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My naked skin.

Shit!

My heart leaps into my throat as the realisation hits me like a ton of bricks. The scent neutraliser I’ve been wearing non stop – the only thing that’s kept my identity hidden, that’s kept them from knowing what I really am – is gone. Washed away.

A ripple of panic courses through me, like I’m about to be exposed in the worst way possible. I’m not ready. I can’t let them get closer. I can’t let them…it would mean there’s no going back.

The water still swirls around me, and Xar’s arms are strong, holding me against his chest. But all I can think about is the scent. That familiar, unmistakable scent of an omega.Myscent. Can he smell it? Or am I imagining it?

No.

No, no, no.

Oh my god.

I immediately tense, trying to retreat into myself, but his grip on me doesn’t loosen. If anything, it tightens. He’s holding me there, even though every fibre of my being is screaming to get away. I can’t let him smell me. I can’t let him know what I am.

I focus on my breathing, willing myself to stay as still as possible, trying to control the overwhelming urge to…to…perfume. Oh my goodness. My omega is well and truly awake and reacting to his presence, to the proximity, and I don’t know how to stop my reaction to him.

And then, just as I think I might finally manage to calm down, I hear it.

Blaise’s voice. Low. Unsteady.Predatory.

I hear him before I see him.

“What the hell was she playing at?”

His voice slices through the air, sharp and ragged, and I feel the shift immediately. The atmosphere thickens, charged with alpha energy, electric and dangerous. His footsteps echo hard against the floor, growing louder – faster.

I shudder. I don’t want him to come closer, but I can’t move. Not with Xar’s arms wrapped around me. Not when I’m frozen with the raw fear of beingknown.

I’m panicking, trying to smother the scent rising off my skin like steam, but it’s too late. The neutralisers have failed, the heat of the bath accelerating everything. That fragile, sharp-sweet scent of a terrified omega is leaking out of me, curling into the air, blooming like a secret finally released.

Xar growls low in his chest, a sound meant to comfort me – but also a warning. “Blaise. Stop.”

But it’s already over.

Blaise storms into the bathroom, his chest heaving, green eyes wild with something I don’t recognise – panic, rage, disbelief. He stops cold, nostrils flaring.

Then hesnarls, the sound primal.

His eyes lock on me. Not like before. This time, theyseeme.

“What the fuck,” he breathes, almost like he doesn’t believe it. “That’syou?” His voice is hoarse, almost reverent – but furious underneath.

My pulse spikes. Panic rises so hard and fast I choke on it. I try to speak, to defend myself, to explain something –anything– but the words die in my throat. I’ve been forbidden my whole life from sayingI’m an omega, and now, when it finally matters most, I can’t get the words out.

Xar’s arms tighten around me protectively, anchoring me against his chest. “She’s scared,” he warns, his voice low, even. “Back off.”

But Blaise doesn’t move. Doesn’t breathe.

“She’smine,” he whispers, like it’s just hit him, like it’sruinedhim. “You’ve been—” He drags a hand through his hair, pacing like a caged animal. “You’re my— We’re?—”

His voice cracks.

“I knew you were an omega but I couldn’tsmellyou,” he snarls, eyes snapping back to me. “I thought I was going insane, thinking about you the way I did. Obsessing, and not knowing why. Now it makes perfect sense. You were right fucking there, and I didn’tknow. I should have protected you better.”

I flinch, the heat in my chest threatening to spill over as guilt, fear, and something deeper twist in my gut.