There were many things Elliot could take if he wanted to. As an Alpha, his will bent others easily, his dominance pressing down until resistance fractured. But I was the exception. No matter how strong the pull between us became, no matter how his presence wrapped around my senses like a claim waiting to happen, I was the one thing he couldn't have.
And I intended to keep it that way.
The moment I stepped out of his office, I released a slow breath, my shoulders finally loosening. His scent still clung to me—rich, commanding, dangerously warm—and it made my wolf stir uneasily beneath my skin. Kindness from an Alpha like him wasn't simple. It carried weight, expectation, and something far more binding than words ever could.
I didn't want to owe him. Because in our world, debts weren't always repaid with effort or loyalty. Sometimes, they demanded submission—a bond I wasn't willing to give. If I reached that point, there would be no turning back.
