The moment that voice echoed behind me, I froze.

Slowly, I turned around.

Elias was sitting on the sofa in the manager's office, one leg crossed, posture effortlessly regal. His broad shoulders filled the space, and his dark suit clung to him perfectly, sharp enough to cut through the air itself. The last time I saw him, three years ago, he'd been a handsome boy with a quiet, frightening intensity. Now he looked like a man sculpted by power and vengeance, older and impossibly handsome.

His hair was neatly brushed back, showing the strong line of his jaw. The faint scar under his eye was still there, but instead of making him look flawed, it made him look dangerous. Even sitting still, his presence filled the room, commanding and suffocating all at once.

I swallowed hard, unable to look away. My hands trembled.

He smiled faintly, that terrifyingly calm kind of smile. "It's been a while, Naomi."

My throat tightened and I couldn't even manage a proper greeting. I just stared, every muscle stiff with panic in me.

He rose from the sofa. Each step he took toward me made my pulse quicken. I could almost hear the echo of my heartbeat in my ears.

"Why did you run away so fast?" he asked quietly. His voice was soft but it carried the weight of authority of an Alpha who never needed to raise his tone to be obeyed. "Do you know how hard it is for an Alpha to spend his rut without his mate?"

My breath hitched. So.he knew it was me. Then, did he also know about my father? About the accident?

My mind raced in panic. If he knows, he'll destroy me. He'll destroy everything left of me.

"I.I didn't know you were-" I stammered, trying to take a step back, but he closed the distance.

He tilted his head, studying me with those piercing eyes. "You didn't know what? That you were supposed to stay and fulfill your responsibilities?"

Before I could react, his hand caught my wrist.

"Let go of me," I whispered. "Please."

He simply turned and pulled me along, leading me out of the office as if I weighed nothing. I struggled, but his hand only tightened. My heart pounded as the staff looked away, pretending not to see. No one dared to interfere. I could see it in their faces filled with fear. Nobody goes against an S-tier Alpha.

"Elias , stop! Please! You can't just-"

He didn't stop until we reached the black luxury car waiting outside. He opened the door and all but pushed me inside. The car door slammed shut.

For a long moment, he said nothing.

Finally, he spoke. "You didn't know someone was in heat that night?"

I turned toward him to explain. "I swear, I didn't! I was told to take the drinks there and I didn't even know it was you! I didn't even know anyone was-"

He cut me off with a low growl. He turned to face me, his stare burning through my skin. "Why did you run away three years ago?"

"I." I couldn't speak. My lips parted, but no sound came out. My chest tightened as memories flooded back, my father's voice telling me to run, and the night I left without saying goodbye.

Elias let out a bitter laugh. "So that's it? You would rather live in poverty, hiding like some stray, than stay with me?"

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, but I nodded silently.

His expression darkened. "You really did run away on purpose then."

"I had no c-choice,"

He looked away. "You always had a choice."

I didn't dare to speak. Then, suddenly, he reached into the compartment beside him and pulled out a stack of papers. He threw them onto my lap.

"Sign it."

I blinked in confusion. "What.what is this?"

"The payment," he said coldly. "For spending my rut with me. You'll find a house, money, everything you could want."

My stomach turned. "You're.you're paying me?"

"Think of it as compensation. It's what you wanted, isn't it?"

"No," I whispered. "I don't want your money."

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping dangerously low. "Are you sure that's your final decision?"

I nodded, barely able to breathe.

His gaze lingered on me for a moment and then he exhaled sharply and leaned back in his seat. "Fine."

He didn't speak another word as I stepped out of the car.

The next few days were a blur. The manager fired me. My landlord threw me out when I couldn't pay rent. Mira offered me her place to stay for a while. But I was still looking for a new job day and night.

One night, as I walked down a street, a sleek black car pulled up beside me. Before I could react, someone grabbed me and pulled me inside.

When I woke up, I was sitting in a luxurious restaurant. And across from me sat a man with a charming smile, Elias 's cousin.

I recognized him instantly. He'd always been jealous of Elias .

He greeted me smoothly. "I was beginning to think you'd never wake up."

I frowned. "Why did you bring me here?"

His smirk widening. "Because you failed at your job."

My confusion deepened. "Job? What are you talking about?"

He chuckled darkly. "You were supposed to sue him, darling. After that night, the plan was simple, the omega sues the Alpha to make his reputation crumble, and I finally get what I deserve. But it seems the omega happened to be you."

