Knot the One They Want (Claimverse Book 1)

The scent slams into me the moment I step through the door, stopping me dead in my tracks. Evie’s honeyed sweetness, usually a subtle tease in the background, now screams through the mansion.

Amplified.

Deepened.

Ripened to an intoxicating, dizzying perfume.

She’s in heat. And she’s not alone.

A red mist descends over my vision. My inner alpha snarls, hackles rising as the primitive need to claim my omega claws through me. To shove the others aside and mount her, mark her, fill her with my seed. The urge is so visceral that I’m taking a step toward the stairs before I catch myself.

No. I can’t. I have no right.

Jaw clenched, I force myself to turn away. To put one foot in front of the other until I reach my study. The thick oak door closes behind me with a resounding thud, but it’s not enough. Even here, Evie’s scent mocks me. Calling to me. I can picture her too clearly, flushed and panting, green eyes glassy with need as she writhes on silk sheets…

A growl rips from my throat. I seize the crystal decanter from my desk and fling it at the wall. It shatters in an explosion of amber liquid and glittering shards. But the brief violence does nothing to ease the storm inside me.

Raking a hand through my hair, I stalk to the window. The night presses close, my reflection a dark shadow against the glass.

Evie deserves better than me.

After what I did… how I treated her…

Self-loathing twists like a knife in my gut. It’s one thing for me to give up trying to push her away, but wanting her like this?

There’s no denying it. Evie has burrowed under my skin, embedded herself in my very bones.

And then there’s Daria…

I exhale harshly, my breath fogging the glass. Daria. The name alone brings a familiar ache. I loved her. Trusted her. Believed the pretty lies she whispered as I planned to make her my mate. My omega.

Only to have her rip out my heart.

The rational part of me knows it’s over. Has been for a long time. But letting go of the hurt, the bitterness that has driven me for so long, feels like surrendering. Like she wins.

That doesn’t even make sense.

I can realize that now. Asher and the others were right all along. It’s not loyalty that’s motivated me, or even love. It’s pride, plain and simple.

Pride that almost cost Evie’s life.

Maybe I loved Daria once, or maybe she was right. Maybe she was never anything more than a possession to me. Maybe that’s really why she left. And maybe the soul-rending rage I felt when she walked out that door was more indignation that for once in my life, I wasn’t the one pushing someone else away.

I’ve never been good at being told there’s something I can’t have. And from the newest toys and finest schools in my childhood to entire corporations, houses, cars, and even people now that I’m a grown man, the things I can’t have are few and far between.

Daria was one of them.

I thought it was love, but now…

All I know is that when we found Evie on that bathroom floor, I felt something I’ve never felt in my entire life. Something I never thought I was capable of.

True, actual fear. Terror.

Goddamn it.

I scrub a hand over my face. I don’t know what to do. What I feel for Evie…it terrifies me. It’s too intense. Too consuming. If I let myself have her, claim her completely, there will be no going back. She’ll own me in a way no one else ever has. Not even Daria.

And if she betrays me, too…

I don’t think I’d survive it. Not again.

Not because of what it would do to my ego, although that would definitely be a gargantuan blow. No, this time, it will be because she’s taking a part of me I didn’t even know existed until her. But it’s a part I’m not sure I can live without.

A broken laugh escapes me. Look at me. The ruthless Damien Blackwood, master of my empire, laid low by a woman.

By an omega.

My father was right. I’m not the heir the Blackwood empire needs. I’m not the leader this pack needs.

And I’m certainly not the alpha Evie needs.

I push away from the window, restlessness driving me from the suffocating confines of my study. The mansion feels too small, too close. Evie’s scent lingers everywhere, a constant reminder of what I can’t have.

My feet carry me outside before I realize it. The cool night air washes over me, a balm to my fevered skin. I breathe deeply, trying to clear my head.

Where do I go from here?

The gravel crunches beneath my shoes as I walk, no destination in mind. The manicured gardens give way to wilder growth, the carefully tended paths fading into barely-there trails.

Still, I press on.

A twig snaps under my foot. I pause, realizing how far I’ve wandered. The lights of the mansion are a distant glow through the trees. Here, in the depths of the Blackwood estate, the night presses close. Crickets chirp, a gentle breeze rustles leaves overhead. For a moment, I’m transported back to childhood summers spent exploring these woods with my brothers.

When did I lose that sense of wonder?

That ability to find joy in simple things?

I know the answer. The day I decided being the perfect Blackwood heir was more important than being myself.

And now? Now I’m adrift. The mask I’ve worn for so long is cracking, revealing the uncertain man beneath. It would be so easy to retreat, to rebuild those walls higher and stronger than ever.

