Chapter 18
Ian carried me back through the woods like I weighed nothing. His body was warm, muscles tense, and the silence between us felt louder than any scream. I buried my face against his chest, breathing in his scent—earthy, strong, and somehow calming.
He didn’t speak until we reached my front door.
“You’re not leaving this house again without me,” he said, eyes locking onto mine. “Not until I find out who’s hunting you.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“I’m not angry,” he said softly, brushing a thumb across my cheek. “I’m terrified.”
His words hit harder than I expected. Ian Dawson—bad boy, Alpha heir, untouchable—was afraid. For me.
He followed me inside, locked the door, checked every window, every shadowed corner. Only after he was satisfied did he finally let out a slow breath.
“Let me stay tonight,” he said, voice low. “I’ll take the couch. But I need to be close.”
I nodded. I couldn’t say no, not when I’d felt how real the danger was.
We sat in silence for a while, the soft hum of the heater the only sound. I brought him a blanket and a pillow, then stood awkwardly in the living room, unsure of what to say.
“Come here,” Ian said, patting the spot beside him.
I hesitated, then slowly sat next to him.
He leaned in, his voice nothing more than a breath. “I meant what I said, Ava. I don’t care about status or titles or what anyone thinks. If you’re mine… you’re mine.”
His hand reached for mine, fingers curling around it gently.
I looked at him—really looked—and all the walls I’d built up around my heart started to crumble.
“You don’t even know what you’re asking for,” I said, voice trembling. “I’m just an omega. People will laugh at you. They’ll hate me.”
“I don’t give a damn,” he growled. “Let them laugh. Let them talk. They’re not the ones I’ll wake up beside.”
The room fell quiet again, but this time the silence burned.
His eyes dropped to my lips.
I didn’t move. I couldn’t.
Then slowly, carefully, he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine.
The kiss was soft—gentle, almost questioning—but it lit something inside me. A spark that caught fire and spread.
His hand cupped my cheek, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss. I felt his warmth, his hunger, the desperate need he tried so hard to hide.
When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against mine.
“I’ve never wanted something so badly in my life,” he murmured.
I could barely speak.
Neither of us said another word. I went to my room, heart pounding, mind spinning.
But long after I lay in bed, I could still feel the heat of his lips on mine.
And I knew…
This was only the beginning.