The Omega Chi Kappa house sits at the far end of Greek Row, half-shrouded by oaks. Its brick is older, darker, the wrought-iron crest on the door catching the light like a dare.
I remember how alive I felt in Talon’s lap. How amazing it was to be wanted for everything I am, not what is expected of me.
Then I think of Father’s disgust. Milo’s fury.
Chase’s name is like a leash tightening around my throat.
They want me caged. Controlled. Chosen for. Promised to.
Fuck that.
Before I can hesitate, I pull out my phone and text Jasper.
Me:
Change of plans. I’ll meet you at the OCK house in five.
His reply is instant.
Jasper:
Are you sure?
Me:
Yes. See you soon.
No second-guessing. I square my shoulders and turn right, toward Omega Chi. Every step feels like peeling off another layer of suffocation, and my breaths come easier.
A black door carved with ivy and griffins waits at the top of the stairs, a coiled serpent for a knocker.
I knock twice with the serpent.
No turning back now.
Before I can second-guess myself, the door swings open. I jolt, eyes wide as I suddenly find myself face to face with Dredyn. Of course it’s him. He stands there, one arm braced against the doorframe, dark hair falling in disarray over his forehead. There’s a familiar cocky glint in his eyes, as if my presence is both amusing and expected.
“Well, well,” Dredyn drawls, one corner of his mouth lifting in that maddening smirk. “Guess you just couldn’t stay away. Showed up on my doorstep and everything.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m here for Jasper, not you.”
He steps aside, letting me slip past him into the entryway. “He got held up by his professor. But come on in before Milo sees you.” He looks out the door and closes it behind me.
Inside, the light is low, thanks to a few amber sconces on dark wood walls. To my left, a living room sprawls with worn leather couches and a rug that’s seen better decades. The fireplace mantel is crowded with mismatched books and empty liquor bottles. Old photos of grinning frat boys line the walls, placed in mismatched photo albums.
One cracked wooden plaque catches my eye—the emblem of a Hydra. The Omega Chi symbol.
I’ve stopped just inside the door without realizing it, gripping my bag strap tight. Dredyn moves in behind me, close enough that the hair on my neck lifts. His hands hover over my hips, not quite touching me.
“Careful—” he murmurs, his breath grazing my ear.
A sharp, high-pitchedmeowcuts him off.
I turn toward the sound, my pulse skipping. Perched on the arm of a battered velvet chair is a tiny black kitten, head cocked, yellow eyes fixed on me.
“Cosmo?” I breathe, taking a tentative step closer.
At the sound of the name, the kitten cocks its head. Itishim—the same scrawny black kitten I found in a bush a couple weeks ago. “Hey, baby,” I whisper, reaching out a hand.
