Chapter 3 You're in heat

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."