But Evie…

I want her. I want her with an intensity that leaves me breathless.

And that’s what truly scares me.

I finally turn back toward the mansion, my pace quicker now. The feeling of being watched doesn’t leave me until I step onto the manicured lawn.

It’s late when I finally return, the grand clock in the foyer chiming midnight as I enter. The house is quiet, the scent of Evie’s heat faded to bearable levels. She must have found relief.

My chest tightens at the thought.

Was it Asher who helped her through the first wave of her heat? Cole and Lake? All of them?

Jealousy, hot and bitter, rises in my throat. I have no right to it. I’ve pushed her away at every turn, too caught up in my own pain to see what was right in front of me.

Even if I pursued her now, she wouldn’t want me.

And who could blame her?

I make my way to the kitchen, desperate for a drink to dull the ache in my chest. The soft glow of the refrigerator light stops me in my tracks. Evie stands there, bathed in its ethereal glow, a vision in a silky robe that clings to her curves. Her hair is tousled, cheeks flushed with a post-heat glow that makes my mouth go dry. A half-eaten cookie dangles from her lips, milk jug in one hand and a banana in the other.

Our eyes lock. For a heartbeat, neither of us moves.

I can’t help the low chuckle that escapes me. ‘Midnight feast?’

Evie’s eyes widen. She slowly removes the cookie from between her lips, a dusting of crumbs falling to the floor. ‘I… um…’

‘Relax,’ I say, softer than I intend. ‘It’s your house, too.’

My words seem to catch her by surprise. She shifts, clearly flustered at being caught. It’s… endearing. I’ve seen Evie poised and professional, furious and passionate.

But this?

This unguarded moment makes her even more alluring.

‘Do you want me to make you some actual food?’

Surprise flickers across her face. ‘You cook?’

‘There’s a lot you don’t know about me.’ The words slip out before I can stop them, more honest than I’ve been in years.

Evie tilts her head, curiosity replacing embarrassment. ‘I’m starting to see that.’

I gesture to the bar stools at the kitchen island. ‘Sit. I’ll whip something up.’

She hesitates for a moment, then nods. As she settles onto a stool, I move past her to the fridge, hyper-aware of her presence. Her scent, while no longer the overwhelming force it was earlier, still wraps around me like a caress.

I busy myself gathering ingredients, falling into the familiar rhythm of cooking. It’s been too long since I’ve done this. Running a multi-billion dollar empire doesn’t leave much time for hobbies.

‘So,’ Evie says, breaking the comfortable silence. ‘Where did the great Damien Blackwood learn to cook?’

I crack eggs into a bowl, whisking as I speak. ‘My grandmother, actually. She believed every Blackwood should know how to fend for themselves, CEO or not.’

‘Smart woman.’

‘She was.’ I pause, memories of summers spent in her sun-drenched kitchen washing over me. ‘She’d be disappointed in how I’ve been acting lately.’

Evie says nothing, but I feel the weight of her gaze.

I pour the eggs into a hot pan, the sizzle filling the kitchen. ‘I owe you an apology, Evie. For a lot of things. I haven’t really gotten the chance since you’ve been home.’

Home.

That word seems to pierce us both like a dagger, for very different reasons. Me because I realize it’s the truth. This is her home. Always has been. And I made what should have been her sanctuary—her safe place, the one place in this world she can feel more protected than any other—into a warzone.

‘Damien…’

‘No, please. Let me say this.’ I keep my eyes on the pan, unable to face her. ‘I’ve been… difficult. No. Cruel. I let my past cloud my judgment, and you paid the price for it. I know it’s not enough, and I know it probably doesn’t mean anything to you at this point, but… I’m sorry.’

The silence stretches between us, broken only by the scrape of the spatula against the pan.

I plate the eggs, sliding them across the counter to Evie. Her fingertips brush mine as she accepts the offering, sending a jolt of electricity through me. I turn away quickly, busying myself with cleaning up.

‘Thank you,’ she says softly.

The words catch me off guard. I spin to face her, confusion etched across my features. ‘What?’

Evie meets my gaze, her green eyes impossibly deep. ‘Thank you. For the apology. And the eggs.’

I wait for the other shoe to drop. For her to tell me exactly where I can shove my apology. But it doesn’t come. Instead, she picks up her fork and takes a delicate bite, humming with appreciation.

‘This is really good,’ she says, gesturing with her fork.

I lean against the counter, arms crossed. ‘You’re… welcome.’ The words feel foreign on my tongue. When was the last time I genuinely thanked someone? Or had been thanked in return?

Evie takes another bite, chewing thoughtfully. ‘Can I ask you something?’

I nod, wary but curious of what the question is going to be.

