Chapter 5: The Heat Begins

Kane releases me and steps back, leaving me shaking against the wall.

"Go back to your room," he says casually, as if he didn't just ask me to help him commit matricide. "And Zara? Next time you want to spy on me, just ask. I'd be happy to give you a private demonstration."

I stumble back to the basement, my mind reeling. Kane doesn't just want to claim me he wants to use me to destroy his own mother. And if I refuse...

I remember Thomas's lifeless body and shudder.

Back in my tiny room, I pace frantically. There has to be another way out of this. Has to be some option Elena and Kane haven't considered.

But as the hours tick by, I feel the first real stirrings of heat beginning to build in my system. A restless energy, a growing warmth between my thighs, the subtle scent changes that signal what's coming.

Kane was right. Being around his Alpha pheromones has triggered early onset. I have maybe two days before I'm completely helpless.

At dawn, Beth brings me breakfast and immediately notices the change.

"Oh, honey," she says sadly, setting down the tray. "It's starting, isn't it?"

I nod, not trusting my voice.

"How long do you think you have?"

"Day and a half, maybe two days before it peaks."

Beth sinks onto my bed, looking older than her years. "I'm so sorry. I hoped... we all hoped Kane might come to his senses before it came to this."

"There's still time. Elena offered to help me escape "

"Elena Morrison cares about one thing: this pack's reputation. If helping you serves that purpose, she will. If destroying you serves it better..." Beth shakes her head. "Don't trust her, Zara. Don't trust anyone in this house except maybe Marcus."

"What about you?"

"I can't help you run, if that's what you're asking. Kane would kill my granddaughter to punish me." Beth's voice breaks. "But I can give you this."

She pulls a small vial from her pocket. The liquid inside is clear with a faint blue tint.

"What is it?"

"Heat suppressants. Military grade the kind they give female soldiers in war zones. It won't stop your heat completely, but it might buy you a few extra days."

I take the vial with shaking hands. "Where did you get this?"

"Marcus. He's been trying to find a way to help you since you arrived." Beth stands to leave. "But be careful, honey. If Kane finds out..."

She doesn't need to finish. I know exactly what Kane would do.

After she leaves, I stare at the vial. A few extra days might be enough to find another way out. Or it might just prolong my suffering.

Before I can lose my nerve, I drink it.

The effect is almost immediate the growing heat in my system dampens to a manageable warmth, and the restless energy fades. But I can tell it's a temporary fix. The suppressants are fighting a losing battle against Kane's powerful Alpha pheromones.

A soft knock interrupts my thoughts. "Come in."

It's Marcus, and his expression is grim. "We need to talk. Now."

"What's wrong?"

"Kane knows about the suppressants. He can smell the change in your scent." Marcus runs a hand through his hair. "He's furious. Wants to know who gave them to you."

My heart sinks. "What did you tell him?"

"Nothing yet. But he's threatening to torture every omega in the house until someone confesses." Marcus looks at me desperately. "You have to run. Tonight. Before he finds out it was me."

"How? The security "

"There's a weak spot in the east wall. During shift change at midnight, you'll have maybe five minutes to slip through." Marcus pulls out a small backpack. "Money, clothes, fake ID. Everything you need to disappear."

"What about Elena's plan?"

"Forget Elena. Kane's past the point of psychological manipulation. He's going to claim you whether you're willing or not." Marcus grabs my shoulders. "This is your only chance, Zara. Take it."

Before I can respond, footsteps thunder down the stairs. Heavy, angry, accompanied by the sound of multiple guards.

"Too late," Marcus breathes.

My door slams open, and Kane fills the doorway like an avenging angel. His dark eyes are wild with rage, and I can smell the barely controlled violence rolling off him in waves.

"Everyone out," he snarls. "Except her."

The guards retreat immediately, leaving Marcus and me alone with Kane.

"You too, Marcus. Unless you want to explain how military-grade suppressants ended up in my omega's system."

Marcus's jaw tightens, but he has no choice. He leaves, shooting me one last desperate look.

Kane closes the door and turns to face me. "Strip."

"What?"

"You heard me. I want to see what those suppressants are hiding."

My body shakes as I remember the last time he made this demand. But there's no fighting the Alpha command in his voice. With trembling hands, I remove my clothes until I'm standing naked before him.

Kane's eyes rake over every inch of my skin, and I watch his nostrils flare as he scents the air.

"Clever," he murmurs. "Very clever. But not clever enough." He moves closer, circling me like a predator. "I can still smell your heat underneath the chemicals. Still see the flush on your skin, the way your pupils are dilated."

"I don't know what you're talking about "

"Lie to me again, and I'll chain you to my bed right now and let nature take its course." Kane stops directly in front of me, so close I can feel his body heat. "Who gave you the suppressants?"

"I found them "

"WHO?" The Alpha command hits me like a physical blow, and the truth spills out.

"Beth! Beth gave them to me!"

Kane's smile is terrifying. "Thank you. That's all I needed to know."

He turns to leave, and panic floods through me. "Wait! Don't hurt her! She was just trying to help "

"Help?" Kane spins back around. "She was interfering with what belongs to me. That's punishable by death in my pack."

"Please!" I grab his arm, not caring that I'm still naked. "Punish me instead. I'm the one who took them."

Kane stares down at my hand on his arm, then slowly covers it with his own. "You want to save her?"

"Yes."

"Fine. I'll make you a deal." His thumb traces over my knuckles with mock tenderness. "Convince me you're ready to submit, and I'll let Beth live."

"Submit how?"

Kane's free hand slides up my arm, over my shoulder, to cup my face. "Kiss me. Really kiss me this time. Show me you want this."

The choice is clear: Beth's life in exchange for my compliance. I can see it in Kane's eyes he'll kill the motherly woman without hesitation if I refuse.

"And if I do this?"

"Beth lives. And your heat happens naturally, without any more chemical interference." Kane's thumb traces over my bottom lip. "But make no mistake, little omega. This is your last act of defiance. After tonight, you belong to me completely."

I think of Beth's kind eyes, of the granddaughter she's protecting. Think of Marcus risking his life to help me escape. Think of all the people in this house who will suffer if I don't give Kane what he wants.

Standing on my toes, I press my lips to his.

But this time, instead of the gentle exploration from before, Kane takes control immediately. His hand tangles in my hair, tilting my head back as his tongue claims my mouth with devastating thoroughness. I can taste his hunger, his possession, his absolute determination to own me.

When he finally breaks the kiss, I'm breathing hard and my body is trembling with more than fear.

"Better," he murmurs against my lips. "Much better. But I want more."

"More what?"

Kane's smile is pure sin. "I want you to beg me to claim you. I want you to ask me to make you mine."

"I'll never "

"We'll see." His hand slides down my neck, over my collarbone, stopping just short of my breast. "Your heat suppressants will wear off in about six hours. When they do, your body is going to be desperate for an Alpha's touch. My touch."

"And if I still refuse?"

"Then I'll wait.