“Go deeper!” Jasper yelled across the field. Red shirts swarm, tensions are high, sweat is falling down her form. Lillian watches her tails, their arms outspread. Her long blonde hair sparkled in the sun, the ponytail blowing softly in the wind as she waited to make her move. They know she’s a danger. The team’s open Omega is a dangerous Omega. She grabs her collar, tags jingling. She flicks it to the left, grabbing the metal identification tags so they silence. She darts to the right, sprinting across the field and weaving between red and yellow shirts. Her tails are hot on her heels, having figured out her little ruse. Jasper tries to move around his blocker, stationary. With the disc in hand, he crouches under the opposing player’s arms – tossing the disc hard across the field.

  It soars, the other six in yellow now switch to block their red counterparts from going after her. 10 metres, 20, 30, she’s flying down the field. Her tags clang together as she sprints to the endzone, Jasper’s disc overhead. She watches it – aware of the other two reds trying to keep up. The disc is almost in place, too high for her to leap yet, but almost. It slows, veering slightly to her right.

  It’s finally in range. She breathes, turning herself to the side and leaping up. She grasps the plastic frisbee, landing hard across the endzone. “That’s game!” Jasper screams from across the field. “Seven to six!”

  Her team erupts in cheers, the red shirts groaning and her two tails shoving each other for not being able to keep up. She drops the disc, beaming and runs over to her team. High fives all around the group, both teams make their way back to the bleachers. The other two teams are still tossing the disc back and forth on the other side of the field, it’s match point.

  “Lilly!” Jasper trots up to her. “Good catch! You’re a little too damn good at this. I fear a day we end up on opposite teams.” He says, wiping his forehead of sweat.

  Jasper had been the one to recommend she join their university’s Ultimate Frisbee team when she was a first year. She had been walking around the club faire when the Alpha had approached her. Tall, bulky, and lovely dark toffee coloured skin. She was mortified. So far, Alphas had left her alone during her first week of classes, but he had kind eyes. Large gentle hands too, which he used to hand her a flyer. She hadn’t considered playing frisbee before. But figured she’d give it a shot. Now she was the team’s Golden Retriever. Get her into an open spot or leave enough space for her to wiggle around to catch the disc should it be thrown to her? That’s a match waiting to be won.

  “Thanks! It was a good throw. Took me a little work to get Dane and Jay-Jay off my back.” She said, pulling her yellow penny off and tossing it alongside the others. Her shoulders and cheeks were lightly dusted with freckles, which seemed to only darken with all the time she’s spent on the field recently.

  Jasper laughed. “Try having Sam blocking you. He’s thin but has one hell of a wingspan.”

  Lillian picked up her water bottle, taking a sip before pressing the cool canister up to her forehead. “I try to avoid being blocked. Most of you guys are much bigger than me and I can only jump so high.”

  She remembered the first practice she went to. She didn’t know anyone there, aside from a few vaguely familiar faces from her classes. She realised once everyone lined up to be sorted onto daily teams that she was one of three females, and from the looks of it, the only Omega. Most of the guys were Alphas, with a few Betas sprinkled in. Jasper was their captain, alongside Vanessa - a gorgeous Alpha with long curly blonde hair and strong features. She served as a vice president of sorts. Lillian had been terrified to go out onto the field in what seems like an Alpha’s game. She soon learned to use her size to the advantage. The opposing team would often make the mistake of forgetting she was there.

  “Either way you did good. Always a pleasure teaming up.” He said, dark eyes not leaving the sport collar wrapped around her neck. “I do need to talk to you though.” Lillian looked up from her water, tilting her head. “Step to the side for a moment?”

  She nodded, walking further away from the group as the others chatted about the game. “What’s up?”

  “You… erm… might want to swap that collar out soon.” Her eyes widened. “I only know you’re getting close because you told me. But the others can probably smell the heat on you.”

  “Sorry.” She said sheepishly. “I try to be diligent about it, but I didn’t have a lot of time to swap out the patches after class. It was either swap them or eat. I chose the latter.”

  Jasper shrugged. “No worries. I’ll let the team know you’ll be out in a bit; I won’t bother telling them why. I’m sure they’ll figure it out.”

  She nodded. “Thank you. Anything you need me to do before I leave?”

