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“So I’ve been told,” she says, and there’s a flicker of defiance in her voice, but it’s tempered by the exhaustion weighing her down.

“I’ll grab some tea,” I say, heading toward the kitchen. “You guys help Eviana get comfortable in front of the fire and then we can eat.”

“Come on, stubborn omega,” Blaise says, his tone teasing. “Let your alphas feed and take care of you.”

The words ignite something in her. She takes another step back, and her entire body tightens, like she’s ready to fight, to lash out, and in that moment, I know – we’ve crossed a line.

Xar must feel it too. His jaw tightens as he steps toward her once more, and then – it happens.

She gasps, her breath catching in her throat as the air between us somehow thickens. The scent is overpowering now, heavy and sharp, cutting through everything else, making it hard to breathe. Her omega is practically screaming now, and I see her eyes widen in panic as her scent floods the room. It’s her – it’s us – it’s too much.

Her back hits the doorframe, and she freezes, her whole body trembling as if she’s barely holding on. She’s fighting us and she doesn’t even seem to know why, but her omega won’t let her win. It’s clawing to get out, the scent stronger with every second, and I can see it now – she’s on the edge of losing herself.

The last thing I hear before Xar speaks again is a small, strangled whimper from her, something so raw, so vulnerable, that it makes me freeze in place.

Her voice cracks as she finally looks at us – at Xar – and I can see it now. The desperation. The need. Her body is trembling, her scent burning the air, and she’s so close to breaking.

“Please.” Her voice is barely above a whisper now, full of pain and fear. “Please. Please.”

Xar steps forward, his movements slow, deliberate, and he reaches for her, his hand brushing against her arm. The touch is soft, but there’s a quiet command in it. His voice is steady, but there’s no mistaking the edge in it now.

“Eviana, you’re mine. Ours. Baby, please. Don’t fight it, little one.”

She flinches at the words, and her eyes flicker between us, a look of panic flashing across her face.

The moment shatters like glass.

“No!” Eviana cries, her voice raw and desperate, as she wrenches her arm away from Xar’s touch. Her eyes blaze with defiance, but there’s something else in them too – something broken. “I don’t belong to you. I don’t belong to anyone! You can’t have me!”

Her scent surges again, sharp and wild, making my breath hitch. It’s chaos, pure and unfiltered, and it feels like it’s wrapping around every nerve in my body, pulling me taut. My alpha instincts roar to the surface, but I shove them down, hard. This isn’t about us – it’s about her.

Xar freezes, his hand still outstretched, his expression flickering between shock and absolute panic. His jaw tightens, but this time, he takes a deliberate step back, forcing himself to give her space.

“You’re right,” Xar says, his voice softer now, steady but firm. “You don’tbelongto us. Blaise was just joking, love. You’re not a commodity to be owned. You are precious and special, and if anything,webelong toyou. I know you’re going to need some time to get your head around the idea of that, but that doesn’t mean we’re leaving.”

Eviana’s eyes narrow, suspicion flickering in her gaze. “You don’t get to decide that,” she snaps, her hands trembling at her sides.

“No,” I interject, stepping forward cautiously, keeping my movements slow and non-threatening. “We don’t. But you’re not okay, Eviana. You hit your head, and your omega’s fighting you. I don’t think it’s unfair to say you’re not used to dealing with her. This is all very overwhelming right now. Which is why we can’t just leave you like this. It would be dangerous. Let us stay – just for tonight if need be. If the doctor says you’re fine in the morning, we’ll go. You have my word.”

Her gaze jumps to mine, searching my face as though she’s trying to find some hidden agenda. Her breathing is shallow, her body trembling with the effort to hold herself together.

“And if I say no?” she asks, her voice cracking under the strain.

“Then we’ll stay out of your way,” Xar says firmly. “This house is big enough for the four of us. But we’re not walking out that door until we know you’re safe.”

Blaise lets out a frustrated huff, muttering something under his breath, but one look from me silences him. This isn’t about what any of us want.

“If you kick us out, we’ll sleep on the leaky porch,” I tell her.

Eviana stares at us for a long moment, her chest rising and falling rapidly. I can see the conflict warring in her eyes – the desperate need for control clashing with the undeniable pull of her omega instincts.

Finally, she exhales shakily, her shoulders slumping as the tension drains from her frame. The fight bleeds out of her in a single breath, and what’s left behind guts me – pure exhaustion, like she’s been holding the world on her back for far too long.

“Fine,” she whispers, barely audible. “But only until morning. And only if I get to decide where you stay.”

“Deal,” I say quickly, relief washing through me like a crash of cold water. I’d take anything. Any terms. Just to stay close.

Xar steps back a little more, deliberately loosening his posture, but I don’t miss the flicker of tension in his jaw. “Where do you want us?” he asks gently.