Addicted To Her: The Alpha's Irresistible Contract Mate

Naomi's pov :

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I felt was the immense pain all over my body.

A heavy ache spread through my body like I'd been hit by a storm I couldn't remember walking into. My head throbbed badly and my throat was dry.

For a moment, I couldn't move so I just listened to the faint echo of my heartbeat in my ears. And another sound that didn't belong to me. It sounds like someone was breathing really heavily in my ears.

Slowly, I turned my face and my stomach dropped.

Because laying beside me was none other than Alpha Elias .

For a heartbeat, my mind refused to believe what my eyes were seeing. But then everything came rushing back.

I had been working as usual last night, trying to make it through my shift unnoticed. Then the manager called me over, handed me a tray of drinks, and told me to deliver them to one of the VIP rooms.

A simple routine which I didn't find strange. But the moment I stepped through that door, I knew something was wrong.

And before I could think of anything, a scent hit me before my eyes adjusted to the dim light. The room was full of pheromones which were flowing wildly. And among the haze sat Elias . Half of his shirt was unbuttoned while his eyes burned an unnatural shade of red, his pupils seemed dilated and feral.

An Alpha in heat. And not just any Alpha, an S-tier Alpha.

Even among his kind, S-tier Alphas were rare. They were the strongest, most dominant of all, the ones other Alphas bowed to instinctively. When their heat took over, it wasn't just lust. It was wild and dangerously uncontrolled. Their pheromones could command, lure, and even paralyze their mates or whoever they're spending their rut with.

No one could resist them. Especially not an omega like me.

I remember my pulse stuttering as his gaze locked on mine. For a split second, there was confusion in his eyes, recognition fighting with instinct. And before I could even think to move, his hand was on me pulling me closer, stronger than I remembered, hotter than I could bear.

Everything after that blurred into heat and fear and helplessness.

And now I was here in his bed.

I sat up slowly, my breath catching when I looked at him again. Elias Kingsley. My mate and also my curse.

Even in sleep, he looked lethal. His jaw was sharp but his expressions were tense as if even rest couldn't soften the man he had become. The faint trace of his scent still lingered in the room, dark and smoky, laced with something that made my stomach twist. My body reacted before my mind did. My heart beat faster and I hated it. I hated how easily his presence unraveled me.

It had been three years since I last saw him. Three years since I ran away from him.

The night I found out he was my mate should have been the happiest of my life. But it wasn't. Because that same night, my father told me the truth that he was the one who caused the accident that killed Elias 's parents seven years ago.

And everyone knew Elias was searching for the culprit. He was tearing through everything and everyone to find justice and find vengeance.

I still remember how calm he was when I told him we were mates. He smiled and appeared almost relieved. He said we'd known each other since childhood, that maybe fate had been kind to him for once. But fate isn't kind. It's cruel and merciless.

My father's voice still echoes in my head.

"If he ever finds out, he'll kill us both. Run and never look back. You have to save yourself and me."

So I did. I disappeared from his side.

And for three years, I lived in the shadows, pretending I could escape the bond that burned under my skin. Pretending I didn't feel him every time the seasons changed.

Now, as I stared at him lying beside me, I realized how wrong I was. Fate hadn't forgotten us. It had simply waited for the cruelest moment to pull us back together.

An Alpha's rut usually lasted five or six days. Which meant he had four days left. Four days before his body cooled and before his mind cleared. And if I stayed, I knew exactly what those four days would mean. He would claim me again and again not out of choice, but instinct.

And when the rut ended, when the haze lifted, he'd remember everything. He would see who he had spent his rut with.

So I need to leave before he wakes up.

My hands trembled as I pulled the sheet away and found my clothes scattered on the floor. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. I dressed as quietly as I could, afraid to wake the sleeping Alpha beside me.

Every step toward the door felt like walking on thin ice. The room was still thick with his scent, with power and danger and something that made me weak. I caught my reflection in the mirror, pale skin covered with red marks, disheveled hair, and wide frightened eyes. I barely recognized the girl staring back at me.

When I reached the door, I looked back one last time.

Even unconscious, he looked like a man born to own and destroy. The boy I once knew was long gone. I tightened my grip on the doorknob, forcing my tears back. I couldn't afford to be weak.

If he woke up and found me here, I wouldn't be able to leave. And if he found out who I really was and what I was hiding he'd never forgive me.

I opened the door and slipped out.

_____

( 1 week later )

I thought the nightmare would fade after a week. That the memories would lose their edge, that the ache in my chest would stop clawing every time I tried to sleep but it didn't.

Every morning since that night, I woke with the same emptiness inside me as if something had been taken from me, something I could never get back. I told myself I should move on, that it was over. Yet the moment I closed my eyes, the fragments returned.

I lost something precious that night, not just my virginity, but a part of myself I could never reclaim.