  He thought for a moment. “If you haven’t picked up on it, some of the guys got a little restless and rambunctious with your patches wearing off. Have Vanessa walk you back to your dorm just to be safe, please.” Lillian could tell Jasper himself was having a hard time with her scent. But she appreciated his composure and care for her safety despite opposing primary and secondary sexes.

  “I will. Need any help picking up the cones and gear today?” She asked. She usually helped pick things up and clean the stadium a little before she left. Made her feel helpful and helped fill her need to serve.

  “No, it was a light practice. The other guys and I should be okay. You just get back safe and rest up. Hydrate or die-drate.” He chuckled.

  She voiced her agreement as they walked back over to the group. She could definitely feel the heat creeping its way into her head. Normally she only saw everyone as teammates. But she’d be damned if she wasn’t fond of a few. After all, she was a relatively straight Omega surrounded by primarily tall, athletic, beautiful male Alphas. She tried to keep things strictly professional, but after two years working with the same guys it was hard. After going out for food following tournaments and having a bunch of sweet Alphas always encouraging or praising her - she had a few little daydreams floating around.

  Daydreams that she would have to indulge while she’s heat quarantined.

  The university was small, roughly 3,000 students total, but had a pretty decent number of Alphas and Omegas compared to most schools. Fector University prided itself on its sports as well as its academics, so a lot of Alphas attended alongside their sport scholarships. And with their Omega-heat-friendly and Alpha-rut-friendly buildings – they attracted a lot of those with a more uncommon secondary gender. The school itself was also fairly progressive and made it a point that the school’s Betas and Omegas were not treated as any less than the Alphas. As far as Fector was concerned, all students were equal regardless of gender.

  Vanessa walked over, clad in black athletic shorts and a dark purple sports bra, shaking the droplets from her water bottle out of her hair. “Ready to head back?” she asked, wrapping her discarded shirt around her sweaty shoulders. Lillian nodded, taking a deep breath.

  She admired the trees and students playing games on campus as she and Vanessa walked back to her dorm. The collar felt tight. She couldn’t wait to get back and shower. Though she knew was going to have to pull out her scent-blocking soap to mask things. She had a few days left on her suppressants before her heat was due, so the soap would help alongside the patches.

  “Not to be that person…” Vanessa trailed. Lillian meets her eyes. “But maybe you should go into quarantine early. Or at least take the next week and a half from the team.”

  She shrugged. “I’ve been dealing with this for the last… 8 years? I’ll be fine, I don’t feel terribly warm yet.” Which was mostly true. Granted, the patches usually last longer than they did this time around, but heats fluctuate.

  “Even then, I wouldn’t want anything to happen on the field if your collar wasn’t working. I just worry about your safety is all. Some of the guys can get a little rowdy, and with most of them being A’s, the Troop Effect would be tough to break up.” Vanessa kept her voice low; Lillian didn’t need people hearing about her upcoming heat or its drawbacks.

  Lillian personally had never dealt with the Troop Effect. They had talked about it in her Psychology class a few semesters ago. From what she had heard it wasn’t really an issue now that things were more modern, and medical aid had come a long way. Hundreds of years ago Alphas had been drafted almost exclusively to fight in wars. A barbaric but common tactic was to drop an Omega in heat into an enemy troops’ camp. Typically, it would cause many of the Alphas to go feral and attack each other – decimating the fighting population. The Omega would usually end up killed in the carnage, occasionally they’d make it out alive – but pregnant. Before certain war laws forbade the use of Omegas as a “weapon”, the Omega would be killed to avoid producing a child of “tainted” blood.

  She wasn’t going to war though. She was going to class and playing frisbee. “I think it would be fine. We’re not in the 1700s. It’s just a bit of pheromones, I’m not in heat yet.”

  “And if you go into heat early?”

  “Vanessa.” Lillian’s tone indicated this was the last of this conversation. “I’ll be fine.”

  Vanessa shrugged. “You signed the waiver. If you feel safe, then I’ll take your word for it. You know your body. Just be careful, please.”

  Lillian had signed a waiver. Every semester she has to sign a liability form stating she’s not going to sue anyone if she gets injured in some way. This extended to her heat season as well. “I will.” She said, pulling out her ID to swipe into her residence hall. “I’m going to go get cleaned up.”

  Vanessa nodded. “Okay, just be safe.” She said, then waved goodbye as she walked back towards campus.

