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Xar freezes, his expression flickering with confusion, and something darker – something I can’t quite place – begins to settle in. His shoulders tighten, and his eyes search hers, trying to understand, trying to reason.

But I can already tell it’s not going to work. Whatever just happened between them – and I can guess – has rattled her to her core.

Eviana’s voice rises again, cracking with desperation. “I told you. Leave. Now.” Her breathing is shallow, frantic.

She’s on edge, her hands trembling at her sides, and I can feel it –allof it. Her scent slams into me like a wave, rising fast and unfiltered, cutting straight through the warm, savoury haze of the food we cooked like it’s nothing.

It’s overwhelming.

Intense. Wild. Untamed.

Flowers bursting into bloom under pressure. Ripe fruit just on the verge of splitting open. Rain on hot pavement, sharp and clean. It’s mouthwatering, feral,hers.

And it makes every instinct in me stand at attention.

It’s like her omega has suddenly arrived in full force, like a primal roar echoing in the room, demanding attention. Her body is shaking, her chest rising and falling with every breath. She’s barely holding it together, and I’m standing here, powerless, watching it all unravel.

My alpha demands I help her, but I don’t because I know my help wouldn’t be welcomed right now. Every instinct is screaming at me to sweep her up into my arms, to purr for her, to reassure her that I’m here, she’s safe, it’ll all be okay. But what little I know about this omega, I know she’dhatethat.

But Xar steps forward again, his voice softer now, though there’s an underlying edge to it. “Eviana, please. We don’t want to?—”

“No.” She cuts him off with a snap so sharp, it stings. “I don’t wantanyof you here.” The words, though not aimed directly at me, still hit like a slap and send a cold shock straight to my gut. It’s not just rejection. It’s fear. She’s petrified. And I don’t know why.

I can see it in her eyes – her guard is up, her walls are higher than ever. But it’s not just that. The way her scent is pulsing in the air – it’s a call. A warning. Her omega is fighting to get out, and she’s losing the battle to control it.

“Eviana…” Xar tries again, but his voice falters this time. I don’t think he’s used to hearing that kind of desperation in anyone. We all know she’s been closed off, but this – this is something else. I’ve never seen herthisfrantic.

Maybe I misjudged what happened upstairs between them. I can’t imagine any scenario that would cause her to react this violently. Not to Xar anyway. Blaise, I could kind of understand. But Xar’s the gentle one. What could possibly have happened to make her feel like this?

The room is thick with her scent now, burnt and cloying, all traces of that light sweet honeysuckle gone. I realise she’s almost to the edge. I can feel it too. The air is charged with her omega’s presence, and it’s like something is pushing her past the point of no return. Her omega is awake, and it’s reacting to us – reacting to Xar. To the scent of an alpha. And it’s too much for her to control.

Eviana shakes her head violently, tears brimming in her eyes, and she steps back as if she’s physically trying to put distance between herself and Xar. “I don’t care. If you don’t leave, I swear I’ll call the police.”

This time I do step forward, my heart hammering against my ribcage, but Xar stops me with a single hand on my arm. He’s still staring at her, his expression a strange mix of concern and something…possessive.

“Eviana…” His voice is low now, almost a growl, and I feel the shift in him. He’s not backing off. He’s not even close to giving up. “We’re not going anywhere. Baby, you hit your head. You were unconscious. We can’t leave you, little one.”

“I’m fine,” she protests, but her voice is weak, and I can see the exhaustion in her eyes.

“You’re not fine,” Blaise snaps from across the room, his frustration boiling over.

Her eyes flicker open, meeting his, and for a moment, something softens in her expression. She looks away quickly, though, wrapping her arms around herself like a shield.

“I was fine before you showed up,” she says quietly, more to herself than to us.

Blaise scoffs, but he doesn’t say anything, and I shoot him a warning look. Now’s not the time to push her.

“Look,” I say, my tone softer now, “you don’t have to do everything alone. We’re here to help. And whether you want us to or not, wehaveto stay and make sure that you’re okay. It was a nasty fall, Evie.”

She doesn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the fire. The tension in the room is thick, but I let the silence hang, giving her space to process.

After a long moment, she speaks again, her voice barely audible. “Thank you. For…catching me, Blaise. Or whatever you all did.”

“You don’t have to thank us,” Blaise says, leaning back on his heels. “Just don’t scare us like that again.”

Her lips twitch, almost like she wants to smile, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “No promises.”

Blaise lets out a frustrated huff, running a hand through his hair. “You’re impossible, you know that?”