The Alpha's Lottery

Chapter 5

The moment I slid into the tub, the water sloshed over the edge, splattering against the tile floor. The heat was searing—almost punishing—but I sank lower until the steam wrapped around me like a heavy, invisible blanket. Normally, this kind of bath would feel like heaven after a long day. Right now? It was just… tolerable. Better than nothing, I guess. At least it distracted me from the strange hypersensitivity that had taken over my body.

I let out a shaky sigh, trying not to let the creeping fear sink its claws into me again.

For the first time in hours, the prickling sensation across my skin eased. But it was temporary—I knew that. It kept coming in waves, alternating between hot flashes that made my face flush and chills that raised goosebumps down my arms. I’d never experienced anything like it before.

The bathroom looked like a shrine. I’d lit so many candles that if someone looked in from outside, they might think I was conducting some kind of ritual. Their flames reflected in the water, dancing gold over the porcelain, yet the heat and light felt muted—never enough to pierce the heavy gloom weighing over me.

Something was wrong.

Not just wrong—off. In a way I didn’t have words for.

I reached for my wine glass and took a sip, letting the liquid roll over my tongue. God, it was good—smooth, rich—but it still wasn’t enough. My taste buds were greedy now, like they wanted more than wine could give. My senses were sharper than usual, yet somehow… unsatisfied.

Closing my eyes, I slid lower into the water until only my face remained above the surface. My mind betrayed me, playing the same scene over and over again: the auction.

And him.

That man.

Lorenzo.

The image was so vivid I almost expected him to step out from behind the flickering candlelight. His body was all muscle and coiled strength, his presence too big for the room he’d been in. His face—sharp, unforgiving—looked like it had been carved from stone. He was other. Not just in stature, but in energy.

And every time I remembered his eyes on me, something primal stirred inside me—something that scared the hell out of me.

Was it attraction? Need? Fear? All three tangled together until I couldn’t tell them apart.

“God, Sindy… get a grip,” I muttered under my breath, rubbing a hand over my face.

But my body wasn’t listening. My pulse kicked up. My skin felt feverish. My n*****s were hard beneath the water, my breasts heavy and aching. Worse, there was an insistent throb between my legs, like my body had made up its mind without consulting me first.

And I hadn’t even spoken to him. Not once.

How could someone I didn’t know feel like… like the missing half of something I didn’t even realize I’d been searching for?

I shoved the thought away. He wasn’t even human.

That truth should have been enough to shut this down. But it wasn’t.

I wasn’t going to give in. Not to this… whatever this was. I’d fought harder battles before. I wasn’t the type to fold.

Memories of my early days at the Academy in Richmond came flooding back—drills, sweat, bruises, and the booming voice of Instructor Tallis echoing over the field. The man was made of steel, all sharp edges and zero smiles.

“The FMB does what must be done,” he used to bark as he paced in front of us. “If hard men and hard women don’t do the unpleasant things, the hard things—yes, even the cruel things—then our society will collapse. We are the bridge. The shield. The sentinels. The guardians. We do what must be done. Because it’s our job. Our calling. Our duty. Our solemn oath.”

Back then, I’d believed him. Or maybe I’d wanted to believe him.

Now? The words felt hollow. The job was no longer a noble calling—it was a machine, grinding away, demanding sacrifices. And sometimes, those sacrifices were human lives.

Especially women.

I swallowed hard, staring into the water as the thought settled over me like a cold shadow. Some of those women didn’t want to go, but it didn’t matter. Their fate was sealed.

And I’d been a part of that.

“Jesus Christ, Sindy,” I whispered, shaking my head. “You’re comparing being handed over to alphas to… a damn hair color preference? How far have you fallen?”

Shame bubbled up, hot and uncomfortable. I told myself I wasn’t heartless—not yet—but I was close. Too close.

And then… everything that had happened today crashed into me again.

It had been chaos. A disaster. And I was still reeling from it.

I took another sip of wine, ignoring the low, insistent ache between my legs. But then—

(Stacia…)

The voice was in my head. Deep. Male.

I yelped and jerked upright, splashing water across the tiles. “What the f**k?!”

My heart pounded against my ribs, my pulse loud in my ears. I held perfectly still, listening.

Nothing.

“Great,” I muttered, dragging my hands down my face. “Now I’m hearing voices. Perfect. Fantastic. Really rounding out the day.”

I forced myself to sink back into the water, eyes closed, focusing on my breathing. Calm down. Pretend it didn’t happen.

Except… I had heard that voice before. Recently.

The water had gone lukewarm by the time I climbed out and wrapped myself in a towel. I padded into my bedroom, hair damp, skin still buzzing with that strange electric sensation.

My phone was on the bed, screen glowing.

Five missed calls. All from the office.

“Shit.” My stomach dropped. “That’s not good.”

I tossed the phone aside and stretched out on the mattress, staring at the ceiling. The heat under my skin hadn’t faded. The prickling sensation was back, licking at my nerves like a warning.

I told myself I’d deal with it in the morning. I always dealt with things.

But deep down, I knew—whatever was happening to me wasn’t going to wait that long.