Kaidon's POVI spent the rest of Zarek’s heat pacing in my office. After just one night with my mate, both Corban and I were completely in love with the boy. I couldn’t stand that he had come from an abusive pack, and it drove me mad.Axel had told me after the attack that Zarek needed to be left alone for the rest of his heat. She explained that Astrid could sense Zarek’s wolf’s sadness and helplessness—rooted in the fact that Zarek felt like he didn’t have a choice in how his life would unfold.That news sent me into a rage. I threw a punch at the wall, creating a dent as I thought about how Zarek’s previous packs had ruined him. They’d made him feel as if his life was already decided for him, leaving him no say in his own fate. I only stopped when Axel told me that Zarek could sense my anger, and it was making him panic.So, I stayed in my office, away from my mate. I hated that it was my presence that had caused the strange sobbing fit Zarek had earlier. I didn’t want to make him
Zarek's POV“Zarek, into my office. With immediate effect!”The Alpha’s voice echoed in my mind, sharp and unavoidable, like the crack of a whip. I froze, every muscle tensing in that instinctive response to fear. The call to his office could only mean one thing: punishment or some impossible task that no half-starved Omega could realistically handle. As I approached the Alpha’s office, I noticed the compassionate gazes from those around me. Betas, Omegas, and even some Alphas shared looks of sympathy with their eyes. Our pack, the Red Claw, seemed formidable to outsiders, yet internally, it was a nightmare. The Alphas and Betas were warriors out of necessity, and those who resisted faced a brutal fate. As for us Omegas, our sole purpose was to serve and reproduce.The Alpha governed us through intimidation. Those who dared to oppose him faced torture, forced to witness the deaths of their loved ones, followed by their own execution. Alphas held authority here, while Omegas like me w
Zarek's POV When I woke up, I kept my eyes closed, staying perfectly still. Opening them would mean acknowledging the world, maybe even getting up, and I wasn’t ready for that. Not with the ache radiating through my lower body, a brutal reminder of last night. Every small movement sent stinging waves of pain, especially around the sticky, uncomfortable soreness on my legs and... elsewhere.Alpha Ryker’s arm was still draped over me, his breath soft against my hair. The heat of his body should’ve been comforting, but I felt trapped beneath it. My life had always taught me that, as an Omega, I was meant to find pleasure in serving an Alpha’s needs. I was supposed to feel fulfillment, even joy. But now, all I felt was numb.I'd always been told that pleasing an Alpha, any Alpha, should satisfy me. A lie. The old Alpha hadn’t brought me anything close to satisfaction, even when he muttered empty praises afterward. And here, in this place, I didn’t feel any more whole. It left me with one
Zarek's POV I was thrown onto the ground in Ryker’s room, the heavier wolf slamming the door behind him. As he shifted back into his human form, his towering presence loomed over me. “Shift,” he ordered, his voice trembling with barely contained anger. I didn’t try to run or fight back. Slowly, I shifted back, wincing as my newly healed wound throbbed with the change. Once I was fully shifted back and completely naked, Ryker didn’t hesitate. He slammed his foot into my chest, catching me off guard. “I gave you very simple instructions,” Ryker growled, grabbing my arm and pulling me up. Ignoring the pained cries that escaped me, he snapped, “Do you remember what they were?” I could only sob and nod, my entire body on fire from pain. I felt my wolf trying to comfort me, but it did no good.Ryker threw me onto the bed and disappeared for a few moments before reappearing with thick ropes from his closet. He tied my arms and legs, slapping me whenever I tried to fight back. Once I wa
Zarek’s POV I had been at Ryker's pack house for over a month now, and today... Today my preheat hit. I had been so careful for the past few weeks, trying to keep myself in check, but I couldn't control the raging fire inside me anymore. I had no idea how my wolf would react during my heat, especially in the presence of an Alpha like Ryker.My wolf, he despised me. I could feel his frustration, his anger, his desperation. Unlike me, he hadn't given up hope. He still wanted to escape, still dreamed of finding our true mate. And then there was me, broken, resigned. I had accepted my fate as Ryker’s. I hated it, but I had no other choice. I couldn’t blame my wolf, though. If I could, I’d leave in a heartbeat. But the truth was, I didn’t know how my body would react. The heat always forced me into submission, and now, with Ryker around, the danger felt even more real. I didn’t want him near me, but I couldn’t escape the pull of his dominance. My wolf wanted to fight back, but I was too
Zarek's POV I stayed still, my eyes wide in shock at the statement from my wolf. I’d never heard him speak before, but now, he wouldn’t shut up. “That’s our mate, Zarek! Go to him!” My wolf ordered, but I couldn’t move from the spot I’d been in for the past hour.The Alpha approached me, making me shuffle further into the corner. I didn’t trust the Alpha in front of me, and mate or not, Alphas only ever granted me one thing, and that was pain. “Alpha, they're not surrendering! We’ve basically defeated them, but they’re not backing down!” I heard a familiar voice call.“Leave them. We’ve got what we came here for.” The Alpha surged forward and picked me up despite my whines and attempts to break free. “Good work, Akiri.”Akiri nodded, standing in the doorway to Ryker’s room. “Of course, Alpha,” she said, and my eyes widened in betrayal.I thought Akiri would protect me, but instead, she gave me up to another Alpha. All my life, I’d wanted to find my mate, but now that I was face-to-
