Chapter 17

Emily’s POV

The food court buzzed with people, bright lights, and nonstop noise. Jessie and Tessa sat next to me with a huge pile of fries and a burger, but had no appetite. I couldn’t bring myself to take a single bite.

Two of Marcus’s warriors stood nearby, silent and still, keeping watch while Marcus and Liam dealt with the

bloody mess in the security office.

Kane showed up a moment later, carrying another big tray full of food and drinks.

“ Eat, ” he said softly, setting it on the table.

Jessie didn’t hesitate. She immediately grabbed a handful of fries. “ Best idea you’ve had all day. I’m traumatized,

Cane. Traumatized people need carbs. ”

Kane laughed, leaning in as Jessie playfully fed him a fry. “ I completely support your recovery plan. ”

Even though I still felt scared, I managed a small smile. It was good to see them happy. But when I looked down at ny soda, a strange, heavy restlessness filled my chest.

It felt like a pressure I couldn’t explain, as if someone far away was panicking and losing control with worry.

Nathan.

I squeezed my paper cup until it crumpled. No, that was ridiculous. Nathan hadn’t accepted me as his mate, and our bond couldn’t be strong enough to reach this far.

Hey. ”

I looked up as Marcus walked over to us. He had changed out of his bloody shirt and was now wearing a clean white one with the sleeves rolled up. He struggled to carry a huge stack of paper shopping bags, which held all the lothes we forgot to grab when we rushed out.

Liam followed behind, putting on a new leather jacket and carrying the rest of our shopping. He noticed me taring, flashed a sly grin, and dropped the heavy bags onto the floor next to the table,

“ This is their compensation, ” Liam said as he slid into the seat next to me. He glanced at my untouched food and sked, “ Are you going to eat that? ”

I shook my head. I still felt too numb to eat anything.

“ Great. ” He reached over right away and took my fries.

Marcus looked at me with serious blue eyes. “ You okay, Emily? ”

“ Now she is,” Jessie answered for me, reaching over to squeeze my shoulder.

Marcus looked at me for a long moment, then nodded. “ Good. Then it’s time to go home. Nathan is probably tearing the pack apart looking for us. ”

12:22 pm

ppp

“ No, ” the word slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

-Everyone at the table stopped and stared at me. My face grew hot with embarrassment.

“ I just … ” I looked down at my hands and spoke in a whisper. “ I don’t want everyone to end the trip early because of me. I’ve ruined enough already. ”

Marcus’s expression softened. “ You didn’t in anything, Emily. ”

This trip to the city mattered to them. They were always stuck at the pack border, and my past birthday was the only reason they finally had some fun. I couldn’t let my problems ruin their day.

I raised my head and tried to sound brave. “ What else is there to see? Please, show us the human city. ”

“ Oh? You’re not as soft as you look, birthday girl. ” He smiled slowly, mischievous spark in his eyes.

My cheeks turned bright red.

Marcus leaned closer to me. “ There’s one place left. It’s loud and fun. Just what you need to forget about earlier. ”

3

“ Oh, absolutely not. ” Before anyone could move, Jessie looked us over and groaned dramatically. “ We are not going to a nightclub dressed like this. ”

A few minutes later, she had dragged Tessa and me into the restroom. We dug through the shopping bags and hanged into our new outfits. By the time we were finished, Jessie looked extremely pleased with herself.

We didn’t waste any time. We hopped into the car, and half an hour later, we were standing outside the VIP

nightclub.

The bass was so strong. A long line of people wrapped around the block, shivering in the cold, but Marcus walked ight past them to the front.

The huge bouncer took one look at Marcus and quickly stepped aside, bowing his head. “ Good evening, Marcus.

Light this way. ”

Behind us, Liam smirked. “ Show – off p>

“ Jealous, ” Marcus fired back, pulling me inside.

The club was full of blinding neon lights and pounding music. It felt like a different world. Hundreds of people noved together on the dance floor, sweating, laughing, and getting lost in the music.

We were led to a private VIP booth right at the edge of the thumping crowd. Marcus turned to me, offering his

land. “ Dance with me p>

“ What? No, I don’t know how, ” I said, panicking as I backed into the soft leather seat.

“ Perfect. Then I’ll teach you. ” Before I could protest, he took my hand and pulled me into the crowd.

At first, I was stiff, scared of being touched and of embarrassing myself. But Marcus moved so smoothly that he kept me safe from the crowd. Slowly, I relaxed. I even laughed out loud as he spun me around.

12:22 pm

ppp.

The music was overwhelming, and the lights blurred into streaks of color. I felt alive. I felt free. Then, suddenly, everything changed.

A wave of heat rushed through me. My steps faltered, and my feet dragged on the floor.

“ Emily? ” Marcus’s smile vanished instantly. He caught my waist before my knees could buckle.

I couldn’t answer. My heart pounded in my chest, way too fast. The music faded into the background. Another wave of heat hit me, making my skin feel too sensitive and desperate for a touch I couldn’t explain.

Deep inside my mind, my wolf, Nyx, let out a desperate, echoing howl.

Heat.

The realization hit me hard. I was going into heat for the first time. But wolves only went into heat when their

nate bond was triggered or when their body desperately needed an Alpha.

“ Emily, look at me! ” Marcus’s voice was urgent, his grip tightening on my waist.

I whimpered as my vision blurred and the room spun. The heat was making me lose control. I fell to the floor of he VIP lounge, curling up in pain as the fever took over.

“ Everything hurts, ” I groaned, struggling to sit up. But against my own will, my gaze locked onto his body.

My heart pounded. I licked my dry lips. I needed relief, and I needed it now, or the fever would overwhelm me.

Marcus’s eyes turned gold. He could smell it – the sweet / scent.

“ Are you in heat? ” he asked, his voice low and tense p>

“ Yes, ” I cried out, tears leaking from my eyes.

He dropped beside me and brushed the hair from my face.

I curled up in agony.

“ Emily, listen to me. I have to take care of you, he muttered, glancing down.

“ No, I can’t! ” I screamed, shaking my head even as my body begged for his touch. “ I belong to another Alpha … I elong to Nathan … ”

“ Then where is he? From what I can see, he doesn’t care at all, ” Marcus said, his voice dropping into a low, commanding grow p>

“ I can’t, ” I sobbed, my entire body trembling violently.

He leaned closer, his breath hot against my skin.

Nyx’s voice echoed desperately inside my head. “ Emily, we need an Alpha’s knot, or we would die. ”

Another wave of agony tore through me.

Marcus gently brushed my sweaty hair aside.

I bit my lip, my eyes fixed on him, helpless against the heat.

BOOM!

The heavy oak table in the VIP lounge flew across the room, crashed into the wall, and broke into pieces.

Before Marcus could react, a huge force hit him. He was thrown back, crashed through the metal railing, and

anded on the crowded dance floor below.

The entire club screamed, the music cutting out instantly.

A powerful Alpha aura filled the room, so strong. I shook, looking up through my tears.

Nathan stood over me. His eyes were golden, his claws out, and his chest heaved with rage. He looked deadly.

“ I will deal with you later, ” Nathan hissed toward the dance floor where Marcus was struggling to stand.

Then he dropped to his knees in front of me. The anger in his eyes turned to panic when he saw me shaking on the

loor.

“ Emily, ” Nathan gasped, his voice thick with raw emotion. “ Emily, look at me. How are you? ”

I couldn’t answer him. I couldn’t even hear what he said. The fire in my blood screamed for him, but my mind was

ost in the fog of my first heat.

Next Chapter Chapter 18

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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.