"Mmm." His voice dropped, dark and indulgent. "You smell sweet." His tongue clicked against his teeth, savoring the words. "Omega."
My blood ran cold. My lungs locked.
His grip tightened on my waist, firm enough that I couldn't pull away even if I tried. His smile widened, sharp and unhurried, as though he was tasting my fear.
"Don't look so startled," he drawled, tilting his head. "I can feel your heart racing from here." His nose brushed the curve of my neck again, and I froze, every muscle stiff. "It's delicious."
"Let go." My voice came out hoarse, weaker than I meant. I hated that. Hated that he could smell the panic rolling off me.
Instead of obeying, he chuckled. The sound was low, almost purring, vibrating against my skin. "Pretty little liar. Suppressants dull it, but they don't erase it. I can smell what you're hiding."
My chest seized. No. He can't know. He can't-
"I-I'm not-"
His finger pressed against my lips, silencing me. "Don't bother." His pale green eyes glowed faintly in the dim alley, hunger swirling in their depths. "I don't need you to admit it. I already know."
I swallowed hard, every instinct screaming to run, but my legs wouldn't move.
Then, slowly, he leaned closer. His lips brushed my ear, his breath hot.
"Tell me, Omega… does anyone else know what you are?"
The name on my tongue was a curse and a prayer all at once. Leonel. idk all i could think of was him.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
His hand shifted higher on my waist, pulling me flush against him. "Or…" His smile sharpened, voice a blade wrapped in silk. "Am I the first one to unwrap your little secret?"
My pulse skittered, thoughts clawing through the haze of fear. That hair… that face.
My mind snapped back to the pond, to the silver-haired man Leonel had cornered just nights ago. The memory burned sharp now Leonel's hand on his collar, the heated warning in his voice, the way this man had smirked as if none of it mattered.
"You…" I breathed, the word scraping my throat. "You're the one Leonel was with at the pond."
His green eyes widened for a heartbeat, sharp and predatory, and then… he laughed. Low, smooth, and dangerous, like a predator savoring the scent of its prey.
"Oh? Oh, my sweet little Omega…" His grin widened, teeth catching the dim light. "You know Leonel Draven. How… delightful."
I froze. Delightful? Why would that…
He leaned closer, eyes sparkling with cruel amusement. "You know my enemy. That's very… useful." His thumb traced along my hip, slow, deliberate. "It makes this far more… interesting."
My stomach churned, twisting with fear and disbelief. "Who… who are you?" I demanded, though my voice shook.
"Damian Vale." He whispered it, savoring every syllable like a secret shared just for him. "Remember the name, Omega. Because now, you're mine… and knowing Leonel only makes this… sweeter."
His gaze burned into mine, possessive and dangerous, and I realized with a sick twist in my chest that he wasn't just here to intimidate me. He was claiming me.
And just like that, the shadows of the alley felt impossibly small, and my heartbeat too loud.