The mark is no gentle vow. It is a bite, sunk into the tender flesh of the scent gland, tearing skin to brand an omega for life. To bear it is to carry an alpha's shadow, a warning to all others—claimed, untouchable, mine. Yet the mark is more than protection; it is a shackle of blood and instinct. Some alphas refuse to stain their omegas with it, knowing the bond never fades. If death takes the alpha, the omega remains bound to a ghost, trapped in a cage of loyalty carved into their very being. In this world, a mark is not only sanctuary—it is a curse that sings of ownership and doom.
Bella's POV:
I tried calling Noah, but the music swallowed my voice whole.
"It took a while to hunt you down,"
he murmured in my ear. Fucking psycho.
"Are you crazy?"
I snapped, turning to find his face inches from mine. His grip pinned me like a vice.
"I may be crazy… for you."
He'd gone too far this time. Fury rose inside me, but an idea sparked. I stopped struggling and let my body soften, my eyes going submissive.
Confusion flickered across his face. His grip slackened—just enough. I slid from under his arm and bolted, running straight into Mia's embrace. She blinked at me in surprise as I whispered the whole story in her ear.
When I turned to point out Knox… he was gone. Vanished, like smoke.
"Let's go home,"
I pleaded. Mia's lips pressed together; she'd wanted to dance longer, but even she felt the weight of my panic. Noah stood nearby, glaring at the alphas who'd been watching Mia dance. Poor guy.
Later that night
The house was quiet. I crept upstairs on tiptoe, my hand trembling on my bedroom door. I always felt watched. As if a ghost was waiting for my weakness to strike.
I turned. No one.
I brushed it off, slipped inside, and locked the door behind me. My forehead pressed against the cool wood, my heart still racing. Something about tonight clung to me like a second skin.
Never mind. A bath. That would calm me.
I peeled off my clothes, tossing them into the basket. In the mirror, a strange mark caught my eye—a small red dot spreading beneath the skin, veins threading out like cracks in glass. A reminder. A curse. i touch the mark gently it was right where Knox looked at earlier.
Knox's POV:
"Why do you look like you just hunted prey?"
Jack asked.
I swirled the drink in my hand, the ice clinking softly.
"I did." A grin curled my lips. "And it tasted like a masterpiece."
Jack chuckled, not realizing what I meant. Every time I saw her—her round face, wide eyes brimming with fear, tears trembling on her lashes—my instincts screamed to destroy her… piece by piece… from bliss.
"Now that you've killed Mark, what do you plan to do if they attack?"
I looked at him, bored.
"What else? We kill them." Jack's expression soured.
"You killed Gambino's son and you expect me to relax? I'm not an ice cube like you!"
I shifted my gaze to the guard. He knew what to do. He left the room silently.
I turned back to Jack, eyes narrowing. "Lower your tone."
The coldness in my voice froze him. He mumbled an apology, but still pressed on.
"And how will we kill them?"
I leaned back on the couch, arms draped lazily along the backrest.
"Let them attack first. They know if they start, we'll finish it—and declare war."
Jack's shoulders slumped.
Bella's POV:
Everything seemed slow as the day went on in college, we start exams next week. I thought about studying in the college's library because it's rarely cramped and has a peaceful atmosphere perfect for studying. I push open the huge library doors. Kind of reminds me of a film I watched.
The smell of old books floods in. The quiet rustling pages add more excitement to the air. The tables aligned perfectly and in space. The black wooden bookshelves were everywhere. All the tension in my muscles relaxing. People might call me a noob for loving such a thing but don't blame me.
I look up for medical related stuff section. Upon entering, i approach a small the table next to the last black book shelve. I put my bag down. The soft glow of the reading lamp offered a comforting sense. A very low number of students moving around in the space, browsing shelves, some flipping through books.
I put on my headphones. Everything mutes as the music starts. In a moment, thoughts flowed in my mind about the club's night. Why was he there? Was he with his girlfriend? No, if he was he wouldn't have chased me...only if he was a cheater. I heard he changes girls every week. disgusting. I feel bad for the girls he dates. I lean back in the chair. Closing my eyes for a second. Vanilla aroma wraps around me. Soothi-.
I stirred, my eyelids fluttering as i fought to separate the remnants of the sense from reality. My breathing came out unsteady. I turn to look to my right, there he was.
Bella's POV:
He sat slouched in the chair, smirk carved into his lips, a book dangling lazily in his hand. My eyes caught the title. "How to Deal with Prey."
No. He took it too far.
I stormed toward him. His gaze followed me, sharp and amused.
"Yes, bunny?" His tone was molten, but I knew better—it was the devil's snare. I would not fall into it. I knew the tricks. They draw you in, lure you with silk, then devour you whole.
And yet my cheeks flushed at the word bunny. Damn instincts. I forced the blush away, masking it with anger.
"What's your motive, beast?"
The nickname spat out bitter on my tongue.
He leaned his head back, eyes trailing down my frame as though I'd given him permission to consume me. My brow arched at the audacity. My gaze fell on his chest—compression top stretched tight over muscle, every line sculpted to perfection. Was he showing off?
I didn't realize I'd moved until my fingers brushed his throat, lightly skimming the rise of his Adam's apple. His breath caught, lashes lowering, lips parting. My own eyes betrayed me, tracing the line of his mouth, wondering—No. No, Bella. Do not surrender to your omega instincts.
I snapped myself back with a fist to his nose. The sharp crack made me flinch—but he didn't. Not a wince. Not a flinch. Just sat there.
"Is that supposed to be a punch, bunny?" Mockery dripped from his voice.
Heat burned my face. I bit my lip, seething—
"No, bunny,"
he purred, his hand rising, one finger grazing the corner of my mouth. "Don't want you to ruin these plump little lips."
The hushed taunt slithered down my spine, pooling warmth in my stomach I refused to acknowledge. He tugged my lip free from my teeth, slow, deliberate. Then he stood, the book abandoned, his presence towering over me.
Run, Bella. My instincts screamed. My legs refused to obey.
I spun toward escape—only to freeze. Blood. The faint trickle from his nose. My heart clenched. Damn my weak, useless heart. I turned back, guilt twisting in my chest.
"I… I'm sorry,"
I murmured, eyes dropping, heat flooding my cheeks.
His hand caught my chin, tilting my face up. Even bleeding, he looked like temptation sculpted in flesh. No—not a man. A devil.
"Then what are you waiting for?"
his voice followed, cold amusement in every syllable. "Take responsibility for what you've done."
Rude bastard. Still, I couldn't stop the chuckle that bubbled up. It was fun, in its own maddening way. I shoved my tongue out at him in childish defiance, grabbed my bag, and bolted.
My smile vanished at once. The hallway ahead was chaos—students circling, fists flying, a fight breaking out. I stopped dead, my breath caught.
Knox halted behind me. I didn't need to turn to feel it—the change in him. His smirk widened, insane delight flickering in his eyes. For one terrifying heartbeat, he looked like a predator unleashed. Then, as quickly as it came, the madness drained, his face hardening to cold steel. Hands slipped into his pockets, posture calm, detached.
But I'd seen it. The monster behind the mask.