ARIA’s POV

I stared at the four brothers surrounding my bed, my mind racing. This wasn't what I'd agreed to. I'd made a deal with Reed—just Reed. Not all of them.

How long were they listening?

Heat flooded my face as I realized they'd probably heard everything. My desperation to learn about sex. My plan to seduce Zane. All of it.

What are you trying to do?" I demanded, pushing Reed's hands off me and scrambling to sit up. "I made a deal with one person, not four!

The humiliation crashed over me in waves. Bad enough that Reed had caught me with my toys, but now his brothers knew too. They probably thought I was some kind of desperate freak—just like Bianca said.

The deal is off," I said firmly, crossing my arms over my chest. "You're all just trying to mess with me. I won't fall for it.

Reed's expression darkened. "Off? You think you can just walk away?"

Watch me." I moved to get off the bed, but Jasper blocked my path.

And then what?" Cole asked, his voice taking on a possessive edge that made my skin prickle. "You'll find someone else to teach you? Some other guy to put his hands on you?

The thought hadn't even crossed my mind, but the way they all tensed at the suggestion sent a strange thrill through me.

That's none of your business," I shot back, lifting my chin defiantly.

But inside, my heart pounded wildly. The air in the room felt thick, charged with something dangerous and intoxicating. All four of them watched me with an intensity that made my thighs clench together.

Reed's face softened slightly, and he exchanged glances with his brothers. When he looked back at me, something had shifted in his expression.

You're right," he said quietly. "We haven't exactly been welcoming to you.

That's putting it mildly," I muttered, remembering every cruel word they'd thrown at me.

But we're the best option you have," Jasper added, sitting on the edge of my bed. "We know exactly what girls like. What makes them fall apart with pleasure.

My breath caught at his words, spoken so casually but loaded with promise.

Why would I believe you?" I asked, even as my body betrayed me with its response to their presence. "You've done nothing but humiliate me since I got here. And today at lunch, when Zane rejected me—Reed, you were there. You saw everything.

Guilt flickered across Reed's face. "I know."

So how can I trust that you're not just planning some elaborate way to embarrass me further?" The words came out shakier than I intended.

Cole moved closer, and I caught the scent of his cologne—dark and masculine. "Because we want something from you too."

I blinked in surprise. "What could you possibly want from me?"

Tutoring," Reed said simply. "We're all failing different classes. Our father's threatening to pull us from the hockey team if our grades don't improve.

You want me to tutor you?" I couldn't hide my disbelief. "You're joking.

Do we look like we're joking?" Jasper's voice was serious. "You're top of your class in almost everything. We need your help.

It was too convenient. Too perfect. My mind screamed that this was some kind of trap.

They hate me. They called me pathetic, disgusting, a gold digger. Why would they suddenly want my help?

But then again, what choice did I have? I needed to learn how to seduce Zane, how to make him want me so badly it hurt. And despite everything, my body responded to these four like nothing I'd ever experienced.

I don't know," I said slowly, watching their faces. "This all seems very suspicious.

Think about it," Reed urged, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. The touch sent electricity through me. "We teach you everything you need to know. You help us pass our classes. Everyone benefits.

The logical part of my brain knew this was dangerous. These were the same guys who'd mocked me, who'd made it clear I wasn't welcome. But the way they looked at me now—like I was something precious and desired—made my resolve waver.

Maybe I can use this to my advantage. Play along and see what they're really planning.

Fine," I heard myself say. "But if this is some kind of game to humiliate me further, I'll make sure your father knows exactly why you're failing.

A slow smile spread across Cole's face. "Deal."

They left my room one by one, each giving me a look that promised things I didn't fully understand yet. When the door finally closed, I collapsed back on my bed, my whole body trembling.

What have I just agreed to?

But beneath the fear and uncertainty, determination burned bright. I grabbed my notebook from my nightstand and opened to a fresh page.

Operation: Ruin Zane Parker. I wrote at the top, the pen digging into the paper.

Step one: Learn everything. How to kiss. How to touch. How to make him beg.

Step two: Get him alone.

Step three: Seduce him. Use every lesson.

Step four: Make him scream my name.

Step five: Walk away. Let Bianca watch.

I started writing furiously, pouring out every thought, every plan.

I would learn everything the Steel brothers could teach me.

I would transform myself into someone irresistible.