She sets down her fork, her expression serious. ‘Why do you hate me so much?’

The question hits me like a physical blow. I open my mouth, then close it, struggling to find the right words.

‘You don’t have to answer,’ she adds quickly. ‘I just… I’ve been trying to understand. Was it something I did? Something about me specifically?’

‘No,’ I say, the word escaping me in a rush. ‘It’s a valid question, but I don’t. I don’t hate you.’

At least… not anymore.

Evie’s brow furrows, as if that bothers her more than the prospect of me hating her. ‘Then why?’

Why? That’s a good question.

I clear my throat. ‘It wasn’t you. It was never you.’

She shakes her head, clearly troubled. ‘I don’t understand.’

I run a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling up. How do I explain without sounding like a complete ass? When I realize that’s a foregone conclusion, I decide to just go with the truth and let the chips fall where they may.

‘The truth, Evie, is that I was going to hate any omega who was pushed on us,’ I admit finally. ‘It didn’t matter who you were, or what you were like. I’d already made up my mind before we even met.’

She processes this, nodding thoughtfully. ‘But why?’ she finally asks. She doesn’t sound upset or even hurt. Just genuinely curious.

The million-dollar question.

I could brush it off, make some excuse about pack dynamics or business pressures. But Evie deserves better than that. She deserves the full, unvarnished truth.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. ‘Have you ever heard the name Daria Volkov?’

Evie frowns again, then shakes her head.

‘She was… our mate. Before you.’

Understanding dawns in Evie’s eyes. It takes her a moment to process that, too, and I can’t say I blame her. ‘What happened?’

The old pain rises, a dull ache in my chest. But it’s different now. Muted. Like looking at an old photograph that’s faded around the edges.

‘We thought we loved her,’ I say quietly. ‘I thought I loved her. But it was all a lie. She was using us, playing us against each other. And when she got bored, when she realized she liked the trappings of this life but none of the responsibility and scrutiny that comes with it, she left us. For another alpha.’

Evie’s eyes widen, and I can see everything within them. The hurt, mingled with the confusion mingled with sympathy I don’t deserve. ‘You all had a mate,’ she finally murmurs. ‘Before me?’

I can only nod. I assumed one of the others had told her. That they would have outed my mastermind role in her rejection so she won’t hate them when I’m the one to blame.

And I can’t say I would have blamed them.

But they didn’t. They didn’t tell her about Daria, and I can only assume it’s out of loyalty to me.

Which makes me feel even worse.

‘Did you… mark her?’ The words are brittle and dry in her throat.

I want to reach out, to touch her and tell her she doesn’t have to worry about her place in this pack. Not anymore. But I know those words would probably ring hollow coming from me, at least until she understands.

And she needs to know. Deserves to. Then and only then can she make an informed decision about the pack. About me.

I swallow hard, the weight of the truth pressing down on me. ‘Yes, we marked her. We had a full mating ceremony, everything. It was… it was supposed to be forever.’

Evie’s eyes widen, a flicker of pain crossing her face before she masks it. I hate that I’ve caused her more hurt, but she deserves to know everything.

‘When she first left, we thought she just needed time. That the pressure of being the Blackwood omega was too much, especially with our families disapproving of the match. Daria was an outsider. Philanthropy and event planning weren’t really her thing, and I don’t think she realized how much was going to be expected of her as a member of the pack. We gave her space, believing she’d come back to us eventually.’

The memory of those days, the hope that slowly turned to despair, still burns. Mostly because of the toll I saw it taking on my pack mates. ‘But then… we felt it. The mark breaking. She’d chosen another alpha, severing our bond completely.’

Evie gasps softly, her hand flying to her throat. ‘That’s… that’s possible? I thought only alphas could break a bond.’

I give a dry laugh. Of course they wouldn’t tell a sheltered omega like her that. They wouldn’t want them to know how much power they hold over us. But she deserves to know that, too. ‘Oh, it goes both ways. And it nearly killed us. Lake… Lake took it the hardest. He ended up in the hospital.’

Understanding dawns in Evie’s eyes, followed quickly by sympathy I don’t deserve. ‘So that’s why you hated me,’ she whispers. ‘You still want Daria.’

The words hit me like a physical blow, and I realize the revelation I had on the walk is true.

Somewhere along the way, I did stop wanting Daria.

Or maybe I never really wanted her in the first place. It felt so intense, so real, I thought it was love. But now, in the wake of these emotions I feel for the woman sitting across from me, I’m not sure anymore. Maybe it was just obsession.

Whatever I’m feeling for Evie is different.

So different, it can’t possibly be the same thing.

But as much as it’s driving me to claim her, to take the mate I should have accepted and cherished from the beginning, there’s a part of me that knows it might be too late.