Zarek's POV I was surprised at how bubbly Astrid was the entire time we were in Kaidon's room. She hummed cheerfully as she rummaged through his clothes, occasionally tossing articles at me and asking which ones I preferred. I couldn't deny it—I loved Kaidon's scent, though I blamed the mate bond for that. It was woody and masculine, like the perfect mix of cologne and campfire, blending in a way that made it irresistible. “You can build it on the bed," Astrid said, pulling some sheets from the closet and handing them to me. "I’ll never understand why the men in this pack need walk-in closets. They wear the same stuff every day!” A small smile tugged at my lips. I’d wondered the same thing before. Ryker rarely ventured to the back of his closet, cycling through the same dark pants and dress shirts day in and day out. As I began laying down sheets and arranging clothes to build my nest, Astrid watched from a distance. She knew better than to come too close; I’d be territorial
Zarek's POV I woke up at one in the morning, the dim red glow of the clock on Kaidon’s nightstand catching my eye. But the time barely registered. Pain coursed through my body, raw and relentless, like fire blazing under my skin. I clutched the blankets beneath me, my breathing uneven, every inhale a struggle. “Aegis,” I whimpered weakly, reaching for my wolf. “I’m here,” Aegis replied, his voice a soothing balm against the storm raging inside me. “Let me take over. I can handle this.” I hesitated. I’d always forced myself to endure these heats alone, my pride refusing to let me lean on anyone. The pain was familiar—a cruel reminder of all the times I’d been ignored or dismissed—but this time, it was worse. Sharper. Like my body was punishing me for resisting the bond I didn’t ask for. I couldn’t do it anymore. With a shaky breath, I let go, retreating into the recesses of my mind as Aegis took control. The pain dulled slightly, though it was still there, lingering just bene
Kaidon's POVI spent the rest of Zarek’s heat pacing in my office. After just one night with my mate, both Corban and I were completely in love with the boy. I couldn’t stand that he had come from an abusive pack, and it drove me mad.Axel had told me after the attack that Zarek needed to be left alone for the rest of his heat. She explained that Astrid could sense Zarek’s wolf’s sadness and helplessness—rooted in the fact that Zarek felt like he didn’t have a choice in how his life would unfold.That news sent me into a rage. I threw a punch at the wall, creating a dent as I thought about how Zarek’s previous packs had ruined him. They’d made him feel as if his life was already decided for him, leaving him no say in his own fate. I only stopped when Axel told me that Zarek could sense my anger, and it was making him panic.So, I stayed in my office, away from my mate. I hated that it was my presence that had caused the strange sobbing fit Zarek had earlier. I didn’t want to make him
Zarek's POV I ran as fast as I could, my heart pounding in my chest. The only thing on my mind was reaching the forest. I needed to get away—away from Akiri, away from Kaidon, and especially away from their pitying gazes. Aegis wouldn’t help me. We weren’t on speaking terms, and I didn’t trust him to take control even if he wanted to. All I could do was keep running, hoping the woods would offer some solace, a place to hide and think.“I’m sorry,” Aegis whimpered suddenly, his voice soft and full of regret. “I had to do it to protect you.”I clenched my jaw and ignored him. I didn’t want to hear it. His excuses meant nothing to me right now. As the forest loomed closer, a small sense of relief washed over me. Back in the Red Claw pack, when the Alpha left for visits to other packs, I’d often sneak out to the woods just outside our pack house. It was the only place where I could find peace. That’s what I was looking for now—a reprieve from the chaos in my mind.But before I could rea
Zarek's POV When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was warmth—real, comforting warmth. My body ached, but it wasn’t the unbearable fire I’d grown used to. For a moment, I dared to think my heat had passed. Then I felt it—a heavy arm draped over me. My heart skipped a beat, and I froze, every muscle in my body stiffening. I didn’t need to look to know who it was. His scent was everywhere, filling my lungs and calming my nerves in a way that only made me angrier. Cedar and rain, rich and grounding—Kaidon’s scent. It wrapped around me, sinking into my skin, and I hated how much my body craved it. Carefully, I turned my head. There he was, lying beside me, his golden eyes hidden behind closed lids, his breathing steady. His grip on me was firm, like even in sleep, he refused to let me go. My chest tightened. My wolf, Aegis, stirred weakly in the back of my mind, purring at the sight of our mate. I wanted to feel the same pull, the same instinctual comfort. But all I felt was suf
