The Alpha's Heartbound

LO'S

a whisper. Her tone was laced with caution, and I could tell she was still fighting to m

d wariness, her form wrapped in one of the shirts we kept for guests. But it clung to her in all the wrong ways-or the right ones, depending on who you ask

ild," he growled, his v

gh my resolve weakened every second. I nee

lf, Apollo. I know

woman had managed to stir this kind of reaction in me, not even close. But there was more at stake here than ju

r, keeping my gaze locked on hers, letting he

licker of hesitation in my voice.

on mine, even as her brow furrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line. Good. She wasn't just going to cower, thoug

embling with anger and surprise. Her words were slow and

raising an eyebro

he clenched her fists, seemingly trying to ground herself, though her voice betr

ry, saved by my Beta, and you've come claiming you have nowhe

d herself. I could tell she wanted to say something, maybe even spit venom

ree to this?" she finally as

whatever life you ran from. The world outside is cruel, especially with the rogues ro

of something raw, hurt, maybe even betrayal. "So that's what you see m

t the edge of my mind. But I kept my voice even. "You do

hs she could take that wouldn't involve staying here, before her

here was no room for misinterpretation, no chance of her doubting my intentions. He

s she slowly met my gaze again. The hesitation was there, but so

KA'

g some twisted boundary of power just to get a reaction. But the seriousness in his eyes left no room for doubt. Alpha Apollo wanted

n Omega, especially a rogue on the

n't be stuck in a pack that doesn't see my value again. I steadied my

t the edge of his mouth as though he found my resistance amusing. "Sure, we'll have a contract," he replied, his tone laced with a

d by the silence that followed. Orion, standing nearby as his Alpha spoke, looked just as

ight of the decision settle into my bones. But it was as if every terrible thing I'd endured, every lost dream and fear,

than a whisper. "When it's over.

terms, you're free to go. You'll hav

ncere, his promise more solid than anything I'd had in a long time. I couldn't quite understand why he'd pick me, a stranger, a rogue Om

nfidently than I expected. "I'll

row, signaling fo

wn to boss around," I said, my voice clear, each word bold against the silence.

f you. You are not in the position for such a request," he said, his tone serious. "I am the Alpha of thi

t a fraction. I wouldn't want to be controlled

ive, yet surprisingly gentle. My pulse quickened as I felt the warmth of his fingers against my skin, and I fought the urge

shed softly over my lower lip, lingering just long enough to leave me frozen under his gaze. I tried to steady myse

a man like Apollo wouldn't be the hard part; the hard part would be leaving when it was over. He was a force, pulling me into his orbit

his voice low, a hint of a smirk p

me, my heart pounding under his touch. "No," I replie

me shiver. "Good," he murmured, his hand slipping away slo

be everything a woman would want-a perfect blend of power and beauty-but I couldn't afford to see him

tic stare, I realized that sticking to that goal m