Trapped in the Alpha’s Den

The moment I turned to run, I knew it was a mistake.

A blur of movement. A rush of wind. And then—

I was caught.

An iron grip closed around my wrist, yanking me back before I could take another step. A gasp tore from my throat as I stumbled against a wall of muscle and heat, the scent of smoke and spice flooding my senses, drowning me.

I twisted, fighting against the hand that held me captive, but it was useless. His grip was firm, unyielding—like steel wrapped in fire.

"You think you can run from me?" Dante's voice was a dark whisper against my ear, rough with amusement… and something deeper. Something dangerous.

I swallowed hard, my breath coming in short, sharp bursts. "Let me go."

His grip tightened. "No."

A shiver of something—fear, anger… anticipation?—coursed through me. "You have no right to keep me here."

Golden eyes glowed in the dim moonlight, filled with something feral, possessive. "You were abandoned, little Omega. That makes you mine."

I flinched, the words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. Mine. The way he said it sent a violent shudder through my body.

I didn't belong to him.

I didn't belong to anyone.

I tried to jerk away, but the movement sent a fresh wave of pain burning through my chest, reminding me of the bond that had been shattered just hours ago. My knees buckled. I would have collapsed if not for the arm that wrapped around my waist, steady, unyielding.

Dante's hold changed, one strong arm pulling me flush against him, trapping me against heat and power. "You're shaking." His voice was softer now, but it didn't soothe me. It only made the walls around my emotions crack, just a little.

I hated that I noticed the warmth of his body against mine. I hated that even now, my instincts responded to his touch.

I sucked in a breath, forcing my voice to be cold. "Let me go, Dante."

He was silent for a long moment. Then—

"No."

Before I could protest, he swept me off my feet like I weighed nothing.

A startled cry escaped me, my hands instinctively gripping his shoulders as he carried me deeper into the forest. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, but it was his scent that overwhelmed me—dark, rich, Alpha. Too much.

I fought against him, struggling, but he didn't even flinch.

"Where are you taking me?" I demanded, trying to keep the rising panic from my voice.

Dante's eyes burned down at me. "Somewhere safe."

Safe.

A bitter laugh caught in my throat. Nothing felt safe. Not after tonight.

But I was too exhausted to fight. My body had been weakened by the rejection, by the agony still clawing at my heart. Every heartbeat felt like a wound being reopened. I had nothing left.

So I did the only thing I could.

I let him take me.

When we reached his territory, I barely had the strength to keep my eyes open.

The fortress loomed before us, its stone walls stretching high into the night, torches flickering along the edges. The gates opened without a word, warriors bowing their heads as their king carried me inside.

They stared.

Whispers followed us as Dante moved through the halls—low, curious murmurs.

Who is she?

An Omega?

His mate?

The word stabbed into me.

I was no one's mate.

My head rested against his shoulder as I tried to focus, tried to ignore the overwhelming scent of him, the unnatural warmth of his body against mine.

When he finally stopped, we were in his chambers—a massive room of dark stone, bathed in the golden glow of the fire.

He lowered me onto the bed, and the moment I touched the silk sheets, my body gave out.

The rejection had drained me. Every nerve in my body felt raw, exposed.

Dante crouched beside the bed, watching me with unreadable eyes.

"You need rest."

I forced a weak glare. "I need to leave."

His lips curved—just slightly. "You're staying."

The certainty in his voice made my skin prickle.

"I won't be your prisoner," I hissed.

Dante's gaze darkened, something unreadable flickering in those golden depths. Then, slowly, he leaned in.

I froze as his fingers brushed my cheek, his voice a whisper against my skin.

"You're not my prisoner, Arielle." His voice was low, dangerous. "But you will be mine."

My breath caught. Heat curled deep in my stomach—unwanted, uncontrollable. No, no, I won't let this happen.

I turned my face away, hating how my body reacted to him. "I hate you."

Dante chuckled, low and amused. "You say that now, little Omega. But we both know the truth."

My lips parted, ready to snap back—but then I felt it.

A slow, creeping heat beneath my skin.

My breath hitched. No.

Not now. Not here.

Dante stiffened beside me, his golden eyes darkening as he inhaled deeply.

His expression changed instantly—from amused to something darker, more primal.

I shoved myself up, trying to fight the overwhelming warmth spreading through me. I couldn't—this couldn't be happening now.

But it was.

My heat was starting.

And I was trapped in a room with the most dangerous Alpha in the kingdom.

Dante exhaled slowly, but his body tensed like a predator ready to strike.

"Arielle," he murmured, voice rough. "You're burning up."

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. "I'll be fine," I lied, even as my body betrayed me.

Dante watched me with an intensity that made my pulse race, his jaw tightening as he fought against his own instincts.

For a long moment, neither of us moved. The fire crackled. The storm raged outside.

Then, his voice came—low, warning, impossible to ignore.

"You don't understand, Omega." He exhaled, golden eyes burning into mine. "I don't let what's mine suffer."

I sucked in a shaky breath, my pulse wild, erratic.

I had nowhere to run.

And Dante Nightbane wasn't a man who let his Omega go.