THE OMEGA WHO RAN FROM THE HEAT

The confession

Mateo Knox’s POV

I fight every wild thought running through my head as I carry her toward the local lodge. I keep asking her name on the way, but she just won’t say it.

“This is your stop, kitten,” I say, setting her back on her feet. I grab her wrist and guide her to the front desk.

“This doesn’t look like your place,” she mutters. I catch the sarcasm in her voice and decide to push back a little.

I stop and let her bump into my chest. I turn slowly and lean close to her ear. “You can still change your mind, kitten. I’ve got a bed with your name on it in my room—whatever your name is tonight.”

It was supposed to be a joke, light and harmless. But she snaps. Her claws scrape against me as she shoves me away. “You f*****g piece of s**t! Do you think I’m a hooker?” Her eyes burn with anger, and I freeze, staring at her.

“No, f**k this,” she mutters. “I’ll just leave this dump. Don’t worry about me, Alpha.” She starts walking toward the exit.

I can’t let her walk away like that. Not over something I said. I love watching her walk away, yes, but I don’t want her leaving because of me.

I grab her wrist and pull her back. I wrap my arms around her waist, pressing her against my chest, and whisper, “Wait, no, I was joking, kitten. I don’t think you’re a hooker.”

“Stop calling me a damn kitten. I’m more than my species!” she hisses. Then, surprisingly, she presses her head to my chest.

“You won’t tell me your name, so I had to improvise,” I say. “Come on, don’t be mad. I’ll buy you breakfast. I’m serious. I’m sorry.”

Normally, nobody would see me holding a woman like this in public, especially not members of my pack. There are plenty watching, but I don’t care. I’d rather deal with tomorrow’s gossip than let her slip away today.

“It’s Avery Cruz,” she finally mutters.

A smile spreads across my face. Usually, women tell me their name immediately, but Avery made me work for it. She’s definitely a handful.

“Finally,” I say, letting go of her. I cup her cheek with my hand. “Let’s get you checked in and figure out our next move.”

Her eyes roll. “How are you sure I need a room at this lodge? Do I look homeless to you?”

“No, not at all,” I say. “I assume you need a place because this is the first time I’ve seen you. You tried running earlier, so I guess no one else is here for you. It’s late to be wandering the woods. Am I wrong?”

Her shoulders slump, and she bites her lip. “Okay… you’re not wrong,” she admits.

I lead her to the front desk and help fill out the paperwork. We hand it to the receptionist, who looks at us with raised eyebrows as she types.

“Would you like a room in the main building or one of the cabins?” the receptionist asks.

“What’s the difference?” Avery asks, nervously biting her nails.

I interrupt. I slide my card across the desk. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll cover it. She’s my guest.”

The receptionist’s eyes linger on the card. Then she leans over and stares at me like I’m her next meal. Creepy.

“In that case, the cabins are better. They’re small but feel more like home. And the beds are much bigger and more comfortable than in the rooms,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Okay, cabins it is,” Avery breathes, looking around as if seeing everything for the first time.

She doesn’t even seem to notice the receptionist flirting with me—or she’s pretending not to. No jealousy? Not even a little?

This woman tests my patience in ways no one else ever has. First, she tempts me. Then she punches me. And now she acts like nothing’s happening.

I shake my head and take a deep breath. Avery knows I’m attracted to her—very quickly, very suddenly—but she set this whole situation up herself. And she won’t even acknowledge it.

“Great. You’re in number nine. Here’s your key,” the receptionist says, handing Avery a key. Then she adds another, winking at me. “And an extra for the Alpha.”

“I’m not staying with her,” I blurt, instantly regretting it. Her eyes light up like she’s won the lottery. I snatch the extra key. “I changed my mind,” I mumble.

I pull Avery out of the lodge before the receptionist can say more. Normally, women hitting on me isn’t a problem, but this one gives me the creeps. There’s something… off.

We walk toward the cabins and find number nine. I unlock it and open the door for her.

She gasps as she steps inside. “Do you like it?” I ask, chuckling.

“Are you kidding? This is perfect! Thank you!” Avery says, a little too excited to be acting like an adult. I let her have the moment.

“Good. Now,” I step closer, wrapping my arms around her waist again and pulling her against my chest. “We need to talk seriously.”

“What about?” she asks, trying to pull away.

“It’s time to be honest,” I say, my voice firm. “Why are you here? Don’t give me excuses. I want the truth. Why did you come into my club and punch me like that? No hard feelings, but I need answers.”

She stiffens, realizing I won’t let go. “Oh… I didn’t know I had to send a message before coming here,” she lies. I know she’s lying—the tension in her body, the way she breathes.

