shadow. In the underworld, they called him "The Ghost." He was an Omega, but he was not weak. He was a high-level enforcer for the Vane Mafia family. He was strong, fast, and very dangerous. Tonight, he had a mission that would change his life forever. He had to break into the Royal Palace and steal a digital drive containing the names of undercover spies.
Silas wore a tight black suit that moved with his body like a second skin. He had used a strong medical spray to hide his sweet Omega scent. To any guard passing by, he would smell like nothing at all—just cold air and expensive stone.
He moved through the palace corridors with the grace of a cat. He climbed the grand staircase and slipped into the King's private study. The room smelled of old paper and power. Silas found the safe behind a painting of a mountain. His fingers moved quickly, cracking the code in seconds. Click. The door opened.
"Got it," Silas whispered. He grabbed the small silver drive.
"Going somewhere, Ghost?" a deep, smooth voice asked from the darkness.
Silas froze. He turned around slowly. Standing by the large balcony doors was Prince Alaric. The Prince was only twenty-five years old, but he was a terrifying Alpha. He was tall, with golden hair and eyes that looked like gray steel. He wasn't wearing his royal cape, just a white shirt with the top buttons open. He looked relaxed, but Silas could feel the raw power coming off him.
"The Crown Prince," Silas said, his hand moving to the knife hidden at his waist. "I thought you were at the Royal Ball."
"I was bored," Alaric said. He walked forward, his boots clicking on the marble floor. "And then I smelled something... interesting. A little bit of chocolate and a little bit of gunpowder. It's a very rebellious scent for a thief."
Silas realized his scent-masking spray was failing. The Prince's Alpha presence was so strong it was forcing Silas's natural Omega pheromones out.
"Stay back, Alaric," Silas warned.
Alaric laughed, a dark and hungry sound. "You're an Omega. A very beautiful, very angry Omega. Who sent you? The Mafia?"
"None of your business," Silas hissed. He lunged forward, trying to run past the Prince toward the balcony.
Alaric moved with impossible speed. He grabbed Silas's arm and slammed him against the wall. The impact knocked the air out of Silas's lungs. Alaric leaned in close, his nose brushing against Silas's neck. Silas felt a shiver of fear and something else—something hot—run down his spine.
"You smell delicious," Alaric whispered. "I think I'll keep you."
Silas didn't hesitate. He used his knee to hit the Prince in the stomach. As Alaric gasped, Silas pushed him away and ran for the balcony. He looked down. It was a long drop to the stone fountain below, but he had no choice.
He jumped.
But as he leapt, his foot caught on the stone railing. Silas spun in the air, losing his balance. His head hit the sharp edge of the marble fountain with a sickening thud. The last thing he saw was the dark sky and Alaric's worried face looking down at him. Then, the world went black.