My blood ran cold. "You planned all of this?"

He shrugged. "It was supposed to be easy. But you ruined everything. Now I'm giving you a chance to make up for it. Help me finish what I started and I'll pay you well."

I stared at him in disbelief. "You're sick."

He laughed. "Think carefully, Naomi. You've lost everything. What else do you have to lose?"

I said through clenched teeth, standing up. "I'll never help you."

He raised a brow, amused. "We'll see."

I turned and ran out before he could say another word. My heart pounded as I weaved through the streets, checking over my shoulder to make sure he wasn't following me.

__________

Elias 's pov :

I sat behind my desk, my fingers drumming lightly against the desk. Papers lay untouched in front of me. I hadn't been able to focus all morning since that night.

Her scent still haunted me. It was a faint floral scent. The scent I'd been deprived of for three long years.

The door opened quietly. My assistant stepped in, hesitating as if unsure whether to speak.

"What is it?" I asked without looking up.

He cleared his throat. "Sir, we've finished investigating what happened that night.at your cousin's hotel."

I finally lifted my gaze. "And?"

He swallowed. "You were right. It was a setup. Your drink was laced with a heat stimulant. The intention was to trigger your rut and have an omega delivered to your room. They wanted to create an assault case and use it to destroy your reputation."

"My cousin again?"

"Yes, sir. All evidence points to him. It was his party, his staff, and his drugs."

I leaned back in my chair, letting out a bitter laugh. "Of course."

I had suspected as much. He'd been scheming for years, trying to take over the corporation, destroy the name I rebuilt from ashes. Still, the revelation didn't ease the anger burning in my chest.

He had dared to drug me. To force me into a rut like some animal. And worse it was the same omega I was looking for three years.

Naomi.

Her name echoed in my mind like a curse and a prayer. But how come I never knew that she was working in his hotel. She was so close while I was teaching so far.

"I should have known," I muttered under my breath. "It was too much of a coincidence."

My assistant hesitated. "There's more, sir."

My gaze snapped to him. "Speak."

"We tracked Miss Naomi afterward," he said cautiously. "She met with your cousin at a restaurant. We believe they spoke privately for almost half an hour."

I froze. "What?"

"Yes, sir. It may be possible that they're working together. Perhaps she was part of the setup."

My eyes darkened dangerously. "Are you sure?"

He swallowed hard. "T-That's what our man said. He didn't hear what they were talking about but he's sure that they met."

My reflection stared back at me in the glass.

Naomi.what are you doing?

I wanted to believe she was innocent and didn't go there without a motive. I want to believe she was still the quiet and soft spoken, the kind of girl who flinched at raised voices and apologized even when she wasn't wrong. She'd been my friend since childhood, the only one who didn't treat me like a monster when we were young.

But then she ran away. Disappeared without a word, three years ago, right after I found out she was my mate. I was so angry I even thought about keeping her in a cage in my house so that she couldn't run away again. I had searched everywhere, furious, confused, desperate but she had vanished.

And now, suddenly, she was back.

I clenched my fists. The memory of her scent hit me again, so strong it almost ached. The way she had trembled that night under me not. I had felt it too, the magnetic pull of her omega energy against my own Alpha instincts. It had taken everything in me not to lose control.

But if she had planned it.

"Sir?" my assistant asked cautiously, breaking the silence.

My voice came out low. "You said they met in a restaurant."

"Yes."

"Did she take anything from him? Money? Documents?"

"About that we have no proof but we are working on it. We investigated her past three years. She does numerous small jobs since it's hard for an omega to get a better job no matter what high qualifications they have. Is it possible that she was tired from the jobs and wanted a one time investment so she agreed with your cousin."

I exhaled slowly, resting my elbows on the desk."Desperate enough to work with a man who tried to destroy me? I don't think she has the guts.

I rubbed my temple, closing my eyes briefly.

I wanted to believe she wasn't involved, that she'd stumbled into the trap unknowingly. But doubt kept gnawing at me.

If she hadn't known who was inside that room that night, then why hadn't she come to me after? Why hadn't she tried to explain? Why run again? If she really wanted money, then why did she refuse when I offered it to her?

My thoughts twisted, torn between anger and longing.

"She told me she didn't know," I murmured, almost to myself. "She said she didn't even know anyone was there."

He stayed silent.

My gaze hardened. "I don't think she's involved. If that's true, why hasn't she sued me yet? That's what the plan was, wasn't it? She had every chance."

