The silence between them stretched, thick and dangerous.
Selene stood frozen just inside the door, the dark cloak slipping from her shoulders as if even the fabric couldn't decide whether to protect or expose her. Her pulse thundered in her ears, every beat echoing one truth she didn't want to face.
Mate.
The Alpha crossed the room slowly, deliberately, like a predator who knew his prey had nowhere left to flee. Each step sent a ripple through the bond, tightening the invisible thread that connected them.
"Look at me," he said.
It wasn't a command shouted or snarled. It didn't need to be. His voice carried authority so absolute her body reacted before her mind could resist.
Selene lifted her head.
The silver of his eyes caught the low light, sharp and merciless. The mask hid his face, but not the intensity behind it. He studied her as if memorizing every detail—the curve of her throat, the tremble in her hands, the fear she tried to bury.
"You feel it," he said.
"Yes," she whispered.
Her answer cost her more than pride. It cost her control.
The Alpha inhaled slowly, deeply, as if tasting her scent. His jaw tightened.
"So do I."
The admission shocked her. Alphas weren't supposed to admit weakness. They took. They claimed. They dominated.
Yet this Alpha stood rigid, fists clenched at his sides, as if holding himself back required effort.
"You shouldn't be here," he said, almost to himself. "Not like this."
A bitter laugh escaped her before she could stop it. "Then why did you buy me?"
His gaze snapped back to hers.
"Because if I hadn't," he said coldly, "someone worse would have."
The truth of that settled heavily between them.
He turned away abruptly, moving to a small bar near the window. He poured a drink but didn't touch it.
"One night," he said again, more firmly now. "That was the agreement. I will not mark you. I will not bind you."
Selene's breath caught.
Marking meant permanence. Claim. A future she didn't dare imagine.
"And after?" she asked softly.
"You leave," he said. "Alive. Free."
Free.
The word felt hollow.
Her father would be alive. The debt erased. But she would carry this night with her forever.
She nodded once. "Then let's finish it."
The Alpha turned back slowly.
Something dark flared in his eyes.
He closed the distance between them in three long strides. When he stopped, they were so close she could feel the heat of him, smell the sharp, intoxicating scent of pine and smoke that made her wolf ache.
He reached up—not touching her yet—and brushed a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to look at him.
"If you want this to stop," he said quietly, "you say the word."
She searched his eyes for cruelty and found none. Only control stretched thin.
"I won't," she said.
The bond flared.
His hand dropped to her waist, firm but careful, as if he were afraid of breaking her. When he pulled her closer, her body responded instantly, melting into his chest despite every warning screaming in her head.
This is a mistake.
This is a mistake.
His lips hovered just above hers.
"For tonight," he murmured, "you are mine."
Her resistance shattered.
The kiss was slow at first, controlled, but the moment their lips touched, something snapped. The bond surged violently, heat crashing through her veins. Selene gasped, fingers clutching his jacket as if he were the only thing keeping her upright.
The Alpha groaned low in his throat, the sound vibrating through her.
He kissed her like he had been starving.
When they finally broke apart, Selene was breathless, dizzy, her world narrowed to him alone.
He rested his forehead against hers.
"Remember this," he said. "Because when dawn comes… you must forget me."
She didn't understand then why his voice sounded like a warning.
She only knew that somewhere deep inside her, her wolf was already mourning.
Because fate had never intended this night to be forgotten.