  Lillian stepped into her dorm room, the familiar scent of her lavender air freshener mingling with the remnants of sweat from practice. She tossed her water bottle onto her bed and walked straight to the bathroom, eager to wash away the day’s exertions. As the water cascaded over her curves, she felt relieved, but couldn’t ignore the anxiety tingling in the back of her brain. The patches were barely holding up, and she could sense the heat creeping closer. The green in her eyes seemed brighter, and her pupils looked slightly blown. She figured she had another week or so before it hit. But something felt different this time. She shrugged it off as either stress, hormones, or both.

  After washing her hair, she pulled out her scent-blocking soap, lathering up as she thought about the upcoming tournament. Fector University’s Ultimate Frisbee team was set to face off against a rival school known for their aggressive playstyle. The thought of it made her heart race - not just from excitement, but from the awareness that she’d need to manage her oncoming heat while performing at her absolute best.

  Once she was dressed and feeling somewhat more composed, she glanced at her phone. A message from Jasper popped up in their team chat: “Hey, team meeting tomorrow at 5. We need to strategize for the tournament. Bring your A-game!” She smiled, enjoying seeing how excited the team was for the tournament.

  However, the thought of being around the team while dealing with her upcoming heat made her uneasy. She was aware of the Troop Effect, and even if she felt fine now, she knew that once her heat hit, it would likely trigger something in the Alphas around her if she wasn’t careful or quarantined in time. Lillian decided to text Jasper, letting him know she would be at the meeting but might need to sit out some drills.

  The next evening arrived quickly, and Lillian found herself in the familiar huddle with her teammates. Jasper stood at the front, his presence commanding but friendly. Vanessa was beside him, her expression serious as she eyed the tactics laid out on a clipboard.

  “Alright, team,” Jasper began, “we’re going up against Crestwood University this weekend. They’re known for their high-energy plays and aggressive defence. We need to be prepared.”

  The team nodded, and Lillian could feel the excitement building among the team. She was thrilled to be part of something so vibrant, but her heart raced for another reason. She could sense the tension in the air, heightened by her impending heat, which made her skin prickle, and her head feel a bit fuzzy.

  “Lillian,” Vanessa called out, breaking her concentration. Lillian met her gaze, trying to focus. “We’re going to need you to utilize your speed. If you can create separation, we can set up plays that take advantage of your agility.”

  “Absolutely,” Lillian replied, though her voice trembled slightly. She could feel a few Alphas’ eyes lingering on her collar, the heat emanating from her body, intensifying their curiosity. The scent of their sweat mixed with the fresh grass, and it made her head spin. Each inhale sent a rush of warmth coursing through her, distracting her from the strategy at hand. Vanessa continued calling names and pulling the team together through the strategies.

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  As the meeting wrapped up, Jasper approached her. “You sure you’re okay to play? I know you mentioned needing to sit out some drills.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Lillian said, forcing a smile despite the way her heart raced at his proximity. The scent of him was intoxicating, sending her thoughts spiralling. “Just need to keep my scent under control. I can handle it.”

  Jasper frowned slightly; concern etched across his features. “Just promise me you’ll be careful out there. If you need to step back, don’t hesitate.” Lillian nodded, but knew she was too stubborn to listen.

  The next couple of days flew by in a blur of practices, with Lillian trying her best to focus on the game while managing the heat pooling under her skin. Nesting in her head. Each time she sprinted down the field, she could feel the pressure building, the urges tugging at her consciousness. The anticipation of her heat was obvious, with her body responding to the scents around her in ways that left her overwhelmed.

  On the day of the tournament, Lillian arrived at the field early, heart pounding in anticipation. The atmosphere was electric, with teams warming up and fans milling about. She spotted the Crestwood team across the field, their Alphas donned in grey and blue uniforms, particularly intimidating alongside their sharp stares and confident postures. The moment she caught a whiff of their pheromones, her head felt hazy, and her breath came quicker. It was as if the air was thick with a heady mix of sweat and dominance, and it made her stomach flutter unsteadily.

  As the game began, Lillian's team started strong, working seamlessly together. They communicated effortlessly, and she felt her confidence swell. But every time she caught a whiff of the opposing team’s scents, her senses heightened, and her resolve faltered slightly. The air was saturated with the musk of the Crestwood Alphas, an awful combination of exertion and something distinctly primal that made her pulse race.