I stood abruptly, the chair scraping softly against the floor. I walked to the window, watching the rain slide down the glass. "She wouldn't do that."

A memory flickered in my head, her laughter when we were children, her bright eyes looking up at me whenever I helped her study, her nervousness around me that wasn't quite fear, more like awe. Everything was going well.

So why did she run?

"Have someone keep an eye on her," I ordered.

"Yes, sir."

"And my cousin?"

"He's been quiet since that meeting. Probably waiting for a reaction." My lips curved into a cold, humorless smile. "He'll get one soon."

He bowed slightly and left, closing the door behind him.

Silence filled the office again.

I sank into my chair, my mind a mess of fury and confusion. My hand brushed against the papers on my desk, the same documents I had once thrown at Naomi, offering her comfort, safety, money and she had refused them all.

If she were after money, she wouldn't have walked away.

And yet.she had gone to my cousin.

I exhaled slowly, the lines of tension deepening around my eyes.

I needed answers.

I needed to hear it from her lips why she left, why she met my enemy, why she kept running when she knew the bond between us would never let her go.

I pressed my fingers to my temples, closing my eyes.

"Naomi," I whispered softly. "What are you hiding from me?"

Naomi's pov :

I couldn't believe my luck or rather, my utter lack of it. The day had started with the familiar weight of depression pressing down on me like a lead blanket. No job prospects, no escape from the endless cycle of rejections and self-doubt.

Mira had tried to comfort me earlier. But alone in her apartment, I replayed everything, the failed interviews, the mounting bills, and worst of all, the tangled mess with Elias and his family. How had my life spiraled into this?

The phone's shrill ring shattered my thoughts. An unknown number. My heart skipped a beat as I answered wondering who could be this.

"Hello?"

"Naomi, I need to see you. We have to talk." I flinched at the deep voice I heard yesterday.

Panic surged through me, had Elias found out about my father? I hung up without a word, my hands trembling. The phone rang again, but I ignored it, letting it vibrate until it stopped.

After a few more persistent calls, it stopped. I sank onto the couch nervously. I had to end this. The less I saw Elias , the better for me, for my father, and for everyone. He was searching for me relentlessly, but I couldn't let it continue.

First things first, find a job and get a place far away.

Determined, I grabbed my resume and headed out for an interview at a high-end restaurant downtown. I was well-qualified, top of my class in culinary management, and years of experience in hospitality if not for that I'm an Omega. But this had to work, right?

Working in a hotel paid me well. But it's better than being found out. As I stepped onto the street, a man suddenly blocked my path.

He was nondescript, average height, wearing a plain jacket. I frowned, stepping back instinctively. Without a word, he thrust a small packet into my hands and bolted, and vanished into the crowd.

"Hey!" I called, but he was gone. The packet felt heavy. Before I could peek inside, my phone buzzed again with another unknown number.

Is it Elias again? But what if it's from the restaurant. With a doubt in my heart, I slowly picked it up. "Hello?"

"Naomi, how are you doing?"

I closed my eyes in anger. It was Elias 's cousin, that slimy opportunist who'd dragged me into his schemes before.

"Naomi, are you ready to help me out?" his voice oozed through the line.

I gritted my teeth. "No, I'm not. I told you last time, I'll never help you."

He sighed dramatically, like I was the unreasonable one. "Fine, but you'll have to return the money then. I'll send a man, return the packet to him. Can't have loose ends."

He hung up before I could protest. Helplessness washed over me as I stuffed the packet into my bag money. I'd give back later, I couldn't risk him accusing me of theft.

The restaurant loomed elegant and intimidating, all glass and chrome under the city lights. The receptionist led me inside. "The boss will interview you personally," she said with a polite smile.

I nodded and smoothing my skirt in nervousness. Minutes later, she called me in.

The office was minimalist with a dark wood desk, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the skyline. But when I saw the person behind the desk, my world tilted.

Elias Kingsley, smirking like he'd won some game I didn't know we were playing.

The receptionist left, closing the door with a soft click. I froze, my blood turning to ice. How? Of all the places...I cursed myself internally. I should have researched the restaurant. The Kingsley group owned half the city's hotels and eateries; it was a glaring oversight.

Was this coincidence, or had he orchestrated it? Elias 's eyes gleamed with amusement as he gestured to the chair. "Sit, I didn't expect we'd meet so soon."

