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I lick my dry lips. “To the compound. I need to see Alexei.”

Orien turns, all traces of emotion wiped clean. “The compound where your family is right at this moment planning to destroy everything I’ve helped Rowan build?”

I flinch. “Yes.”

His posture shifts, feet planted shoulder-width apart, shoulders squared. “You’re not going alone.”

I keep my hands on the counter, trying to project calm. “If I show up with you at my back, Alexei will view it as a declaration of war. He’ll negotiate with his brother. He won’t negotiate with a bonded Omega’s Alpha standing behind him. He’d view it as weakness.”

“I don’t care how he chooses to view it,” Orien bites out. “You’re not going without me.”

“I have to.”

“You don’t.” He takes a single step forward. “You’re choosing to.”

The accusation burns. “That’s not fair⁠—”

“You told me their plans,” he cuts in. “You confirmed their suspicions about your loyalty were true. Now you want to go back? Alone?”

“Alexei won’t hurt me,” I say, the invisible hand around my throat tightening. “But if you come, he’ll have to respond as the head of the family. He’ll have to maintain appearances in front of witnesses. His pride will cost us both.”

The silence stretches between us, taut as a wire. Orien’s jaw works, tension visible in the line of his throat and the set of his shoulders.

Finally, he speaks. “Three hours.”

I blink. “What?”

“If you’re not back in three hours, I’m coming for you.”

“Three hours isn’t⁠—”

“Not negotiable.” He cuts me off. “Three hours, or you don’t leave.”

“I need more time,” I argue. “The compound is forty minutes from here. Alexei won’t⁠—”

“Three hours,” he repeats, a rumble starting in his chest. “Starting the minute you walk out the door.”

My mouth opens to continue the argument, but his hard stare stops me. “I understand.”

Orien draws in a steadying breath. “Go dress.”

I do as he says, moving on autopilot. My clothes are scattered across his bedroom, the evidence of our hours together. I gather them piece by piece, pulling on boxers, jeans, and a soft sweater that carries both of our scents.

As I step back out, Orien follows me to the door and waits as I kneel to put on my shoes. When I straighten, he holds my jacket in his hands.

He helps me to put it on, then grabs the lapels and yanks me close. “I hate this plan.”

“Me, too.” I offer him a wavering smile. “But this is our best bet.”

With a growl, he swoops down, his mouth bruising as he slams into mine. One hand fists in my hair and the other grips my jaw, opening me up for his tongue to slide in and reclaim every nook and cranny he’s already spent days claiming. Pulling back, he catches my lower lip between his teeth and tugs.

I whimper, gripping his bare shoulders as I melt into him.

But then it’s over, and he sets me back from his warm body. “You better be right about your brother.”

Dazed, my lips still stinging from his kiss, I can’t manage more than a quiet, “I am.”

His arms cross over his chest. “Stay alive.”