  In one of the critical moments of the match, she found herself matched up against a tall, imposing Alpha from Crestwood. His presence was overwhelming; he exuded confidence and a powerful scent that made her heart race. As they sprinted down the field, Lillian could feel the heat surging within her, making her instincts scream for attention. It was intoxicating, and she fought to keep her focus on the game, but the heat was clouding her mind.

  “Lillian!” Jasper's voice cut through the haze as he called for the disc, but it felt muffled, distant. All she could concentrate on was the Alpha’s proximity, the way he moved with effortlessness, and the intoxicating scent that seemed to envelop her. It was overwhelming, making her feel dizzy and vulnerable.

  As she leaped to catch a high throw, she felt the heat surge within her, overwhelming her senses. The world around her seemed to fade, and all she could focus on was the disc and the Alpha's presence beside her. The disc slipped through her fingers, and she landed hard on the ground, the impact jolting her back to reality.

  “Shit!” she muttered, frustration bubbling inside her. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, not just from embarrassment but from the mounting pressure that the scent of the opposing Alpha was exerting on her.

  “Too bad, Omega.” He smirked, and Lillian felt frustration wash over her. He was doing this on purpose. She was losing focus, and with it, the game. The atmosphere was charged enough, and she could sense her teammates exchanging worried glances, their awareness of her internal struggle growing.

  “Lillian!” Jasper called out, concern evident in his voice as he rushed over. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, though the heat was making it hard to think clearly. “I just… lost it for a moment.”

  “Let’s regroup,” he said, leading her back to the sidelines. “You’re doing great, but I can see you’re struggling. We need you sharp if we’re going to win this.”

  As she caught her breath, Vanessa approached, her expression serious. “You need to tell us if you’re feeling off. We can adjust the game plan.”

  Lillian took a deep breath, feeling the pressure of everyone’s expectations. The heat was building within her, swirling with every scent that wafted through the air, making it hard to concentrate. “I’m okay. I’ll do my best,” she said, determination settling in, though she couldn’t ignore the way her body was responding to the Alphas surrounding her.

  As the game continued, Lillian could feel her impulses fighting for control. The heat was a live wire, thrumming beneath her skin, and every time she caught a glimpse of the Crestwood players, particularly the tall Alpha she’d faced before, her mind clouded with thoughts she didn’t want to entertain. She felt vulnerable and caught in the centre of chaos. Maybe this was a bad idea.

  With each play, she noticed how some of the Alphas on her team were slightly off their game, their focus diverted by the scent that lingered in the air. They exchanged glances, their bodies tense, and she felt the weight of their attention on her, mixing with the pressure of the competition. It was a delicate balance - she wanted to so bad to excel, to prove her worth, but the heat made everything more complicated.

  Finally, Lillian found herself with the disc again. Jasper had thrown it, and she had the chance to score. She sprinted down the field, heart pounding as she felt the heat radiating off her body. An opposing Alpha was closing in, his scent overwhelming as he tried to block her.

  But she pushed past the distraction, focusing solely on the goal. She leaped into the air, adrenaline surging, and caught the disc just in time, landing hard in the end zone. “Yes!” she shouted, the thrill of victory coursing through her veins.

  Her team erupted in cheers, and Lillian felt a rush of euphoria. Yet, as she turned to celebrate, she caught sight of the Crestwood Alpha watching her, his expression unreadable, and she felt her heart race again - this time for an entirely different reason.

  Kael stood on the field while his teammates walked to a huddle on the sidelines. His jaw clenched in frustration as he watched Lillian celebrate her touchdown. The sound of her laughter grated his nerves, and he could see it affecting the team. Her presence cut through the air like a knife, and he felt a surge of irritation rise within him. It wasn’t just her skill on the field that bothered him; it was the way she seemed to command attention, drawing eyes and focus away from the game.

  “Alright, listen up!” Reid, their captain, barked, commanding their attention. “We’re not playing against just any team; we’re up against Fector, and that Omega is their ace. If any of you boneheads can’t tell, she’s almost in heat. It’s working to their advantage, and we need to shut her down.” His eyes snapped to Kael as he approached the team. “That’s your job, now.”

  Kael shifted uncomfortably, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. “What do you want me to do? Puppy sit?”