I hesitated, my mind screaming to run, but it was too late. My legs felt like jelly as I sank into the seat, clutching my bag like a lifeline. He didn't speak for what felt like an eternity, just studied me with that piercing gaze. No interview questions about my experience or skills.

Instead, he leaned back, steepling his fingers. "Have you met my cousin recently?"

My eyes widened. How did he know? Panic clawed at my throat. If he thought I'd been involved in whatever shady dealings his cousin was into, it could ruin everything.

"No," I lied, shaking my head firmly. "I h-haven't."

His expression darkened, making me flinch. He leaned forward, and suddenly, the air thickened. Angry pheromones rolled off him in waves. The sharp and dominant alpha scent made my chest tighten. Breathing became a struggle, like I was inhaling smoke.

"So, you didn't meet him?" he asked again.

I shook my head again, words failing me under the intensity. But he wasn't buying it. "Mind pulling out the packet from your purse?"

My heart hammered. How did he know? Had he been watching me? Spying? Paranoia gripped me, but I didn't move. His anger flared, more pheromones flooding the room.

"Will you pull it out yourself, or do I have to do it for you?"

Fear hazed my mind, his overwhelming scent making everything fuzzy. With trembling hands, I reached into my bag and pulled out the packet. He snatched it and tore it open.

Inside was a stack of cash and a card. He read it aloud, his voice dripping with venom. "'Thank you, Naomi, for helping me out. You did good work. This is your reward. Looking forward to working with you again.'"

My eyes widened in horror. What the hell? This wasn't right. Why would he write something like that? Did he.did he trick me?

The man on the street, and the call, it was all a ploy. Elias suddenly laughed, but it was a chilling sound, devoid of humor, sending shivers down my spine. I couldn't speak or move, his pheromones pinned me in place, making me look guilty as sin.

"Elias .stop it.I c-can't breath-"

He looked at me with pure disgust, standing slowly. I stumbled to my feet, backing away as he approached me, his handsome face twisted in rage. More pheromones assaulted me, and I gasped and struggled for air.

That's when a weird feeling started inside me. At first, it was subtle, a warmth blooming in my core. My skin sprinkled as if I was having a strong fever.

His scent twisted my fear into an unwelcome heat. My breaths came shorter, not just from the anger in the air, but from a growing ache between my legs. Oh god, no. I felt my body responding, slickness building, my omega instincts betraying me.

The dizziness creeped in as the warmth spread throughout me, making my nipples harden under my blouse, my thoughts fogging with unwanted desire. My cheeks flushed, not from embarrassment alone, but from the heat cycle igniting, triggered by his dominant presence.

"I really underestimated you, Naomi," Elias said, his voice a growl that vibrated through me, intensifying the sensation. He stepped closer, towering over me, his eyes locked on mine. "So that's why you didn't want to be with me? Why you rejected my offers, my money? Because you already had a source, my own cousin, no less. Playing both sides, huh? Stringing me along while you scheme behind my back. Do you find it funny, messing with me like this? Toying with my emotions, making me chase you when all along you were in it for the quick cash? What, did you think I wouldn't find out and continue your little games?"

Tears streamed down my face. I shook my head frantically, but words were trapped in my throat, choked by the pheromones and the rising heat.

"No...stop..." I managed to whisper, but it was weak and drowned out by the dizziness. The weird feeling intensified, making my body throbbed. A deep aching need that made my knees buckle. The heat was fully upon me now, waves of arousal crashing despite the terror.

He continued. "I've been patient with you, Naomi. More than I should have. But this? This betrayal? It's like a slap in the face. My family has enough enemies without you adding to them. What was the plan? Get close to me, extract what you could, then move on to the next mark? Or was it personal? Did you enjoy watching me pursue you, knowing you'd never reciprocate because you had better options? Better payouts? And now, here you are, in my office, pretending to want a legitimate job. It's insulting. What next? Sue me for rape? Claim I forced you into something? I've built this empire from nothing, fought tooth and nail against rivals, family betrayals included. I won't let you undermine it. You think you're clever, but you're just another opportunist in a city full of them."

I sobbed, shaking my head as the world tilted. "Elias , no... it's not... I didn't..."

But the heat overwhelmed me, my vision spotting black. The weird sensation peaked and a slick wetness soaking through my underwear, my scent shifting to something sweet and needy. I collapsed as my legs gave out.

But before I could fall, strong arms wrapped around me which felt burning yet satisfying.

"What's this smell?" He pulled me closer, burying his nose in my neck, scenting me deeply. His body tensed against mine.