A part of me that cares too much for her to try to force her to accept me the way I was so eager to do with Daria. Not because I want Evie any less, but because for the first time in my life, I want something more than my own selfish ambitions and alpha pride.

‘No,’ I finally say, meeting her gaze. ‘I did. And for a long time, I couldn’t let go. I wouldn’t let the pack move on. But Evie, you have to understand, what I said at the hospital was the honest truth. The others wanted you from the beginning. They were against rejecting you. All of this, the way you’ve been treated… it’s on me. Not them.’

Evie’s lips purse, processing my words. I can virtually see the wheels turning in her mind, reevaluating everything she thought she knew about our pack dynamics.

All I can do is hope she finally believes me.

‘I know it doesn’t excuse my behavior,’ I continue, the words pouring out of me now. ‘Nothing can. But I need you to know that if me walking away from the pack is what it takes to make you feel safe, to let you move forward with them… I’ll do it.’

Shock flashes across Evie’s face. ‘What?’

‘I mean it,’ I say, my voice low. ‘You deserve to be happy, Evie. To feel loved and cherished by your alphas. If my presence is preventing that, I’ll remove myself from the equation.’

‘You already marked me,’ she protests, her fair brows furrowing.

‘And the others completed their marks,’ I remind her. I can feel it. It’s strange, like a chasm has opened up between us. But I can already see their marks solidified on her skin, and I can feel them through our bond. It’s a bittersweet knowledge. And I have only myself to blame. ‘If you take another alpha, it would sever our bond completely. I know they wouldn’t fight you on it, if it’s what you wanted, and believe me when I say any alpha in the coalition would jump at the chance.’

Any alpha but the dumbass standing in front of her.

The fact that’s changed doesn’t mean I deserve her. Even if the words feel like acid leaving my throat and the thought of another alpha touching her is so abhorrent that I know I’m going to have to leave the damn country, let alone the pack, just to keep myself from rending him limb from limb.

The silence that follows is deafening. Evie stares at me, her expression unreadable. I brace myself for her response, half-expecting her to jump at the chance to be rid of me.

But when she speaks, her voice is soft, almost hesitant. ‘Sounds like you have it all planned out. Am I really that distasteful to you?’ Her voice is raw, vulnerable in a way I haven’t seen her since I rejected her on our mating night. ‘That you’d walk away from your own pack just to be rid of me?’

‘No!’ The word bursts from me, horror flooding my veins. I round the kitchen island, desperate to erase that look of hurt from Evie’s face. ‘God, no. That’s not it at all.’

I stand before her, close enough to catch the faint scent of vanilla and honey that clings to her skin. My hands itch to touch her, to pull her close and never let go.

But I don’t deserve that comfort. Not yet.

‘Evie, I…’

The words catch in my throat. I’ve spent so long burying my emotions, hiding behind a mask of cold indifference. But now, faced with the possibility of losing her forever, I can’t hold back anymore.

‘I want you,’ I confess, my voice raw. ‘I’ve wanted you from the moment I first saw you.’

Her eyes widen, disbelief warring with hope.

‘I never hated you,’ I continue bitterly. ‘I hated myself. For wanting you so desperately when I thought I wasn’t over Daria. For being weak enough to fall for another omega. But I can’t keep fighting it anymore.’

I rake a hand through my hair, frustration and self-loathing bubbling up. ‘But I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. After everything I’ve put you through, how could you possibly accept me? That’s why I’m willing to walk away. To give you a chance at happiness with the pack—without my baggage weighing you all down.’

Evie’s gaze sharpens, a spark of defiance igniting in those depths. ‘Shouldn’t that be my decision to make?’

Her words jar me once more. Of course. Even now, I’m trying to control the situation, to decide what’s best for her without giving her a say.

‘You’re right,’ I admit, a rueful smile tugging at my lips. ‘I’m not very good at this, am I?’

A hint of amusement flickers across her face. ‘You are an alpha. But you’re learning.’

That tiny bit of encouragement, that she hasn’t immediately rejected me, sends hope surging through my chest. I take a tentative step closer, drawn to her like a moth to flame.

‘Evie, I…’ I swallow hard, searching for the right words. ‘I know I’ve hurt you. Pushed you away when I should have been pulling you close. But if you’ll let me, I want to make it right. To be the alpha you deserve.’

She studies me, her gaze so intense I feel like she can see straight into my soul. Then, slowly, she reaches out. Her hand comes to rest on my chest, directly over my thundering heart.

The simple touch sets my skin ablaze. My breath catches, every nerve ending hyper-aware of her closeness. For a moment, I’m frozen, afraid to move lest I shatter this fragile moment.

