"Harder!"

The alcohol had my mind all fuzzy—I could barely think straight as I wrapped my legs tightly around his solid waist, my hands moving over his body in a way that left no room for confusion.

He seemed a bit taken aback for a split second, but didn’t say a thing. Instead, he picked up the pace.

I pulled him down into a kiss, desperate and messy. He froze for a second, then slowly held the back of my head and deepened the kiss.

His tongue dove in without apology, stealing every last bit of air from my lungs before he finally pulled back. I was breathless.

He wrapped an arm around my waist, his intense gaze locking on me. That voice of his dropped low.

“Ella, tell me… who am I?”

I gave him a dazed smile, staring up at him, mumbling, “You’re... Oliver Davis...”

He didn’t look away. A moment later, he shoved me down under him, and all I could do was hold on, arms flung around his shoulders.

Beads of sweat slid from his neck onto my fingers—he was burning hot. I leaned up and kissed him again.

The kiss dragged on, hungry and all-consuming. When we finally broke apart, I licked the base of his throat with a satisfied hum.

"Oliver, you're unreal..."

Just as my whole body was heating up, his hand slipped under my clothes.

He hiked up the white dress I was wearing, and I couldn’t stop the sound that escaped my mouth.

—

Morning came, and I sat up, clutching my pounding head.

It felt like there was a rock concert happening in my skull.

The memories of last night hit me like a truck—I was huddled in a corner, heartbreak ripping me apart as I watched the one guy I thought I loved.

Jackson, the Alpha from the White Moon Pack, standing at that fancy party with his drink, laughing way too loud with everyone around him.

“Ella? She’s just some stray Omega the Gru Pack picked up. Not even worth my time.”

“She’s just a toy. My mate's gotta be as strong as me.”

Jackson stood there, surrounded by guys from his pack, laughing like it was all one big joke.

After my dad died, the Alpha of Gru Pack took me in. Ever since then, most people looked at me like I was just wasting space.

But I thought Jackson was different. For years, I followed him around like a shadow, thinking maybe—just maybe—he saw me.

Turns out, I was just a throwaway to him. A joke.

How could I have fallen for someone so damn heartless?

The pain burst out before I realized it, tears springing to my eyes.

That’s when the curtains were pulled open, and sunlight came flooding in, blasting away the darkness.

“You’re up?” a lazy voice asked.

I swallowed my sob, turning my head—and froze.

At the edge of the bed stood a man with piercing blue eyes, ridiculously handsome, arms crossed as he looked down at me.He was staring at me, looking a little amused. “Shouldn’t you be the one crying right now, Ella Miller? You’re the one who dragged me into the room, tore off your clothes, and jumped me, remember?”

It hit me who he was.

Oliver?

The Alpha from the Claw Pack?

Oh god, what have I done…

The bite mark on his flawless skin stood out like a sore thumb.

Then I saw the red mark on his neck—and froze.

I swallowed hard, hands clutching the bedsheet as I trembled.

That mark… I did that?

Yeah. No doubt.

Last night, I literally begged Oliver to stay. Wouldn’t let him leave.

“Miss Miller, jogged your memory yet?” Oliver narrowed his eyes, clearly enjoying himself as he nudged me.

He let go and sat down beside me.

Bits and pieces from the night before came flooding back. I’d thrown myself at him—like, full-on top of him. Pretty shameless.

Thank god he kept his head and didn’t mark me back.

Totally panicking, I stammered, “I—I’m so sorry…”

“I get it. Ms. Miller has feelings for me,” Oliver leaned in, the smirk on his face growing. “Or maybe… you planned this?”

No! He misunderstood. I didn’t have a thing for him. Honestly, I never imagined one night would end like this.

The Claw Pack and White Moon Pack work closely all the time. I’d see Jackson often and tagged along whenever I got the chance just to glimpse him.

That meant I’d bumped into Oliver Davis a few times too.

He’s known as the youngest Alpha in the Claw Pack—strong, respected—but never mated.

At the party last night, Jackson was busy flirting. His buddy John noticed me looking over…and totally got the wrong idea.

With a mocking smile, he said, “Oliver’s a hotshot, all the females are into him. Ella, don’t tell me you’re falling for him too, you desperate little Omega?”

I was stunned, then shook my head firmly. “No. I only like Jackson.”

Sure, Oliver was impressive—lots of admirers—but he never did it for me.

But then… minutes later, I actually overheard Jackson say I was just a fling.

Furious, I’d stormed off and pretty much threw myself at Oliver.

“Ella!” Oliver’s face was so close. His voice steady but serious. “You can’t just freeze up. Answer my question.”

I snapped out of it and finally said, “I’ll make it up to you, Alpha Oliver.”

“So, Miss Miller…” Oliver raised a brow, tone softer now. It helped—just a little.

“What’s your plan to make things right?”

I heard my voice shake. “Um… I’ll pay you… and take you out for dinner? Does that work?”

This was all new to me. And yeah, that was honestly the best I could come up with.Oliver smirked even more, teasing, "Miss Miller, are you asking me out to dinner?"

I panicked, realizing he got it all wrong again. "No—if that’s inconvenient for you, I can just make it a cash payment instead."

He suddenly chuckled and grabbed my shoulders firmly—but not in a way that hurt.

"Ella, I gotta tell you, money’s not a problem for me." He sighed.

Yeah, I had no comeback. Oliver was the wealthiest Alpha in the entire Claw Pack.

Whatever amount I offered probably wouldn’t even be a drop in the bucket compared to what he made in a day.

If he wanted to, he could just call the Gru Pack’s Alpha right now and throw me out without hesitation.

I couldn’t let that happen. Being cast out as a rogue was the last thing my pride would allow. But what could I do to make him forgive me?

"I’m sorry. Alpha Oliver... if you want, I’ll accept whatever punishment you give."

My voice came out dry, like it scraped through a sandstorm. I looked up at him, lost.

His expression shifted, that playful tone fading. He straightened and said coldly, "Miss Miller, someone saw you dragging me off during the banquet. An Alpha from the Claw Pack, sleeping with some random Omega? Think about what that means."

I nodded, feeling my stomach twist with regret over how stupid I'd been last night.

Ever since Oliver took over, the Claw Pack had been thriving.

A scandal like this could wreck their whole image, maybe even cause political fallout.

I dropped my gaze, voice barely above a whisper. "What should I do, then? Should I go talk to my father?"

I didn’t mean my birth father—I was talking about Henry Wilson, the Gru Pack’s Alpha.

He was my dad’s old friend, and when my real father passed, he took me in. Without him, I would've been left on the streets.

Would he help me if I begged?

Then Oliver's hand slid to my waist. His voice was low and smooth, "I don’t think that’s necessary, Ella. There’s another way."

His cool fingertips lightly brushed my cheek, his presence radiating that quiet Alpha dominance.

"The question is... are you willing?"

"Yes!" I blurted. "Please—whatever you think will fix this, just tell me. As long as I can do it, I will."

I wrung my hands, waiting, but he didn’t reply right away. My heart sank as silence stretched.

Then he tipped his chin up and looked at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Have a mate ceremony with me."