"You're in heat."

Naomi's pov :

When I woke up again, the world was a haze of fire and fog. My eyelids fluttered open, heavy as lead, my body slick with sweat that soaked through the thin sheets beneath me. I tried to move, but ropes bit into my wrists and ankles, binding me spread-eagled to the four-poster bed in this dimly lit chamber.

The air was carrying the faint scent of aged wood and something metallic-blood? No, that was just my imagination, twisted by the agony coursing through my veins.

Heat. That's what this was. As an omega, I'd heard the stories whispered in hushed tones among my kind: the relentless burn, the insatiable need that turned rational minds into desperate pleas.

But betas and alphas? They could never understand. For them, it was a fleeting discomfort, a biological nudge. For omegas, it was torture-a primal storm that ravaged the body from the inside out. My core throbbed with a pain that felt like shards of glass scraping against raw nerves, my skin hypersensitive, every brush of fabric against my flesh sending jolts of unwanted arousal mixed with excruciating ache.

Slick pooled between my thighs, my body's treacherous preparation for an alpha's claim, making me feel exposed, vulnerable, like a vessel waiting to be filled or shattered.

I'd only ever heard about heats till now-clinical explanations from elders, romanticized tales from mated friends. "It's intense," they'd say with a knowing smile, "but your alpha will make it right."

I'd imagined it as a warm glow, a passionate interlude. But this? This was hellfire. My muscles cramped, my abdomen contracting in waves that left me gasping, tears stinging my eyes. I arched against the restraints, trying to alleviate the pressure, but it only made the slick flow more freely, soaking the bed and heightening my humiliation. Why now? Why here, in this godforsaken room, captured by him of all people?

The door creaked open, and a rush of cool air sliced through the stifling heat. Elias, the alpha who'd haunted my nightmares and dreams for three long years. His presence hit me like a tidal wave-his pheromones, rich and dominant, like smoked oak and storm clouds, wrapping around my senses. It was a balm and a torment all at once.

The pain eased fractionally, my body responding instinctively, craving more. But he was still across the room, leaning against the doorframe with that infuriating smirk, his broad shoulders filling the space, his dark eyes glinting with cold amusement.

"Naomi," he drawled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through my bones. "Look at you. Tied up like a present, and now going into heat? How convenient. Trying to seduce me so you don't have to spill your secrets?"

I whimpered, the sound escaping before I could stop it. His scent was intoxicating, pulling me under, but he was too far. I needed him closer-needed his touch to quench this inferno. "E-Elias... please..."

He sauntered forward, each step deliberate, his boots echoing on the stone floor. The closer he got, the more his pheromones enveloped me, soothing the edges of my pain like cool water on a burn. But his expression was anything but kind-lips curled in mockery, eyes narrowed in suspicion. He stopped at the foot of the bed, towering over me, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Why did you run away three years ago, Naomi? And that night-why slip out like a thief? Answer me."

I needed words, but my mind was fracturing under the heat's assault. My pussy clenched emptily, slick dripping down my thighs, my nipples hardening painfully against the damp fabric of my shirt.

The pain surged again, a sharp stab in my lower belly that made me cry out. "I... I can't... it hurts..."

Elias laughed, a harsh, bitter sound that cut through my haze. "Oh, now it hurts? Poor little omega. But you're the one who betrayed me, aren't you? Helped my enemies plot against me. And now you think batting those pretty lashes and leaking all over my bed will make me forget?"

I shook my head weakly, tears streaming down my cheeks. The heat was overpowering my thoughts, turning everything into a blur of need. "Touch me... please, Alpha... I need you..."

He leaned in closer, his breath fanning my face, but still not touching. His pheromones spiked, deliberate, teasing my senses. "Begging already? How pathetic. You need my help now, do you? After everything? But tell me, Naomi-who's been taking care of your heats these past years? You must have found yourself a nice alpha to knot you through them. Someone from my rivals' pack, perhaps? That's why you're so bold, helping them undermine me."

No. Gods, no. There had been no one. But speech failed me; my throat was dry, my body convulsing in another wave of agony. Slick gushed anew, my hips bucking involuntarily against the air. I squeezed my eyes shut, biting my lip until it bled, the metallic tang grounding me for a fleeting second.

Elias's eyes darkened, misinterpreting my silence as admission. His hand shot out, gripping my chin roughly, forcing me to meet his gaze. The contact was electric-his skin on mine sent sparks of relief through me, dulling the fire momentarily. But his grip was meant to hurt, fingers digging in like vices.