‘Your heart’s racing,’ she murmurs, a hint of wonder in her voice.

It is. For her. Only for her.

‘It’s yours, Evie,’ I say quietly, my voice hoarse with the want I’m trying to restrain, for her sake. ‘If you want it.’

Her eyes lock with mine, searching for any hint of deception. But there’s nothing left to hide. I’m laid bare before her, all my walls crumbling to dust.

I don’t know who moves first. One moment we’re staring at each other, the air crackling with tension. The next, her lips are on mine, soft and sweet and everything I’ve ever wanted.

I cup her face in my hands, pouring every ounce of longing, every whispered apology, every promise for the future into that kiss. Evie melts against me, her arms winding around my neck as she pulls me closer.

Time seems to stand still. The world narrows down to just this—the warmth of her body against mine, the taste of her lips, the soft sigh that escapes her as I deepen the kiss.

When we finally part, both breathless, I rest my forehead against hers. ‘I don’t deserve you,’ I murmur.

Evie’s fingers card through my hair, sending shivers down my spine. ‘Maybe not,’ she agrees, a hint of teasing in her voice. ‘But I’m willing to let you try to earn it.’

A laugh bubbles up from my chest, relief and joy intertwining. ‘I’ll spend every day proving myself to you, if that’s what it takes.’

She pulls back slightly, her expression turning serious. ‘No more pushing me away? No more making decisions about what’s best for me without asking?’

‘Never again,’ I vow, meaning it with every fiber of my being. ‘From now on, we’re partners. Equals.’

A slow smile spreads across Evie’s face, brighter than the sun. ‘Then kiss me again, alpha.’

I’m more than happy to oblige.

I lift Evie onto the kitchen counter, her legs wrapping around my waist as our lips meet again. The cool marble contrasts with the heat radiating between us. My hands roam her back, tracing the curve of her spine through the thin fabric of her shirt. Every touch, every breath feels electric.

Evie’s fingers tangle in my hair, tugging gently. A low growl escapes me, primal and possessive. She shivers in response, pressing closer.

‘Damien,’ she whispers against my lips, my name a prayer and a plea all at once.

I pull back slightly, drinking in the sight of her. Cheeks flushed, lips swollen, eyes dark with desire. She’s breathtaking, and the knowledge that she wants me—despite everything—leaves me humbled and awed.

‘I’ve been such a fucking idiot,’ I murmur, tracing the line of her jaw with my thumb.

Evie captures my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. ‘We have time now. To get it right.’

The simple acceptance in her words nearly undoes me. I’ve spent so long pushing her away. But here she is, offering me a second chance I never thought I’d have.

My lips find Evie’s again, hungry and insistent. She matches my passion, her fingers digging into my shoulders as she pulls me closer. The scent of her arousal fills the air, sweet and intoxicating. My inner alpha roars to life, demanding I claim what’s mine.

I trail kisses along her jaw, down the column of her throat. Evie tilts her head, offering better access. A whimper escapes her as I nip at her pulse point, right where my mark should be.

A mistake I intend to fix here and now.

‘Damien,’ she breathes, her voice husky with need. ‘Please…’

The sound of my name on her lips nearly shatters my control. I pull back, meeting her gaze. Her eyes are dark, pupils wide. A flush spreads across her cheeks, down her neck, disappearing beneath the neckline of her robe.

‘Tell me what you want, sweetheart,’ I murmur, my hands skimming her sides. ‘I need to hear you say it.’

Evie’s teeth catch her bottom lip, a hint of shyness creeping into her expression. It’s endearing, considering our current position. But I need her to be sure. To know without a doubt that this is what she wants.

‘I want you,’ she says softly, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. ‘All of you.’

The words send a jolt of electricity through me. I capture her lips again, pouring every ounce of longing and desire I’ve been holding back into the kiss. Evie responds eagerly, her legs tightening around my waist.

My hands find the hem of her shirt, slipping underneath to caress the soft skin of her back. Evie arches into my touch, a soft moan escaping her. The sound goes straight to my groin, my already hard cock straining against the confines of my pants.

‘Evie,’ I growl, breaking the kiss to look into her eyes. ‘If we don’t stop now, I won’t be able to hold back. Are you sure this is what you want?’

Her gaze is steady, unwavering as she meets mine. ‘I’m sure, Damien. I want this. I want you.’

The last threads of my restraint snap. I lift her off the counter, her legs still wrapped around me. Evie gasps, her arms tightening around my neck as I carry her toward the living room. I don’t think I have the restraint to make it upstairs, and the others’ questions might delay things further.

