Chapter 4. Solution.

The sharp hum of voices filled the air as I stood near the window, gazing out at the soft flakes of snow which fell on the streets.

My parents’ words from this morning still echoed in my head. A family meeting was called and I was the topic. Sabrina expressed her disgust and my parents stared at me. Seth on the other hand, had a smug up his lips, unfazed by his actions.

“This is your last chance, Naya. The bonding ceremony will set everything right,” my mother had grimly state, her voice a mix of desperation and anger. My father simply nodded in agreement. It was clear that he was disappointed in me. 

Well, everyone was…

I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to stand in a room full of strangers who would sniff at me like I was some prized prey. But did I have a choice? My parents were livid over the incident with Sabrina and Seth, and now they were determined to fix me… 

Or as they told me, repeatedly fix my life.

It wasn’t my fault, I wanted to scream at them. But who would believe me? Even Seth, the one person who could’ve backed me up, had only worsened the situation.

The memory of Sabrina’s tears, the sharp sting of her slap across Seth’s cheek, and the metallic tinkle of her engagement ring rolling on the floor kept echoing in my head.

 “What I saw is exactly what I think it is,” she’d hissed through her tears before storming out of my room.

Seth had looked at me, his face unreadable. I could still see the flicker of lust in his eyes. He wanted this too happen, I could tell. Why the hell was he so attracted to me?

I sighed and turned away from the window. Tonight wasn’t about Sabrina or Seth. Tonight was about me surviving all this.

A few hours later, I was already at the said ritual site.

The bonding ceremony venue was adorned with golden garlands and twinkling fairy lights. A massive Christmas tree stood at the center of the room, its branches heavy with ornaments and decorations. Heck, all these seemed to unnerve me. 

I had barely stepped inside when my skin started to prickle. My legs were heavy as if I didn't own them and I clutched the door frame for support. Something was wrong. The air around me felt… charged… heavy. A strange heat coursed through my body, making my skin burn and my heart beat Increase.

“Not now,” I whispered, my voice shaky. I had taken my meds just an hour ago. They should’ve worked.

What if the drugs had stopped working? Or worse, what if they were fake?

I glanced around, hoping no one had noticed my distress. But it was too late.

The scent ~ I mean, my scent ~ must’ve reached them. One by one, heads turned toward me. Men I didn’t even know started moving closer. I winced upon seeing the familiar lascivious smile run across their lips.

“Well, well,” one of them drawled, his lips curling into a smirk. “What do we have here?”

“Get away from me,” I muttered, taking a step back, my breathing shallow from panic. This wasn't supposed to be happening!

“Don’t be like that,” another one said, his gaze felt as if he was undressing me. “We just want to...talk.”

I could see the hunger in their eyes as they approached me. I tried to find a way out but I was completely surrounded.

“Leave me alone!” I exclaimed, fear evident in my voice.

Their laughter was low and mocking.

“Fiery, aren’t you? I like that,” one of them said, reaching for my arm.

I jerked away, my breathing coming in short, terrified bursts. The room seemed to tilt, and my head spun. My body was betraying me, and I stumbled against the cold wall, pleading with it to suck away my fear. 

Just then, a familiar scent hit my senses… Kieran!

“Back off,” he growled, his voice low, his eyes narrowed to mere slits while he found a way through the mob to stand beside me.

The men around me hesitated, their gazes flickering to him. He was taller, broader, and more commanding than any of them. Reluctantly, they stepped back, muttering under their breaths as they dispersed.

Kieran turned to me, his eyes now concerned as he took in my trembling form.

 “Come with me,” he said firmly.

I wanted to protest, to tell him I didn’t need his help, but my legs felt like jelly. I let him guide me through the crowd, his hand holding my arm firmly.

He led me into a quiet room at the back of the venue. The noise of the ceremony faded, replaced by the sound of my shallow breathing.

“What the hell is going on with you?” Kieran asked, his tone sharp.

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My throat felt tight, and my eyes fixed on the floor. 

He stared at me for a moment before realization dawned on his face.

“You’re an Omega.”

His words were like a slap. I flinched, hating the disgust in his voice.

“I’m not,” I whispered, though we both knew it was a lie.

He ran a hand through his hair, muttering a curse under his breath. 

“You should’ve told someone. Do you have suppressants?”

I shook my head weakly. The meds I had taken earlier had failed me, and now I was vulnerable.

Kieran sighed, his frustration laced in his voice.

 “You can’t go back in there. They’ll tear you apart.”

“I’m fine,” I said, though my voice trembled.

“You’re not,” he snapped. “Your heat is taking over, and if you don’t~” He stopped himself, his jaw tightening. “You need to calm down.”

“I am calm,” I shot back, though it was far from the truth.

He stepped closer, his aura dominating the small space of the compact enclosed area.

 “If you go back there, you’ll attract every perverted wolf in the vicinity. Is that what you want?”

“No!” I yelled, my voice breaking. “I don’t want any of this!”

My chest heaved as I fought to keep myself together. The heat was unbearable now, coursing through my veins and clouding my mind.

Kieran lips parted as he exhaled, his expression softening.

“There’s only one way to help you right now.”

I knew what he meant. The thought alone made my temper flare. He wanted to mate with me. The thought of him having his way with my body and dominating it with his sheer strength force, sent goose bumps on my skin. Sure, he was good looking but I didn't see myself getting sexually used by him. 

“No,” I whispered, backing away. “There has to be another way.”

“There isn’t,” he countered worriedly. “If we don’t~”

“I said no!” I screamed, my eyes blazing with fury. I tried to appear tough, but I was scared. 

He reached for me, his movements calculated.

“You’re going to hurt yourself if you keep fighting it.”

“Get away from me!” I struggled against him but I was no match for him.

He tried to hold me still, his voice low, a hint of urgency in his voice.

“Naya, listen to me~”

But I didn’t want to listen. I didn’t want to give in. My vision blurred, and the room spun around me.

The last thing I remembered was Kieran voice calling my name before I lost consciousness.