"Nothing to say? Then it's true. You've got yourself an alpha. Clever girl. I underestimated you-thought you were just a simple, scared omega running from her fate. But no, you're a mastermind, aren't you? Scheming with my enemies, spreading your legs for their leader to seal the deal."

"Elias... no..." I managed to whisper, my voice breaking. The pain was relentless, a deep, throbbing ache that radiated from my core to every limb. My skin felt like it was splitting open, hypersensitive and raw. I twisted in the ropes, the friction only worsening my torment.

He released my chin with a shove, stepping back. "If you help my enemies, then from today, you're my enemy too. That's why you ran, isn't it? Wanted nothing to do with me. Hated the idea of being claimed by a 'heartless' alpha like me."

I sobbed, the rejection amplifying my suffering. Omegas needed their alphas during heat-not just for pleasure, but for survival. Without relief, the pain could drive us mad, weaken our bodies to the point of collapse. "Please... don't leave..."

Elias's laugh was devoid of humor, a cruel bark. "Oh, now you want me to stay? After fabricating lies about me, plotting my downfall? Fine. I won't let you go. I'll cage you here, in this room, like the traitor you are. You'll never see that alpha of yours again. You want to see me heartless? Very well. I'll make sure you're torn from your lover's arms forever. Suffer alone, Naomi. Let the heat consume you."

He turned toward the door, his broad back a silhouette of unyielding stone. Panic surged through me. The pain crested, a vise around my womb, making my vision blur. I lunged against the ropes, ignoring the burn on my wrists, and my fingers just managed to snag his sleeve. "Elias! Wait... help me... I'm begging you... it hurts so much..."

He paused, looking down at my hand clutching him like a lifeline. For a long moment, he stared, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he pried my fingers off, his touch lingering just enough to tease me with relief before withdrawing. His voice was ice-cold, devoid of pity.

"No. This is your punishment. Endure it. Maybe next time you'll think twice before betraying me."

The door slammed shut behind him, the sound echoing like a death knell. I collapsed back onto the bed, wracked with sobs. The heat raged on, unchecked, my body a battlefield of fire and emptiness. Slick continued to flow, my pussy aching for what it couldn't have, every nerve screaming in protest. Hours blurred into eternity-waves of pain that left me breathless, curling into myself as much as the bonds allowed.

I squeezed my legs together futilely, trying to stem the tide, but it only heightened the desperation.

His cold rejection was a blade twisting deeper than the heat itself. I hated him for it, yet craved him more. Omegas were wired for this dependency, our biology a cruel joke that demanded submission to alphas for relief. Without it, the pain built, layer upon layer, until it felt like my insides were liquefying.

By dawn's faint light filtering through barred windows, I was delirious, whispering pleas to an empty room. My skin was feverish, slick coating my thighs in a sticky mess, my breaths shallow pants. The ropes chafed raw wounds, but they were nothing compared to the internal inferno. I imagined his hands on me, soothing, claiming-but the fantasy only worsened the ache.

He returned once, briefly, to toss a blanket over my shivering form. "Still alive?" he mocked, his eyes scanning me with feigned indifference. "Good. Punishment isn't over yet."

"Alpha... please..." I croaked, my voice hoarse from crying.

He smirked, leaning against the wall. "Look at you, reduced to this. The great schemer, begging like a whore. Did your other alpha make you feel this way? Or was he too gentle for a traitor like you?"

Tears fell anew. "There... there is no other..."

"Liar," he spat, turning away. "Suffer, Naomi. It's what you deserve."

The door closed again, leaving me in isolation. The heat peaked, my body convulsing in dry heaves, pain so acute it bordered on numbness. I squeezed my eyes shut, legs trembling as I fought the urge to scream. In the A/B/O world, alphas were protectors, caregivers during heats-knotting to ease the torment, pheromones to calm the storm. But Elias's cold side denied me that mercy, twisting care into cruelty.

As the day wore on, my mind fractured further. Hallucinations danced at the edges-his face mocking me, his scent a phantom tease. Slick dried and renewed in endless cycles, my pussy swollen and sensitive, every shift a fresh agony.

I bit my pillow to stifle cries, hating my omega nature, hating him for exploiting it.

Yet deep down, beneath the pain, a spark of defiance flickered. But gods, the torment... it was unimaginable, far worse than the stories. And with Elias's cold mockery as my only company, I wondered if death by heat wouldn't be kinder.