Chapter 2

"...Sorry, what did you just say?" I asked, stammering, completely caught off guard. Oliver didn’t blink, just inched closer to me. I could feel his hot breath fanning across my skin, his palm sliding under my clothes without hesitation. He ran his fingers teasingly along my legs, and flashes of last night hit me all over again. A whimper slipped out before I could stop it. He tilted my chin up with one hand. "Just like that... just keep going," he murmured, voice low and full of heat. His Alpha tone had my whole body buzzing. My chest brushed against his arm, my eyes fluttering half-shut, tears threatening to fall. He wasn't even inside me—just touching—but I could already feel my body begging for more. This was instinct, raw and uncontrollable. Every inch of me screamed to be claimed by him. But deep inside, something pulled me back. "Ah... Oliver, please... stop," I gasped, close to sobbing. Oliver paused, visibly confused, then moved his hand away and instead held my trembling fingers that clutched the sheets. He backed off, no force, no pushing—just stopped. His touch still lingered, though, like little shocks dancing across my skin where he’d just been. My cheeks flushed, and I swallowed hard, embarrassed. There was an odd emptiness creeping in as soon as his warmth left. He glanced at me, frowning. "Don’t tell me no one in your pack ever taught you how to mark your mate?" I stared at him, completely missing the point of what he said. His shirt hung loosely from his shoulders, shifting open more as he moved. What lay underneath was... wow. Defined muscles, smooth and strong, every line perfectly sculpted. Up close, it felt almost illegal to look. A memory popped in—some of the she-wolves used to giggle and gossip about Oliver. Since he didn’t have a mate, they’d wonder what the new Alpha looked like under all those clothes. Some even joked about being the one to undress him themselves. And now, here I was, unintentionally seeing it all. I never wanted to be in this position… but I had to admit, Oliver was ridiculously fit. Was I seriously thinking about this right now? I slapped my cheeks gently to come back to my senses. "Of course I know. It’s just... we’re not a good match," I said carefully. Before I could even finish, Oliver cut me off. “Ella, you don’t get to say no. Being my mate is your only choice.” His voice was steady, final. I watched his Adam’s apple move as he spoke, a faint bite mark visible on his neck. He wasn’t joking. But I just didn’t get it. An Omega like me—one without even a wolf form— Why would someone like him, the strongest Alpha, choose me? Clutching the pillow closer, I stared at him like an idiot. Maybe I drank too much last night… Maybe Jackson's words still stung a little too deep.My brain was still in sleep mode, so when I heard an Alpha say he wanted to be my mate, I honestly thought I was dreaming. Wait, am I seriously living in some cheesy romance flick right now? Got dumped, then BAM—the real deal shows up? Just imagine me holding Oliver's hand, marching up to Jackson. Shouting in his face, “I’m not that pathetic, low-tier Omega you looked down on!” “I’m the mate of the strongest Alpha out there!” Yeah... no. That kind of glow-up only happens in movies. I gave my head a rough shake, trying to clear out those dumb daydreams. Looking Oliver dead in the eye, I said, “This can’t be real.” He was the youngest Alpha of the Claw Pack—tons of people probably fantasized about being with him. Me? I was already shocked we even slept together. Oliver gave me a once-over, then said calmly, “I’m not joking.” “Miss Miller, being my mate comes with perks. Like...” “When we part ways as mates, you’ll get half my assets.” His voice was like a smooth cello—deep and... annoyingly charming. He stood, adjusted his watch like it was any other day. I was just about to get dressed and climb out of bed when what he said hit me. Half an Alpha’s fortune? I froze. I stared up at him, confused, only to be met with his calm, unreadable gaze. “And right now, I’m the best option you’ve got.” Best choice? He’s not wrong. Every wolf dreams of two things— Becoming the strongest Alpha or becoming that Alpha’s mate. But then I remembered what I heard last night. “She’s just an Omega! I need a stronger mate!” I pulled on my underwear, tossed off the blanket, feet touching the cold floor. Muttered under my breath, “Yeah.” Wolves are born with fated mates. But for Omegas? That was never ours to dream about—not even me, the adopted daughter of the Gru Pack’s Alpha. The Claw Pack was huge. Their Alpha? Powerful, handsome—basically every she-wolf’s fantasy. Still, Oliver and I? We made zero sense. I didn’t even have a wolf form. I couldn’t smell other wolves. Nothing. But Oliver took my response as a yes. He leaned in, took my hand with this genuinely happy look on his face. “Miss Miller, just... think about it, yeah?” His smile looked honest, almost too much so for someone like him. I shut my eyes, every word Jackson said from last night replaying in my head. For ten years, I followed him around like a shadow. I always thought maybe—maybe—he didn’t pity me. That he cared. But last night ripped that illusion to shreds. “Miss Miller, you should go have some breakfast,” Oliver said cheerfully, helping zip up my dress like some kind of gentleman. But just as he turned to leave, something in me snapped. I looked up and suddenly yelled, “Oliver!” He stopped right away and turned back, clearly pleased. Those lake-blue eyes of his looked like they could drown you.Oliver’s flawless face shimmered under the light as he smiled. “So, you’ve made up your mind?” I couldn’t help but stare at the bold hickey on his neck. The question slipped out before I could stop it: “Isn’t mating with an Omega a problem for you?” He blinked at me, looking like I just said something completely out of line. Before he could reply, I muttered, “I’m not exactly anyone’s idea of the ideal Alpha mate.” Oliver didn’t move a muscle. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a second his face got real intense. Then, he relaxed a bit and let out a soft snort through his nose. “Ideal? I’m an Alpha. I set the damn standard.” “Everyone in the Claw Pack follows my lead,” he added, lifting his chin slightly, his tone suddenly chilled and confident, like a real Alpha king. “We don’t care about that stuff. Even if—” He paused, then said coolly, “Even the White Moon Pack wouldn’t dare question it.” I just stood there, stunned into silence. All I could hear was the pounding of my heart and the calm rhythm of Oliver’s breathing. My eyes were drawn to him completely. I finally saw it—really saw him. His features were flawless. His sleeves were neatly rolled, arms folded across a chest that looked like it belonged on a statue. His muscles were all definition and strength, like they were practically inviting touch. And those eyes… they shone brighter than the finest sapphire. One second too long and you’d get lost in them for good. “…Damn, he’s hot! Honestly, just one night with him would be totally worth it.” “I could kiss him right now. That body, those muscles…” I thought of those female wolves who used to talk about Oliver with stars in their eyes, dreamily going on about his strong arms, his pretty face, and that dominant energy that made every she-wolf weak in the knees. Well, last night, I found out exactly what all the hype was about. “Damn, baby, you’re on fire!” He tore my clothes off like a beast and moved on me like he could never get enough. “Ah… Oliver… that feels amazing!” I wrapped myself around him, clinging tightly, moaning without shame. His body trapped me, his arms like steel, leaving me no room to run—only to feel him. But… was that wild woman last night really me? I cringed just remembering it. Oliver raised an eyebrow, waving his hand slightly. “Miss Miller? You’re really into the view, huh? It’s okay—if you’re unsure, I can give you more time…” “No,” I cut off the heat in my brain and pushed aside the blurry memories. My voice steadied. “I’ve made my decision.” “I’ll be your mate.” I said it loud and clear. Oliver’s shoulders loosened, and he looked at me with soft eyes, his sharp features taking on a relaxed warmth. Then he chuckled, pride flickering in his smile as he reached out his hand to me. “Come on, sweetheart. From now on, you’re my one and only.”