Chapter 5

The morning sun streams through the windows of Magnus’s study, where I’m curled on a fur rug before the fireplace. My body still hums with the pleasant ache of our night together, a constant reminder of his possession. Magnus sits at his massive desk, but his eyes keep finding me, dark and possessive.

The study door opens without a knock, and a woman sweeps in. She’s beautiful in a way I’m not—all sharp angles and calculated curves, with silver-blonde hair that cascades down her back in perfect waves.

“Magnus,” she purrs, her voice like honey laced with poison. “I heard you finally claimed a mate. I had to see for myself.”

My hackles rise instinctively, the omega in me sensing a threat, a challenge to my new position. I sit up straighter, marking my territory without even realizing it. This is the first of his past lovers I’ve encountered, but I suspect she won’t be the last.

Magnus’s expression is carefully neutral as he rises from his desk. “Lyra. This is a surprise.”

Lyra’s eyes sweep over him, hot and possessive, before dismissing me completely. “I can see why you kept her hidden,” she says with a dismissive wave of her hand. “So... sweet. Innocent.” The words are meant to be compliments, but they sound like insults. “I hope you’re not too bored with your little omega toy.”

My hands clench into fists, but I force myself to remain silent, to observe, to learn.

Magnus’s jaw tightens almost imperceptibly. “My mate is none of your concern.”

“Oh, but she is,” Lyra counters, moving closer to him, her hand resting possessively on his arm. “The pack needs a strong alpha female, Magnus. Someone who can stand at your side, not cower at your feet.” Her eyes flick to me, cold and calculating. “Someone who knows how to satisfy a man of your appetites. Someone with experience.”

The implication is clear, and it hits like a slap. I may have satisfied Magnus last night, but I’m a novice compared to women like Lyra—women who have had years to learn his preferences, his desires, his needs.

Before she can say more, I’m on my feet, the omega in me retreating as something else takes over—something wild, something fierce, something that refuses to be intimidated.

“Lyra, was it?” I ask, my voice deceptively sweet. “I’m so glad you stopped by. Magnus was just telling me how much he enjoys my... eagerness to learn.”

Lyra’s eyes narrow. “Eagerness doesn’t make up for experience, little omega.”

“No,” I agree, moving closer to Magnus, my hand resting possessively on his chest. “But enthusiasm has its own rewards.” I rise on my toes to whisper in Magnus’s ear, loud enough for Lyra to hear, “Last night, you said I was the tightest, the wettest, the most responsive lover you’ve ever had. Did you mean that?”

Magnus’s eyes darken with desire, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Every word,” he murmurs, his arm wrapping around my waist to pull me closer.

Lyra’s face flushes with anger. “We’ll see how long that lasts. When the novelty wears off—”

“I think you should leave now,” Magnus interrupts, his voice dropping to the dangerous growl of an alpha defending his mate. “Before my omega decides to teach you a lesson in manners.”

With a huff of disappointment, Lyra turns on her heel and sweeps from the room, slamming the door behind her.

The silence that follows is heavy, broken only by the crackling fire. Magnus looks at me with undisguised admiration.

“Well,” he says, his voice thick with approval. “That was... unexpected.”

“Did I overstep?” I ask, suddenly unsure.

Magnus’s laugh is genuine and warm. “Overstep? Little omega, you just defended your territory, claimed your mate, and put a rival in her place. That’s not overstepping. That’s being an alpha’s mate.”

His praise sends a surge of pride through me. His hands slide down to cup my buttocks, pulling me flush against him. “In fact,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against mine, “I find your display of possessiveness incredibly... arousing.”

I can feel his interest growing between us, hard and insistent. “Is that so?” I ask, my voice dropping to a seductive purr. “Then perhaps you’d like me to show you just how possessive I can be.”

His eyes darken with desire. “I thought you’d never ask.”

He doesn’t wait. He backs me up until my thighs hit the polished wood of his desk, his hands already working at the ties of my robe. The fabric falls away, pooling at my feet, leaving me bare to his hungry gaze.

“Up,” he commands, his voice a low growl that makes my inner muscles clench with anticipation. “On the desk. Now.”

I obey without hesitation, lifting myself onto the massive oak surface. He grips my hips to flip me over. “Like I said. Bent over my desk.”

I adjust my position, my breasts pressing against the cool wood, my feet barely touching the floor. The position is vulnerable, exposed, and incredibly arousing. I can hear him removing his clothes, each sound building my anticipation until I’m trembling with need.

“Look at you,” he murmurs, his hands stroking my back, down my spine, over the curve of my buttocks. “So eager for your alpha. So ready to be claimed.”

But as his fingers trace my slick folds, testing my readiness, a fierce wave of possessiveness crashes over me. I twist around, catching his wrist.

“No,” I say, my voice firm, surprising us both. “Not like this.”

Magnus stills, his eyes dark with confusion and a hint of challenge. “No?”

I slide off the desk, standing before him, my naked body flush against his clothed one. I reach down, my hand boldly cupping the hard length straining against his trousers. “This,” I whisper, my thumb stroking him through the fabric. “This is mine. You said it last night, but I’m saying it now. This cock is mine.”