Zarek's POV I woke up at one in the morning, the dim red glow of the clock on Kaidon’s nightstand catching my eye. But the time barely registered. Pain coursed through my body, raw and relentless, like fire blazing under my skin. I clutched the blankets beneath me, my breathing uneven, every inhale a struggle. “Aegis,” I whimpered weakly, reaching for my wolf. “I’m here,” Aegis replied, his voice a soothing balm against the storm raging inside me. “Let me take over. I can handle this.” I hesitated. I’d always forced myself to endure these heats alone, my pride refusing to let me lean on anyone. The pain was familiar—a cruel reminder of all the times I’d been ignored or dismissed—but this time, it was worse. Sharper. Like my body was punishing me for resisting the bond I didn’t ask for. I couldn’t do it anymore. With a shaky breath, I let go, retreating into the recesses of my mind as Aegis took control. The pain dulled slightly, though it was still there, lingering just bene
Zarek's POV I was surprised at how bubbly Astrid was the entire time we were in Kaidon's room. She hummed cheerfully as she rummaged through his clothes, occasionally tossing articles at me and asking which ones I preferred. I couldn't deny it—I loved Kaidon's scent, though I blamed the mate bond for that. It was woody and masculine, like the perfect mix of cologne and campfire, blending in a way that made it irresistible. “You can build it on the bed," Astrid said, pulling some sheets from the closet and handing them to me. "I’ll never understand why the men in this pack need walk-in closets. They wear the same stuff every day!” A small smile tugged at my lips. I’d wondered the same thing before. Ryker rarely ventured to the back of his closet, cycling through the same dark pants and dress shirts day in and day out. As I began laying down sheets and arranging clothes to build my nest, Astrid watched from a distance. She knew better than to come too close; I’d be territorial
Zarek's POV I stayed still, my eyes wide in shock at the statement from my wolf. I’d never heard him speak before, but now, he wouldn’t shut up. “That’s our mate, Zarek! Go to him!” My wolf ordered, but I couldn’t move from the spot I’d been in for the past hour.The Alpha approached me, making me shuffle further into the corner. I didn’t trust the Alpha in front of me, and mate or not, Alphas only ever granted me one thing, and that was pain. “Alpha, they're not surrendering! We’ve basically defeated them, but they’re not backing down!” I heard a familiar voice call.“Leave them. We’ve got what we came here for.” The Alpha surged forward and picked me up despite my whines and attempts to break free. “Good work, Akiri.”Akiri nodded, standing in the doorway to Ryker’s room. “Of course, Alpha,” she said, and my eyes widened in betrayal.I thought Akiri would protect me, but instead, she gave me up to another Alpha. All my life, I’d wanted to find my mate, but now that I was face-to-
Zarek’s POV I had been at Ryker's pack house for over a month now, and today... Today my preheat hit. I had been so careful for the past few weeks, trying to keep myself in check, but I couldn't control the raging fire inside me anymore. I had no idea how my wolf would react during my heat, especially in the presence of an Alpha like Ryker.My wolf, he despised me. I could feel his frustration, his anger, his desperation. Unlike me, he hadn't given up hope. He still wanted to escape, still dreamed of finding our true mate. And then there was me, broken, resigned. I had accepted my fate as Ryker’s. I hated it, but I had no other choice. I couldn’t blame my wolf, though. If I could, I’d leave in a heartbeat. But the truth was, I didn’t know how my body would react. The heat always forced me into submission, and now, with Ryker around, the danger felt even more real. I didn’t want him near me, but I couldn’t escape the pull of his dominance. My wolf wanted to fight back, but I was too
Zarek's POV I was thrown onto the ground in Ryker’s room, the heavier wolf slamming the door behind him. As he shifted back into his human form, his towering presence loomed over me. “Shift,” he ordered, his voice trembling with barely contained anger. I didn’t try to run or fight back. Slowly, I shifted back, wincing as my newly healed wound throbbed with the change. Once I was fully shifted back and completely naked, Ryker didn’t hesitate. He slammed his foot into my chest, catching me off guard. “I gave you very simple instructions,” Ryker growled, grabbing my arm and pulling me up. Ignoring the pained cries that escaped me, he snapped, “Do you remember what they were?” I could only sob and nod, my entire body on fire from pain. I felt my wolf trying to comfort me, but it did no good.Ryker threw me onto the bed and disappeared for a few moments before reappearing with thick ropes from his closet. He tied my arms and legs, slapping me whenever I tried to fight back. Once I wa
Zarek's POV When I woke up, I kept my eyes closed, staying perfectly still. Opening them would mean acknowledging the world, maybe even getting up, and I wasn’t ready for that. Not with the ache radiating through my lower body, a brutal reminder of last night. Every small movement sent stinging waves of pain, especially around the sticky, uncomfortable soreness on my legs and... elsewhere.Alpha Ryker’s arm was still draped over me, his breath soft against my hair. The heat of his body should’ve been comforting, but I felt trapped beneath it. My life had always taught me that, as an Omega, I was meant to find pleasure in serving an Alpha’s needs. I was supposed to feel fulfillment, even joy. But now, all I felt was numb.I'd always been told that pleasing an Alpha, any Alpha, should satisfy me. A lie. The old Alpha hadn’t brought me anything close to satisfaction, even when he muttered empty praises afterward. And here, in this place, I didn’t feel any more whole. It left me with one