Chapter 1

Stella's POV

It was two in the morning, and my body was on fire again.

This damn Omega physiology—every week, I had to endure this torment. Curled up on my dorm bed, my skin burned like it was caught in a blaze, sweat soaking through Alexander Thompson's T-shirt. Every brush of fabric against my skin sent shivers through me, my nerves screaming with sensitivity.

My boyfriend, my childhood sweetheart, was glued to his laptop screen, video-chatting with Madison Whitmore.

"So, Madison, your market analysis is just BRILLIANT," Alexander gushed. "No surprise, coming from a Whitmore. You totally get the business world."

"Thanks, Alex. That means a lot coming from you," Madison's syrupy voice cooed through the speakers.

I wanted to gag. Three years together, and he'd never praised me like that.

"Alex…" My voice trembled with need as I called out to him, weak and desperate. "I need you…"

He yanked off one earbud, irritation flashing across his face without even turning around. "Stella, can you keep it down? I'm in the middle of something IMPORTANT."

"But I'm really struggling…"

"Goddamn it!" Alexander spun around, his blue eyes blazing with disgust. "You ALWAYS pick the worst time to go into heat! Madison would never interrupt me like this—she respects my priorities!"

His words hit like a slap. Since when did I rank below his study buddy?

Biting my lip, I fought back tears, but the agony in my body and the sting of his rejection were breaking me.

"Sorry, Madison, my roommate's dealing with some… issues," Alexander said to the screen. "Let's head to the library study room. It's quieter there."

"No worries, Alex," Madison chirped. "Some people just don't get boundaries, you know?"

Alexander nodded, already packing up his laptop. He didn't spare me a glance. "I'm not coming back tonight. Get some rest or… whatever."

The door slammed shut, leaving me trembling and sobbing in the dark.

Three years of love, and all I got was "or whatever"?

Tears streamed down my face as I clutched my pillow, seeking comfort in Alexander's lingering scent. But it only deepened my despair. My heat made every inch of my skin ache for touch, driving me to the edge of sanity.

Just as I thought I'd lose it, the door creaked open.

"Alex?" I lifted my head, hopeful.

"It's me." A deep, magnetic voice answered as Jax Boudreaux stepped inside.

Alexander's roommate, the star quarterback of the football team. We barely exchanged more than a nod in passing—he was always distant, cool. Fresh from practice, his tight tank top clung to his chiseled frame, sweat gleaming on his bronzed skin under the moonlight.

"Hey, I heard crying…" His gray eyes flickered with unease, clearly out of his element. "You in heat again? Where's Alex?"

We never talked much, and now, seeing me like this—wrecked and vulnerable—I burned with shame.

"He's at the library with Madison, working on a project," I mumbled, wiping my tears, avoiding his gaze. "Said I was… interrupting."

Jax's fists clenched. "That JERK."

"Don't say that about him…"

"Stella, stop defending him!" Jax's voice was sharp with anger. "I've got eyes! I SEE how he treats you!"

He stepped closer, his scent—sweat and raw masculinity—hitting me like a drug. I couldn't help but breathe it in, and it nearly unraveled me.

"You don't deserve this." He stopped at the edge of my bed, looking down at me.

From this angle, I could see the rise and fall of his chest under the damp tank top, the hard lines of his muscles carved from hours of training.

God, I'm losing it.

"Jax…" My body moved toward him on instinct.

"You're shaking." He reached out, hesitating before brushing his hand across my forehead.

That single touch sent a jolt through me, making my whole body quiver.

"You're beautiful, Stella," Jax said, his voice rough as he locked eyes with me. "Any guy would be lucky to have you."

I couldn't hold back anymore. I grabbed his hand, nuzzling his wrist, desperate for more of his scent.

"Stella…" His body tensed.

I looked up at him and did something reckless—I kissed him.

The kiss was raw, fueled by desperate need. I devoured him, my tongue tangling with his, tasting the heat of his mouth.

Jax froze for a moment, then kissed me back with a hunger that wasn't anything like Alexander's half-hearted pecks. His lips were rough, demanding, consuming.

"I want you," I gasped against his ear. "Please… I'm going crazy…"

I sat up, letting the oversized T-shirt slip off my shoulders. Moonlight spilled across my bare skin, and I saw his eyes darken with desire.

"Stella…" His voice shook, fighting a losing battle with restraint.

"He doesn't want me anymore," I said, peeling off the shirt completely, baring myself to him. "Why should I stay loyal?"

Jax's control snapped. He pinned me down on Alexander's bed.

"You sure about this?" he asked, one last time.

"Yes," I said, tugging at his clothes. "Take me. Make me forget everything…"

He ripped off his tank top, revealing taut muscles and bronzed skin. I licked the sweat from his chest, the salty taste driving me wilder.

Jax's rough hands roamed my burning skin, igniting every nerve. The air was thick with his sweat and my heat. His lips crashed into mine, deep and relentless, his tongue stealing my breath.

I clawed at his back, nails digging into his firm muscles, feeling his raw power. Heat pooled between my thighs.

"Stella," he growled, pulling back slightly. "You're so damn beautiful."

His words set me ablaze. Trembling, I tugged down his shorts, revealing his hard length, glistening in the moonlight. My throat tightened, a soft whimper escaping me.

Jax watched me, his breath hitching as I gripped him. His skin was scalding, pulsing under my touch as I stroked him slowly.

"Fuck," he groaned, head tipping back, neck muscles straining. "You're driving me insane."

"Do something," I whispered, spreading my legs urgently.

He didn't hesitate. His hands gripped my hips, pinning me in place. The tip of him brushed my entrance, slick with my arousal, and the contact made me gasp. He teased me, sliding against my sensitive spot, each pass sending shivers through me.

"Say you want me," he commanded, voice low.

"I want you," I panted, clutching his shoulders. "Jax, take me."

With a guttural growl, he thrust into me, filling me completely.

"Oh, GOD!" I cried out, my body tensing at the overwhelming sensation.

Jax paused, letting me adjust, his forehead pressed against mine. "You okay?"

"Keep going," I begged, rocking my hips to urge him deeper. "Don't stop."

He pulled back almost entirely before slamming back in, his rhythm relentless. Each thrust pushed me closer to the edge, our bodies colliding with a wet, rhythmic sound. My hands roamed his slick chest, fingers tracing his hard abs, gripping his hips to pull him harder, faster.

"Stella," he growled, kissing my neck, sucking hard.

It felt so DAMN good.

His hand slid between us, his thumb circling my sensitive spot. "Come for me."

That command shattered me. My climax hit like a tidal wave, my body clenching around him as pleasure tore through me.

"Jax… oh, God…"

He buried himself deep, releasing inside me, the heat of it sending aftershocks through my trembling body.

Jax pulled me close, my cheek pressed against his chest, his heartbeat thundering against me. That night, my heat finally subsided, my body sated.

"Stella," he murmured, lips brushing my forehead. "You're mine now."

I didn't answer, lost in the afterglow of ecstasy.