And then I would make Zane Parker want me so desperately that rejection would destroy him the way his words had destroyed me.

And Bianca? She would watch her precious boyfriend fall apart over the "pathetic Omega" she'd threatened. The thought brought a dark satisfaction.

By the time I finished, I had pages of notes—strategies, timelines, goals. My sex drive problem would finally serve a purpose.

I'd use this constant arousal, this need that never seemed to fade, to bring Zane to his knees.

Then I'd walk away, leaving him as empty and humiliated as I'd felt in that cafeteria.

My throat was dry from all the scheming. I needed water, needed to clear my head. The house was quiet as I crept downstairs, hoping to avoid everyone.

The kitchen was dark except for the light over the stove. I grabbed a glass and filled it from the filtered water dispenser, the cool liquid soothing my parched throat.

Couldn't sleep?

I jumped, nearly dropping the glass. Kai stood in the doorway, his hair messy like he'd just woken up. Unlike his brothers, he wore only low-hanging sweatpants, his chest bare and covered in lean muscle.

Just getting water," I mumbled, trying to move past him.

But he stepped into my path, and before I could react, his hands were on my waist, spinning me around and pinning me against the wall.

Kai, what—

Are you really that desperate for Zane Parker?" His voice was rough, demanding. His body pressed against mine, and I could feel every hard plane of muscle. "Is he really worth all this trouble?

My heart hammered against my ribs. This close, I could see the way his eyes darkened with desire, could feel the heat radiating from his skin.

Let me go," I whispered, but it came out weak, unconvincing.

I could give you a better deal," Kai murmured, his lips brushing my ear. "Forget my brothers. Forget Zane. I could show you things that would make you forget your own name.

His hips shifted against mine, and my eyes widened in shock. Through the thin fabric of his sweatpants, I could feel him—hard and thick, pressing against my stomach.

Oh God. He's aroused too.

I'd thought I was the only one feeling this insane attraction, this overwhelming need. But the evidence of his desire was unmistakable, growing harder with each passing second.

You feel that?" he growled. "That's what you do to me. What you do to all of us. So stop chasing after some asshole who doesn't deserve you and open your eyes to what's right in front of you.

His hand slid down my side, fingers digging into my hip possessively. My body responded instantly, heat pooling between my legs, my breathing becoming shallow and quick.

But panic cut through the arousal. This was too much, too fast, too intense.

I shoved him hard, catching him off guard. He stumbled back, and I bolted past him, running up the stairs as fast as my shaking legs would carry me.

Behind me, I heard him call my name, but I didn't stop until I was back in my room with the door locked.

I pressed my back against it, sliding down to the floor as my whole body trembled.

What is happening to me? To them?

Four brothers. Four impossibly attractive Alphas who claimed to hate me but looked at me like they wanted to devour me whole.

And Zane Parker, the object of my revenge, who didn't even know I existed beyond that humiliating moment in the cafeteria.

I was in way over my head, drowning in desire and confusion and a desperate need I couldn't control or understand.

But there was no turning back now.

KAI’s POV

I stood in the kitchen long after Aria ran away, my fists clenched at my sides. My body still burned with the need she'd awakened, the hardness in my sweatpants refusing to fade.

This is insane. We're helping our mate seduce another man.

The thought made my wolf snarl with rage. Everything in me screamed to claim her, to mark her as ours and eliminate any threat. But we couldn't. Not when she was just an Omega with no background, no status, no wolf of her own.

She's not worthy of being with us.

That's what I kept telling myself. What we all kept telling ourselves. We should break the bond, reject her, and move on with our lives. It would be painful, but possible.

But the moment I thought about it, my chest tightened with an ache that felt like dying.

You really scared her.

I spun around to find Reed leaning against the doorframe, watching me with knowing eyes. He must have been there the whole time, hidden in the shadows.

Don't mess with me right now," I growled, adjusting my sweatpants. "I'm not happy about any of this.

Reed walked closer, his expression serious. "None of us are. But we don't have a choice."

There's always a choice," I shot back.

He shook his head slowly. "You remember what it was like before her, don't you? The emptiness?"

I did. God, I did. For years, my brothers and I had struggled with something we didn't understand. Women threw themselves at us constantly—beautiful, experienced women who knew exactly what they were doing. But nothing happened. No arousal, no desire, no satisfaction.

