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Devlin leads me toward a discreet door nestled in the back right corner of the atrium. Ordinarily, this door remains firmly locked and under vigilant guard, but tonight, it stands wide open. Stepping outside, I draw in a deep, invigorating breath, a sense of relief washing over me even as a faint chill races down my spine. Devlin’s hand rests gently on the small of my back, and he nods toward a lone guard stationed just outside, the ember of his cigarette the only visible sign of his presence.
The path leading to the maze follows the contours of the mountain, descending gracefully. An iron railing ensures our safety, though we’re not perched high up. The world around us is shrouded in a twilight embrace, and the distant stars twinkle in a celestial dance, casting their soft, silvery glow upon our path.
“So, Devlin…” I nibble my bottom lip, our path illuminated by softly glowing orbs. “What’s your favorite food?”
“My favorite food?” Devlin questions, a smile dancing in his eyes as he looks down at me. “That’s not quite where I expectedthis conversation to go.” His laughter wraps around me, sinking deep into my soul.
“Well,” I drawl, “it can make or break a relationship.”
“How’s that, sweet Seraphina?” The endearment Devlin uses sends a thrill of excitement rushing through me.
“You could eat liver every day,” I deadpan. “That’s a deal breaker. Imagine the breath of someone who ate liver daily.”
Once again, Devlin chuckles as we step onto the path that winds through the heart of the maze. Up ahead, a fountain is aglow with blue lights. An omega statue, her face veiled by lace, gazes over her shoulder from its pedestal in the center. I’ve always felt she exuded a sense of melancholy. There have been times when I’ve wanted to topple that statue, but now, I wonder if she was peering through the lace, playing coy. It’s intriguing how a slight change in perspective can entirely alter the outlook on a single statue.
“Well, I can assure you that I don’t eat liver,” Devlin says, drawing me back into our conversation.
“Then what do you eat?” I gently tug him in the direction I want to go. It’s a rare opportunity to walk through the maze. I only ever admired it from a distance during my stay here, but I know there’s a gazebo at the center, and I want to see it illuminated.
“Are you trying to feed me, Seraphina?” Devlin quips, grabbing my hand and twirling me around until my palms press against his chest, and I grip his lapels. It’s reminiscent of our dance on the ballroom floor, but out here, we’re alone. Whispers from others meandering through the grounds echo faintly in the background, but I pay them no mind. It’s just him and me. “An alpha might take that as an invitation.”
“I assure you that I can’t cook,” I reply, blinking up at him as heat surges through me, sending goosebumps dancing across my skin. “Although I do love a good Crock-Pot meal.”
Devlin’s eyes glitter as he gazes down at me. “Don’t worry, one of my packmates loves to cook,” he says with a smile.
“Do you have a pack?” I ask, stopping my pursuit of his favorite food. However, I can’t help but secretly entertain the idea of preparing it for him.
The fragrant scent of chamomile and cream envelops me, growing deeper and more potent now that we’re alone. I slowly inhale his essence, imprinting his unique scent on my soul, but then a thought flashes through my mind—imprinting. Red flags urgently wave in my thoughts.
“I have a pack, yes,” he replies, leaning closer until his warm breath tickles my ear, effectively banishing my concerns. “But my favorite food just so happens to be brown sugar shortbread.” His lips graze my ear, and my scent bursts forth, betraying my body’s response to his proximity. Brown sugar—such a sweet indulgence.
I swallow and pull back, a teasing smile playing on my lips. “Have you ever been lost in a maze, Devlin?”
Deep within me, I’m aware that my pheromones are taking control, propelling me forward with an irresistible urge. Logic and reason no longer hold sway. Right now, I am all omega, and she’s yearning to play. Tomorrow, I know I’ll dissect every action from tonight, but that’s a problem for future Seraphina.
“This one?” Devlin’s gaze briefly shifts to the maze behind me and then to the sliver of moon overhead before returning to my face. “No,” he responds, and I can’t discern whether he’s navigated this maze before or not.
Despite every instinct telling me to hold on, I release his fingers and take a step back. Warning bells chime inside me. This behavior is unlike my usual self, but I take another step, a moment guided solely by instinct. With one more step, Devlin catches on, and he inhales sharply.
There’s one thing we can always count on when it comes to designations and the power dynamics between alphas and omegas—the chase. Alphas revel in the thrill of pursuing an omega, eagerly tracking them down and pinning them in place, witnessing their submission, and seeing them bare their necks. It’s one of the first lessons ingrained within these very walls.
“One minute head start?” I inquire, a crisp breeze tousling my hair as I prepare for the challenge.
“One minute? Starting now,” Devlin responds, tilting his head before removing his suit jacket. His ethereal eyes never waver from mine, creating an enticing power play that dares my gaze to wander and appreciate the corded muscles of his arms. “Time is ticking, sweet Seraphina. It’s your choice—watch me or run.”
I find myself surprisingly weak willed, unable to tear my eyes away as Devlin drapes his jacket carefully over the edge of a nearby fountain. He leisurely unbuttons his white shirt sleeves, and I’m torn between watching and running.
I kick off one shoe and then the other, shedding my shoes with haste before darting into the maze. Laughter spills from my lips, and for the first time in years, the weight of the world seems to vanish.
Gone are the thoughts of my sister, my brother, the power of the council, and the need to conform. Out here, it’s just me, an omega running through a maze, barefoot and free.
My fingers glide over the foliage, and my feet crunch through the cold grass. The hedges rise around me, forming an endless barrier, obscuring the path ahead. My heart races with anticipation as I navigate the intricate maze, my senses alert and my eyes scanning for any sign of escape.
As I round each corner, excitement courses through my veins. I can almost sense something great waiting for me just around the bend, and I want nothing more than to find it andseize it. With each step I take, I feel more and more connected to the moment, and the overwhelming presence of the hedges feels strangely comforting and safe.
Or maybe it’s knowing that somewhere behind me, Devlin stalks through the maze as well, tracking my scent, trying to find me. The thought alone sends tingles racing through me, and I pick up my pace.
On any normal day, no one would catch me running, ever, and right now, it shows as my breath becomes choppy and my lungs gulp down air. As I spin around another corner, I come face-to-face with a dead end.
