Prologue
Ersa
Thesheercurtainbillowedin the morning breeze, golden light spilling through to the foot of the bed, where the lovers lay entwined in soft, rumpled sheets.
“What do you want for your special day?” Mason whispered, his voice a velvety caress against Ersa’s heated skin. His lips traced a slow, deliberate path down his chest, lingering at each dip and ridge before trailing lower. Every kiss sent shivers racing through Ersa’s body, sparks igniting along his nerves.
Ersa’s fingers tangled in Mason’s dark hair, gripping tight, desperate for something to anchor himself to. A wave of pleasure crashed over him, leaving warmth unfurling in every limb, curling his toes.
“I want you,” Ersa moaned.
Mason chuckled, green eyes gleaming with laughter.
So beautiful, Ersa thought, entranced. Mason wasn’t the most handsome alpha—average at best—but those warm, laughing eyes, the strong jaw, the aquiline nose, and the unruly black hair that couldn’t decide between curls or waves stole his breath. And that scent—sharp, woodsy, tinged with wet soil and summer rain—was intoxicating. As if to prove the point, Ersa brushed his nose along Mason’s neck, breathing him in.
“You have me, baby,” Mason murmured.
Ersa flung his arms around him. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too. Come here.”
The bed groaned as Mason rolled to his back, pulling Ersa onto his chest. Ersa sighed, lulled by the steady lub-dub of Mason’s heart and the soothing hand across his back. He traced the shifting shadows on the floor, listening as the world outside stirred—birds chirping, laughter drifting through the air, hover pods humming along the airway.
Next door, Master Pentridge shouted that he was late for work. Again.
Ersa sighed, casting a sharp, venomous glare at the overhead wall.
The PulseQuarters—one of the most prestigious two-story, duplex-style residences in Mainland, the glittering capital of Arhu—rose in a circular formation, a ring of seamlessly connected units. Every inch of the place screamed modern opulence: voice-responsive lighting, scent-filtered ventilation, and climate pods that fine-tuned themselves to the user’s biological designation—alpha, beta, and omega. The family units were a marvel, thoughtfully designed to cradle a growing cub’s every need.
But for all its luxury, the building had one irritating flaw: the walls were thin.Toothin. Every quarrel or fevered moan seeped through them like smoke.
It was frustrating at times, and Ersa often found himself wishing they could move somewhere quieter. But their finances were still shaky, caught in that in-between stage of almost-but-not-quite. He could ask his parents for help, but they’d already done so much. The unit they lived in now had been a bonding gift, a generous gesture Ersa appreciated deeply. He knew if he asked, they’d give him whatever he wanted. Still, he wanted him and Mason to carve their own path, to build something that was wholly theirs.
It wouldn’t be long now. They just had to hold on a little longer. Mason was steadily climbing the ranks as a junior bio-logistics officer, and with a promotion on the horizon, the dream of owning their own house felt closer than ever.
I just have to be patient, Ersa reminded himself as he leaned into Mason’s side.
Besides, the quarters weren’t all bad. There was something primal about the place. Maybe it was the architecture, echoing old pack days, when families lived in close proximity and shared their daily lives.
“I guess he’s late again,” Mason said, breaking the silence. They burst into laughter as Pentridge’s hurried footsteps echoed, followed by his bond mate’s frantic attempts to straighten his clothes. A second later, a wail cut through the morning air from down the hallway.
Ersa sighed. “I guess my time is up.” He wiggled out of Mason’s arms.
“No, I’ll go,” Mason said, gently laying Ersa down. He sat up, but before he could get out of bed, Ersa grasped his arm to stop him.
“Are you sure? You worked until late yesterday. You should rest.” Ersa sat up, their shoulders brushing—a perfect fit. Unlike most alphas—broad-shouldered giants with towering frames, thick muscle, and a presence that commanded any room they entered— Mason was lean, his presence comforting rather than overwhelming. “I’ll go take care of Mika. Once I’m done, I’ll go downstairs and prepare breakfast for you.”
“Today is your birthday. I should be the one taking care of you.”
“I like taking care of you.” Ersa slipped out of bed and padded over to the chair where he’d tossed his clothes the night before—right after Mason had all but dragged him into their room once Mika was asleep. Mika’s cries pierced the quiet, growing louder with each second. Ersa hurried into his shirt and pants, then dashed out the door.
“I’m here, little one,” he cooed, stepping into the nursery. Plush carpet cushioned his steps as he approached the crib, bathed in the night lamp’s warm glow. Mika flailed, tiny fists punching the air. Ersa chuckled, scooping him up. “My little alpha woke up irritable this morning. What’s wrong, huh?” he murmured, carrying the cub to a settee by the window. Beyond the glass, a breathtaking garden sprawled below, a vibrant sea of blossoms unfurling in full bloom. It was one of the quiet pleasures Ersa cherished most about the quarters. He could sit there for hours, watching petals flutter in the breeze, dreaming of the day he’d have a garden of his own, a home that was truly theirs, tucked far from the noise and relentless pulse of the capital.
Ersa gently rubbed Mika’s back in slow, soothing circles, waiting for the cub’s cries to settle. As Mika nestled closer, Ersa lifted his shirt, guiding him to feed. A soft hum escaped Ersa’s lips, the melody syncing with the rhythmic motion of his hand against Mika’s tiny frame.
Mika’s little fingers curled in the air before settling on Ersa’s chest, his green eyes locking onto him with an almost uncanny focus.What are you thinking, little one?Ersa wondered, mesmerized by the quiet intensity in his gaze. It was the most breathtaking sight he’d ever laid eyes on—his heart ached with wonder just looking at him. He’d been unusually fortunate. While most male omegas endured months of hormonal instability, vertigo, and cellular stress as their bodies changed, his pregnancy had been remarkably smooth. His hormonal shifts stabilized without the usual side effects. No mental crashes. No organ strain. Just a quiet, seamless transformation. For many omegas, especially males, the biological process of carrying a cub was still unpredictable. But somehow, his system had handled it effortlessly, as if his body had been waiting for this.
“I’m so lucky to have you,” Ersa said, kissing Mika’s cheek. The cub giggled, staring up at him.