Chapter 112
I sipped the champagne, noting it tasted oddly bitter–perhaps a different vintage than what had been served earlier. As Darius continued speaking, a strange warmth began spreading through my body. Within minutes, my vision blurred at the edges, and an unnatural heat coursed through my veins.
Orion growled in alarm, recognizing before my human mind did that something was very wrong. My wolf thrashed against my consciousness, trying to purge whatever was in our system.
“Excuse me,” I interrupted Darius mid–sentence, “I need some air.”
I stepped away, my legs surprisingly unsteady beneath me. The room began to spin, and I caught myself against a pillar. My body temperature was rising rapidly, and a familiar tightness formed in my groin. Fuck–I’d been drugged. This wasn’t alcohol; this was something designed to trigger a rut.
A young Omega server approached, concern etched on her face.“Alpha Blackwood, are you unwell? May I assist you to a quiet room?”
“I need… a private room,” I managed to say, fighting to maintain control. “Immediately.”
“Of course, sir. This way.”
She led me down a hallway to a small sitting room and helped me inside. The moment the door closed behind us, I sank into a chair, drawing deep breaths to combat the drug’s effects.
I needed to contact Ethan, to find Summer.
I reached for our mindlink, but my concentration scattered like smoke in the wind.
“I’ll fetch your mate,” the server said, but before she could leave, the door opened and closed again.
“That won’t be necessary,” Natalia’s voice purred. “I’ll take care of Alpha Blackwood.”
The server hesitated briefly before nodding and departing. As soon as the door closed, Natalia’s demeanor changed completely.
“Finally,” she said, approaching me with predatory intent. “Do you know how long I’ve been planning
this?”
“What did you give me?” I growled, forcing myself to sit upright despite the room spinning.
“Just a little something to help you relax,” she smiled, running her fingers along my jawline. I jerked away from her touch. “It’s specially formulated for Alphas–breaks down your resistance, heightens sensitivity. Don’t worry, you’ll enjoy every minute once you stop fighting it.”
With an effort that sent pain shooting through my skull, I drove my claws into my own thigh, using the sharp agony to clear my mind. “Get out. Now.”
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Chapter 112
+15 BONUS
Natalia’s eyes widened at the blood seeping through my pants, but her shock quickly turned to anger.
Don’t be stupid, Alexander. It’s already in your system. You might as well enjoy it.”
She reached for my belt, and I grabbed her wrist with enough force to make her wince. “Touch me again
and I’ll break every bone in your hand.”
“You ungrateful bastard!” she hissed, yanking her arm free. “I could have given you everything! Instead, you chose that broken, barren wolf who couldn’t even protect her own son!”
Rage gave me momentary clarity. I stood, towering over her despite the room spinning around me. “Don’t you dare speak about Summer or Felix!”
“What’s so special about her?” Natalia shrieked, frustration breaking through her composure. “She’s damaged goods! She couldn’t even keep her first mate satisfied!”
“You know nothing about her!“I growled.
“I know she’s made you weak,” Natalia hissed, pushing me back onto the chaise and straddling my lap. I tried to push her off, but my strength was fading fast.
With every ounce of will I possessed, I forced my body to respond, shoving her hard enough that she stumbled backward. “Don’t ever speak of my mate again.”
Rage darkened her features. “Have it your way. Once I’m done with you, I’ll make sure she finds us together. Let’s see how much she loves you then.”
She lunged toward me again, but before she could reach me, the door crashed open with a thunderous bang. Summer stood in the doorway, her eyes blazing with a fury I’d never seen before, the splintered wood around the lock evidence of the force she’d used to enter.
“Get away from my mate, you fucking bitch.”
