Ember's POV
I woke up wrapped in Cade's arms, and for a brief moment, I forgot everything. I forgot he was getting married in eight days. I forgot I was just an ordinary person.I forget the fact that this was meant to be just one night, nothing else.
His arm embraced me tightly, his breath warm against my neck. In the gentle morning glow, he appeared somewhat more youthful and relaxed.
I realized I needed to go before he wakes up. That was the agreement. one night, then return to the usual. However, when I got out of bed, he held me tightly.
"Where are you going ?" he muttered, remaining partly asleep.
"Home," I murmured. "Morning has arrived."
His silver eyes fluttered open, and he looked at me as if attempting to memorize every feature of my face.
"Stay with me," he said.
"That's not possible for me." "You're aware that I cannot."
He straightened up, passing his fingers through his tangled dark hair. "What happens if I wish for you to stay?"
My heart raced, yet I made myself remain resilient. "Last evening was amazing, Cade. "But that has come to an end now."
"What if it doesn't have to finish?"
I got out of bed and started searching for my clothes. "You will be marrying Victoria Sterling in eight days." Remember?"
"That's different. That's business." I stopped and stared at him. "Business?"
"You know what I mean. Politics. Pack duties."
"And what am I?" I asked quietly. "Fun?"
He stood and walked toward me. "You're… special."
"Special enough for one night. Not enough to marry."
He reached out for me, but I stepped away. I couldn't let him touch me again. If he did, I'd lose myself and agree to anything.
"Ember, listen…"
"No," I said, pulling my shirt over my head. "I believed you last night. You said it was one night. I'm keeping my side of the deal."
"What if I change my mind?"
"You can't. You're an Alpha. You have responsibilities. I'm just an omega who works at the tree farm."
I grabbed my shoes and headed for the door. Each step hurt, but I kept going.
"This isn't over," Cade called after me.
"It is," I said without looking back.
Even as I spoke, my heart knew the truth. Nothing would ever be over with Cade Blackwood. He was in my blood, in my heart. The memory of this night would stay with me forever.
I walked home in the cold morning breeze, trying to hold back my tears. My rational mind said I was doing the right thing. But a small part of me wanted to run back, an plead with him to choose me over duty.
When I got home, I took a long shower, trying to wash the scent of him off my skin. But it lingered, like he had marked me somehow.
I reported sick and couldn't go to work. I couldn't face Old Pete's questions or the way he'd look at me if he smelled Cade on my clothes.
All day, I cleaned my cabin, trying to avoid the thought of Cade's silver eyes, gentle hands, or the way he whispered my name in the dark.
Around midday, a knocked came at the door.
My heart raced, wishing it was Cade, maybe to say he has changed his mind. But it was Victoria Sterling.
She looked flawless, as always. Blonde hair braided perfectly, expensive winter clothes, and makeup that probably cost more than I make in a month.
"Hello, Ember," she said with a cold smile.
"Victoria. What are you doing here?"
"You know why."
She pushed past me inside like she owned the place. Her nose wrinkled, like my cabin smelled bad to her. "Nice place," she said.
"What do you want?" I asked.
She turned, her icy blue eyes sharp. "I want you to stay away from my fiancé."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Don't play dumb. I can smell him on you. Everyone in the pack can."
My cheeks burned. I thought the shower had worked.
"It's not what you think," I said.
"Really? Because it looks like you threw yourself at him during your heat. Tried to trap him with omega tricks."
"That's not true."
"Is it?" Victoria stepped closer. "Everyone knows you've been in love with him for years. And now that you finally got your heat, you used it to charm him."
I wanted to deny it, but the words caught in my throat. Had I really been in love with Cade all this time?
"One night doesn't mean anything," Victoria said. "Alphas have their needs. Sometimes they slip up. But Cade knows where his duty lies."
"Then why are you here?" I asked. "If you trust him so much?"
A flicker of something passed in Victoria's face. Fear? Doubt?
"Because I know what omegas like you can do. You'll do anything to climb in the pack. Even break up an engagement."
"I don't want to break anything."
"Good," she said coldly. "Because if you mess with my wedding, I'll make you regret it. I have power in this pack you can't imagine. Life will be very hard for you."
She moved toward the door and turned back.
"Oh, and Ember? If you think about telling anyone what happened last night, don't. No one will believe you. Who would choose a nobody like you over someone like me?"
After she left, I sat on my couch and cried. not just because of her threats, but because it was all true. I was nobody. Cade was an Alpha who could have anyone.
Last night had been wonderful,v but it was over.
That evening, I made dinner and tried to act normal. I read a book. Watched TV. Went to bed early.
At midnight, someone knocked.
I opened the door. It was Cade, still wearing the clothes from that morning. His hair was wild, and his eyes looked fierce.
"I tried to stay away," he said.
"Cade…"
"I tried to forget last night. Focus on the wedding, Victoria… all the things I should care about."
"You should go home."
"I can't." He stepped closer. "I can't stop thinking about you. About how you felt in my arms,
About the way you said my name."
"It was just one night."
"What if it wasn't?" He touched my face gently. "What if I want more?"
I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch. It felt wrong, but it felt so right.
"Your wedding is in seven days," I whispered.
"I know."
"Victoria came to see me today. She threatened me."
His eyes flashed with anger. "She what?"
"She told me to stay away from you."
"And what did you say?"
I looked into his silver eyes, feeling my decisions crumbling away. "I told her it was over between us."
He smiled and pulled me close. "Liar."
Then he kissed me, and everything faded away. not threats, not plans, nothing.
When we pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine.
"Same time tomorrow night," he whispered. "And the night after. And the night after that."
My heart stopped for a second. "Cade, we can't…"
"We can," he said. "We will."
Before I could argue, he kissed me again, pulling me back into his arms, into the beautiful lie that maybe, just maybe, someone like him could want someone like me.