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Justin slowly sets down his controller, fear evident in the air despite the anger twisting his bruised features. “What the fuck is this? Mia, who is this asshole?”

I can feel Mia trembling beside me, but she straightens her spine and looks him in the eye. “I’m moving out, Justin. It’s over.”

“Grab your things,” I tell her, not taking my eyes off Justin. “Take what you need. I’ll handle this.”

She hesitates for just a moment before heading to the bedroom. The second she’s out of sight, I advance on Justin,who shrinks back into the couch. Every nerve in my body screams at me to rip him apart, to make him bleed for every tear he’s caused Mia to shed.

“You think you can just walk in here and steal my girlfriend?” he starts, but I cut him off.

“Shut your fucking mouth,” I say, my voice deadly quiet. “The only reason you’re still breathing is because I don’t want her to see your head rolling on the floor. It might upset her.”

Fear rolls off him in waves, and I drink it in, my wolf savoring the dominance of making this lesser male cower.

“What the fuck?” he whispers to himself, beginning to recognize me as one of the men from last night who beat the shit out of him.

“She’s mine now,” I tell him, leaning close enough that only he can hear me. “If you call her, if you text her, if you so much as think about her, I will end you. And I won’t be quick about it.”

He glares at me, hatred burning in his eyes, but he doesn’t dare speak. We both know who the alpha is here.

Mia returns a few minutes later with a single suitcase. She looks between us, clearly sensing the tension crackling in the air.

“I’ve got everything,” she says quietly, and I take the suitcase from her hand.

“Go wait in the car,” I tell her. “I’ll be right behind you.”

She doesn’t argue, probably eager to escape the charged atmosphere. Once I hear the front door close behind her, I turn back to Justin, who hasn’t moved from the couch.

“If you ever come near her again,” I say, each word sharp and precise. “I will fucking kill you. I mean it.”

He’s still glaring at me, anger and humiliation warring on his face, but he remains silent.

I don’t wait for a response, turning on my heel and walking out of the apartment without a backward glance.When I reach the car, Mia is already buckled in, staring straight ahead through the windshield.

Her honey scent is sweeter now, the sour notes of fear replaced with hope, maybe, or relief. I store her suitcase in the trunk and slide behind the wheel, ready to take my omega home where she belongs.

“You okay?” I ask, glancing at Mia as I pull away from the curb.

She exhales slowly, her shoulders dropping as if releasing a weight she’s carried for too long.

“Yeah, I think I am,” she says, her voice quiet but steadier than before. “I feel lighter. Like I can breathe again.”

I nod, keeping my eyes on the road while my senses remain attuned to her every movement and every subtle change in her scent. “Good.”

“But now I don’t have a place to live,” she admits, biting her plump lower lip again. “I didn’t exactly plan this out.”

My wolf stirs inside me, possessive and certain. Of course, she has a place to live with me. With us.

She’s our omega, and she belongs in our den, surrounded by our protection, our scent, our bodies. The thought of her in my bed, wrapped in my sheets, her honey scent permeating every fiber, makes my cock twitch against my thigh.

“Don’t worry about that,” I tell her, my voice rougher than intended. I clear my throat. “We have plenty of room at our place. You can stay as long as you need.”

She looks at me, her hazel eyes wide with confusion, but I also see a flicker of heat that her body recognizes, even if her mind doesn’t yet understand.

“I can’t impose like that…”

“It’s not,” I say, my tone making it clear this isn’t up for debate. My omega isn’t going to sleep anywhere but under my roof, where I can keep her safe. “You need time to figure things out. We havespace.”

She falls silent, staring out the window as we drive. I can almost hear her mind working, trying to make sense of how quickly her life has changed.