequences: my father, my family’s reputation, the media, the business world. What would become of the Park heir now that I was no longer an alpha?

I felt Thorne ’s hand cover mine gently. “You don’t have to face this alone.”

I opened my eyes, staring at him. “Why are you being so kind to me?”

His smile was bittersweet. “Because despite everything, I deeply care for you.”

I couldn’t breathe for a moment. Those words felt more dangerous than anything we’d done tonight.

“I don’t want your pity.”

“This isn’t pity,” he said firmly. “You’re mine now, whether you like it or not.”

My pulse quickened at the possessive tone in his voice. A chill ran down my spine, one part fear, one part something far more dangerous.

“You still didn’t mark me,” I whispered.

His eyes gleamed. “Not yet.”

He leaned in close, his lips just a few inches from my ear. His voice dropped to a growl that made my heart skip.

“But you will beg for it one day.”

I shivered at his words, knowing deep down — no matter how much I tried to deny it — he might be right.

This wasn’t the end.

It was only the beginning.