I eye the huge fur rug in the middle of the floor, right by the warm glow of the fireplace, and decide it’ll have to do. As long as Evie doesn’t complain about it not being a proper nest, but the moment I lay her gently across the rug, her fingers tangle in my hair and she brings her lips to mine once more, so I don’t think she minds.

I guide her head gently back against the plush fur rug, her hair fanning out around her like a halo. The firelight casts a warm glow on her skin, making her look ethereal. For a moment, I’m struck speechless by her beauty, wondering how I ever resisted this.

‘Damien?’ Evie’s voice, soft and questioning, breaks me from my reverie.

I lean down, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. ‘You’re breathtaking,’ I murmur against her mouth.

Her hands come up to frame my face, her touch impossibly gentle. ‘So are you,’ she whispers back, her eyes shining with an emotion I hardly dare name.

We kiss again, slower this time, savoring each other. My hands roam her body, memorizing every curve, every dip. Evie arches into my touch, soft sighs and mewls escaping her.

I pull back slightly, my fingers finding the sash of Evie’s robe. Our eyes lock, and I pause, silently asking permission. She nods, a soft smile playing at her lips.

With reverent care, I untie the sash, letting it fall open. My breath catches as I slowly part the fabric, revealing smooth skin underneath. Evie shivers, but not from cold. The fire beside us bathes her in warmth, casting a golden glow across her form.

‘So beautiful,’ I murmur, drinking in the sight of her.

A blush spreads across Evie’s cheeks, but she doesn’t look away. There’s trust in her gaze, mixed with a vulnerability that humbles me. After everything I’ve put her through, she’s still willing to let me in, to be this open with me.

I trail kisses down the center of her chest, nuzzling the soft swell of her breasts. Evie’s breath hitches, her fingers tightening in my hair. I lavish attention on each breast, reveling in the little gasps and sighs my ministrations elicit.

Lower still I go, mapping the planes of her stomach with lips and tongue. I pause to place a reverent kiss just below her navel, silently worshiping her. The thought of her soft, curvy body full of my seed sends a wave of possessive desire through me, but I temper it.

We have time for that.

For now, this is about Evie.

I continue my descent, pressing kisses to the jut of her hipbones, the soft skin of her inner thighs. Evie trembles beneath me, her scent growing heavier with arousal.

‘Damien, please,’ she whimpers, hips lifting slightly in invitation.

I look up, meeting her gaze. Her eyes are dark with desire, cheeks flushed, lips parted. She’s never looked more beautiful.

‘I’ve got you, sweetheart,’ I murmur, settling between her thighs. ‘Let me take care of you.’

As I lower my head, intent on showing Evie just how cherished she is, a sense of rightness washes over me. This is where I belong. Where we belong.

And I silently vow to spend the rest of my life making sure she never doubts it again.

I push her soft thighs open and dive between her legs, tasting her. She tastes just like she smells, like vanilla and honey and every good thing I never even knew I needed.

I savor Evie’s essence, overwhelmed by the intimacy of this moment. Her soft sighs and gentle tremors fill me with a profound sense of connection. I’ve never felt so attuned to another person, so aware of every subtle response.

My hands caress her thighs as I lavish her with attention, determined to please her. Evie’s fingers tangle in my hair, guiding me. I follow her lead, relishing the way she responds to my touch.

‘Damien,’ she breathes, my name a reverent prayer on her lips.

I look up, meeting her gaze. The vulnerability and trust I see there nearly undoes me.

I redouble my efforts, wanting—no, needing—to show her how cherished she is. How sorry I am for pushing her away. How I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her, if she’ll let me.

My tongue delves into her, greedily lapping at her hot, sweet core. She tastes like candy, and I can’t get enough. And her scent… fuck, it’s permeating my soul. I need this woman like I’ve never needed anything or anyone in my life.

The little sounds she’s making as she tries to keep those full hips from bucking into my face are sinfully delicious. I swallow each one down, pushing her closer to the brink.

Evie’s back arches, a soft cry escaping her. I hold her steady, guiding her through the waves and aftershocks. When she comes down, I press tender kisses to her inner thighs, her hipbones, slowly working my way back up her body.

‘You’re incredible,’ I whisper against her skin. ‘So beautiful. So perfect.’

Evie looks down at me, her face flushed and her lips still kiss-swollen as she recovers from her orgasm. The sight of the prim and proper omega, always so put together, lying on a fur rug with her thighs fallen open looking utterly wrecked is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

‘Please,’ she moans, squirming with desire. ‘I need you.’

‘You need what?’ I demand, already crawling up between her legs, covering her body with mine. She’s so much smaller, softer, sweeter. I want to devour her, to have her screaming my name while I’m buried inside her, knot and all. ‘Tell me, sweetheart.’

