Alina’s POV

I would be lying if I said I don’t want him to call off that wedding.

But why should I stop it? He made his choice. He humiliated me so many times. Now that I finally have my freedom, why would I risk it again?

"I don’t want you to call off your wedding," I say.

His eyes widen in shock.

"You don’t want to disappoint Emily. She waited for you... she deserves this wedding. You are an Alpha. You need the right Luna beside you. Not a wolfless, orphaned omega like me."

I force my face to stay straight even though my chest feels like it’s breaking. He lets go of me completely. His body freezes. His gaze stays locked on mine, unblinking. I look away from him.

Then a jagged laugh tears out of his throat. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"I should have known better, Alina," he says. "Maybe you are right. I should marry Emily. She is the right fit for me. It was useless of me to come here. I apologize... and I will not bother you anymore."

His voice sounds empty, but I don’t care. I don’t say anything back. He moves toward the window. I want to tell him to use the front door, but the words die in my throat. He slips out through the window.

I stand there staring at the empty window long after he is gone. A heavy sigh leaves my lips. I drop onto the bed and stare at the ceiling.

"I know I made the right choice," I whisper to myself.

But my heart doesn’t believe it. Sleep slowly pulls me under anyway.

"What is this arrangement, Stella? You are making mistakes. There are people waiting," I say, my voice tight with frustration.

I decided to start my bakery from home because I honestly can’t stay one day without doing something. But right now, everything feels like it’s falling apart.

"I’m sorry, ma’am. There are just so many people outside and it takes a while to—"

Stella stops talking the moment she sees my glare. The customers are getting impatient with their orders. On top of that, Leo is crying so loudly my head is pounding. I feel like I’m about to lose my mind. I don’t even have workers anymore. I can’t afford them.

"Please stop crying, Leo," I beg softly as I lift him into my arms and try to feed him. He keeps turning his face away, rejecting the food, his little cries cutting through me.

"Ma’am?"

A familiar voice comes from behind me. I turn around fast and see Eliana standing there.

For the first time today, a real smile breaks across my face.

"How? Why? How are you here?" I stutter, my voice cracking with disbelief and relief.

"I thought you might need a helping hand, that’s why I’m here," Eliana says.

I didn’t call her or tell her about the bakery in my home. She must have heard somehow.

"You can focus on Leo. I will take over," she adds softly.

"You are the best," I say, a tired smile spreading across my face.

She bows and leaves the room. Finally, I can focus on my baby. Leo fights for a while but eventually gives in. After he eats, I rock him gently until his eyes close and his little body goes soft in my arms. I lay him down carefully and head back to the kitchen.

The place is spotless. No trace of the earlier mess.

"That’s all for today’s orders," Eliana says as she walks in, looking a little exhausted but satisfied.

"You are amazing," I tell her, warmth filling my chest.

"Yes, ma’am," Stella says, stepping in behind her. "She handled the customers so well. We sold out completely today."

I can’t stop the smile that breaks on my face.

"It isn’t something difficult," Eliana says with a small smile playing on her lips. "And seeing that you might need an extra hand, I don’t mind coming here every day to help. I have worked with you before, so it won’t be hard to work for you again... right, ma’am?"

"Yes, Eliana. You are hired," I say quickly. "I can afford one extra worker now. You should go rest. Come back tomorrow."

She nods happily and leaves.

"Ma’am, do you think Alpha Aiden might be displeased if he finds out your business is now running from home?" Stella asks, her voice full of concern.

"I honestly don’t care what he thinks," I reply, my jaw tight. "He ruined my café. I have no other choice. This is only for the meantime, until we get a new place running."

She nods and doesn’t push further.

It’s been over a week now. I haven’t heard a single word from Lucian.

I know I told him to only come when I call, but I wasn’t expecting him to listen so strictly. Right now, my body is burning. I’m so horny it hurts. My skin feels too tight, and heat keeps pooling between my legs no matter how hard I try to ignore it.

Calling him won’t be so bad... after all, we are compatible with sex at least.

I grab my phone with shaky fingers and message him to come over. The moment I toss the phone aside, my heart starts racing.

A few minutes later, a soft knock sounds on my window. It’s already late. I stand up quickly, heart pounding, and open the window.

It’s Lucian.

A smirk plays on his lips as he climbs in.

"I knew you would eventually call me," he says, voice low and rough.

Before I can even respond, he launches forward and crashes his lips against mine. The kiss is desperate and hungry. I kiss him back with the same wild need, my hands grabbing his shirt tightly. God, I’m so fucking horny. I can already feel myself dripping, soaking my thighs, and it’s driving me crazy.

"Command me," he breathes against my mouth as he breaks the kiss, his eyes dark with heat.

I smirk, my breath coming fast.

"It will be different tonight, Lucian," I whisper, our lips barely an inch apart. "I want to inflict pain on you."

His gaze never leaves mine as he slowly sinks down to his knees in front of me.

"Hurt me," he says, voice thick with need.