Colt nuzzles my nose slightly.

"He should know better than to mistreat his goddess-given mate," he says in a soft voice. "What he is doing to you is unforgivable."

"C-Colt."

"Yeah?" he whispers, his warm breath tickling my lips.

I’d only called his name out of nerves, and now, I’m at a loss for words. But it stalls him for a heartbeat. "What—what are you doing?" I ask.

He smiles—a real, genuine smile. I haven't seen him truly smile before. "Kissing you," he murmurs.

He knows that isn’t what I meant, but before I can distract him further, his lips press against mine, and I lose all sense of reality. I can only focus on how soft and warm his lips are. They feel intoxicating against my own. I surrender completely; I can’t fight it, and truth be told, I don't want to.

His body presses into mine, warm and solid, engulfing my smaller frame. I’ve never felt a man’s touch like this—he is firm yet gentle. His hand caresses my shoulder, sliding down until it cups my bare breast. A rush of sensation surges through me, setting my skin ablaze. When his lips travel to my neck, his kisses stun me. It feels so good that I freeze, terrified that if I move, the moment will end.

His hand trails lower, stroking my waist, and it feels like fire. My insides turn to mush, and a sudden, sharp heat pools between my legs. His hand continues its descent, and when I realize where he’s headed, the haze snaps.

I close my legs and gently push his shoulder. "Stop," I whisper.

He pulls back to look at me. I shake my head. "No more."

He closes his eyes, takes a sharp, steadying breath, and nods. I sit up, quickly scrambling to cover myself.

"I already saw everything," he teases with a cheeky smile.

"Shut up," I mutter shyly. I can't bring myself to look him in the eye, but when I glance up, he is just staring—saying nothing.

"Why do you do that?" I ask.

"Do what?"

"Just... stare at me."

"Isn't that what people do when they enjoy the view?" He looks me up and down again.

"Colt... what happened to you?" I ask, ignoring his comment.

"Hmm?"

"You've changed. And don't you have a mate? What happened to Skye? Did she not—" I leave the sentence unfinished, not wanting to inflict pain.

"I don't have a mate anymore," he says flatly.

A pang of sadness hits me on his behalf. "I'm sorry."

He holds up a hand, signaling that he doesn't want to talk about it. I nod. "We don't have to talk about that, but you have to tell me: why did you wait so long to reveal you were alive? We were in those cells for days, and you were tortured. Why wait?"

He sighs, nodding slowly. "I didn't know where I was until I heard your name... Look, I will tell you everything. But not now. This isn't the time or the place." He rises and extends a hand.

I stare at it for a second before taking it. He pulls me up, but instead of letting go, he hauls me into his chest. He grabs my chin, tilting my head back while his other arm wraps around me in a tight hold.

"I’ll be patient and gentle," he says softly, then presses his lips to mine once more.

It is brief, but it leaves my head spinning.

"Go home," he says, leaving me in a daze. "Don't stay out here too long."

I’m stunned. How can he just kiss me like that and claim I’ll be

his

? He has to be joking, right? He’s clearly going to be the next Alpha. He doesn't want me—he just wants my body. He’ll use me and throw me away, just like everyone else in this pack.

Why did I ever think he was being genuine? What a fool I am.

My blood runs cold as a sudden thought strikes. "Oh, shit. Ezra. He must have felt that." I start toward the house, but then stop.

What am I doing? Why should I care? He’s done worse to me. In fact... good. Let him get a taste of his own medicine.

I walk back toward the house with a smirk.

That night, I sleep fitfully, haunted by dreams of Colt’s kiss. When morning comes, Lauren and I head to the fields behind the pack house.

"You stayed up late last night," Lauren notes.

"Yeah," I reply. "Niles isn't... bothering me anymore."

She smiles. "I'm glad you don't have to watch your back anymore. At least not from him." She pauses, grinning. "It's good you didn't come home early, though. I was feeling rather energetic, and James really let me have it!"

"Eww! What is wrong with you? You don't have to tell me those things!"

She bursts into laughter so loud that birds scatter from the trees.

"It's not funny, you perverted woman! Keep it to yourself!"

Suddenly, Ezra stomps out of the house, looking enraged. Lauren glances at me, terrified, but I nod at her to leave.

"Are you sure?" she mouths. I nod again.

"What the hell did you do?" Ezra demands, pointing a finger at my face.

"Oh? Didn't like the taste of your own medicine?"

His eyes flare. "Who? Who was it?"

"Did you cry?" I ask, taunting him.

"What?"

"Did you tear up when you felt it?"

"NO!" he shouts.

"It hurt, though," I say, struggling to suppress a smile.

He grinds his teeth, his jaw clenching.

"Gosh, I remember the first time I felt it," I continue. "I thought I was going to die. I'm used to it now, though. Sucks for you that you're not."

He is furious. "Tell me who it was!"

"Am I?"

"YES!" he screams.

I glance around at the other pack members nearby. "Careful. If you scream any louder, people are going to start talking."

He snarls. "Do you really think anyone would believe that you and I are mates?" He smirks. "They'd sooner believe I'm mated to the old cook than your sorry ass. No one wants you, and I sure as hell don't."

I smile. "Well, someone clearly does."

His smug expression vanishes, replaced by a look of pure, crazed rage. I’ve never felt this kind of power before, and honestly, I love it.

As I smile, I glance toward the house and catch Colt staring out of a window, sipping coffee. He watches me and Ezra with an intense gaze that makes me choke on my own breath.

"Gotta get to work. Bye!" I turn and dash toward the fields, leaving Ezra fuming in the dust.

"What was that about?" Lauren asks as I catch up.

"Nothing. Don't worry."

"Oh, I'm worried, all right. Cass, you're no angel. You have a temper, sweetheart, and it's always going to get you into trouble."

"It's okay, Lauren. I promise."

I start watering the gardens, humming to myself. I’ve never felt this content. But less than thirty minutes later, we are interrupted.

"Cass?"

I turn to see Molly, one of the stuck-up Gamma girls. She looks at me as if she’s just tasted something sour.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"The Alpha wants to see you."

"Me?"

"Yes," she says, already turning away.

"Shit..."

"Go!" Lauren whispers urgently.

"But—"

"Just go! It's the Alpha!"

I nod and follow the girl. When we arrive at the pack house, I follow her to the Alpha's office. Inside, I see the Alpha standing behind his desk with Colt next to him. I feel Colt’s eyes on me immediately, but I refuse to look his way.

"Take a seat," the Alpha says.

I’m terrified; I only ever come here for punishment. I sit, heart racing.

"As I was saying," the Alpha continues, "we want to try something different. My son believes that everyone should have a choice regarding their work. It’s all Colt's idea—and to be honest, I don't agree with these methods—but he wants to integrate the Omegas into some of the Gamma tasks. You will all be working in the pack house from now on. We’ll see how this turns out."

Damn it. Why now? And why me? This is a disaster waiting to happen. Does this mean I have to see Ezra constantly? My eyes flicker to Colt, and he is still watching me intently.

Great.

I’ll be seeing him, too.

"Molly will assign your new roles. Please follow her."

Molly sighs and heads out. I follow, dreading what comes next.