Chapter 9–CLAUDE

CLAUDE

I didn't have the damn key to our room, which was why I'd been standing here for Gods knew how long, feeling more pissed off with every second.

"You're alone," a voice cut through my thoughts. "I'm surprised."

I whipped my head toward the sound. Amelia was standing there, in a short, pleated skirt, black bra barely covering anything, a gold leash around her neck. She held the end of it in her hand and started walking toward me like she owned the damn place.

"Amelia," I muttered, shifting my weight to the other foot, my body tense as she got closer.

"You didn't look so thrilled to be here the first night," she said, a sly smirk curving her lips. I chuckled. No shit. I'd been questioning my decisions—whether I was making a mistake, whether this was what I really wanted. But I had made up my mind now.

"Yeah, well…" I shrugged. Her eyes flicked to the door I was leaning against, and I could feel her getting closer, measuring me up.

"Listen, Tate," she said, her voice low, and for some reason, I tensed like she was about to say something that would make my skin crawl. "The man who bought you—Nikolai? He's not someone you want to mess with. I don't know why he wanted you, but I do know this: He's dangerous. You need to be careful with him."

Some part of me wanted to argue, to defend Nikolai even, despite knowing little about him. But before I could speak, Antonio strolled down the hall, hands tucked in his pockets, gaze locking onto us

"There you are, kitty," he said, hands shoved in his pockets, like he had all the time in the world. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

Amelia sighed, gave me a pitying look, then turned to face Antonio. "Just talking to my friend, baby," she purred, and I couldn't help but cringe inwardly. His eyes locked on me, a grin spreading across his face like a predator who had just found his prey.

"It's you," he murmured, his tongue flicking out to wet his lips as his gaze swept over me. I felt the air grow thick, and the blood in my veins froze. My back pressed against the wall, and all I could think about was the time he had come into my cell, smelling my heat.

"It's you," he said, that sick grin never leaving his face. "You've got my men going crazy over your scent. A male in heat? Now that's something special."

I shuddered, disgust swirling in my gut, my body too hot, too cold, all at once. I just needed it to stop. To end.

"You're not a real beta, are you?" He hissed, gripping my chin and jerking my face toward him, while his other hand trailed down my body, resting at my groin. "God, you're like an omega in heat, begging for it."

His lips curled, and my stomach turned. I jerked my head, trying to escape his hold, but he kept me there, his grip unyielding.

"Please… stop," I gasped, the words tasting like ash on my tongue. But he just laughed, the sound like nails on a chalkboard.

"No… Come on, boy. I know you want it."

The words echoed in my mind, long after they left his lips.

"Tate? Tate?"

I blinked, trying to shake the memory off, but it clung to me like a second skin. When I looked up, Nikolai was striding toward us, his jaw tight, his body stiff. His shirt—two buttons undone—only made him look more lethal.

"What the hell is going on here?" His voice was low, dangerous.

Antonio, looking like a kid caught in the act, spluttered. "I was just—just asking if you'd be interested in your pet and mine engaging in a little fun."

I couldn't hide the confusion and disgust on my face. "What the hell?" I muttered under my breath.

Diana shrugged, her eyes trained on Nikolai, like she was ready to pounce. I could feel the growl building in my chest. It wasn't until Nikolai's arm slipped around my waist and pulled me close that I realized just how territorial I felt.

"Not fucking interested," he snapped, the words like a warning. "Get lost, Antonio."

Antonio, glancing between us, gave a stiff nod, his eyes flashing anger as he tugged on Diana's leash. They disappeared down the hall, but my chest was still tight with the pressure of what had just happened.

Nikolai turned to me, his expression softening just a fraction. "Sorry about earlier," he said, and I hated that part of me that wanted to believe he meant it. "Had something important to handle."

Amelia warning echoed in my mind. He's dangerous.

I shook it off. I didn't belong here. Didn't belong in this world. Because this ship—this life,the humans on it will all be forgotten and I'd be gone. Back to my own life.

We finally made it into the room, the keypad clicking green, and the door slid open. Nikolai tossed his jacket on the bed, turning to face me. His brows furrowed when I spoke.

"I thought about what you said earlier," I said, voice steady, but my heart hammering in my chest.

Nikolai turned, his brows pulling together, but I didn't let him speak. My heart was pounding as I stared at him, every nerve alive. I licked my lips, taking a steadying breath before I said it.

"I want it. I want you."

Before I could blink, Nikolai was there, toe to toe, his hand curling around my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Good," he murmured, his voice dark, possessive. "Because l've wanted to do this since I saw you on your knees."

His lips grazed mine, hard at first, then softening, like he was tasting me, learning me. I was frozen for a moment, shocked by the heat of it all, my hands planted against the wall, but then they were in his hair, tugging him closer as his body pressed into mine.

I moaned into his mouth, feeling every inch of him against me, hard and hot, lips parting, inviting him in. This was nothing like before. This was something I never wanted to end.