Chapter 14

Just as an Alpha couldn’t control his s*xual urges during a rut and could even fall into a state of disorder without releasing his pheromones, it was clear that a heat cycle was just as fatal for an Omega.

An Omega in heat had no control over their pheromones—and sometimes, it could even trigger a rut.

Idina felt like her body was on fire, yet she forced herself to walk slowly. Please, she prayed silently, let no one catch the scent of an Omega here.

But then it happened.

“Idina! Idina Bride!”

A voice called out to her.

Startled, Idina flinched and ducked into the nearby bushes. It looked a little ridiculous, but she had no choice.

Because the one calling her name—was Lilles.

The moment she heard his voice, she knew something serious was happening.

Lilles was an Alpha. He knew exactly what her pheromones smelled like. If he got too close, she’d be caught—there was no doubt about it.

But—No.

An instinctive rejection surged through her. No matter what happened, she couldn’t let Lilles find her like this. Not in this state.

She clasped her hands over her mouth, trying to muffle even the sound of her breathing.

Please… just walk past.

She didn’t know why he was chasing her down from the hall, but this was the worst possible timing.

Peering out from the bushes with anxious eyes, Idina watched as Lilles wandered the garden, scanning the area.

He looked completely thrown off by her disappearance—his face etched with worry.

When he couldn’t find her, he muttered a curse under his breath.

“F*ck, where the hell are you…?”

Idina felt embarrassment surged through her as she saw him—Lilles—searching for her with an expression she had never seen before.

Still, she was grateful she’d escaped through the other side.

Had she stayed, she would’ve been caught.

If Lilles found her in the middle of a heat cycle, there was no way he’d leave her alone.

Fortunately, he didn’t seem to catch her scent in the air. After lingering around the area for a while, he finally disappeared in the opposite direction.

Only then did Idina release a long, shaky breath.

Still, unease gnawed at her. If she remained here, Lilles might circle back and find her.

Her thoughts—hazy from the heat—drifted to the upper floors of the banquet hall.

Earlier, before the banquet began, she had noticed that several rooms on the second and third floors had already been closed. They were probably being used for secret meetings, given the masquerade theme. But since this was a banquet hosted by the Emperor himself, it was unlikely the rooms were fully occupied.

She made up her mind.

She would sneak back into the hall using the external staircase that led directly to the second floor.

Reaching the foot of the stairs, Idina looked around. Luckily, the area was deserted. Without wasting a second, she hurried up the steps.

The second-floor corridor was dim, a stark contrast to the brilliantly lit banquet hall below.

Her footsteps echoed softly as she moved through the shadowy hallway—until she spotted an open door. Relief washed over her.

She bolted for it.

If she could just endure this for a few hours, it would be far better than being found now.

By then, the banquet would likely be over.

She could simply walk out, meet her brother as if nothing had happened, and return home together in the carriage.

That was the plan.

But just as Idina reached for the doorknob—

“…?”

Tak.

Someone grabbed her hand.

Startled, Idina turned sharply toward the shadow beside her.

Who was it?

Lilles?

Brother Elliot…?

A hundred possibilities flashed through her mind in an instant.

She prayed it wasn’t the worst one.

Thump. Thump.

Her heart pounded so hard it felt like her chest would burst.

Slowly, with a creak of dread, she turned her head—and her eyes widened.

It wasn’t Lilles.

It wasn’t her brother.

“You walk very fast.”

“…What?”

The voice was calm. Familiar.

Before she could react, he gently pulled her into the room.

It was the Alpha.

The same one she had danced with on the floor.

The same one she had kissed.

Why is he here?

Confusion flared across her face, her skin flushing red.

Bang.

The door shut behind them.

And the two of them were swallowed whole by the night.

***

Clatter.

The sound echoed sharply through the darkness, startling even Idina, whose mind was already in chaos.

The man—the Alpha—remained by the door, his body leaning casually against it. He still held Idina’s wrist, not letting go even after the door had shut.

And Idina leaned into him, panting like a frightened young animal.

“…”

They were so close, it felt as though he were shielding her completely. So close, they could feel each other’s breath, warm and uneven in the dark.

The room she had chosen was pitch black.

She couldn’t make out anything in her surroundings—but she was acutely aware of her own condition.
Her legs were weak. If not for his steady arms, she knew she would collapse.

She could feel his gaze on her—watching her, studying her as she struggled to catch her breath.

But he wasn’t just a man.

He was an Alpha.

And right now, to an Omega in heat… he was the most lethal, most dangerous presence imaginable.