“Bullshit. If you weren’t high-ranking among the cats, I couldn’t have found your scent. High-ranking cats follow protocol. I won’t repeat myself. Tell me now before I lose my patience.”

Avery freezes, her eyes darting away. “I… I just…”

“You what?” I press, my voice low, dangerous. “You think you can just waltz into my territory, punch me, and expect nothing to happen? Tell me why.”

Her head bows. I can feel the truth fighting its way out, but she’s trying to hold it back. I tighten my grip, making it clear there’s no escaping this.

“You weren’t supposed to see me,” she finally whispers. “I came for information. About… someone in your pack.”

My brow furrows. “Information? About who?”

“I can’t tell you everything,” she says quickly, her hands gripping my arms. “Not yet. It’s… complicated.”

“Complicated?” I growl. “Avery, you’re in my lodge. You’re on my land. You don’t get to play games.”

“I’m not playing!” she says, her voice shaking. “I came here to stop something from happening. Something dangerous. You wouldn’t understand!”

“I wouldn’t understand?” I repeat, narrowing my eyes. “Try me. I’ve handled worse than whatever this is. If it’s a threat to my pack or to me, you tell me now.”

Her lips press together. She looks like she’s about to cry. I notice the way her shoulders slump and how her claws dig into my shirt. She’s scared.

“Someone… wants to hurt your pack,” she whispers. “They’ve been planning it for months. I tried to stop them before it got this far.”

I step back slightly, trying to process this. “Who? Avery. Name them. Now.”

“I can’t!” she says, shaking her head. “If I tell you, it could ruin everything. I don’t know who to trust, Mateo. I thought… I thought maybe I could trust you.”

“You thought right,” I say firmly, taking her hands in mine. “But I need something. I need proof. Anything. Don’t make me chase you down later, Avery. I won’t let anyone hurt my pack. Not anyone.”

Her eyes meet mine, full of fear and uncertainty. “You don’t understand,” she whispers. “They’re watching. They know I’m here. If I slip up—”

“Then we deal with them,” I interrupt. “Whatever it takes. But I can’t protect my pack if you hide things from me.”

She swallows hard. “You really mean that?”

“Every word,” I say, letting go of her hands slowly, giving her some space. “But you have to tell me soon. The longer you wait, the worse it gets.”

Avery nods, her eyes flicking to the door like she’s worried someone’s outside listening. “I’ll tell you… I promise. But not yet.”

“Not yet?” I repeat, my patience thinning. “How long do you think we have, Avery?”

She doesn’t answer. Instead, she bites her lip and steps toward the cabin window, peering outside. I can see her trembling slightly.

“Someone is coming,” she whispers. My blood runs cold.

I move to the window beside her, scanning the dark woods around the lodge. The shadows shift, and my instincts flare.

“Who?” I demand. “Who is out there?”

Avery shakes her head. “I don’t know. But they’re close. Too close.”

I feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me. My heart pounds, and my mind races. I know she’s telling the truth, but the questions are stacking up faster than I can handle.

“Stay inside. Don’t move,” I order. “I’ll check it out.”

“No! Don’t leave me alone!” she cries, grabbing my arm.

“I have to,” I say, tightening my grip on her shoulders. “If they’re near, I need to know now. Trust me, Avery.”

She swallows hard, finally letting go. Her eyes plead with me, full of fear and something else I can’t quite place.

I step toward the door, hand on the handle, and pause. My ears catch a faint sound—footsteps crunching in the snow. Someone is definitely out there.

I glance back at Avery. “Stay here. Don’t make a sound. And don’t move unless I tell you.”

She nods, pressing herself against the wall, eyes wide with terror.

I open the door slowly, peering into the darkness outside. The footprints are fresh, leading directly toward the cabins. Whoever is coming, they know exactly where we are.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. My senses are screaming danger, every instinct on high alert.

The wind shifts. I hear it again—soft, deliberate footsteps, moving closer, closer.

I glance back at Avery. “Are you ready for what’s coming?”

She doesn’t answer. She just stares at me, terrified.

I step outside, the cold air hitting my face, and my eyes scan the dark forest. The footprints stop suddenly, as if the person knows I’m watching.

Then I hear it—a low growl from the shadows. Someone is out there. Watching. Waiting.

I tighten my fists. This is it. The moment I’ve been preparing for without even knowing it.

And then a voice cuts through the night, low, menacing, and familiar.

“Mateo Knox… you shouldn’t have come here.”

My heart skips. Avery gasps behind me.

Who could it be? And how close are they really?