  “Exactly,” Reid replied, intensity radiating from him. “You need to stay on her, apply pressure. Don’t let her heat get into your head. It’s affecting all of us. If we let that distraction take over, we’re done for.”

  Kael frowned, a mix of annoyance and reluctance washing over him. “So, we just play dirty? That’s the plan?”

  “This isn’t about playing dirty; it’s about winning,” Reid shot back, his expression fierce. “We’re Crestwood, we need to be aggressive. Kael, you seem to make her waver when you’re close. Use that to our advantage. If you can get in her head and under her skin, we can throw her off her game.”

  Kael clenched his jaw, feeling the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders. The idea of exploiting her impending heat felt cheap, but he understood that Reid’s focus was on the team’s success. “Fine. I’ll keep her close. Just don’t expect me to go easy on her.”

  “Good,” Reid said, his voice low but firm. “We’re not here to make friends. We’re here to win, and we need to make sure we don’t let her heat distract us. Stay focused. Let’s show them what Crestwood is made of.”

  As the huddle broke, Kael felt the adrenaline surging through him. He was ready to take on the challenge, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that this game was about more than just strategy.

  “Great catch!” Jasper exclaimed, clapping Lillian on the back, but she could sense the tension lingering in the air. The game was far from over, and with every play, she felt the heat within her rising - a conflicting drive that made it hard to concentrate. The tournament was just beginning, and she knew she had to manage both her instincts and the game, all while keeping her teammates focused on the win.

  During the huddle, Lillian tried to shake off the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm her. Jasper was animatedly discussing strategy, but her focus kept drifting to the Crestwood huddle, especially that one Alpha. His presence was electric, and every time he moved, the scent of sweat and something distinctly male wrapped around her, making her heart race.

  “Lillian, we need you sharp out there,” Vanessa urged, her voice low but firm. “If it’s becoming too much, just let us know.”

  “I’m fine,” Lillian insisted, but the heat radiating from her skin made her feel exposed. “I just need to focus.” The truth was, it was becoming increasingly difficult. The cheers of her teammates, the adrenaline pumping through her veins, and the overwhelming presence of the opposing Alpha were all colliding in a way that sent her thoughts spiralling.

  As the game resumed, she found herself matched up with him again. He was fast and agile, cutting through the field like a predator. Her heart raced as they sprinted for the disc, and the intoxicating scent of him ignited a fire deep within her, distracting her with every step.

  When the disc was thrown, Lillian leaped to intercept it, adrenaline fuelling her movements. But just as she reached for it, the Alpha lunged forward, and they crashed together. The impact sent her tumbling to the ground, and before she knew it, she found herself underneath him.

  The world around them faded as all his weight pressed down on her, their bodies locked in a tangle of limbs. Lillian's breath hitched as she felt the heat radiating from him, mingling with her own rising desire. His eyes were intense, a mix of surprise and something darker that sent a thrill through her. She could see the ragged rise and fall of his chest, and her body responded in ways she couldn’t control. Both of them stayed still, frozen and unable to move.

  This was the first time she truly got a good look at him. The sunlight glinted off his tan skin and tousled curly dark hair, the sweat beads dripping off as he loomed over her. His hazel eyes were striking. They were filled with an intensity that caught her off guard; normally she’d squirm under a gaze like this, but she couldn’t seem to move. She trailed her eyes down to his strong jawline and slight stubble that added to his rugged charm, while the muscles in his arms hinted towards his overwhelming strength.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice deep and breathless, the closeness expanding the heat in her chest as it coursed through her veins. The way he looked at her made her heart race even faster.

  She barely managed to nod, her mind spiralling as the scent of him enveloped her, intoxicating and overwhelming. The collision had sent her thoughts into a haze, and she could feel a flush creeping up her cheeks, a small amount of slick seeping out. The Alpha's eyes widened, clearly picking up on the change in scent, and his mouth dropped open. The heat within her flared dangerously close to the surface, and she fought to maintain control, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.

  In that moment, as he hovered above her, Lillian couldn't help but feel suffocated by her collar. Like it was choking her and constricting around her neck. Her green eyes widened, something about him had an undeniable presence, and the realization left her feeling like she needed to claw out of her own skin.

  Just as she was about to reach for the buckle, Jasper’s voice broke through their bubble. “Lillian! Crestwood! Up!” The urgency in his tone snapped her back to reality, and the Alpha scrambled off her, propping himself up on his elbows to give her space and collect himself. But the charge between them was still lingering, and she could feel her body responding violently, teetering her on the edge of a full-blown heat.