I sighed and dragged myself out of bed. My small room smelled faintly of detergent and dust. The walls were thin, the paint peeling, and the single window letting in a sliver of grey light. I didn't have time to wallow. I had work to get to, bills to pay, and rent due in two days.

As if summoned by my thoughts, there was a loud knock on my door.

"Naomi!" my landlord's sharp voice rang through the hallway.

My heart sank. I hurried to open the door, forcing a small smile. "Good morning, Mrs. Trent."

The old woman crossed her arms. "Morning or not, you have two days left to pay your rent. No excuses this time. If I don't get it by Friday, you're out."

I swallowed, feeling the panic rise in my throat. "I'll pay, I promise. I'm just waiting for this week's pay."

She gave a skeptical look, then shrugged. "Promises don't pay the bills. Two days."

When she left, I leaned against the door and pressed my palms to my face. Two days. That was all I had. And I was already behind on everything else, groceries, electricity, even bus fare.

Being an omega didn't help me either.

Not many places hired us anymore. We were considered liabilities, weak, emotional, and slow. Some employers even demanded medical proof of suppressant use. The excuse was always the same: Omegas go into heat too often. Omegas attract trouble. Omegas can't work safely around Alphas.

No one wanted the risk of an Alpha losing control, and no one wanted to take responsibility when things went wrong.

But I had one small relief, I'd never gone into heat. Some called it rare, others called it broken, but to me, it was freedom. I didn't have to deal with the unbearable fevers, the endless hunger, or the danger. My body's silence was a blessing I didn't question.

I used to live differently. My father's company once stood among the top firms in the city. We had everything, a mansion, servants, and luxury. I was a pampered daughter, never worrying about money or survival. But then came the scandal, the bankruptcy, and the night my father disappeared.

I shook the thought away, brushed my hair, and forced myself out of the door. Work wouldn't wait for me to grieve.

The hotel lobby buzzed with its usual rhythm. I walked behind the counter, tying my apron, trying to ignore the strange looks that followed me.

When I reached the staff area, my friend Mira, another omega, waved at me. Her face was flushed, eyes wide with gossip. "Naomi! Have you heard?"

I blinked. "Heard what?"

She leaned closer to me. "There's a rumor spreading all over the staff floor. An S-tier Alpha is looking for an omega."

My breath caught making my hands froze mid-motion. "Looking for an omega?"

Mira nodded. "Yeah. They say it's a big deal and he's searching everywhere. Some say she.uh, did something to him."

My heart began to race. "Did something?"

"I don't know the full story," she whispered quickly. "But everyone's talking about it. They say an omega snuck into his private suite to take advantage of him during his heat. The Alpha's furious now. They say he's using his influence to find her."

The tray slipped from my fingers and clattered against the counter. My whole body went cold.

"When.when did I do that?" I whispered to myself.

Mira tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

I forced a weak smile. "N-Nothing."

I could barely breathe. The manager had sent me into that room and told me to take those drinks. I hadn't even known who was inside.

I wanted to tell Mira everything, but the words died in my throat. She wouldn't believe me. And if Elias had really started looking for that omega, telling anyone would only expose me faster.

Before I could calm down, a voice came over the intercom.

"Naomi Voss, report to the manager's office immediately."

The whole room went silent.

Mira touched my arm. "Hey.are you in trouble?"

I shook my head even though I didn't believe it myself. "No, I'm sure it's nothing."

But deep down, I knew it was everything.

-

Mr. Barlow sat behind his desk, tapping a pen against a file. When I entered, he didn't look up right away.

"Sit down," he said curtly.

I obeyed, trying to keep my hands from shaking.

After a long silence, he finally spoke. "You're dismissed."

For a moment, I couldn't process his words. "W-What?"

He looked up. "You're being let go. Effective immediately."

My throat tightened. "Why? What did I do?"

He sighed. "You really want me to say it? There's been a report, Naomi. You tried to take advantage of a guest who was a very powerful Alpha."

My breath hitched. "That's not true! You sent me to that room!"

His pen froze mid-air. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple. "Watch what you're saying!"

"It's true!" I insisted in a trembling voice. "You told me to deliver the drinks to that suite. I didn't even know who was inside!"

He wiped his forehead and avoided my gaze. "You must've misunderstood. I told you to take the tray but I didn't tell you to assault the Alpha."

My stomach dropped. "Assault? I didn't-"

He raised a hand. "Enough. If you want to defend yourself, do it to him. I'm not risking my job for your mistake."

My hands clenched in my lap. I don't know why he's lying now.

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I forced them back. "Please, Mr. Barlow. I need this job. I can't afford rent, I can't-"

He stood abruptly. "Then perhaps you should've thought about that before sneaking into a man's room. Do you know who he is?"

"I know," I desperately let out without thinking. "I know exactly who he is!"

Before he could say more, a familiar voice spoke from behind me.

"Then explain it to me, Naomi."

I froze, my blood turned to ice as I turned around slowly.

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."