Chapter 11

Chapter 11RAMON The implications hit me like a physical blow. If the neighborhood believed Lake had been impregnated by his own father, if they thought Ollie was the product of incest rather than simply another one of Samuel's abandoned children...It explained so much. The protective way Lake held himself around alphas. The fear I'd sensed in him that went beyond normal omega caution. The absolute devotion to Ollie that bordered on obsession.If Lake had been abused by his father, if he'd been forced to witness Samuel's treatment of other omegas, if the entire neighborhood believed he'd been victimized in the most horrible way possible..."You're wrong," I said, though even as I spoke the words, I wasn't entirely certain. "Ollie is Samuel's son by a different omega."Thomas Wayne laughed again, the sound wet and ugly. "Believe what you want, man. But I've seen them together. That's not a brother taking care of his sibling. That's a mama protecting his cub."I stepped back from them

Last Updated : 2025-08-16

Chapter 12

Chapter 12RAMON I stood in the main foyer of my mansion, checking my watch for the third time in five minutes as I was getting a bit impatient.It was nearly three in the afternoon, and I'd been waiting for almost an hour for Lake and Ollie to come downstairs so that I could see them. After my disturbing discovery at the warehouse and the conversation I'd overheard outside my bedroom suite, I'd made an important decision to postpone tonight's bonding ceremony where I would officially claim Lake as my mate.There were too many unknowns that I hadn't considered properly yet, there were too many pieces of Lake's story that didn't fit together properly. And if my suspicions about Samuel Sanders were correct, then rushing into a mating bond would be the worst possible thing I could do right now.Instead, I'd decided on something more normal for them but equally important—shopping. If Lake and Ollie were going to be living here permanently, they needed proper clothes, supplies, and everyt

Last Updated : 2025-08-17

Chapter 13

Chapter 13RAMON Lake's expression was a complex mix of gratitude and resentment as he looked at me. I could see him weighing the benefits for Ollie against his own discomfort with accepting anything from me."That sounds wonderful," he said finally, though his tone was carefully neutral. "We appreciate your... generosity."The word came out like he was swallowing glass, and I realized that Lake's pride was going to be as much of an obstacle as his fear. He didn't want to be in my debt any more than he already was, didn't want to owe me for kindnesses that came with strings attached."It's not generosity," I said honestly. "It's necessity. If you're going to be my mate, you need to look the part. And Ollie deserves the best education available."Lake flinched at the reminder of our arrangement, but he nodded stiffly. "Of course. When did you want to go?""Now, if you're ready. My driver is waiting outside."The trip to the shopping center was conducted in relative silence, with Ollie

Last Updated : 2025-08-17

Chapter 14

Chapter 14LAKEThe weight of everything Ramon had bought us today felt heavier than Ollie's sleeping form in my arms. Clothes, toys, electronics—even a laptop for me and a tablet for Ollie that cost more than I'd made in three months at the restaurant. The shopping bags filled the trunk of Ramon's expensive car, each one a reminder of how much deeper in debt I was falling.I didn't understand what he wanted from me. The shopping trip, the expensive gifts, taking us to the amusement park—none of it made sense if all he planned to do was use me to pay off Samuel's debt. Alphas didn't spend thousands of dollars on omegas they intended to discard after a few nights. But they also didn't usually bite and scent their victims in public either.My neck still burned where his teeth had grazed the sensitive skin, right there in front of dozens of strangers at the park. I'd gasped at the unexpected contact, my body betraying me with a shiver of response that I'd tried desperately to hide. The w

Last Updated : 2025-09-03

Chapter 15

Chapter 15LAKE"That's right, sweetheart. Can you be a very quiet mouse for me?"Ollie nodded and immediately buried his face against my chest, his body going still and silent the way I'd taught him. It was a skill no five-year-old should have to learn, but it had kept us safe more times than I could count.I looked up to find Ramon staring at us with an expression I couldn't read. There was something dark in his eyes, something that might have been anger or concern or both."I'm sorry," I said quickly, adjusting Ollie's weight in my arms. "He's just tired and confused. I should get him to bed.""Lake." Ramon's voice was carefully controlled, but I could hear the tension underneath. "What kind of game teaches a child to go silent when he's afraid?"I swallowed hard, realizing what he'd witnessed. "I... it's nothing. Just something we used to do when..." I trailed off, not sure how much I wanted to admit."When what?"The questions in his eyes were too intense, too probing. I took a s