POINT OF NO RETURN

Elena's POV

The Club pulsed with energy, strobe lights cutting through artificial fog as bodies moved on the dance floor. I tugged at the hem of Mia's black dress, feeling simultaneously powerful and exposed.

"Stop fidgeting!" Mia shouted over the music, pressing a brightly colored drink into my hand. "You look hot! Own it!"

She wasn't wrong. The dress hugged curves I usually hid under conservative clothing, and I'd let my dark hair fall in waves past my shoulders instead of the tight bun Sarah insisted on. For once, I didn't look like the perfect, submissive Omega.

"I still can't believe I'm here," I yelled back, taking a sip of the drink. Sweet with a kick – just like freedom.

"Better than sitting at home planning your wedding to Richard!"

I choked on my drink. "How did you—"

"Please." Mia rolled her eyes. "My mom's on the Council. I heard all about Sarah pushing for the match." She grabbed my arm. "Speaking of hot guys who aren't Richard... Don't look now, but Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Dangerous at the VIP section hasn't taken his eyes off you since we walked in."

Naturally, I looked.

Oh.

He sat with casual authority in the VIP area, an untouched whiskey in front of him. Dark hair, sharp jawline, and eyes that... were staring right back at me. Heat flooded my cheeks, but I couldn't look away. Something about him called to my wolf, made her stir in ways I'd never felt before.

"Elena?" Mia waved her hand in front of my face. "Earth to Elena!"

"Sorry, what?"

She grinned wickedly. "Go talk to him."

"Are you insane? He's clearly an Alpha. Look at how everyone keeps their distance."

"Exactly! When are you going to get another chance to flirt with an Alpha? After tomorrow, you'll be stuck with Wandering-Eye-Richard for life."

My stomach churned with the three drinks now buzzing through my system, making me straighten my shoulders.

"You know what? You're right."

Mia's jaw dropped. "I am? I mean, of course I am! Wait, where are you going?"

"To make a bad decision," I called over my shoulder, already moving through the crowd.

I made it halfway to the VIP section before doubt crept in.

What was I thinking?

I turned to retreat, and then I crashed into a solid chest, and strong hands steadied me.

"Leaving so soon?" His voice was deep, amused, and right in front of me. I looked up – and up – into the darkest eyes I'd ever seen.

"I..." Words failed me. This close, his presence was overwhelming. Power rolled off him in waves, but instead of feeling threatened, my wolf practically purred.

His lips curved into a dangerous smile. "Can I get you another drink?"

Say no,

The rational part of my brain screamed. Go home. Be safe. Be good.

"Yes."

One word. One decision. That's all it took to change everything.

Hours blurred together after that. We talked – about everything and nothing. He never asked about my pack, and I never asked about his. Tonight, we were just Lucas and Elena, two strangers sharing drinks and charged looks.

"Dance with me," he said after our third round. Not a question, but not quite a command either.

The dance floor was packed, forcing us close. His hands found my hips as some remix of a pop song thundered through the speakers. Every touch sparked electricity through my body.

"You're different," he murmured in my ear, making me shiver. "Most Omegas can't even look me in the eye."

I stiffened. "I can leave if I'm making you uncomfortable."

His grip tightened. "You're not going anywhere."

We moved together, the heat between us building with each song. My head spun, but not from the alcohol. His scent surrounded me – pine needles and winter nights and something dangerous.

"People are staring," I whispered as his lips brushed my neck.

"Let them."

The possessiveness in his voice should have scared me. Instead, it thrilled me.

"I should go," I said, even as I pressed closer. "This is..."

"A mistake?" His thumb traced my jawline. "Then let's make it a beautiful one."

I knew what would happen if I looked up, and knew I should walk away. Instead, I met his gaze.

His eyes had changed – alpha red bleeding into dark brown. "Come home with me."

Everything in me screamed yes, but... "I don't do this. Go home with strangers."

"Good." He brushed his lips against mine, just barely. "Because I don't bring strangers home."

The kiss that followed burned through every rational thought I had left. His tongue swept into my mouth, claiming, demanding. I gave as good as I got, nipping at his lower lip until he growled.

"Last chance to walk away," he warned, breaking the kiss.

I should have taken it. Should have gone home to my safe, predictable life and my arranged marriage. Instead, I took his hand.

The ride to his apartment passed in a blur of stolen kisses and wandering hands. We barely made it through his door before he had me pressed against it, his mouth hot on my neck.

"Tell me you want this," he demanded, hands sliding under my dress.

"Yes," I gasped. "*Please.*"

What followed was nothing like the clinical descriptions in Omega health classes. Lucas touched me like he wanted to memorize every inch of my body, bringing me to the edge again and again until I was begging. When he finally claimed me, the pleasure was so intense I swore I saw stars.

Hours later, I lay in his massive bed, pleasantly sore and watching the city lights through floor-to-ceiling windows. Lucas traced patterns on my bare shoulder, his touch oddly gentle now.

"Stay," he murmured against my hair.

For one tempting moment, I imagined it. Waking up in his arms, maybe building something real. Then my phone buzzed from my discarded clutch.

*SARAH: Final fitting for your gala dress, 9AM sharp. Don't disappoint your father again.*

Reality crashed back like a bucket of ice water. I slipped from the bed, gathering my clothes with trembling hands.

"Elena?" Lucas sat up, confusion turning to something harder as he watched me dress. "What are you doing?"

"I have to go. I'm sorry, I just... I can't..."

I ran. Down the hallway, into the elevator, out into the pre-dawn city. I ran until my lungs burned and my feet ached in their heels. Only then did I realize I was crying.

Then my phone vibrated.

*You can run, little Omega, but you can't hide what's starting. I can feel you. The heat building. The bond forming. You have two days before nature takes the choice away from both of us. Choose wisely.*

I stared at Lucas's message as the sun began to rise, my body already yearning to return to him. In the distance, a wolf howled – a sound full of possession and promise and threat.

Two days until my heat.

Some hours until the gala.

Zero chance of escaping my fate.

Unless…