CLAUDE
"Are you actually defending him?" he growled, his voice laced with suspicion. "How would you even know that?"
My teeth clenched, my control barely holding. "Because I've been with him," I said firmly. "On the ship. Jonny stole from him, and now it looks like he stole from you too and pinned it on Nikolai."
The Alpha's eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze assessing me. He stepped closer, closing the distance between us until I could feel the heat radiating off him.
"You're different," he murmured, his tone quieter now, almost thoughtful. "I can't place your scent..." His words trailed off as realization lit his eyes, the frown on his face momentarily smoothing.
"You're an omega, aren't you?" he asked, his voice edged with disbelief.
My jaw locked and I couldn't help the