We'd tried everything. Different partners, different situations, even visiting specialists who told us it might be psychological. The team doctor had run tests, found nothing wrong physically.

We haven't been able to get aroused or satisfied by any woman for years," Reed continued quietly. "Remember how frustrating it was? How empty we felt?

The memories washed over me. Dates that went nowhere. Women in our beds who we couldn't perform with. The humiliation, the confusion, the growing fear that something was fundamentally broken inside us.

The pack elder told us it could only be broken one way," Reed said. "By mating with our true mate. That she's the only one who can awaken what's dormant in us.

He was right. The moment Aria had arrived, everything had changed. Suddenly, my body responded the way it should. The desire I'd thought was dead roared to life with a vengeance.

She's the only one who can arouse us now," Reed continued. "And we can't resist when she's around. You felt it tonight, didn't you? How impossible it is to control yourself near her?

I had. My wolf had nearly taken over completely, demanding I claim what was ours. The feel of her soft body pressed against mine, the sweet scent of her arousal mixing with her fear—it had driven me wild.

So what do we do?" I asked, hating how helpless I sounded.

Reed's expression hardened. "We endure. We follow the plan. We deceive her into mating with us, let the bond complete itself, and then we can leave her."

Leave her?" The words tasted bitter.

Once we're fully mated, the curse will be broken. We'll be able to be with other women again. Normal women. Women who actually fit into our world." Reed's voice was cold, calculated. "We get what we need from her, then we're free.

It made sense logically. Aria was strange, desperate, clearly struggling with her own sexual issues. She'd practically begged Zane Parker to sleep with her in front of the whole school. A girl like that would be easy to manipulate.

I understand," I said finally. "I just... I couldn't control myself around her tonight.

None of us can," Reed admitted. "But we have to try. The tutoring sessions will give us access to her, build trust. And she's already drowning in sexual desire. It'll be easy to trick her into thinking she wants us.

Easy to trick her. The words echoed in my mind as I headed back to my room.

Why did that thought make me feel sick?

The next morning, I was up early, desperate to clear my head with a ride before school. I grabbed my helmet and headed for my motorcycle, the cool morning air doing little to calm the turmoil inside me.

Then I saw her.

Aria walked out of the house, and I literally stopped breathing.

Gone were the oversized hoodies and baggy jeans. She wore a short denim skirt that showed off long, toned legs I'd never known existed. Her tight white shirt hugged curves that the loose clothing had completely hidden. And makeup—subtle but effective—highlighted eyes that suddenly seemed huge and lips that looked impossibly soft.

Damn.

My body responded instantly, blood rushing south so fast I felt dizzy. I slapped myself hard across the face, trying to snap out of it.

Get it together. She's doing this for Zane, not you.

The thought made jealousy burn through me like acid. I swung my leg over the bike, ready to leave before I did something stupid.

Kai, wait!" Her voice stopped me.

I looked back reluctantly. She stood a few feet away, chewing her lower lip nervously. The gesture was innocent but somehow incredibly sexy.

Do you... do you want to go to school together?" I heard myself ask.

Her expression immediately closed off. "No thanks. I remember what happened last time."

Right. When I'd made her fall on her ass and called her a creep. At the time, it had seemed funny—a way to maintain distance, to keep her from getting too close.

Now it just seemed cruel.

I promise I won't do that again," I said, surprising myself with how much I meant it.

Fuck off, Kai." She crossed her arms, and the movement pressed her breasts together in a way that made my mouth go dry. "I'm not falling for your games anymore.

Pride warred with the desperate need to be near her. "Fine. I don't care about you anyway."

I forced a laugh, trying to make it sound casual. "What I did before was pretty funny though. You should've seen your face."

The hurt that flashed in her eyes made my stomach twist, but I revved the engine and took off before I could apologize.

This is what we have to do. Keep her at a distance. Don't let feelings get involved.

School was torture. I couldn't focus on anything except watching for Aria in the hallways. She avoided me completely—turning down different corridors when she saw me coming, sitting on the opposite side of the cafeteria during lunch.

Good. That's what you wanted, right?

But it didn't feel good. It felt wrong, empty, like something essential was missing.

By the end of the day, I was irritable and restless. My wolf paced inside me, agitated by her absence. I headed toward the parking lot, ready to go home and work off this frustration in the gym.

Then I saw them.

