“This suits you.”
He runs his finger along my collarbone, pausing when he reveals the mark Landon left on my throat. My skin tingles as he traces it, an unreadable expression pulling at his brows.
“This is new,” he says, bringing his eyes up to mine.
I swallow but don’t say anything.
“A mistake on your trip?”
I wince. He’s right. It was a mistake to let my scent match bite me, especially after only knowing him less than a week. But there is no way Finn would know any of that, even if he definitely knew I went on a trip.
“Yeah,” I finally say when he just continues to study me. “A mistake.”
He hums out a sound that carries understanding. “If I were an alpha—there would be no mistake like that—” His dark blue gaze lingers, holding me as though I’m something precious, something worth keeping.
My heart slams behind my ribcage, faster than it ever does when I’m skating.
“I didn’t mean to scare you.” He shifts his weight, shoulders dipping slightly, gaze flicking away before finding mine again.
I don’t believe him; I think he wanted my attention. His fingers circle my throat, tilting my face up with a press of his thumb under my chin. A light hold that would be hot instead of terrifying if I were here willingly.
“I just need another picture for my collection,” he whispers. “One I can’t get from far away.”
My breath catches. Words form before dying in my throat.
His eyes darken even more.
At some point, my fingers curled into his shirt. I don’t know if I’m holding him closer…or ready to shove him away. My body doesn’t know either.
“You’re an oddity in roller derby. Omegas don’t play. Not like you do.” His gaze glows with something raw. “I knew you were special the moment I saw you.”
The camera lifts again. Another flash.
“Finn.”
He shudders. Eyes flutter shut, his long lashes brushing his cheeks.
“Say it again,” he whispers.
His fingers tighten slightly when I don’t immediately comply. My pulse pounds against his touch. And I don’t know if it’s fear, adrenaline, or something far more dangerous curling in my chest. Another bad decision waiting to be made, but I part my lips and breathe out, “Finn.”
CHAPTER 2
Willow
I knowsomething’s up the second I step into my father’s office.
He’s behind his desk, posture straight but not stiff, hands folded neatly in front of him, he’s obviously trying to soften whatever is coming. That alone sets off warning bells. Sharon, his assistant, is conveniently shuffling papers just close enough to eavesdrop, and Eric Carter—his ever-present right hand—stands near the windows, arms crossed, gaze unreadable.
But that’s not all.
Three men stand off to the side, near the massive wall of glass that overlooks the city. Not corporate types. Not family friends. These are the kind of men who don’t just enter a room—they assess it, own it. Controlled. Calculated. Pure, distilled alpha energy with a side of sin.
One leans casually against the wall, a smirk teasing the edge of his lips, watching the scene as though it is his own personal entertainment. He’s got a mess of golden hair and a cocky glint in his blue eyes that says he’s used to getting his way—and probably talks in a drawl that melts panties. Hecould definitely be in a cologne ad or possibly on one of those billboards in only boxers.
The man next to him is darker, heavier with presence. Sharp jaw, gray eyes, and an intensity that cuts through the air. He doesn’t move, doesn’t speak. Every inch of him is coiled and watchful, radiating control the way heat rolls off summer pavement. An alpha who would accept nothing less than complete surrender.
The third stands slightly apart from the others, arms folded over a broad chest, shadowed dark eyes locked on me with a quiet kind of scrutiny that makes my skin feel too tight. With the sun at his back, he becomes midnight pressed against daylight, his edges traced in gold. Attractive doesn’t even start to describe him. He doesn’t blink. Doesn’t fidget. Just watches.
