THE ALPHA WHO ONCE LOVED ME

He stepped into the house without waiting for an invitation. Before I could process it, his lips brushed against mine, passionately like he had been hungry for them for ages.

The argument we'd just had dissolved on my tongue, replaced by the taste of him and the pressure of his hard erection hard on me as he moved even closer.

Oh, how I have longed for this moment.

He didn't break the kiss as he lifted me and carried me towards the stairs, into the bedroom.

He wasted no time. His shirt came off first, the sight of his sculpted chest made my breath hitch. Good gracious, I could get used to this.

He placed me gently on the edge of the bed and carressed my face. My panties already soaked, heavy and hot wth the sudden, undeniable excitement. I didn't care about the world or the consequences. Every part of me yearned for him right now.

It feels so wrong....yet so right, I couldn't explain.

Leaving trails of kisses on my neck, making soft moans escape my from my mouth.

He removed what was left of our clothing, reaching into his back poclet and pulled out a sachet. It was a detail so surprising. He had come prepared. I loved it.

He tore the packet open - my mind, the last tiny rational voice screamed no, stop this insaniy, but my body was already arching towards him, screaming yes.

He hovered over me, his large, beautiful c**k hot against my thigh. Just as he was about to go in - the moment of no return - he stopped.

His eyes lost as if he was just called back to reality. The passion drained away, replaced by a terrible empty look.

"Lucian....Please don't stop," I whispered, reaching for him.

"I shouldn't be here. This is wrong. "

Oh, now you know it's wrong.

"Wait," I cried, trying to sit up, but he was already moving, gathering his clothes with haste. Before he could even cover myself, he was already gone.

He left. Leaving me there, naked and burning and angry.

I felt so stupid. How could I have let him in just like that? All it took was a kiss to weaken my resolve. Damn it, Tessa! I cursed inwardly.

I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could feel was the ghost of his touch ......and the cold reality of how fast he pulled away. It made me wonder if something was wrong with me. Was I not good-looking?

My body still aches for him, but my mind keeps replaying the way he looked at me before he left, like I was some forbidden fruit.

Like he wanted me... but couldn't have me.

By morning, the embarrassment had settled like a stone in my stomach.

Still, I force myself to go to work.

Maybe he'll explain.

Maybe he'll at least look at me.

Maybe I wasn't completely delusional last night.

I was wrong.

Lucian was already there when I walked in.

He doesn't glance up.

Doesn't flinch.

Doesn't acknowledge me.

It's like he took all the heat from last night and replaced it with ice.

"Good morning," I try.

Nothing.

He doesn't even breathe differently.

I feel the sting behind my eyes, but I swallow it, keeping my voice steady.

"About last night..."

"Drop it, Tessa."

His voice is low. Quiet. Deadly calm.

Like he's afraid of what will happen if he lets it crack.

My chest tightens. "Lucian, I just-"

"I said drop it." he shouted, cutting me off. "It's Mr Vale to you." he added.

He obviously regrets everything.

I don't say another word. I just go through the motions of my day, pretending not to notice the way he keeps avoiding my gaze like it burns him.

After what felt like days, I left. I spent my day working....working and working with the cold CEO who wants nothing to do with his assistant, his freaking assistant!

Maybe I should talk to him again.

Maybe I should go to his house.

Maybe-God, I don't even know what I'm doing anymore.

I sighed and started walking, trying to convince myself that the night wasn't a mistake. That he didn't run because of me.

The road is quieter than usual.

Too quiet.

Footsteps echo behind me.

Slow. Heavy. Intentional.

I stop.

They stop.

"Lucian?" I call out, half hope, half fear.

No answer.

I take one more step-

Not Lucian.

Strangers.

Ragged clothes.

Wild eyes.

Predators.

A shiver crawls up my spine.

"Can... can I help you?" I whisper.

One of them smirks, revealing teeth that look a little too sharp.

"Well, well," he says, voice low and amused. "The Alpha's little human."

Alpha?

Before I can react, the second one grabs my wrist.

"H-hey! Let go of me-!"

The first man steps closer, inhaling, eyes sparkling with satisfaction. "He'll come running when he realizes we took his girl."

"I'm not- I don't-!" I struggle, heart punching my ribs. "I'm not his anything!"

"Sure," the man chuckles darkly. "Keep telling yourself that."

A cloth slams over my mouth.

Sharp chemicals burn my throat.

"No-stop-!"

Then, suddenly, everything fades to black, as I passed out.

>>>>>>>>

I jolt awake to the smell of damp concrete and rust. My wrists ache-tied. My head throbs.

Where am I?

Shadows move in the corner.

"Finally awake," one of the creatures says. He squats in front of me, looking pleased. "Don't worry. We won't hurt you. Not yet."

I yank against the ropes. "Let me go! I don't even know what you want!"

"Relax, sweetheart," he says with a shrug. "You're bait. Simple."

My blood freezes.

"B-bait?"

"For the Alpha."

He grins.

"For Lucian."

God.

Lucian.

Why?

Why would they think-

He leans closer. "Tell me. Does he know you're missing yet? Is he tearing the whole town apart for you?"

I bite my lip so hard I taste blood.

I don't even know if he'd notice.

"I'm not his girlfriend," I whisper.

He laughs. "Right. And I'm the Queen of England."

Footsteps echo outside.

Could it be him?

The men-like things turn, annoyed.

"Who the hell-"

The door bursts open.

A figure steps inside-fast, dark, sharp.

His eyes lock onto me immediately.

"Get away from her."

For a heartbeat, no one moves.

Then everything happens at once-

He shoves one of them into the wall, claws flashing, movements too fast, too precise for a human.

The second one lunges at him-he twists, snaps his arm, and drops him like a bag of flour.

I stare, breath caught in my lungs.

The room goes silent.

He turns to me, chest rising and falling, eyes glowing faintly under the dim light.

He breathes, stepping toward me. "Are you hurt?"

His hands are gentle as he cuts the rope binding my wrists.

My throat tightens. "Why... why did they take me?"

"Because they thought you were his," he says quietly. "Lucian's."

My heart stutters painfully.

I open my mouth to speak but his gaze move to my neck, lingering for a fraction too long.

Then he says it.

Then softly, almost to himself.

"You smell like me."

My heart stops.

I don't even know what that means.

And I'm terrified to ask.