  His dark eyes held hers for a moment longer, and she could see the conflict in them - his own breathing ragged as he picked himself off the ground. He looked just as affected, a flush creeping across his cheeks, but before she could fully process it, the spell was broken as their respective teammates rushed in.

  “Lillian, are you alright?” Jasper asked, urgency lacing his voice as he helped her to her feet, tossing a glare towards Crestwood. She nodded distractedly, but her heart was still racing, the lingering sensation of his firm body pressing against hers making her pulse quicken.

  “Stay focused!” Jasper urged; concern etched on his face. “We need you back in the game! But if you need a break then take it. Please.”

  With a deep breath, Lillian shook off the thoughts that threatened to consume her. She wasn’t going to let this take over. She had fought too hard to get here, and she wasn’t going to let anything hold her back.

  As the game continued, she focused on each play, drawing from her training and experience. She could feel the Alphas around her, their scents a constant reminder, but she fought to stay grounded. With each sprint, she channelled her frustration, proving to herself that she can’t be kept down.

  Finally, being one point from winning, Lillian saw her opportunity. Jasper had the disc, and he was scanning the field, looking for her. She broke free from her tail, sprinting as fast as she could, her heart racing. The small crowd was roaring, and she could feel the adrenaline surging through her veins.

  “Lillian!” Another one of her teammates shouted, and she felt an electric thrill surge through her as he launched the disc in her direction. She leaped, stretching her arm out, and this time, she caught it cleanly, landing in the end zone just as the Alpha caught up.

  Kael stood there, momentarily stunned after watching her break away from him, slipping past with an agility that caught him off guard. Confusion swirled in his mind - how had she managed to manoeuvre around him so effortlessly, stealing the point right from under his nose? He had been so focused on her presence that he'd let his guard down, and now, he could almost feel the weight of Reid's impending frustration looming over him. As their eyes locked one last time, he saw a flicker in her gaze, and it only deepened his confusion. He was drawn to her, yet he couldn't shake the feeling of being outmatched, leaving him both impressed and irritated as they turned to head back to their teams.

  “That’s game!” Jasper boomed, his voice echoing through the field. “Fuck yes, Lillian! That’s our girl!”

  Lillian’s team erupted in cheers, but as the reality of her situation settled in, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. The heat was undeniable now, simmering just beneath the surface as she caught her breath. She had won, but the battle was far from over.

  After the game, as the teams gather to cool down, Kael finds himself drawn back to Lillian. He watches her from a distance, noting the way she laughs with her teammates, the flush on her cheeks not just from the game but from the heat simmering beneath the surface. It stirs something inside him – something annoying and frustrated.

  Deciding he can’t let her slip away so easily, he approaches, feigning casual confidence. “Nice moves out there, Omega,” he says, stepping into her space just enough to assert his presence. “You really think you can keep that up?”

  Lillian looks up, surprise flickering in her eyes as they lock again. There’s something electric in the air between them, and she feels her heart race. “What’s it to you, Alpha?” she replies, her tone sharp but playful as she swayed her hips.

  As the conversation continues, Kael can sense the tension in the air – namely the way the other Alphas are eyeing them, their instincts strained. He knows he should be focused on his team, and with her nearing her heat, it’s becoming a volatile situation.

  “Just trying to keep you on your toes,” he smirks, stepping even closer, forcing her to look up at him. “You shouldn’t underestimate how the others will react. You might be the star of your team, but out here, it’ll get messy.”

  Lillian feels a mix of irritation and intrigue at his words. “I can handle myself,” she decides, trying to project confidence despite the heat that’s building inside her. Despite the knot twisting in her stomach at his stance before her, she opens her mouth to ask for his name, but the words feel dry in her throat.

  Kael studies her, noting the way her breath quickens and the way the scent of hesitation lingers in the air around them. In that moment, he realizes this isn’t just about the game anymore; it’s about more than that. The chemistry, and as he leans beside her ear, he can almost taste the tension.

  “Just remember, Lillian,” he murmurs, his voice dropping to a low growl, “I’ll be watching for you.”

  With that, he steps back, leaving her with a swirl of thoughts and emotions, knowing that their paths are now intertwined in ways neither of them can fully understand.