Aria stood near the lockers, wrapped in someone's arms. A guy I didn't recognize—tall, athletic, definitely not from our school. He held her close, his hands on her waist, his face buried in her hair.

And she was hugging him back.

Something primal and violent erupted inside me. My vision actually tinged red at the edges as jealousy unlike anything I'd ever experienced ripped through me.

Mine. She's MINE.

My wolf wanted blood. Wanted to tear that guy away from her and show him exactly who Aria belonged to.

But she didn't belong to me. Not really. She was chasing Zane Parker. And apparently, she had other options too.

I stood frozen, watching her smile up at this stranger, watching him tuck her hair behind her ear with a familiarity that suggested this wasn't their first meeting.

Who the hell is he?

My hands clenched into fists as I fought every instinct screaming at me to interfere. This was good, I told myself. If she found someone else, maybe the pull between us would weaken. Maybe we could all move on.

But as I watched him lean down to whisper something in her ear that made her laugh, I knew I was lying to myself.

There was no moving on from Aria. No matter how much I wanted to, no matter how wrong she was for us, no matter how much easier life would be without this bond—

She was ours.

And I was starting to realize that maybe, just maybe, we were hers too.

ARIA’s POV

Raj's arms wrapped around me tightly, and I held him back just as hard. His whole body shook with silent sobs against my shoulder.

I just miss her so much," he whispered, his voice breaking.

I know," I murmured, rubbing his back soothingly. "I know, Raj. I'm so sorry.

His aunt had been like a mother to him. When I'd heard about the accident, my heart had broken for him. Now, seeing him back at school for the first time in weeks, all I wanted was to comfort my friend.

Then someone grabbed my arm and yanked me away.

What the hell—" I stumbled as Kai's hand tightened around my wrist.

His face was dark with fury, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle jumping. His eyes blazed with something wild and dangerous as he stared down at Raj.

Kai, let go of me!" I tried to pull free, but his grip was iron.

What the hell do you think you're doing?" I demanded, finally wrenching my arm away. "What right do you have to treat me like this?

You're getting too close to other men," he growled, his voice low and possessive.

My mouth fell open. "Excuse me?"

Raj stepped forward, confused. "Aria, is everything okay? Who is this guy?"

Just ignore him," I told Raj and the small crowd that had gathered. "He's nobody. Just a—

But I didn't get to finish. Kai bent down, grabbed me around the waist, and lifted me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.

Put me down!" I shrieked, pounding on his back. "Kai! What are you doing?

He didn't answer, just carried me down the hallway while everyone stared. My face burned with humiliation as he kicked open a door to an empty classroom and deposited me inside.

The door slammed shut behind us.

I whirled on him, fury replacing my shock. "Have you lost your mind?"

Maybe I have," he shot back, stalking toward me.

I backed up instinctively, my heart racing. "Stay away from me."

Why were you hugging him?" Each word came out harsh, demanding.

That's none of your business! Raj just lost his aunt and—

I don't care what his excuse was. You don't hug other men like that.

The possessiveness in his tone made something twist in my stomach. Part fear, part anger, and part something I didn't want to name.

Stop acting like you're my boyfriend," I spat out, backing up until I hit the wall. "Because you're not. I have no thoughts about you at all. I only care about Zane Parker.

Something flickered in Kai's eyes—hurt, maybe, or rage. He closed the distance between us in two strides, caging me against the wall with his arms on either side of my head.

Say that again," he challenged, his face inches from mine.

I. Don't. Want. You." I enunciated each word clearly, even as my body betrayed me by trembling.

His eyes dropped to my lips. "Liar."

Then his mouth crashed against mine.

The kiss was hard, demanding, nothing gentle about it. His lips moved over mine with a hunger that stole my breath. I tried to push him away, tried to remember all the reasons this was wrong, but my body had other ideas.

Heat exploded through me, that familiar ache between my legs intensifying until I couldn't think straight. My hands, which had been pushing against his chest, suddenly fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer instead.

No. Stop. This is wrong.

But when his tongue swept into my mouth, claiming and possessive, I moaned against him. The sound seemed to inflame him further. He pressed his body fully against mine, and I felt every hard plane of muscle, every inch of his arousal grinding against my stomach.

My legs went weak. The kiss deepened, grew more desperate. His hands slid from the wall to my waist, gripping me tightly as he devoured my mouth like a man starving.