‘I need you,’ she murmurs. ‘Inside me.’

That’s all the confirmation I need, but hearing it on her lips makes my cock even harder.

I trail kisses along her jaw, down the graceful column of her throat. Evie tilts her head, offering better access, and a low growl of approval rumbles in my chest as I undo my belt and free my cock. My inner alpha preens at her trust, at this silent submission.

‘You’re everything,’ I breathe against her skin. ‘Everything I never knew I needed.’

Evie’s hands roam my back, her touch igniting sparks wherever she caresses. I revel in the sensation, in the knowledge that she wants me as desperately as I want her.

‘Damien,’ she sighs, my name a prayer on her lips.

I position myself at her entrance, the tip of my straining cock teasing, finally granting her wish.

‘You ready, sweetheart?’ I murmur.

Evie’s eyes snap open, her breath catching as she gazes up at me. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, her breasts flushed a rosy pink. Her lips part, but no words come out. Only a soft whimper as she nods.

Needing no further invitation, I thrust forward, burying myself deep within her heat. Evie’s eyes widen as she lets out a strangled gasp, her fingers digging into my shoulders. ‘Damien,’ she whispers, her voice laced with wonder and a hint of distress.

‘Shh, I’ve got you,’ I assure her, even as my own breath hitches at the exquisite sensation of being enveloped by her. ‘Just relax. Let me take care of you.’

Slowly, gently, I begin to move, my hips swaying in a steady rhythm. With each thrust, I feel our connection deepen—a tangible bond forming between us. Evie’s eyes flutter closed as she surrenders, her body moving in perfect synchronicity with mine.

The fire crackles nearby, casting dancing shadows across her face, but it’s the fire burning between us that truly has me entranced. This woman, with her unwavering trust and generous heart, has brought me back to life.

I lean down, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss as I thrust deeper, my hands gripping her hips to pull her closer. Evie meets my kiss with equal fervor, her tongue tangling with mine as she wraps her legs around my waist.

The ecstasy builds, a coil of tension in my lower abdomen, demanding release. But I hold back, determined to give it to Evie first.

“Come for me, Evie,” I whisper against her lips, my hips moving faster, harder. “Let go.”

Evie’s breath catches, her nails digging into my skin as she arches her back, offering herself to me. ‘Damien!’ she cries out, her release crashing over her.

I bury my face in her neck, inhaling her scent as my own climax builds. ‘That’s it, sweetheart. Let me feel you come around me.’

Her inner walls flutter around me, milking my cock, and any semblance of control I had shatters. With a growl, I surrender to the claiming instinct, pushing deeper as my knot works its way into her.

Evie’s eyes fly open, her breath coming in sharp gasps as she feels me filling her completely. ‘Damien…’ she whimpers, her nails scratching my back as she clings to me.

I bite back a groan, fighting for control as my knot expands, locking us together. ‘You’re doing so good, taking my knot,’ I growl, sounding absolutely feral. And I am, for her. ‘Like you were made for me.’

Evie’s eyes, dark and dilated with desire, search mine. ‘Yours,’ she breathes in surrender.

My heart, which I thought had hardened beyond repair, swells at her words. I lean down, capturing her lips in another possessive kiss. Making her taste how fucking sweet she is on my tongue.

I thrust harder, my knot throbbing inside her tight, hot pussy. She fits me like a glove.

I could lose myself forever in this dance with Evie. She meets my rhythm with her own, each thrust bringing me closer to the edge. But I want something more—something permanent.

I want to mark her.

The desire takes me by surprise, but it’s there, burning in my chest. I want to brand her as mine, to seal our bond with my scent and my mark. To make it clear to the world that she’s mine and only mine.

But I hesitate. Even in the midst of our passion, I pause, unsure.

Will she let me?

After everything I’ve put her through, does she trust me enough to accept my mark?

My gaze searches her face, and I see the answer in her eyes. She knows what I want, what I’m asking of her. And slowly, a smile spreads across her lips.

‘Finish what you started, Damien,’ she whispers, her voice filled with acceptance I don’t deserve.

My heart swells at her words, and a rush of possessive need claims me. I nip at her neck, my teeth grazing her sensitive skin over my mark, which is no longer the angry red wound it was in the hospital. But it’s not quite solidified, even if it’s begun to scar.

With a growl, I surrender to my release, my knot swelling to its full potential as I come, spilling myself into her. The mark completes itself, a perfect replica of my bite, transforming into a light, silvery crescent on her skin, and I feel a spiritual connection forming between us alongside it.

We are one. Body and soul.

As I fill her, my knot throbs and expands, locking us together. Evie whimpers, her breath coming in sharp gasps as she feels the full extent of my possession. But there’s no distress in her eyes, only wonder and desire.

