Chapter 11
HANNAH
It’s eight in the morning, and I’m already showered, dressed in last night’s green dress, and contemplating whether I can escape this mansion without facing anyone.
The shower helped. Sort of. At least the crushing heat from last night is gone, my skin doesn’t feel like it’s on fire anymore, my pulse has returned to something approaching normal, and I can think in complete sentences again instead of just primal need.
But the mortification? That’s alive and well.
I pace my temporary room, barefoot, chewing my thumbnail until it hurts.
What if being around three Alphas is triggering my heat early? What if last night wasn’t a one-time thing but the start of my cycle going completely haywire? I need heat suppressants and a plan. Plus to not accidentally throw myself at another Alpha while thinking he’s someone else.
Maybe I can just sneak out. Call an Uber. Pretend last night never happened. Move to a different country where no one knows I screamed the wrong name during sex.
Perfect plan.
I crack open my door, listening hard.
Silence. Blessed silence.
I tiptoe down the hallway, wincing at every small creak of the floorboards. The house is so quiet I can hear my own heartbeat. Down the stairs, moving as carefully as possible, praying that everyone is still asleep or at least locked in their rooms.
My shoes are by the front door. If I can just get to them and slip out, I’m home free.
I reach the bottom of the stairs and freeze.
Kane is standing in the living room, leaning against the back of the couch with his legs stretched out in front of him, one ankle crossed over the other. Hands in his pockets. Smirking at me like he’s been waiting for hours.
He’s wearing dark jeans that hug his thighs, a green flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing thick, muscled forearms dusted with dark blond hair. His boots look worn. And those hazel-green eyes are tracking my every movement like a predator watching prey.
He’s built like someone who could throw me over his shoulder without breaking a sweat. Broad shoulders, chest pressing against the flannel, arms that seem to call to me.
My gaze drops to his package before I can stop myself, and my brain helpfully supplies exactly what he’s packing because I know firsthand now.
My nipples tighten in immediate response.
Traitors.
“Oh,” I manage, voice strangled, gaze shooting back to his face.
His smirk widens into a full grin. “Were you expecting Noel?”
Heat floods my face. Last night crashes back in vivid, horrifying detail.
“Look.” The word tumbles out in a rush. “I’m so sorry about last night.
It’s just that I’d shared ice cream with Noel, we kissed, and I figured he could help me with some pre-heat issues, and I really hope you don’t think I meant to break into your room and assault you because I would never intentionally—”
He bursts into laughter, head thrown back, shoulders shaking, the sound rich and genuine and filling the entire room.
“Baby girl.” His voice when he speaks again is warm, amused, but underneath there’s something darker.
“You think that’s what happened? Because that’s not what I experienced.
I was blessed by a sex goddess who climbed into my bed and offered herself to me.
The same goddess I’ve been fantasizing about since the moment I first met you. ”
My mouth opens, but no sound comes out.
“Your scent woke me up,” he continues, moving closer with slow, deliberate steps.
“Rich and sweet and desperate. Told me exactly what you needed. And as your Alpha, it’s my responsibility—my privilege—to be there for you.
However you need me. Whenever you need me.
Even if I’m asleep and you think I’m someone else.
” His grin turns wicked. “Though I’ll admit, hearing you moan Noel’s name while riding my cock was a bit of a blow to the ego. ”
“Kane—”
“But you came apart so beautifully, squeezing me so tight I could barely think, and I figured I could forgive you for the name mix-up.” He’s standing right in front of me now, close enough that his scent of warm gingerbread, campfire smoke, and orange zest wraps around me.
“Between you and me? I’m yours to use however you want.
Rub up against me at three in the morning, climb into my bed when you’re burning up, scratch whatever itch needs scratching.
Don’t ever think it’s anything else. Don’t doubt for a second that I didn’t enjoy every fucking moment of having you. ”
My heart is racing so hard I feel dizzy. The way he’s watching me like I’m something precious and sexy and exactly what he wants weakens my knees.
“I just…” I don’t know what to say. “I thought I—”
“I was very much a willing participant in everything that happened.” His voice drops lower, intimate. “Best wake-up call of my entire life. Next time, though, maybe get my name right? Do wonders for my self-esteem.”