I kissed him back with equal fervor, all my protests drowning in the overwhelming need consuming me. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him even closer, wanting more, needing more.

Then reality crashed back in.

I'm at school. In an empty classroom. Making out with Kai Steel.

I shoved at his chest hard. "Stop. We can't—I have to go."

I tried to move past him, but he grabbed my arm and spun me back, pressing me against the door. His hand slammed against the wood beside my head, blocking my escape.

We're not done," he growled.

Yes, we are." My voice came out breathless, unconvincing.

He didn't listen. His mouth found mine again, and this time the kiss was even more intense. His free hand roamed over my body—down my side, across my ribs, higher and higher until—

His palm cupped my breast through my tight shirt.

A moan tore from my throat before I could stop it. My back arched, pressing into his touch as pleasure shot through me. He massaged gently at first, then more firmly, his thumb finding my nipple through the thin fabric and circling it.

Kai," I gasped against his lips. "We can't—

You're so responsive," he murmured, his hand sliding under my shirt. "So perfect.

When his fingers found bare skin, I nearly came undone. He pushed my bra up roughly, freeing my breasts, and his calloused palm against my sensitive flesh made stars burst behind my eyes.

He pinched my nipple lightly, and I cried out. The sound seemed to drive him wild. His other hand slid down my stomach, fingers toying with the waistband of my skirt.

Tell me to stop," he commanded, even as his hand dipped lower. "Tell me you don't want this.

But I couldn't. My body was on fire, every nerve ending screaming for more. His fingers brushed against my inner thigh, and I spread my legs without thinking, giving him access.

That's it," he breathed against my neck. "So eager. So wet for me.

His hand slipped higher, and I felt myself getting lost in the sensation. Nothing mattered except his touch, his mouth on my skin, the promise of relief from this constant aching need.

Then—footsteps in the hallway.

We both froze. Voices passed by the door, students laughing about something. The sound was like cold water dumped over my head.

I pushed Kai away with all my strength, frantically pulling my bra and shirt back into place. My whole body trembled, whether from arousal or shock, I couldn't tell.

Stop," I said firmly, trying to catch my breath. "This can't happen again.

Kai's chest heaved, his eyes still dark with desire. "Aria—"

I have a deal with Reed," I cut him off, straightening my skirt with shaking hands. "Not you. I don't want to continue this with you.

His jaw clenched. "You think you can just choose which one of us you want?"

Yes! That's exactly what I think!" My voice rose with desperation. "I made a deal with Reed to help me get Zane. That's all this is.

He watched me struggle with the buttons, a cruel, knowing smile playing on his lips. “You could have fooled me. The way you moaned? The way your pretty little nipple got so hard in my hand?” He took a step closer again, and I flinched. “You can’t escape from me, Aria. This thing between us? You’re too stupid to understand it, but your body gets it. You kiss like you were made for it.”

My body is messed up," I shot back. "You know that. I'm not normal. This doesn't mean anything.

Something painful flashed across his face, but it was quickly replaced by cold anger.

Fine. Keep telling yourself that." His voice turned mocking. "But you should know—you're terrible at kissing.

The words hit like a slap. "What?"

You heard me. You're too eager, too sloppy, too desperate." He circled me slowly, his eyes raking over my disheveled appearance. "If you kiss Zane Parker like that, he'll laugh in your face. Again.

Humiliation burned through me, mixing with the lingering arousal to create something toxic and painful.

You're too stupid to even pretend properly," Kai continued, his tone cruel. "How do you expect to seduce anyone when you can't even control yourself? When you moan like a whore at the slightest touch?

Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "Get out of my way."

Gladly." He opened the door with a mocking bow. "But don't come crying to me when Zane rejects you again. You need a lot more practice before you're ready for someone like him.

He walked out, leaving me alone in the classroom.

I slid down the door until I sat on the floor, my whole body shaking. My lips felt swollen from his kisses. My breast still tingled where he'd touched me. Between my legs, I was soaked with need that had nowhere to go.

What is wrong with me?

Kai was right about one thing—I couldn't control myself. Every time one of the Steel brothers got close, my body took over, drowning out all rational thought.

But I had to get control. Had to learn to use this desire instead of being controlled by it.

Because Zane Parker was my goal. Not Kai. Not any of the Steel brothers.

I just had to keep reminding myself of that.