‘You’re mine, Evie,’ I growl, sounding feral even to my own ears. ‘Mine, forever.’

She smiles up at me, her eyes shining with a love that takes my breath away. ‘Yours,’ she agrees, her voice soft and breathy.

Our lips meet in a passionate kiss, sealing the promise between us. As our tongues tangle, I feel our connection deepen. We are bound, in body and spirit, and nothing can break that bond.

I won’t let it.

I hold Evie close, savoring the warmth of her body against mine as our breathing gradually slows. The fire crackles softly beside us, casting a warm glow across her flushed skin. I trace gentle patterns on her back, marveling at the softness beneath my fingertips.

‘Are you alright?’ I murmur, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.

Evie looks up at me, her eyes shining with an emotion that makes my heart swell. ‘More than alright,’ she whispers, a soft smile playing at her lips.

I’m about to respond when the sound of footsteps on the stairs makes us both freeze. Evie’s eyes widen in panic, and I instinctively tighten my hold on her, my inner alpha rising to protect what’s mine.

‘Hey, did anyone else hear—’ Cole’s voice cuts off abruptly as he rounds the corner, followed closely by Lake and Asher.

For a moment, silence reigns. I can feel the heat of Evie’s blush against my chest as she buries her face in my neck. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, a part of me preens at being caught like this.

Let them see.

Let them know she’s mine.

Asher is the first to break the silence, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. ‘Well, well, well. What do we have here?’

I meet his gaze steadily, refusing to show any hint of embarrassment. And I have plenty to feel shame over. Just not this. ‘I think that’s fairly obvious, Asher.’

Cole lets out a low whistle, his eyes darting between Evie and me. ‘Damn, Damien. When you decide to do something, you really go all out, don’t you?’

Evie makes a small sound of mortification, and I rub soothing circles on her back. ‘It’s alright, sweetheart,’ I murmur for her ears only.

Lake steps forward, his expression a mix of amusement and genuine happiness. ‘I guess this means you finally got over yourself and decided to claim our omega properly, huh?’

Our omega. Not just mine, but ours.

The possessive alpha in me bristles at the thought while I’m still buried inside her, locked with her, but I force it down.

He’s right. She belongs to all of us.

We belong to her.

I can see it so clearly now. I thought she was going to tear our pack apart, but in reality, she’s the only thing that can hold us together.

I nod, meeting Lake’s gaze. ‘So I have,’ I concede. No point in denying it. I was wrong, and my pack knows that better than anyone.

Evie shifts in my arms, finally lifting her head to face the others. Her cheeks are still flushed, but there’s a determined set to her jaw that I can’t help but admire.

‘I’m sorry if we… disturbed you,’ she says, her voice steady despite her obvious embarrassment.

Asher chuckles, shaking his head. ‘Trust me, darling, there’s nothing to apologize for. We’re just glad Damien finally came to his senses.’

I feel a rush of affection for my packmates. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, there’s no judgment in their eyes, only acceptance and genuine happiness for us.

‘Well,’ Cole says, clapping his hands together, ‘as entertaining as this little scene is, I think we should probably give you two some privacy to… finish up.’ He winks at Evie, causing her to bury her face in my chest again.

I growl softly, more out of principle than any real anger. ‘Watch it, Cole.’

He holds up his hands in mock surrender, but the grin doesn’t leave his face. ‘Hey, just stating the obvious. Come on, guys. Let’s leave the lovebirds alone.’

As they turn to head back upstairs, Lake pauses, looking back at us with a soft smile. ‘We’re happy for you both. Really.’

Once they’re gone, I look down at Evie, worried about how she’s taking all of this. To my surprise, she’s smiling, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

‘Well,’ she says, her voice tinged with laughter, ‘that wasn’t exactly how I imagined telling them.’

I can’t help but chuckle, the tension draining from my body. ‘No, I suppose not. Are you okay?’

Evie nods, her fingers dancing across my shoulder. ‘Yeah. Better than okay.’

‘You’re ours now,’ I tell her, even though I finally understand she always was. She was always meant to be.

A sleepy, satisfied smile spreads across her perfect face. ‘I guess I can get used to the sound of that.’

I nuzzle her neck, holding her close as I shift our positions to be more comfortable for her. As she drifts off, I find myself staying awake, listening to the sound of her heartbeat, feeling it against my knot. Each pulse seems to drive the bond forming between us deeper. Binding her to me.

I hold her tighter, breathing in her soft scent. The light from her that chases away the dark thoughts of the past and how close I came to losing this.

Losing her.

I’m never going to make that mistake again.

Never going to let her go.