Despite everything, I laugh. It comes out slightly hysterical, but it’s genuine.
We stand there in charged silence, his scent curling around me, making my body remember exactly how he felt inside me. I turn toward the door before I do something stupid. “Well, I should go, then.”
I slip into my heels, and he’s suddenly there, opening the front door with exaggerated courtesy.
I step outside into the crisp morning air. Fresh snow covers everything, the driveway already cleared in clean lines. Trees surrounding the property are frosted white, branches heavy with snow, and birds chirp somewhere in the distance. It’s beautiful. Peaceful.
And Kane is right there.
“So where are we going?” His tone is cheerful, like we’re about to embark on a grand adventure.
I turn to face him, glancing up at him. “I’m going to visit Scot’s uncle. You’re staying here.”
He laughs, not quite mocking but close. “I’m coming with you. This way to my truck.”
“That’s not necessary—”
“Noel told me everything this morning.” He’s walking toward the garage, and I’m following because what else can I do? “About the party, about Scot being a dick, about you moving in with us—”
“Temporarily,” I jump in quickly.
He shoots me a look over his shoulder that says he doesn’t believe me for a second.
“Right. Anyway, Chris, Noel, and I had a chat at dawn. We all agree that with your pre-heat scent being so strong and your needs potentially spiking without warning, it makes sense for you to have one of us with you at all times.”
I stop walking. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I have work to do, clients to see. I don’t need a babysitter.”
He clicks a button on his keys, and the garage door lifts smoothly. “A partner. Someone to have your back. Someone to help when your body decides it needs an Alpha’s touch.”
“Look, last night was one thing, but I have a heat clinic I can go to if—”
“And now you have three Alphas living with you who will take care of you.” His voice is firm. “We’re your scent matches, Hannah. That means we’re supposed to be there for you.”
“Why are you so infuriating?”
“I’m just being logical.” He grins.
I laugh, slightly hysterical but real. “Logical. Sure. My life spiraling into chaos is totally logical.”
“Give it time. You’ll see.” He gestures toward the garage. “But first, let me drive you to see Scot’s uncle. Make sure that asshole doesn’t show up and cause problems.”
“Fine.” I throw my hands up. “You can come with me today because I need a ride. But then you drop me at Lily’s so I can get my car and go back to some semblance of normal—”
“And then come back here where you have a home until you sort out your next steps,” he finishes for me.
“You think we’re going to let our scent-match Omega wander around town, potentially slip into heat somewhere without us nearby?
You need to understand something about us.
We’re possessive. Overprotective. And when we claim something as ours, we don’t let go.
” His eyes lock with mine. “And you, Hannah, are ours.”
He disappears into the garage before I can formulate a response.
My brain is still processing his words. The casual possessiveness.
The absolute certainty. The way he said ours like it’s already decided, like I don’t get a vote.
I should be angry. Should be pushing back against this Alpha nonsense.
But instead, I’m standing here swooning like some romance novel heroine, and I hate how much I like hearing him claim me.
An engine roars to life, and an electric-blue-pickup truck emerges from the garage.
It’s gorgeous, all sleek and modern with dark tinted windows, chrome accents catching the morning sun, mag wheels that look custom and expensive. The paint job is flawless, almost metallic in the light.
Kane pulls up alongside me and rolls down the window. He’s grinning, one arm draped over the steering wheel, and the sight of him like this, confident, relaxed, sexy as hell, has me swooning on the spot, and I have to grip the door to not fall over.
“Want to climb in, baby girl?”
Well, when he puts it like that…
I open the passenger door and haul myself up into the truck. The interior is just as impressive—black leather seats, blue ambient lighting running along the dash and doors, everything clean and modern and smelling like fresh leather mixed with Kane’s scent.
“So where’s Noel?” I buckle up as Kane heads down the driveway. “He promised to come with me this morning.”
“Noel thought it might be better if I took you.” The gates are opening automatically. “He mentioned you might try to sneak out of the house at dawn, never face us again, possibly move to another country. And best to deal with me instead of hiding from the obvious.”
I cut him a sideways look and half laugh. “As if I would do that.”
He chuckles like he knows exactly what I was planning.
“I need the address for Scot’s uncle’s place,” he says.